Thousands of children across Ontario will have the chance to fall in love with hockey this season thanks to Canadian Tire First Shift. A number of programs will be held across OMHA centres over the fall and winter.
The First Shift is designed to break down barriers a family may face when thinking about participating in hockey, ensuring a welcoming, safe, affordable and fun experience for those new to hockey. Boys and girls from 6-10 years of age are outfitted in Bauer equipment from head-to-toe and receive six on ice learn-to-play sessions.
Playing hockey allows kids to learn teamwork and leadership skills, inspire hard work and dedication and the experience of being involved in a community. The core values and lessons taught help to develop good citizens and healthy athletes.
The First Shift covers a vast area of routines, games and activities that will be beneficial to the participant’s enjoyment of the program and experience as a hockey player. All drills are run in small groups and focus on a variety of skills throughout each session.
There are over 2,300 positions available to participants across the OHF, stretching from St. Catharines to Belleville (the complete list of OMHA centres is included below). The majority of the programs will be hosted in the fall, with additional sessions running in the winter.
Fall Programs: St. Catharines, Jordan Station, Oshawa, Milton, Ingersoll, Tavistock, Guelph, Leamington, Belle River, Port Perry, Brantford (Burford), Newmarket, Norwich, Northumberland, Aurora, Wainfleet, Trenton, Belleville, Bradford, Brampton (2 sessions), Essex, Flamborough, Georgina (Keswick), Duffield, Weston Minor
Winter Programs: St. Catharines, Tavistock, Guelph, Port Perry, Oshawa, Norwich, Brampton, Shelburne
More information on The First Shift program can be found here.