New hockey program in Nova Scotia breaking down barriers to help kids play – Halifax | 24CA News

A minor hockey group in Nova Scotia is working to interrupt down obstacles that maintain children from enjoying the sport.

The Eastern Shore Minor Hockey Association (ESMHA) is hoping to encourage extra youth to lace up their skates in rural communities by means of its new program.

President Paul Anderson says they’ve launched the “Introduction to Hockey” program and held a showcase on the Eastern Shore Recreation Centre on Saturday to convey the group into the rink over a shared love of hockey.

“To celebrate not only the success of the program but to encourage other rural communities that anybody can do this program,” Anderson says. “It just takes some time and hard work from volunteers.”

The initiative was launched after a committee was struck in 2020 with the objective of participating youth and connecting communities. It affords children a lighter apply schedule with ten classes positioned on the group rink together with funding to assist cowl the price of hockey gear.

Development Co-ordinator Becky Warner says youth in rural areas can face distinctive challenges to enjoying the game.

“Sometimes there’s more travel to the local rink. There might be more financial burdens in a rural community,” she says. “We just knew we could get more youth engagement as there’s not as much opportunity for even recreation or sports in general.”

Warner says she’s skilled firsthand the worth of connecting to the group by means of hockey.

“I grew up here, I played hockey here at Eastern Shore since I was four. The smell of the Zamboni fumes gets me every time,” she says. “That’s a core memory I have, and to me, it was all about creating that for other children who may want that as well.”

Young hockey gamers say this system evokes them to dream huge and to have enjoyable.

“It’s a sport!” Benjamin Rideout says. “Players can get better at it and play in the national leagues.”

Friends Lily Boutilier and Ella Lambert are comfortable to spend time collectively on the ice.

“It’s just really good to make new friends and just build your skill in hockey,” Boutilier says.

“Same for me, I’m really excited, sometimes nervous, but I’m always having fun during the game,” Lambert provides.

Organizers say this system has been a giant success because it launched in November. The showcase noticed 43 gamers placed on their skates and hit the ice on Saturday.

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