Akwesasne Minor Hockey Initiation Program

2009-2010 Season

Welcome to the Initiation program for Akwesasne, we are looking forward to a very positive and exciting year this season. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Kahnastatsi Geraldine Jacobs and I will be your IP Director for the 2009-10 seasons.

I am currently recruiting coaches, preferably parents, if you are interested please let me know soon, for we will be attending an Intro coaching clinic on Sunday, October 4th in Long Sault 9:00-5:00 p.m. This clinic will ensure that our coaches are fully prepared to present a successful program and to develop basic hockey skills while our Children have fun learning Hockey.

I am a firm believer of Hockey Canada’s philosophy that the Initiation program is to make children’s first contact with hockey a safe and positive experience. It’s a structured, learn-to-play hockey program designed to introduce beginners to the game’s basic skills. It enables participants to become contributing members of a team effort, develop self-confidence, and experience a sense of personal achievement. These goals are achieved in an atmosphere of fun and fair play.

Enclosed is information that may help answer some of your questions you may have about the Akwesasne IP program and a pamphlet OMHA Development. So join us this season in making sure your child gets the best program they deserve.

Niawen Ko:wa

Kahnastatsi G. Jacobs

IP Director

What is the Initiation Program?

The Initiation program (IP) is a Hockey Canada sponsored program that introduces the basic skills of hockey in a fun and safe environment, and focuses on the development of skills in a non-competitive environment.

The Goals of the IP program are the following:

To have fun while playing hockey and engaging in physical activity

To learn the basic skills required to play the game of hockey.

To develop an understanding of basic teamwork through participation in a variety of activities and adapted game situations.

To create and refine basic motor patterns.

To be introduced to the concepts of cooperation and fair play.

For more information on the CHA Initiation program, please check out the following web page

http://www.hockeycanada.ca/e/develop/players/initiation/index.html

When does the program start?

The Akwesasne IP program will start Thursday, October 8th at 5:00 p.m. with a Parent & child skate. This skate session is basically to get the rust out, and to have fun skating around with your child. You will need just skates and a helmet.

On Sunday, October 11th at 10:00 a.m. it will be their first structured basic skills session. They will need full equipment no stick, bottle of water and a tasty fruit for later.

Akwesasne IP program will run from Oct 8th to February 18th on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. here at A’nowara’ ko:wa arena.

Thursday, December 3rd will be Team photos.

Thursday, February 18th we will end the season with a family skate, pizza and awards.

How do I register?

Registration will be Thursday, September 24th and October 1st 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the A’nowara’ ko:wa arena. Linda Lazore is the Registrar, we will have a table set up for registration. Registration cost is $75.00. You will need a copy of your Birth certificate and OHIP/QHIP.

Who are The Instructors?

The on ice instruction will be led by two head instructors and at least four assistant instructors who all will be certified after Sunday, October 4th. They were recruited and interviewed by myself. They will follow the Canada Hockey Association IP program manual that is broken down into two levels. Each level has 25 pre-planned on –ice sessions which focus on the basic skills of hockey; forward and backward skating, stopping, crossovers, balance , agility, puck control, passing and shooting.

Can the IP Team participate in tournaments?

Tournaments are not encouraged, but rather a Fun Day, which is playing hockey in a non-competitive environment. We will host a Fun Day in December and we will play fun games with local teams surrounding Akwesasne starting in January.

What Equipment does my Child require?

Hockey helmet and face mask (must be CSA approved and properly fitted)

Socks and garter belt (or undergarment with Velcro to hold socks-normally holds protective cup/Jill as well)

Shin guards (proper size and length)

Shoulder pads (proper size to protect shoulders and upper arms area)

Mouth guard (proper size)

Elbow pads (proper size)

Skates – properly fitted and sharpened

Hockey gloves (proper size – avoid short cuffs as they don’t provide proper protection against slashes to the wrist area)

Stick – properly measured while on skates – should be at chin level; end of stick (knob) must be thick enough to not fit through any face mask openings.

Hockey pants (proper size and length)

Protective Cup/Jill (proper size)

Who sponsors the Initiation Program?

AMH covers some expenses. I submitted a CKON radio community bingo application to cover costs for our Fun Day and I am currently working on getting sponsored back into the TIMBITS program with Tim Horton’s.

What should I do?

You could join the coaching staff, learn how to run the clock, dress your child, tie their skates, stay and watch, even watch while walking the track. Most of all you encourage, and yell out positive cheers. And at the end meet them when they’re getting off the ice and give them a great big bear hug.

How do I volunteer?

Just let me know how you want to get involved, I never say no to a volunteer. My phone number is 613-575-1594, available after 9:00 p.m.

How can I make my child a better hockey player?

You can make sure he/she receives extra on ice sessions by taking them to public skating, join a learn to skate program or power skating. Public skating in Massena is everyday 2:00-4:00p.m. Akwesasne Skating club runs a great learn to skate and power skating program usually on Tuesdays & Fridays.

Practice, Practice…every child will improve with PRACTICE, try to get on the ice as much as possible from October – February….with making sure he/she gets extra skating ensures that your child is skating with GREATER balance & agility, SOONER.

Being a role model gives them the impression that Hockey is just as important to you, take them to Colts or Wolves games, and watch NHL on T.V. with your child. Take them to minor hockey games.

In the spring & summer Massena runs 3on3 and 5on5 programs to keep their skills sharp during the off season. Maybe we can run a 3on 3 IP Development league on Thursdays, February 25th to April 1st, just a suggestion.