Watch above: There’s soccer and baseball, but soon there will be a hockey academy in Saskatoon. Aaron Streck has a look at the program that will merge the nation’s sport with education.
SASKATOON – Hockey is Canada’s game. While most Saskatoon kids grow up with skates on their feet and a stick in their hand, there hasn’t been a program that mixes the sport with academics – until now.
“The fact that these academies are right across Canada, we looked at and said wouldn’t it be incredible for Saskatoon,” said Dave Chartier, director of the Serious Academy of Hockey.
It’s been four years in the making and come this fall, students in Grades 5 to 8 already playing hockey in the city will be able to spend even more time at the rink. Serious Academy of Hockey has created a set-up where students can be on the ice five days a week.
“They’re with us for three-and-a-half hours, so you’re on the ice for an hour, in the classroom for an hour as well as in the gym for an hour and we’re going to rotate that through based on their schedules for their hockey so we’re not burning anybody out,” said Chartier.
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“The program will obviously enhance their skills, their physical skills on the ice also their social skills, they’re with their teammates and will be looking at some classroom lessons that help them with all the things that they learn about working together,” said Mike Zambon, an instructor at the academy.
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Zambon has a son in a hockey academy in British Columbia. He’s seen an improvement both on and off the ice.
“He’s been able to improve his skill level but he’s also improved his grades at school, he’s around people that are passionate about the game of hockey, they share his passion every single day,” said Zambon.
Graham Skinner’s hockey season isn’t even over and the Grade 7 student is already looking forward to joining the academy.
“I think I’m going to get a lot more skill from it,” said Skinner.
“It just gives you a better knowledge of thinking because they make you use your mind.”
Both Saskatoon public and Catholic school divisions are on board. Twenty-five students have already joined the academy and organizers hope a total of 40 or 50 register by the fall. The academy has a future capacity to take up to 100 students.
Serious Academy of Hockey costs over $9,000 per student, per year, which works out to about $50 a day.
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