SGDSB Expands Hockey Canada Skills Academy Program

 

Superior-Greenstone District School Board is excited to announce that it is expanding the Hockey Canada Skills Academy Program within its school district. The program is currently offered at George O’Neill Public School in Nipigon.  Beginning in the fall the program will be offered at the Terrace Bay Public School as well as BA Parker Public School in Geraldton. 

 

Through the partnership with Hockey Canada, Hockey Northwestern Ontario the Hockey Academy Program and the dedication of staff, the program has been very successful at the George O’Neill Public School.   The Hockey Academy Program provides an opportunity for Students to participate in the Grade 4-8 Hockey Canada Skills Curriculum, which improves and develops overall fitness and hockey skills during the school day.

 

The SGDSB Academy is designed to challenge and inspire all students who participate. It is a complete program that includes education, on-ice skills, off-ice strength and conditioning, mental training, and personal and team development. On-ice sessions include hockey fundamentals such as skating, puck handling, passing, and tactics.

 

When students are not on ice they are exposed to sport specific fitness training, floorball, stick handling and shooting. This is a great program for those students wanting to enhance their current skill set and also provides an opportunity to introduce the game to students new to hockey who want to play for the first time. The program operates during the school day, from October to March each year.  

Focusing on individual improvement and team building helps maximize a student’s development potential. The program offers on-going skill development that, in turn, creates the opportunity to build students skill level and enhance their abilities as a team player.

Kellie Wrigley, Principal of George O’Neill Public School, says that she is thrilled to offer this program to her students.   “This is a great program for those students wanting to enhance their current skill set and also provides an opportunity to introduce the game to students new to hockey who want to play for the first time”. 

 

Director of Education, David Tamblyn said that due to the program success at George O’Neill Public School during this 2017-18 school year, the board is offering the program in other Schools across the district. The Director noted that “the program has been successful in decreasing the high rate of student absenteeism in the board’s elementary school and has had a positive impact on student achievement”.

 

SGDSB Hockey Canada Skills Academy has been accredited by Hockey Canada. The framework of the program is consistent with the standards for development set by Hockey Canada. As well, it is in full compliance with the Ministry of Education provincial learning outcomes for physical education.

Any child enrolled in either George O’Neill Public School, Terrace Bay Public School or B.A. Parker Public School can apply to participate in the Hockey Canada Skills Academy program starting September 2018. An application to the program can be completed on the School Board’s website by visiting www.sgdsb.on.ca