Hockey captivates millions of Canadians each winter, but can the sport help revitalize adolescents’ interest in school?
Steve Lytwyn hopes so. The ambitious educator is elated that Hockey Canada’s Skills Academy program will be available to Flin Flon junior high school students this fall.
“The number one reason why we’re doing this is to help engage students,” said Lytwyn, the energetic École McIsaac School principal.
The Skills Academy program essentially replaces nearly half of participating students’ phys-ed slots with on-ice hockey drills and scrimmages, and off-ice conditioning sessions. It is open to both male and female students.
Lytwyn believes the program will improve student wellness, promote teamwork and foster leadership skills as those students experienced with hockey help those who have more to learn.
Participation won’t be limited to elite players, he said, as students who have never played organized hockey are welcome to sign up for the voluntary program.
Lytwyn pointed out that by the time they reach junior high, some students are disengaged from school.
“We want those kids enjoying school again,” he said, hoping the program will be a conduit to achieve that goal.
Lytwyn was drawn to the Skills Academy concept after attending a presentation on the program earlier this year. With support from his administration and staff, he successfully submitted an application for both McIsaac and Ruth Betts to host the program starting in September.
Hockey Canada, the national governing body of ice hockey, will provide instructional support and use of its name. Lead instructor Rob Abbott, a teacher, will remain an employee of the school division. Lytwyn himself will assist when he can as a second on-ice instructor.
The program will be based at the Whitney Forum, using available ice time during the school day. Half of the students’ phys-ed slots will be spent in the program until it wraps up about six weeks before the school year concludes.
Students will take part in about 40 on-ice sessions and 10 off-ice conditioning sessions. Lytwyn said that follows Hockey Canada’s recommendation that youth who play hockey take a break from the sport.
Lytwyn hopes to involve the Flin Flon Bombers. He said Bombers assistant coach Garry Childerhose has expressed an interest in helping out. There is also talk of having the Bomber Buddies – players who work as part-time mentors in the schools – spend time on the ice with students.
As it stands, there is no maximum enrollment for the Skills Academy. Lytwyn is currently gauging the level of interest among parents. A parental information session is scheduled for this Tuesday, June 14 at 6:30 pm at the McIsaac music room.
While it is preferred that students supply their own equipment, Lytwyn is adamant that every student who wants to participate be able to.
He said the Flin Flon Minor Hockey Association is prepared to provide some equipment, as are some individual residents. There may also be grants available to buy equipment for students without the means to do so.
If the Skills Academy catches on, educators may consider expanding it to the high school level in future years. That could open up the possibility of inter-community games with Cranberry Portage’s Frontier Collegiate, which will launch a high-school-level Skills Academy
this fall.
Lytwyn believes the program template could also be used for other sports, such as cross-country skiing.
The Skills Academy program is a partnership between the school division, Hockey Canada, Flin Flon Minor Hockey and the City of Flin Flon.
