2nd Annual Grow the Game Award Recipient Announced
07.05.10--ST.LOUIS
The Falmouth Youth Hockey League of Falmouth, Mass., was chosen as the second annual winner of the USA Hockey Grow the Game Award, presented by Total Hockey. The award recognizes efforts to spread the game of hockey through various programs and initiatives.
The Falmouth Youth Hockey League created an after-school program in four area elementary schools that ran twice per week during a six-week period last spring and will run again this fall. Children were bused to the Falmouth Ice Arena, where they were provided with equipment and snacks. On-ice volunteers created a fun environment while participants learned skating techniques and hockey skills on a cross-ice playing surface. FYHL's objective was to feed kids into its youth hockey programs offered during the summer months, including Summer Shootout, Hockey 101, Learn to Skate and Power Skating.
In April, Total Hockey and USA Hockey challenged youth hockey associations nationwide to tell their stories of growing the game at a local level. Entries came from across the nation, describing endeavors about unique and creative ways to increase interest in hockey among America’s youth. Entries were judged on four criteria: creativity, media/marketing potential, transferability to other local programs interested in growing the game and the overall impact the program had on the local youth association. As the winning entry, FYHL received a $2,500 Total Hockey gift card to help further support its efforts to grow the game.
USA Hockey will begin accepting applications for the 2011 Grow the Game Award, presented by Total Hockey, in the spring of 2011. E-mail growthegame@usahockey.org for more information.
As the Exclusive Ice Hockey Equipment Retailer of USA Hockey, Total Hockey continues to help grow the game by encouraging hockey in the community and creating awareness of the sport.