January 27, 2009

Information Meeting on New Hockey Program: Advanced Skills

KELOWNA, BC: On Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m., interested parents and students are invited to attend an information session on a new hockey program beginning in September 2009. The Advanced Skills Program will be offered at Okanagan Mission Secondary School (OKM) giving strong players a chance to improve their game further as well as learn about sports psychology, nutrition and elite training techniques.

“The new program at OKM is a natural evolution of our existing Hockey Canada Skills Academy (HCSA),” says program coordinator Dan Ruggiero.  “Although the advanced program will address the requests of the stronger players, the long-term goal is not to develop professional athletes.  Rather, the outcome is to enhance a student’s confidence and self-esteem with individual hockey skills, and to link athletics to academics, while at the same time making efficient use of available ice facilities during the school day hours.  Students will receive course credits as per their grade level.”

Advanced Skills Program will include specialized training not available in HCSA including in-depth nutritional analysis, sports psychology and off-ice training techniques.  There will also be a classroom component involving topics such as ‘power play’ analysis.  For each two hours of classroom instruction, students will spend four to five hours on the ice learning to apply those systems.  The annual tuition fee of $3,500 will cover the cost of instructors who are experts in these fields, as well as the cost of a Hockey Canada license, player registration, insurance fees, ice rental, transportation, equipment (other than personal gear), program development and miscellaneous operating costs.

“Many of our students have been involved in the HCSA and are ready for a more intense mental and physical challenge,” says OKM Principal Scott McLean. 

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.

The Jan. 28 information session will take place in the OKM Secondary School Forum.  Applications are available at OKM or through www.cohockeyskills.ca beginning in February.  The application deadline is Feb.19, 2009.  There is space for 26 students.

Approved by the Superintendent on January 26, 2009

__________________________________________________________________________________________

For comments, please contact:

Dan Ruggiero, Coordinator: SD#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.