First Shift - Coming to Shelburne
Submitted By Shelburne Minor Hockey on Thu 12 08, 16
The Canadian
Tire First Shift comes to Shelburne!
A
National
introductory program created to ease new-to-hockey families into the game
Shelburne,
Ontario - The Canadian Tire First Shift, a unique introductory
program created by Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada to get more families
introduced to hockey, has announced it has partnered with SMHA – Shelburne Minor Hockey
Association to host one of its innovative programs in Shelburne, Ontario.
Introduced in 2014, the Canadian Tire First Shift provides kids ages 6-10 an opportunity to easily try hockey for $199, which includes enrollment in a six-week, on-ice curriculum, expertly fit head-to-toe BAUER equipment, and in-depth parent education. With Canadian Tire joining as title sponsor this year, 150 programs will be offered in communities across Canada in the 2016-17 season.
“The Canadian Tire First Shift is designed to make it easier for families to try hockey. We provide a welcoming environment, making it fun for the kids and their parents in a way that easily fits into their family lifestyle,” said Paul Carson, vice-president of membership development, Hockey Canada. “As much as Canada identifies with hockey as a symbol of our country and our citizenship, for parents who didn’t grow up playing the game – be they new Canadians or simply didn’t take part in the sport themselves growing up – The Canadian Tire First Shift provides an easy way for them to let their kids try out the sport, and for them to become familiar with hockey’s fundamentals and the basics of the game and the equipment.”
Shelburne will host a Canadian Tire First Shift welcome event for families who have enrolled in the program on January 19, 2017/6pm at the CDRC. During the event, participants will be expertly fit for their new gear by Bauer Hockey Fit Experts and parents and players will be instructed on how to properly wear their equipment, as well as learn about the program’s overall goals.
More than 4,800 families have been introduced to hockey as a result of the Canadian Tire First Shift program – a number that could double this season alone. Based on surveys of families and parents whose children participated in the program, 86 percent of participants went on to re-enroll in the First Shift Transition Program.
“As Canada’s store, Canadian Tire is proud to be the title sponsor of the First Shift program and help provide the opportunity for families across the country to enroll their children in hockey for the first time,” said Susan O’Brien, senior vice-president, marketing and communications, Canadian Tire Corporation. “Hockey ignites a shared passion from coast-to-coast and helps build strong communities by teaching children valuable life skills like teamwork, sportsmanship and confidence.”
For more information and to register for the Canadian Tire First Shift program, please visit www.TheFirstShift.ca.