After-school hockey at Kersley arena has come to an end but not before organizer Derrick Parr declared the drop-in hockey trial program a resounding success.
The free, drop-in hockey allowed students to walk from Kersley elementary school to the arena, just 400 metres away, for a fun-filled after-school program twice a week.
“We had 13 weeks of ice in the arena this year and the kids just loved it,” Parr said.
“Because of its success this year, we’ll be doing it for years to come.”
He also said they can, in most cases, supply equipment for the kids.
“We modified the hockey rules to ensure the safest hockey possible,” Parr said.
“There’s no negativity or roughness allowed, no slapshots or raising the puck and no pressure. This is all about the kids having a good time.
“And I’m proud to say there wasn’t one single injury this year.”
He went on to say that in this first year, he’s seen big improvements in many of the students’ self-esteem, not to mention their improved hockey and skating skills.
“I’ve seen others getting more trim and physically fit,” Parr added.
“But when I see a young student fall down and a bigger student stop to help them up, I know this program is a success and one more stepping stone for the students to become fine young adults.
“Kersley has the infrastructure and we’re going to use it for the kids.”
Parr was also grateful for the two supervisors who helped make this program such a success.
“Without Jeremy Dumais and D.J. Fridlington, this program couldn’t have been a success and I owe them a huge thank you,” he said.
Parr is looking forward to next year and invites students 13 and under from Kersley and the Quesnel area to drop by, once the arena’s ice returns late next fall.