Islanders expanding youth programs with Girls Hockey Weekend and Try Hockey for Free this weekend
A participant at a recent Islanders' Learn to Play Clinic at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow. Credit: New York Islanders/Dennis DaSilva
The Islanders want more Long Island youths, particularly girls, to experience playing hockey.
The organization on Friday announced a “significant expansion” of its commitment to youth hockey, including its first Girls Hockey Weekend on Saturday and Sunday at The Park at UBS Arena as well as Try Hockey for Free events.
“This is about getting kids playing the sport,” said Janet Duch, executive vice president of marketing and communications for the Islanders. “This is about wellness. This is about health. I was a student-athlete growing up my whole life. The things that I learned from playing sports have helped me through my career.”
This weekend at The Park, there will be a girls’ jamboree of four-on-four hockey (no goalies) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday for under-10 and under-8 age groups. On Sunday, there will be another jamboree from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the same age groups and then a Learn to Play program for girls from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
A second Girls Hockey Weekend is planned for January for under-14 and under-12 groups.
Duch said there currently around 11,000 boys and girls participating in the Islanders’ youth programs across Long Island
“Over the next two years we are looking to double that,” Duch said. “The girls’ program is the next step. We took a look at what programs we had and how does that divide up and really looked to double the participation in our girls’ program and invest in gender equality.”
Among the other programs the Islanders have initiated are Continue to Play, Girls Advance Clinic Series, Girls Tournament Team and Women’s Coaching and Leadership Summit.
“This is like the launch of girls hockey for the entire season,” said Jocelyne Cummings, the senior director of amateur hockey, who is co-running the Girls Hockey Weekend with Duch. “It’s that younger group of girls as well as Try Hockey for Free.
“We launched Try Hockey for Free across Long Island. We had a huge weekend last weekend. But this one, just being targeted to the female market, I think is huge.”
Cummings added the Try Hockey for Free program this weekend is a sellout with “120-140 girls trying the sport for the first time.”
“The more we drive at that base layer, the more we’re helping the higher levels as we go.”
Cummings said approximately 40 girls will participate in the Jamborees each day this weekend.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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