hockey for all centre offers beginner skating and hockey programs for youth and adults
Although Kody Gibbs is just celebrating his one-year anniversary of assistant coaching for Jets Hockey Development (JHD) at hockey for all centre, the progress he’s seen in his players within the past year has been tremendous. Since he finished his pro hockey career in the United States and started coaching last August, Gibbs has coached a variety of levels from U7 to junior hockey players – and even his former high school hockey team. However, one group that sticks out to Gibbs are his players from the First Shift program.
“It was really cool to see the progression of these kids from their first sessions when they were just learning to skate to their last session in how much they’ve improved,” said Gibbs.
The First Shift program provides youth with equipment and equipment fitting demonstrations, sessions at manageable and consistent times, and ensures participants are having fun and feel safe while slowly introducing them to skills and rules of the game. First Shift is designed to make hockey accessible for families new to the sport and to engage more youth from underrepresented communities.
As most First Shift participants have never skated before, Gibbs tries to simplify lessons and makes sure participants are constantly moving and engaged in drills while encouraging them to grow their skills.
“I love to challenge players and push them to the next level,” said Gibbs. “Don’t be afraid to try new things. Your failure is going to lead to success.”
Once players complete First Shift, the goal is for them to move on to the Second Shift program or transition to minor hockey. However, learning to skate and play hockey isn’t just for kids, as hockey for all centre also offers programs for adults new to the sport. This fall, Gibbs will be coaching two adult programs: Adult Skill Development and the newly launched Adult Learn to Play. The Adult Skill Development program is designed for adults who want to improve their basic hockey skills, like skating, puck control, and breaking down different positions on the ice, while Adult Learn to Play is targeted toward beginner skaters.
“We’ve seen a lot of growth with the numbers in our adult programming, whether it’s adults who have already done programs with us and are wanting to learn more or how to play hockey, to adults who have never skated.” said Gibbs. “It’s fun to work with adults and see them pushing themselves to try a new skill.”
Many of the adult participants come from families who already have children enrolled in a First Shift program, or who have kids in minor hockey.
“Once parents see how much fun their kids are having in hockey, it does peak their own interest in trying the sport. We want to encourage adults to take the chance, let them know there is programming for them, it’s not intimidating and it’s never too late to get involved in hockey.”
For adults wanting to improve their skating skills, fall lessons offer the perfect time before the winter hockey season and outdoor rinks and rivers open up for skating. For youth, fall sessions offer a great head start in preparing for the upcoming minor hockey season.
“Improving your game in the fall will benefit players going into the season,” said Gibbs, who’s looking forward to coaching this fall’s First Shift and adult programming. For him, the best part of coaching is seeing how the personal progress of a player translates to growing their love for the game.
“Whether it’s over a season or a year that I’m c
oaching a player, it’s really rewarding to connect with them and watch them improve and go to the next level, also taking their enjoyment for the sport to the next level.”
For more information on First Shift and Adult programming this fall, visit hockeyforallcentre.com.
