February 3, 2010

Information evenings for Advanced Skills Hockey and other Academies

KELOWNA, BC: Okanagan Mission Secondary (OKM) is holding information evenings for students who are looking to reach the pinnacle of their sport (hockey, soccer and swimming*) or a career in visual and/or performing arts*.

On Thursday, February 4 at 6:30 p.m., Dan Ruggiero, Coordinator of the Hockey Canada Skills Academy, will outline the selection process and curriculum for the Advanced Skills Hockey Program (ASP) at OKM and provide application forms.  The program includes 140 hours of on-ice instruction and 35 hours of classroom theory and instruction.  This Academy fills up quickly and attracted students from outside the District in the first year of the program (the 2009/2010 school year).

The ASP program offers three significant benefits for hockey players.  “They can continue to play in Kelowna minor hockey and receive advanced hockey instruction while attending secondary school,” says Ruggiero.  “All of this is accomplished without paying the tens of thousands of dollars charged by private hockey academies in other cities.  Our program allows students to work towards reaching their potential without leaving home.”

Feedback from parents has been very positive.  “A parent recently told me that their son loves the ASP program because of the instructors, the extra ice time, the off-ice fitness training, and the off-ice hockey theory sessions.”

On February 10, at 6:30 p.m., students and parents are invited to learn more about OKM’s other Academies: Hockey Skills, Soccer, Swimming* and Fine Arts*.  The sessions will take place at OKM; room assignments will be posted in the school’s foyer.

“These Academies allow students to devote themselves to their passion for sport and arts without missing out on the day-to-day secondary school experience,” says Scott McLean, Principal at OKM. 

The Hockey Canada Skills Academy (HCSA) has been offered for eight years in School District No. 23.  This popular program is also available at these schools: Rutland Secondary, Mount Boucherie Secondary, Rutland Middle, Springvalley Middle and Dr. Knox Middle.  Students who are or will be attending these schools are welcome to attend OKM’s information session for HCSA.

*The Swimming and Fine Arts Academies are subject to Board of Education approval on Feb. 24, 2010.

Approved by the Superintendent, Daniel Ruggiero, and Scott McLean on February 3, 2010

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For comments, please contact:

Dan Ruggiero, Coordinator: Hockey Canada Skills Academy, (250) 212-7656

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

Hugh Gloster, Superintendent of Schools, School Board Office, (250) 860-8888

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