Aug 19, 2016 | Brady Parr | 2265 views
2016/2017 West London Hockey Initiation Program
It may still be hot outside but many of us are already eagerly awaiting the start of the upcoming hockey season. Final details for the upcoming season were just finalized at the board meeting this week and here is some more information about the upcoming season for the Initiation Program.
This is for players 4-6 years old, born between 2010 & 2012, and was formerly known as the Tyke division. The program has been updated to better suit the needs of the kids aged 4-6. It is more focussed on skill development and practices will include multiple small stations following the mandated Hockey Canada model. This leads to your child being able to better develop the basic skills of hockey, increase the amount of coaching they receive and significantly raise the number of times they touch the puck. When the focus turns towards playing games the ice will be 1/2 ice instead of full ice which leads to your child being more engaged and allows them to have an overall better experience. Click Here to read more about the Initiation Program and see some videos on the changes. Furthermore we are excited to announce that we have partnered with Total Package Hockey to further enhance our practice plans and coaching for our ice instructors.
Starting September 24th your child will be on the ice twice a week until the end of March. Once on Saturday morning for one hour (between 7:30am - 11:30am) and once on either Wednesday or Thursday night for one hour (between 5:30pm - 7:30pm) mostly at Kinsmen Arena.
The first two weeks (4 ice times) will be an evaluation period. In early September your child will be assigned to Evaluation Group A, B, C or D. The evaluation period will allow us to properly place your child into either the White division (generally 4-5 year olds) or Red division (generally 5-6 year olds). There will be flexibility during the IP program to move kids should their skill level warrant this movement?Your child will need to bring a practice jersey & socks. After the evaluation period your child will be assigned to an ice group for the next couple of months.
Starting October 8th the White division ice groups will be the Monkeys or Dolphins and the Red division ice groups will be the Bears or Tigers. Your child will receive a jersey and socks. Ice times will be organized with multiple stations which have different drills. The focus is on skills and development with some fun activities and games mixed in. Starting December 4th, half-ice games will be included on Saturday mornings and ice barriers will be used to properly split up the ice.
Additionally, your child will have the opportunity to participate in: a game at the Budweiser Gardens before the London Knights play, a one day tournament during March break and a year-end party. More details including fees involved will be shared later.