Peterborough, ON – The Peterborough Petes announced on Friday, February 3 that they have launched the Petes Ball Hockey Program supported by Drain Bros Excavating Limited for students in grades 4-6 in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. The Petes, in collaboration with educator ambassadors in each school, are providing all necessary equipment, training, and support required to play ball hockey at no cost to the participating schools or students.
The Petes Ball Hockey Program will aid in the grassroots development of the sport of hockey in Peterborough. With a goal of eliminating all barriers to participation in hockey, the Petes are providing all necessary equipment and training to participating schools, with a particular focus on students who have previously faced obstacles preventing hockey participation.
A launch assembly will be run by the team in each participating school, including the schools’ educator ambassadors, Petes business staff, and current Petes players. All students in grades 4-6, regardless of their background, level of hockey experience, or physical and cognitive abilities, will participate in the program, which will include an introduction to ball hockey. The assembly will conclude with an opportunity to meet Petes players, get an autograph, and get their first official hockey photo taken.
Each student will also receive an official Petes t-shirt and equipment bag, ball hockey rules guide, and a letter from Peterborough native and New Jersey Devils prospect, Chase Stillman, in addition to free equipment and time each week to play ball hockey in school as part of one of their school’s teams.
“The Petes Ball Hockey Program is an innovative, systematic approach to eliminating barriers to hockey participation, which will help toward our goal of ensuring everyone in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, and beyond, has the chance to enjoy the sport of hockey,” commented Petes Executive Director of Business Operations, Burton Lee. “Whether it be cost, time, accessibility, knowledge, culture, or another factor preventing a kid from trying hockey, we believe the Petes Ball Hockey Program will be a solution.”
A launch assembly will take place in Peterborough at St Paul Catholic School on Monday, February 6th at 9:30am. Media are invited to attend the launch assembly. For more details on the program, media are encouraged to reach out to Petes Coordinator of Marketing and Community Engagement, Morgan Blaind by email or phone at (705) 743-3681 x 221.
The first phase of the program will begin with 11 schools participating, including:
- St. Paul Catholic Elementary School, Peterborough
- St. Paul Catholic Elementary School, Lakefield
- Kaawaate East City Public School
- Terry Fox Public School
- Burnham Public School
- St. Anne Catholic Elementary School
- Edmison Heights Public School
- Bobcaygeon Public School
- CR Gummow Public School
- Alexandra Public School
- Rhema Christian School
All KPRDSB, PVNCCDSB, and local private schools were offered the opportunity to participate in the first phase of the program. To participate in phase two roll-out, interested schools should contact Petes Coordinator of Marketing and Community Engagement, Morgan Blaind, by email or at 705-743-3681 ext. 221.
