Program helps provide families with equipment
DELMAR—The Bethlehem Youth Hockey Association already finished its first and sold-out “Learn to Skate” session and will begin a new session on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The program offers beginner skating lessons and hockey equipment if needed.
28 boys and girls, mostly ages 4-6, began their skating lessons at the Capital District YMCA Bethlehem ice rink on Delaware Avenue in October for a five-week session. Association Treasurer Kathleen DiSpirito said registration costs $100 per session, but the Association provides equipment for anyone who requests it. A scholarship program can help defray the registration fee.
DiSpirito said borrowing equipment is easy. The registration form furnishes an equipment checklist for whatever is needed. She said the checklist ensures the needed equipment is available. New skaters come in for a “try-on day” to make sure they get the right-sized equipment.
Size upgrades for growing skaters are also available. A “swapping shelf” sits by the ice rink with equipment for all program skater ages who can “swap out” for what they need.
Equipment comes from donations, hand-me-downs and local businesses that support the program. The Bethlehem Y allows the program to borrow rental skates. “We want the kids to be safe on the ice,” DiSpirito said. Helmets, which can cost $100, are required plus shin guards, elbow pads and, of course, ice skates.
Association President Mark Sweeney said skates at the youngest level can cost $50-60. Some skaters also wear shoulder pads and hockey jerseys, socks and pants, which can all add up. Sweeney said the Association has purchased about $1500 of equipment for the learn to skate program.
“We want to encourage everyone to get out on the ice and we don’t want there to be any barriers,” DiSpirito said. She said hockey has a stigma of being expensive that deters kids from participating that the Association is trying to address.
Sweeney echoed DiSpirito. “We are trying to introduce kids who wouldn’t try hockey because of a perception regarding the amount and cost of hockey equipment.” Sweeney said the kids can come and have fun and there is no stress for the parents.
The borrowed equipment is for the youngest children. But Sweeney said if a 10-year-old registered, the Association would find a way to get equipment for him or her. “We all have bags of skates in our basement and we try to contribute them,” he said.
Coach Dave Randall, Jr. said the program “puts them right there with everyone else and gives them a chance.” His dad and co-coach Dave Randall, Sr., who has been teaching hockey for 50 years, said on the first day he asks who plans on being a great hockey player and they all raise their hands.
Randall, Sr. believes giving kids a chance to play hockey is important because “they learn how to succeed and they can take that with them. Playing hockey you learn the good, bad and ugly about life and learn how to use it.”
Already the program has been so successful that another five-week session will begin in January with December registration. Sweeney said the program has room to grow to up to 50 children per session.
Sweeney reported that 80% of program participants live in Bethlehem, but some come from other communities and even as far as East Greenbush. He said they are trying to publicize the program beyond Bethlehem.
The Association is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing hockey skills and sportsmanship in young players and operates programs at many age and ability levels. Paid coaches and about 15 volunteer high school students staff the learn to skate program. Sweeney said the synergy is great because the little kids “look at the big kids like superheroes” and the high school student coaches have a lot of fun with the little kids.
And the player reviews are uniformly as glistening as the skating surface. “I like doing the drills because I like to glide,” said Wolfie Halland Frank, age 4. Colin Mastin, also 4, already plans to be a goalie when he grows up. Larkin Gemeng 4, added, “it seems so fun.”
Lily Lacour, age 5 and who was wearing her mom’s hockey jersey, agreed it’s “cool” to be a girl playing hockey. “I like playing with my hockey stick, going fast and using the puck,” she said.
