RED DEER – Novice-aged hockey players in Alberta will benefit from an exciting new partnership between Hockey Alberta and the Respect Group.
Lacing Up is a fun, interactive, online, game-based program that helps Novice-aged players learn the fundamentals of being a successful, respectful young hockey player. Lacing Up focuses on the skills players need to know off the ice to stay healthy, play fair, support their teammates, respect officials, and contribute positively to their team.
“Lacing Up focuses on the important off-ice skills that kids need to grow into respectful young athletes and allows coaches to focus on the fundamental hockey skills and drills that makes great players on the ice,” said Wayne McNeil, co-founder of Respect Group.
Lacing Up is an hour-long program that features stories, adventures, games, and quizzes “hosted” by five young animated characters and their coach. Topics include:
- Long Term Player Development: growth and development, nutrition, hydration, and sleep.
- Playing fair: the Hockey Canada Fair Play Pledge, respect for teammates, officials, and opponents, and recognizing that everyone makes mistakes.
- Bullying: types of bullying, and what to do if you are the target of bullying, or if you see it happening to someone else.
- Respect: for the game, each other, and ourselves.
The program is built around five modules accessed through a graphical table of contents. Content for the modules was created in consultation with Hockey Canada personnel, coaches, teachers, players and psychologists.
Novice-aged players in Alberta, and their parents, will be the first in Canada to have the opportunity to experience this free, optional program.
“For Hockey Alberta, the new Lacing Up program supports our new Vision statement, Hockey for Life. When our young players have a positive experience to start their careers, they are more likely to continue playing as they get older. We believe Lacing Up provides that positive opportunity for Novice-aged players across the province,” said Mike Klass, Senior Manager Business Operations for Hockey Alberta.
Lacing Up can be accessed through the Hockey Alberta website (www.hockeyalberta.ca) by going to the Players tab, and clicking on Lacing Up.
