The Ontario Ball Hockey Association recently launched its Learn to Play program in two community centres in Toronto. The program falls under the GROWING THROUGH SPORT program which offers a 10 week introduction to the sport of ball hockey in a three phase step process with its partners.The once a week 90 minute clinics are FREE to all participants and currently there are sixty four registered members in the fall program. All of the participants receive a CSA approved helmet, gloves and stick in phase one of the program. The second phase is an introduction of the same players to a Learn to Skate 10 week program and third phase connects the skills learned in the first two phases into a Learn To Play Ice Hockey which ties the players from the sport of ball hockey to ice hockey.
The goal of the program is to provide a fun environment for players to be introduced to hockey skills and to provide a safe and enjoyable learning environment to increase the following attributes; self confidence, social interaction and technical skills. The clinics are split into four drill components in the first hour which include a variety of drills to improve stick handling, passing and shooting which end with a thirty-minute scrimmage.
The next session for the City of Toronto begins in January with the program extending to other communities across Ontario in the coming months.
The clinics are sanctioned by the National Ball Hockey Association of Canada (NBHAC) and administered by certified instructors of the OBHA.
The OBHA is a not-for-profit organization and would like to thank the hockey suppliers who have donated 180 sets of new hockey equipment for the three phases of the program to include helmets, neck guard, gloves, arm & chest protector, elbow pads, hockey pants, shin pads and hockey bag.
For current and new members of the OBHA, we offer a step-by-step DVD which outlines the four components of the LTP program in addition to a Coaches Manual and video.
For more information on the Learn To Play program and Growing Through Sport, please contact the OBHA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or for information on how to get started in other provinces contact the NBHAC at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.