Flin Flon Minor Hockey Association is trying to boost registration by loaning out equipment to young first-time players.
Five- and six-year-olds joining the FFMHA this season will receive free use of a hockey starter kit.
Each kit will contain a bag, a jersey, shoulder and elbow pads, hockey pants, shin pads and gloves.
Players will still be responsible for their own helmets, sticks and skates, but FFMHA president Travis Rideout says the kits will include coupons for $15 off both a helmet and a pair of skates.
On loan
The 2014-15 season marks the first year for the program, and Rideout hopes to see the program continue in the future.
“So the kits will be on loan,” he said. “They will be used for the first year and then returned.”
By loaning out the equipment, Rideout hopes to see numbers and interest in FFMHA grow.
“It’s more or less to try and [help players] get their foot in the door,” he said. “People don’t [always] know if their kid will like it or not. Lots of money gets put into it and then they decide they don’t like hockey.”
New equipment
FFMHA will purchase new equipment for the upcoming season with kits available for pickup at the Registration Under One Roof event being held Sept. 11-13 at the Flin Flon Community Hall.
Though there is no firm number as to how many children can receive a kit, Rideout said the FFMHA will help all those eligible who come forward.
“We’ll make it work,” he said.
On average, Rideout says each kit will cost roughly $100 with the equipment being new. FFMHA has already applied for grants to help cover the cost.
Donations accepted
Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart is a a nationally registered charity dedicated to removing financial barriers so kids across the country have the opportunity to play organized sports.
There will be a fundraising barbecue for the program at Canadian Tire on Sept. 6. Donations of gently used hockey equipment can be dropped off.
Parents and players will be able to sort through and purchase the equipment at the Registration Under One Roof “at a slight cost,” said Rideout.
The president says the registration in hockey is higher than some sports, but oftentimes the high cost comes from the equipment.
“Everyone seems to feel the $200 pair of skates is what their seven-year-old needs. That’s not the case,” Rideout said. “As long as they have blades and a pair of laces to go around the ice, that’s all they need.”
