A brand new program offered by the Abbotsford Minor Hockey Association hopes to become a launching point for young newcomers to the sport.
The First Shift program, being put together with Bauer hockey equipment and Canadian Tire, is a six-week learn-to-play program focusing on having fun and learning basic skills on the ice.
Equipment is included with registration of the program, which costs $199.
The program provides six one-hour sessions at Abbotsford Recreation Centre starting weekly on Oct. 20.
It is being offered for boys and girls aged six to 10 who have not previously registered for hockey. Participants will be placed in smaller groups according to age and skating experience level, and organizers state there will be one instructor for every four skaters.
The registration fee includes head-to-toe Bauer hockey gear: a helmet and face mask, shoulder and elbow pads, a base top and neck guard, jersey, pants, socks, shin guards, jock or jill protective shorts, gloves, stick, skates and an equipment bag.
The program begins with a welcome event at ARC on Oct. 13, which will include information on maintaining equipment. The children will then be properly fitted for their gear.
The program is limited to 45 skaters, and registration information can be found at firstshift.ca/locations.