Hockey Academy Skill Development
Hockey, skills development, fitness, mental performance and goal setting, and community service are all part of Pleasant Valley Secondary School’s Hockey Academy.
“Now in its second year and using a similar curriculum to A.L. Fortune’s Hockey Academy, this year’s class has 22 participants,” comments teacher and coach Cody Fox. “The students, both male and female, range from grades 9 through 12, and are at varying skill levels,” Fox adds. He mentioned that there are approximately five students in each grade, covering everything from house to Tier II players. Also, there are two goalies in the academy and ten of the academy students referee.
The academy focuses on skill development and the mental parts of the game including game tactics, strategy, and sportsmanship. Students take part in dryland training and sports-specific conditioning, as well as in-depth learning about theory, team play, nutrition, and goal setting. The academy also incorporates a community-focused approach in which the students engage in projects and activities that give back to their town.
The academy is two blocks within the student’s schedule. Grade 9 and 10 students will earn Physical and Health Education 9/10 and Hockey Skills 9/10 credits while Grade 11 and 12 students earn Fitness and Conditioning 11/12 and Hockey Skills 11/12 credits.
Because the hockey portion of the academy is a locally developed Board Authority Authorized (BAA) course , students are assessed according to the Hockey Canada’s National Skills Standards & Testing Program. The level of difficulty increases as students progress through each grade level.
Fox, a PVSS graduate and current mathematics teacher, played minor hockey in Armstrong and has participated in other sports including volleyball. Outside of school he coaches minor hockey and plays recreational hockey. “I spend quite a bit of time on skates,” he laughs. He also has a few players from the North Okanagan Knights junior hockey team helping him coach the academy.
In the PVSS academy, students engage in three hours of on-ice skill development per week and participate in dryland training twice a week. Due to the construction of the school’s new gym Swanson Mountain Fitness in Armstrong has become involved. Students go to the fitness center to do their dryland training and every second Friday they have yoga sessions.
Another component of the program focuses on mental health, performance mindset, and goal setting. Also, they talk about the importance of nutrition and hydration. One activity involves weighing students before and after their hour and a half ice time. This exercise illustrates, even with hydration breaks, the amount of water weight lost during on-ice drills.
Fox invites experts and guest coaches to the academy, including retired NHL player Jason Podollan who was born in Vernon and currently resides there. Podollan leads skill development drills and provides tips on mental preparedness for the game.
Fox feels strongly that the work put into the hockey academy needs to extend to both the school and the community. The students receive dedicated homework support sessions and Fox regularly checks in to confirm their attendance and success in their courses.
The academy fosters connections between students and their community which includes spending a morning at Highland Park assisting in classrooms and potentially engaging in activities like floor or road hockey. Also, they will be supporting elementary school students during their trips to the arena for skating.
Participation in community service is an aspect of the program. Students are involved in activities such as a food drive for the food bank and they are sponsoring a few families in an effort to make their holidays brighter!
