“It was probably more moving for us. It was a pretty emotional experience."

Marnie Alexander, Community Schools Coordinator, Harwin 

Just imagine the following scenario on a cold Saturday night in January: 

Your child sits down in front of the television to enjoy the Habs or Canucks Hockey Night in Canada game. (Notice how I didn’t say Maple Leafs). 

So, your child wants to take the next step and watch a game in person, so that night you take your son(s)/daughter(s) to the local Prince George Cougars or Spruce Kings home game. That’s quite a double-header with a six hour hockey fix. 

Now, your child is so enthused with the game, that in addition to watching on the tube or at the rink, he/she wants to play. Doesn’t this complete the ultimate hat trick? 

For a kid growing up in Northern B.C., or most parts of the country, the aforementioned picture is a common occurrence and is even taken for granted. But what if, as a parent, you had to tell your child “I’m sorry, you will not be able to play this year because as a family we are not in a position to register you in hockey”. In many cases, this state of affairs is reality. 

For select students at Harwin Community School and the Aboriginal Choice School, a void in this area has been filled as there is now an opportunity to play and learn about the game. And best of all, the Goals and Dreams Academy is free to participants. 

The vision is to provide an opportunity for some children to build hockey into their lives. "Our students are given specific coaching around the actual skills of the game and they are playing games against each other", stated Marnie Alexander, Harwin Community Schools Coordinator. 

20 at risk students in grades five to seven (10 per school) were selected from an interview process to participate in the program which consists of two eight week sessions during school time on Monday and Wednesday morning at the Kin Centre. Transportation, uniforms, equipment and certified instructors are supplied; and costs are covered by grants and donations. 

The boys and girls who are taking part get much more than a hockey experience. The objectives of the program include promoting athletic and academic excellence; lifelong learning; student achievement; healthy lifestyles and nutrition; and positive role models. In addition, the academy is designed to increase thestudents’ connection and contribution to the school and to help students cooperate by socializing in group settings. 

Let’s keep in mind that kids are kids regardless of upbringing, financial status or physical/mental stature. While many youths likely consider it a right to play hockey, others are just thrilled to get a chance. “Our students were so beyond excited and some of them actually could not stop grinning. Some of them looked like they were going to cry. It was really moving for us. It was probably more moving for us. It was a pretty emotional experience," said Alexander, who is now in her 4th year
at Harwin. 

"We actually had one student that shared that he had hopes to do this when he was younger and that his Mom had initially put him into it, but then due to health issues, he had to go and live with extended family and that opportunity never came for him. He was pretty much on the verge of tears as he shared how this opportunity had never happened in his life and now he was having it." 

We have all heard the expression “build it and they will come”. Well, the Goals and Dreams Academy has now been “built “and 20 students attending Harwin Community School and the Aboriginal Choice School are delighted to “come”.

Sometimes, it’s the simple things in life that are appreciated the most. 

***** 

–Duchess Park student Sarah Beaudry has certainly represented Prince George well at the Youth Olympic Games this week in Austria. Beaudry helped Canada to a 9^th place finish out of 18 teams in the Biathlon mixed relay after placing 14^th out of 47 in the women’s 7.5km Pursuit and 22^nd in the 6km Sprint.

   Not many local athletes have achieved this kind of success on the international stage. Yes, this is another example of hard work and determination paying off.

From the Quote Rack:  

Kim Kardashian has been replaced by a dog in a Sketchers Super Bowl Ad. A spokesman for the company CEO reportedly said that he wanted somebody with higher morals.

Tim Tebow’s birthplace was Makati City, Philippines. Maybe that’s why on Saturday night he looked like a Manila folder.

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

Here’s a way to describe “passes completed/attempts” in a typical Tebow game: Tim 3:16

Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York  

Well, at least Tim Tebow now has time to go to church on Sundays.

Former interim MLB commissioner Bud Selig has been given a two year extension until 2014. He took the position temporarily in 1992. Even Brett Favre is saying, “Dude, give it up already.”
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, Californiawww.leftcoastsportsbabe.com

Boston is America’s drunkest city, in the estimation of TheDailyBeast.com, with adults there consuming an average of 15.5 alcoholic drinks a month.
OK, 11.5 — not counting the Red Sox clubhouse.

Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sidelinechatter/

The Continental Cup (N. America vs. World curling) was held recently in Langley. An actual radio ad stated: “What sport can you mingle with the athletes after it’s over? Answer: Curling. Get  your Continental Cup tickets today.” The real reason players will “mingle” with you is so you can pick up their bar bill.

Final BCS Championship game stats.
LSU offence: 96 total yards.
LSU Marching Band: 200 total yards. (they even blocked for the trombone player)
Comedy writer TC Chong http://www.dailycomedy.com/u/tcdag52

Eli Manning of the New York Giants did not practice Wednesday because of a stomach virus.
He didn’t start throwing up, though, until he got home and turned on a N.J. Nets game.

The founder of Cracker Barrel restaurants has died at age 76. He was found dead after 4 hours waiting to be seated.
Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

Dennis Rodman announced plans to coach a new topless women’s basketball team. There will be a short preseason followed by a full slate of exhibitionist games.

Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com         

A $300,000 drug bust doesn’t overly impress an inspector with the Windsor Police Service. A spokesman said we toss out more than that when the Washington Wizards team bus crosses the border.

An elderly Vancouver woman is facing eviction from her social housing apartment on the city’s Downtown Eastside because she’s a hoarder. Officials knew she had a problem when they found newspapers with front page headlines congratulating the Stanley Cup winning team.

Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgaryhttp://smacksport.blogspot.com

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