COAST KID’S COOL LIFE
THE AMAZING GROWTH OF ONE ATHLETE SHOWS THE BENEFITS OF THE GOLD COAST ACADEMY OF SPORT
WHAT a difference a year makes. In 2016, Regan Hackett was named the Gold Coast Academy of the Year Male Athlete of the Year.
In 2017-2018, the young ice hockey player is now on the other side of the world experiencing a new life.
When Regan left for the Ontario Hockey Academy (OHA) in Cornwall, he was a young, shy 16-year-old.
Mum Angela said: “Regan’s successful participation in the Gold Coast Academy of Sport Future Stars program helped give Regan the confidence to look to Canada for an overseas sport experience. We are so grateful.”
Located at the Quebec and Ontario border next to the St Lawrence river, Regan has played hockey in Canada and the US.
OHA attracts hockey players from 18 different countries, mostly northern hemisphere countries – although there are a few Aussies in attendance other than Regan.
He shares his room with two German boys, one Russian, an American, a Swiss player and one player from Israel. It is a unique cultural experience, particularly around language. Some players speak very little English.
One of Regan’s best stories is the time they ordered six pizzas for delivery and they tried to sort out who had to pay what amount.
None of the players spoke English and the delivery boy was Chinese and could hardly speak a word of English.
This certainly made for a funny Facebook post.
Training is hard. The competition for ice time means training hard on the ice as well as in the gym.
Regan has improved his self-advocacy, mental toughness, ability to take feedback and act on it as well as a whole lot of character development.
On the ice he has learned the game of hockey with professional coaching and position-specific training.
His day starts at 7.30am and finishes at 7.30pm. It includes 80 minutes of sport-specific (ice hockey) fitness training in the gym as well as 120 minutes of ice time with his team.
He takes four subjects per semester as well as study hall.
It is a long day. Most players want to get drafted into junior hockey (step before a pro career) or a scholarship into an American or Canadian university. Therefore the only subjects on offer are the advanced level courses.
The academic program has taught Regan how to work toward a goal. He sees the older players get hockey scholarships to Canadian and American universities.
His mum has said: “The cultural experience has been so positive for Regan. He has developed friendships that will last a lifetime.
“He is eager to visit his teammates around the world and of course host them when they visit Australia. Regan now has the world at his feet.”