The KPDSB Hockey Canada Skills Academy (HCSA) continues to show that it is a viable and progressive option for students to improve their academic and athletic engagement, while simultaneously building leadership and hockey skills. The program continues to operate at both secondary and elementary levels with universal success. Enrolment in the program remains strong, and has shown no signs of waning. The program has grown every year; this attests to the ability of the program to sustain growth into the future. One of the reasons for this sustained growth is that the hockey academy has proven that it can help students improve their skills in hockey while simultaneously leading to increased student engagement and academic success.
The Hockey Canada Skills Academy continues to focus on the “whole student” by building leadership skills and fostering academic prowess in addition to core hockey skills. One of the most important aspects of this program is that we have developed partnerships that help us remove participation barriers and ensure that every student has the ability to participate in the program. Our partnership with the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program ensures that no youth encounters financial barriers that would preclude participation in the hockey program.
Last April, Jumpstart provided the chance of a lifetime, for 10 of our KPDSB/HCSA students by hosting them at an NHL game. The students were able to watch the Jets vs the New York Islanders. An experience they will not soon forget.
Recently, we were very fortunate to have Hockey Canada reach out to us regarding our program and the success of it. Hockey Canada was interested in our approach and spent a week in our board, visiting each community, learning from our staff. Following the visit, they were very impressed to say the least but they made special mention that the staff we have involved with our program are top notch and they truly make a difference, not only to the success of the program but the positive role they play in the lives of our students. Thanks to each and everyone one of our staff, your contributions are greatly appreciated.
CBC News: The National – The KPDSB Hockey Solution
The KPDSB welcomed a news team from CBC’s The National into our classrooms in Sioux Lookout and Kenora in early January 2016 to show them the impact our Hockey Canada Skills Academies are having on students across the board area.
