March 13, 2009

Immediate Response to New Advanced Skills Hockey Program

KELOWNA, BC: Students who love hockey have a reason to celebrate: the overwhelmingly positive response to the Advanced Skills hockey program at Okanagan Mission Secondary (OKM) has 24 out of 26 spots filled.  The program is set to begin on September 3, 2009.  For students considering applying, please note that School District No. 23 has a policy that ensures no student will be turned away from any program for financial reasons. 

“The interest is greater than we thought it would be,” says OKM Principal Scott McLean.  “We even have students moving from Campbell River and Kimberly just to take this program.  We expected that some students from other parts of our District would switch schools to participate, but we were amazed to have people moving here from other districts.”

The Advanced Skills Program will give strong players a chance to improve their game and learn about sports psychology, nutrition and elite training techniques.  “Although this new program will address the requests of stronger players, the long-term goal is not to develop professional athletes,” says program coordinator Dan Ruggiero.   “Rather, the outcome is to enhance a student’s confidence and self-esteem with individual hockey skills, and to link athletics to academics.”

“Advanced Skills at OKM is a natural evolution of our existing Hockey Canada Skills Academy (HCSA),” says Ruggiero.  The HCSA has been offered in this District for six years in partnership with the Kelowna Minor Hockey Association and Hockey Canada.  Currently, HCSA is available at OKM, Mount Boucherie Secondary, Rutland Secondary, Rutland Middle School, and Springvalley Middle School.  It will also be offered at Dr. Knox Middle School in 2009/2010.

As a 3-block program, Advanced Skills will use all the electives in students’ 8-block course schedules.  The next step for those who are enrolled in the program is to meet with a school counselor.  McLean notes, “We have some academically-advanced students who have enrolled and we want to ensure that they meet all the requirements of their chosen post-secondary institution.”

McLean and Ruggiero are eager to see the program meet its high expectations in the fall.  “When we announced this program in January, the news spread like wildfire through the hockey community,” says McLean.  “It’s an exciting new option for School District No. 23 and one that is endorsed by Hockey Canada.  We’ll see you on the ice!”

Approved by the Superintendent on March 13, 2009

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For comments, please contact:

Dan Ruggiero, Coordinator:  School District No. 23 Hockey Canada Skills Academy, (250) 212-7656

Scott McLean, Principal Okanagan Mission Secondary, (250) 764-4185

Mike Roberts, Superintendent of Schools (250) 860-8888

For background information, please contact Lisa Harrison lharriso@sd23.bc.ca or 470-3284.