OneGoal, the nonprofit organization created to grow the sport of hockey among the newest generation of children in North America, is bringing back their equipment program for its second year. In the inaugural year of OneGoals equipment program, North American hockey associations, rinks and retailers purchased 13,000 equipment starter sets to help bring more kids onto the ice.
The OneGoal team is currently taking orders through March for the branded equipment kits containing shoulder and elbow pads, pants, shin guards and gloves – everything but the skates and stick. OneGoal offers two sizes of kits; one roughly targets four- to six-year-olds and the other six- to eight-year-olds. The starter sets are offered to associations, rinks and retailers that are interested in implementing programs to grow the game with new youth players.
“We created the equipment program in response to a demonstrated need to provide a free opportunity for kids to try hockey,” said Bill Hattem, executive director of OneGoal. “With the first year behind us, weve seen how the equipment program, coupled with local Learn to Play events, can turn first-timers into life-timers. Its been fantastic to watch, and were enthusiastic about the possibilities in 2009!”
