Acadia Minor Hockey Association gets big boost from Province
Photo: John DeCosteleft to right: Jim Midgely, Assistant Coach of the Acadia Axemen; Mike Trinacty, NS Health Promotion, Sport and Recreation Division; and David Duncan, President of the Acadia MHA.
On November 3rd 2004, the Honourable Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Health Promotion announced that our application was approved and the Sport and Recreation Division will contribute $10,000 for the project. The purpose of this grant is to provide assistance with the startup of the Quick Start program intended to reduce barriers that prevent children from participation in hockey.
In recent years, KAMHA and EKMHA registered approximately 35 new players into the Novice Initiation Program.The Novice Quick Start Program has been a runaway success. One hundred and forty two children have joined minor hockey for the first time under the program this year. The Acadia MHA has outfitted 91 of these players with a full set of hockey equipment including skates and sticks with the help and support from Cleve's Source for Sports and numerous private and business donors from our cachement area. The Tim Horton's organization has kindly donated Timbit hockey jerseys for the players and the Acadia Axemen hockey players help with the on-ice instruction.
Our Association has introduced the “Quick Start” program to make it possible for every child, regardless of economic circumstance, to register and enjoy the game of hockey. There are a number of barriers to entry level participation in our sport. Parents of young children are often reluctant or unable to meet the upfront costs of registration and equipment purchase to start a child in the game which can easily be in the $400 - $500 range. They aren’t sure if their child will stick with it and aren’t connected to the game so can’t easily access less expensive, second hand equipment that is always available as children already playing outgrow theirs’.
This program means great things to the girls and boys in our area. It provides exercise and enjoyment to everyone. It ensures the growth and continued viability of A.M.H.A. programs and it provides a concrete example of how our new Association can do more by working together than we could as separate entities. This is a wonderful thing and a credit to the many volunteers from KAMHA and EKMHA who work so hard to to be a positive force for youth in our communities.
© 2004 Acadia Minor Hockey Association
