Congratulations are in order for Dean Rowland and all of the supporters of the hockey academy operated by Osoyoos Elementary School.
Rowland, who is one of the founders of the hockey academy, said he was thrilled last week when he was contacted and found out top executives from Hockey Canada/BC Hockey wanted to meet him to discuss the success of the hockey academy.
Top brass from Hockey Canada/BC Hockey will be in Osoyoos on Friday to meet with Rowland, talk to young players and basically pick the minds of those who have been involved in the hockey academy for the past eight years.
While there are many hockey academies at the high school level here in British Columbia and across Canada, it’s believed that the academy operated by Osoyoos Elementary School is the only one of its kind in this province – and perhaps all of Canada.
The program started with older players from Grades 6 and 7 being invited to participate.
Due to the exceptional response from players and parents alike, the program has expanded and now involves younger players in Grade 3 and above.
The hockey academy is all about instilling a love for the game of hockey, while allowing players to improve their skills, said Rowland.
If you spend just a few minutes watching Rowland in action with these youngsters, it’s clear to see they are having a wonderful time playing the game that is considered a religion in our country.
Rowland said he is anxious to share information and knowledge with Hockey Canada officials and let them know why hundreds of children from Osoyoos and area have benefitted from the unique program.
Rowland believes Hockey Canada may be looking to create more hockey academies at the elementary school level in this province and perhaps across the country and that would be very good news for kids who love hockey and their parents.
The majority of players who participate in the hockey academy go on to play minor hockey and many of the skills they learn in the academy make the transition to competitive hockey that much easier.
It’s amazing that a small school in a small town like ours is being showcased in this manner.
The really good news here in Osoyoos is that hockey players who graduate from the academy at Osoyoos Elementary School can make the easy transition to the academy now being run by Osoyoos Secondary School.
There aren’t many communties in this country that allow a young child in Grade 3 to learn hockey skills at age eight and continue to learn and benefit through their entire high school careeer.
The passion for hockey in our little town never ceases to amaze.
We not only finished in the top three in all of B.C. in the Kraft Hockeyville contest in 2012 and 2013, but we have some of the best fans in the entire Kootenay International Junior Hockey League who continually fill the stands to cheer on the Osoyoos Coyotes.
Kudos go out to Rowland and senior administration at Osoyoos Elementary School on a job very well done over the past eight years.
Rowland loves what he does, students get to pursue their passion for the game of hockey and improve their skills.
And they do all of the above while having an enormous amount of fun throughout the school year.
