PRSD partners with Desjardins in bringing hockey academy to the region
Young hockey players in southeast Alberta who may be looking to take their game to the next level now have that opportunity, thanks to a partnership between PRSD and NHL coach Willie Desjardins, who will be working through Global Sport Academy Group. The agreement with PRSD is the first franchise for the Calgary-based organization.
"Global Sport Academy has had some great success and this will be the first franchise for the Global Sport Academy," said Desjardins.
Desjardins and the academy will be responsible for the sport and athletic component of the program, while Prairie Rose will provide the academic education with flexible integration of the academies into the school timetables.
The Willie Desjardins South Alberta Hockey program is being offered to male and female players at Irvine School, Parkside Junior High School in Redcliff, and Eagle Butte High School in Dunmore.
"The younger players would go to Irvine and Parkside schools, then transfer to the Eagle Butte system," he said. "We'll make it work. We want to make a difference. Whatever you invest here, you will get back many times down the road."
Desjardins, who coached the Vancouver Canucks, Dallas Stars and the Medicine Hat Tigers, has a Bachelor's Degree in Education, as well as a Master's Degree in Social Work, says its important to develop leadership skills and good habits at a young age and through the hockey academy, young local hockey players will be able to develop those attributes while honing their skills on the ice and in the classroom. On-ice training will be held at the Irvine Sports Complex and at the Redcliff Rec-Tangle.
While working for Hockey Canada in Europe, his job was to find out what made the hockey programs in countries such as Sweden and Finland so successful. He learned that it was because of the sports academies in those countries.
In addition to the hockey training, the students will also be taking some training in leadership.
"This is about more than being a good hockey player. My goal, for sure, is to build good leaders and good citizens," said Desjardins.
It's also important to let the young athletes develop at individual paces.
"Every child develops differently and you can't judge kids early," he said, noting that some successful hockey players under his wing did not hit their stride until after they turned 14 years of age.
The partnership came together quickly, taking only about three weeks to pull it all together and PRSD is enthusiastic about the program for its rural students.
"Prairie Rose is beyond excited and thrilled to partner with someone, not only for hockey excellence, but also for having a heart for kids," said PRSD superintendent Roger Clarke. "This is an exciting opportunity for our students, and we look forward to being on the cutting edge initiative."
PRSD trustee Cathy Hogg said the board is thrilled with the partnership and the opportunities that will be available to the students.
"We are so, so thrilled. This has all happened so fast. An interest was expressed and Reagan (Weeks) made some great connections," said Hogg, adding that Desjardins is the ideal person to lead such a program.
"Willie has his Bachelor of Education, degree in Social Work, and he's a hockey coach. He has it all," she said.
Cypress County reeve Richard Oster was in attendance for the announcement that took place at PRSD central office on July 22 and said the county had hired an engineering firm to look at costs of building a new arena before the PRSD announcement.
"For Cypress County, this is something we can put into our plans, our five-year and 10-year plans. Where can we help? This will help us in making some decisions. The County has already hired an engineering company to look at how much it would cost to build a fist-class arena, said Oster. "This will give us ideas and we already have some ideas rolling."
Desjardins said the first year of the program will require some flexibility.
"We will have to be really flexible the first year. There are a lot of unknowns right now until we know what the interest will be," he said.
The new hockey academy program will start this fall with PRSD already accepting registrations. Academy registration forms are available online on the PRSD website or by visiting the PRSD office in Dunmore.