Free Kits For Kids!
Published Tue 02 Feb 2021
Hockey Tasmania today announced an initiative that will see primary school aged new players to the sport receive a brand new playing kit completely free of charge when they sign up for the Get Into Hockey programs available around the state in February and March.
The kit will include a brand new hockey stick, ball, shin guards, backpack, and singlet in sizes suitable for children aged 6 to 14, and will be offered to every child who signs up for a Get Into Hockey program in Tasmania throughout 2021.
Hockey Tasmania’s Get Into Hockey programs are introductory courses for primary school aged players (6-12 years of age) to learn the basics of hockey, run each school term over 5 weeks around the state.
Damian Smith, CEO of Hockey Tasmania, said the opportunity to put sticks in the hands of first-time young players at no additional cost to their families removes any barrier to entry to the sport for the next Eddie Ockenden, Bianca Langham-Pritchard, or Tim Deavin.
“Hockey Tasmania is committed to keeping the cost of junior participation in our sport as low as possible. We’re well aware that, as a more niche sport that requires specialised equipment just to play, that the cost of a stick and ball and shinguards can be a barrier for new players looking to begin their journey into junior and community sport.
“We want to remove as many barriers to entry as possible, so that all Tasmanian kids can discover a love for the sport that could lead them to a lifetime of healthy activity, fun competition, connections with friends and their community, and possibly even representing their country at the Olympics.
“Since beginning our Get Into Hockey programs in 2016 we’ve seen an increase in participation and retention that has led to the program being recently nominated for community awards. This is all due to the fantastic efforts of our Participation Coordinator Tania Barry and her team of dedicated junior coaches,” said Smith.
