Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/86573
Minnesota Hockey is already the largest member association in the country. There is no reason that number can't continue to grow – and there's proof it continues to do so. Hockey participation has grown in each of the past five years, with an expected sixth on the way with USA Hockey's next annual membership report. Any association can find the next Backes, Jake Gardiner (Minnetonka Youth Hockey Association), Alex Goligoski (Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association), Jack Connolly (Duluth Amateur Hockey Association) or Derek Stepan (Hastings Hockey Association). Any association can build a strong youth hockey program. Any association can create a fun, energetic and prosperous environment for kids to stay active and develop lifelong lessons and friendships. It's up to each association to take advan- tage of the opportunities Minnesota Hockey and USA Hockey are providing, while com- bining them with their own initiatives. BE INNOVATIVE Participation in the State of Hockey continues to grow every year, and associations are doing more and more to build momentum. The best coaches encourage creativity on the ice. It' s time to bring that mindset into recruitment and retention at the local association levels. Here are some examples of inventiveness, coupled with the available resources provided by Minnesota Hockey and USA Hockey. Spotlight Associations: Bemidji Youth Hockey Association jumped from an average of 75-85 new skaters per year up to 105 through some new marketing techniques. Ely Blue Line Club took part in USA Hockey's Try Hockey for Free Day, waived association fees for Mini-Mites and all first- year skaters, and attended Back to School nights with youth hockey information in Ely, Babbitt and Tower schools to produce a 13 percent increase in 8 and Under players. Champlin Park Youth Hockey Association has been running an event called the Taste of Hockey, a free, first-year skater program. North Metro Youth Hockey has combined available resources with their own hard work. Volunteers market the program in all four school districts. They march in local parades, host festivals and sponsor other low-cost hockey events to increase membership. Nordy, the Minnesota Wild mascot, paid a visit to Bemidji, where the youth hockey association received free equipment from Total Hockey through Gear Up Minnesota! GEAR UP MINNESOTA! To combat costs while introducing boys and girls to hockey, the Gear Up Minn e s o t a! grant pro- gram awarded starter hockey e quipmen t grants to 39 community youth hockey associations in Minnesota last year. More than $130,000 in equipment was provided to youth hockey families and associations in Minnesota. All associations need to do is apply. "Total Hockey is supporting Gear Up Minnesota! because we know it works," Total Hockey's Katy Benoit says. "Being able to pro- vide the dedicated and passionate volunteers at the community hockey associations with full sets of protective hockey equipment that they can use to grow is very gratifying for all of us at Total Hockey." PASS THE PUCK GRANTS, GROW THE GAME AWARDS Pass the Puck grants are provided to associations that demonstrate a creative or novel idea for increasing participation within their association. Grant amounts can be up to $2,000. What is your association doing to foster growth? Need help? Send an email to info@minnesotahockey.org. Grow the Game awards recognize associ- ations that administered a successful growth promotion in the previous year. Awards are for $500 with the intent that it will cut down the cost of continuing to operate the growth promotion. Applications and more information can be found in the Recruitment and Retention sec- tion of minnesotahockey.org or by emailing info@minnesotahockey.org. RESPONSIBLE SPORTS COMMUNITY GRANTS The Responsible Sports Community Grants program is designed to reward responsible youth sports clubs and organizations with one of 15 $2,500 grants. Take the quizzes to qualify at ResponsibleSports.com. USA HOCKEY 2 AND 2 CHALLENGE Associations will be rewarded for taking on USA Hockey's 2 and 2 Challenge, which is a blueprint for youth hockey leadership to realize their goal of acquiring two additional players and retaining two additional players than the previous sea- son's total. To complete the 2 and 2 Challenge, committed associations must utilize the three programs that drive growth: Retention: Welcome Back Week—Oct. 15-21 Acquisition: Try Hockey For Free Day— Nov. 3 Conversion: Transition Programs—Begins shortly after Try Hockey For Free Day NEED HELP? JUST ASK Contact Shari Olson from Minnesota Hockey's Recruiting and Retention Committee at 218-348-2417 or shari@dulu- thheritagesportscenter.com. Contact USA Hockey's Program Services Coordinator Shannon Webster at 719-538-1118 or shan- nonw@usahockey.org. OCTOBER.2012 // MINNESOTAHOCKEYJOURNAL.COM 21