By / Laurence Heinen
The Timbits Flames Program in Calgary encourages young hockey players to get back to the basics.
The program is for players aged five and six just starting out in minor hockey.
While working as coordinator with the Western Centre of Excellence, Kirk Reynolds was heavily involved with implementing the new program in Calgary a few years ago.
“We’ve seen some really positive results in the City of Calgary,” said Reynolds, who was recently hired on as general manager of Hockey Calgary.
The main idea of the program is to have young players spend more time on the ice learning skills, rather than just getting them to play games against other teams.
“We’re basing everything on teaching the fundamentals of the game,” said Trevor Morgan, the manager of programming for Hockey Calgary.
First-year players, or Timbits, are encouraged to play just eight games (excluding Christmas tournaments) after March 1. Meanwhile, it’s hoped that second-year players, or Flames, play no more than 12 games.
Through this approach, Morgan believes that more emphasis will be put on skill development, which will ultimately benefit the players as they move on through the ranks in minor hockey.
“Basing practices on fundamentals and skill development will benefit players as they progress up to the Novice age category,” Morgan said.
Another unique aspect of the program is that each association in Calgary is given a coaching kit, which includes coaching resources and blue pucks. At four ounces, the blue pucks weigh half as much as the regular black pucks.
“It’s just a lighter weight puck to better enhance their skill development,”
Morgan said.
Each association is encouraged to use all the ideas presented to them or even come up with their own to keep ice sessions fun and informative.
One innovative idea is to throw rubber chickens onto the ice for the kids to bat around with their sticks instead of a puck.
“The rubber chicken works well,” Reynolds said. “They absolutely love it because it’s something they don’t see.”
The program couldn’t be such a success without the sponsorship of Tim Hortons and the Calgary Flames.
“Without their sponsorship we wouldn’t have jerseys for all the players, coaching packages and blue pucks for all the teams,” Morgan said. “Hockey Calgary appreciates their support.”
To culminate the year, the Flames have donated the use of the Pengrowth Saddledome for the Timbits Flames Jamboree at the end of the season.
“The Jamboree is basically a big celebration,” Morgan said, noting that every participant will hit the Saddledome ice for an hour session of fun and games. “We’ll also make sure parents have enjoyed the season.”
From coaches to coordinators and parents to children, everyone involved in the Timbits Flames program is excited about the future. |