First Shift kicks off in Battlefords

Bauer hockey rep Jonathan Blais was on hand with many other volunteers to assist with equipment fitting. He said the reason for the program began when Bauer surveyed parents across Canada and found four main barriers to hockey, only one of which was cost.

“What the program is here to do is to break down the top four, which are price, safety, management, and perceived level of fun,” Blais said. “We surveyed across the country and believe it or not, only 10 per cent of kids play hockey in Canada now. So that’s what we’re trying to feed here, which is kind of a shocking number.

“The real goal of the program is to get one million new families and kids into hockey over the next 10 years.”

This is the third year the Battlefords Minor Hockey Association is taking part in the program.

The BMHA takes 40 kids for its program on a first come, first serve basis.

BMHA peewee director and First Shift ambassador Helen Germann said the entire board is behind the program. Each year they apply for the grant, then find local hockey coaches who will volunteer their time.

“The kids just come, they get together, they get placed on teams, they learn to play hockey, and they make some long lasting relationships,” Germann said. “Many of them will continue to play hockey and sign up with our minor hockey system and of those who decide not to like it and not to continue with it, then they’ve had a chance and an opportunity to try it.”

Germann said in years past, roughly half of First Shift participants have then gone on to enrol with the BMHA.

“Obviously it [is] a recruitment and retention program,” she said. “If they like it, they continue on with BMHA and hopefully their children will say, ‘Mom, please sign me up for hockey,’ and we have the appropriate channels in place.”

The two hours of parent education are key as well.

It allows BMHA members to speak with parents about other support systems, such as the Jumpstart program from Canadian Tire or Kidsport.

“It’s a bridging between Bauer and BMH, but it also provides us with some resources and contacts to allow every child in the community who wants to play hockey, to have that opportunity,” Germann said.

The First Shift program took place in 65 communities in 2015 and this year has 150 planned. The goal nationwide is to introduce over 5,000 new families to the sport of hockey.

Germann made it clear the local support in the Battlefords is greatly appreciated.

“Our local Canadian Tire – I know they have supplied the first skate sharpening for free,” she pointed out. “And for Bauer for completely funding the whole entire program. They also paid to cover the cost of the ice. We’re just really excited to have it for one more year.”

Nathan Kanter is battlefordsNOW’s sports reporter and voice of the Battlefords North Stars. He can be reached at Nathan.Kanter@jpbg.ca or tweet him @NathanKanter11.

by Nathan Kanter

First Shift kicks off in Battlefords

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