Crowther Memorial to start hockey program

Times Contributor  

 

Crowther Memorial Junior High has announced that it is going to start a hockey program in September for students in Grades 7 to 9.  This program would allow students to train continuously for hockey while in school from Grade 5 until the end of high school.

“This is something that we’ve thought about doing for a while,” said Ivan Wright, Principal at Crowther Memorial. “There were already two programs within the Golden Hills School Division at (Westmount) Elementary and Strathmore High School, so it makes sense to have a skills program here that acts as a bridge (between elementary and high school).”

The co-ed program will run from September until the end of February, and there will be 24 spaces available to experienced players. Two classes will be offered, with the classes each getting two to three ice times per week on alternating days. The classes will be held at the Strathmore Family Centre, and two teachers at the school will run the sessions. The cost is $350, and the program would be run according to the following schedule: September to November at the rink, December at the school, and then students would return to the rink for January and February.

“Ice time in Strathmore is valuable,” Wright said. “Hockey is still the number one sport here, and the availability of ice time for those who want to improve their skills is going to be a great benefit.  (Junior high) is also an age where there is a need and a want because the kids are trying to further improve their skills.”

Wright said that Crowther Memorial is in discussions with Strathmore High School about a mentorship program where the high school students would help the junior high students in developing their skills.  

“The older players can help out, and pass on their knowledge,” he said. “We already make use of other facilities in the town for other sports such as curling, so this was not an issue.

“And the arena is our next door neighbour, so the proximity is good.”