About 40 Crossfield and area residents attended an information session, Sept. 7, to learn about National Sports Development’s (NSD) plan to launch a hockey program at W.G. Murdoch School.
NSD is hoping to enrol 10 students in its first year in the school.
The hockey program will be considered an option, and the school has adjusted its schedule to be able to accommodate it on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Representatives from the school, local school board and NSD spoke to residents about the benefits of such a program in the school.
It is a pared-down version of the full program that is expected to be implemented in 2012, and will see participants spend 70 hours on ice time, and about 30 hours of classroom time.
“When the bell rang, it was recess and phys ed that I was looking forward to,” said NSD Vice President of Hockey Operations Graham MacLachlan. “Had it been hockey I was looking forward to, I would have really enjoyed coming to school Tuesdays and Thursdays, no question about it.”
The program has been implemented in six other schools, and organizers believe that if students can pair up their studies with a sport they are passionate about, they will do better in school.
W.G. Murdoch principal Greg Roberts says that this program will also bring people together.
“The draw for us is to work with the community to build some community spirit, rejuvenate minor hockey, and give kids a time during the day they can improve their skills,” said Roberts. “We are trying to capture students with their athletic interests, and incorporate their athletic pursuits into their school life.”
The program is slated to be implemented over the next two years, with a $350 fee for this year’s program, and a $3,500 fee next year.
Students will utilize both their local arena and, NSD facilities in Calgary in the second year.
Despite the jump in fees, both MacLachlan and Roberts feel there will be plenty of interest to support the program, and the school can help with subsidies for families that may not be able to come up with the costly second-year fees.
Ten students will be required to support the program in its first year.
“I don’t see there being a problem,” said MacLachlan.
