Delta School District

I have really enjoyed the first three months this year.  Students are committed to working hard and getting satisfaction from the skills being taught.  As of the end of November we have been on the ice for 27 sessions, and at Burnsview for 6 dryland sessions.  We have four grade 8 female students who have enrolled in the Hockey Academy this year, two of which are transferring their learning to ringette.  We also have four students who have never played hockey before, and are rapidly progressing in their skill development.  This includes Julius, one of our international students from Germany.

On Ice sessions start at 8:20 am for the first session and conclude at 9:20 am, and the second session starts at 10:15 am and finishes at 11:15 am.  It is essential that the students arrive at the hockey rink early enough to be on the ice by the scheduled start time to get the maximum benefit of the skill development sessions.   Students who are more than 5 minutes late for the scheduled ice time will be asked to wait on the bench until a coach invites them on to the ice, to minimize lesson interruptions.

Bus service to and from North Delta Recreation Centre is available to all students in the academy.  The bus will depart ND Recreation Centre at 9:35 am after the first session and at 11:30 after the second session.  Students who want to ride the bus must be sure they are ready to leave on time.

The coaches are enjoying the ice sessions with the students.   Leland Mack and Jordie Armon-Jones are running excellent skill development sessions that are varied and transferable to all levels of hockey.  They have worked on skating, stick handling, passing, shooting, and transition play with a high tempo.
It is imperative that the players come prepared with full gear (including neck guards etc.) and a good work ethic if they expect to improve their skills throughout the year.

Dryland training is designed to improve speed, agility, quickness and develop core strength.  Students who choose to come to dry land sessions with a commitment to work hard and try their best at each activity will benefit the most.  A reminder that arriving at the gym for dry land with a half-hearted effort makes it difficult to improve fitness.

As the year progresses, students may become injured or be ill and unable to participate on the ice or in a dry land session.  When a student has a medical reason to be excused from participating please send a note acknowledging the health concern.  In the event of an extended injury, please get a note from a doctor with an assessment of what the student is able to do.

From my observation, it is very evident that there are many committed hockey players and families in this community.  

Should any of you have questions, please send me an email cpayne@deltsd.bc.ca, or call me at school.

THE COACHES  
Leland Mack, Jordie Armon-Jones, Carl Payne