Free hockey lessons coming to Bala

FREE HOCKEY LESSONS. A coach works with several youth during the free hockey program at THE Port Carling Arena. Muskoka Lakes is planning to expand the program to Bala. Photo by Jennifer Bowman

MUSKOKA LAKES - Muskoka Lakes is looking at opening its second free hockey program, this one in Bala.
The township began offering free hockey lessons at the Port Carling arena every Sunday beginning in October to give children the opportunity to play Canada’s iconic game.
The program began in Bala last year and was rotated to Port Carling this year to provide youth there with hockey skills.
Lisa McMurray, economic development coordinator for Muskoka Lakes, said the township is now looking at including both communities for the remainder of the year.
They’re looking for partnerships to provide coaching staff, she said.
“As soon as we’ve got that in place we can open our doors.”
The program in Port Carling currently works with Port Carling Minor Hockey which provides free coaching staff to teach children between the ages of five and 13 basic hockey skills.
No experience is required and equipment is provided if needed or requested by participants.
McMurray said about 15 children are currently in the program.
“These are families that I would say wouldn’t have necessarily participated in hockey,” she said.
Coaches work with kids at a variety of skill levels, sometimes working on drills or helping them hone their skills, other times having fun in an informal training environment.
The program was initially funded by the District of Muskoka and slated to run until the end of December, but at the end of last year the township said it would continue through the winter.
It has since received $2,000 from the district to run the program in 2013 to cover costs such as ice time.
The township plans to continue running the program next year.
Free hockey in Port Carling takes place at the Port Carling Arena every Sunday from noon to 1:30 p.m. Times for Bala have not been confirmed.
To register or volunteer call 705-765-3156 or email lmcmurray@muskokalakes.ca.

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