7 minute read
PARTICIPATION NOW
by NSGA
Inclusion & Accessibility: How ASHA is Growing The Game
By Jen O’Brien
Four years ago the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) had 50 Member Clubs across the United States. The organization serves hockey clubs that welcome individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the sport with a focus on the social, health and well-being benefits for the athletes. Goals are achieved in ASHA and everyone cheers for the score. The love for the sport is contagious in special hockey. Core to the organization’s founding principles is the belief that every player can achieve goals through the sport of hockey. For some that is simply coming to the rink and trying on their first pair of skates, while other athletes grew up at the rink watching their siblings play and now have a team which welcomes their abilities. No matter their experience or ability, ASHA finds a way to ensure that every athlete can play. “Hockey is for everyone and the growth and success of ASHA is proof of that,” said Peter Robinson, Board President of ASHA. “While getting on the ice and playing the sport is a huge benefit for the athletes and their families, it’s the community that they are joining that is the true magic. Having a place where you can grow your social network and make new friends is what ASHA is all about and that is made possible by all of the amazing volunteers and partners we have that support our mission.” Thanks to the support of many NHL teams such as the Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, New Jersey Devils, Nashville Predators, New York Rangers, Arizona Coyotes and San Jose Sharks and American Hockey League (AHL) teams such as the San Diego Gulls and Binghamton Devils, awareness about special hockey and ASHA has grown. The support and increased awareness has led ASHA to nearly doubling in size. ASHA now supports more than 110 Special Hockey Programs across the United States, serving more than 5,000 registrants, and supports a number of affiliated communities in Canada.
“It’s important that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have the same opportunities to access the game of hockey as everyone else,” said Jeff Scott, NHL Vice President of Community Development & Growth. “Our valued partnership with ASHA remains committed to supporting and uplifting the voices of the athletes, families and volunteers who love hockey as much as we do.” The National Sporting Goods Association and Hockey Dealers Association, through a partnership, has helped ASHA with resources for equipment and shipping to help grow the game. Over the past three years, Bauer Hockey has partnered with ASHA through its #BauerGivesBack program. More than 50,000 items have been donated, ensuring that players of all abilities can get into the game where access to equipment had once prevented them. In 2020, the gift of the game was shared with more than 130 different organizations that support underserved communities through the sport of hockey, not only special hockey. Through this partnership, ASHA has been able to expand its connection to the hockey community with every box its volunteers pack to share with others.
“At Bauer, we are passionate about growing the game and making it more inclusive,” said Julie King, Bauer Hockey Senior Manager Community Development. “We believe that hockey is a sport everyone can enjoy one way or another. It’s an absolute privilege to work alongside ASHA to introduce and support players who love the sport just as much as we do.”
Supporting Game Changers
The San Diego Gulls Special Hockey Team hit the ice for their first season last year and they have grown quickly from just a few athletes to welcoming new players often. Ralph Silverman, the coach of the Gulls, worked hard to ensure that each one of his players had the gear they needed to safely participate, but one player in particular named Jake needed a specialty skate size. Silverman connected to the “A SHAre” equipment program at ASHA, and they were able to locate the needed skates for Jake, so he could join his teammates out onto the ice. “Being able to connect to much-needed equipment gives our athletes the chance to really thrive in our program,” Silverman said. “ASHA’s support, and the generosity of Bauer Hockey and the NSGA, is a real game-changer for new teams like ours.”
Welcoming All Abilities
New athletes to the ice, come in all sizes. Being able to fit each player to their individual needs can be a challenge. Jared Woosley is the head coach for the One Step Coyotes in Phoenix, Arizona and the One Step Sharks in San Jose, California. Both teams welcome adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to the ice as part of the One Step Beyond, Inc., programming. For the first time in their lives, many of these adults have the opportunity to own new gear fitted specifically for them. Bauer’s support goes well beyond new equipment. One of Woosley’s favorite memories is the day he gave one athlete his very first set of new equipment. The athletes’ sense of pride and belonging was felt by all in the locker room.
“The athlete and his family were moved to tears when they understood that the equipment was theirs to play with,” Woosley said. “This was heartfelt, as this family would not have been able to participate otherwise.”
Inclusion Creates Friendships
The Cincinnati Cyclones Special Hockey Team started three years ago with a handful of players. While COVID-19 paused the game, head coach and founder Jamie Furstein continued to see interest and excitement for his team build. Growing social and communication skills is key for individuals with special needs. For special hockey athletes, being part of a team develops these skills and leads to successes off the ice. Being physically active and engaged also plays a crucial role in supporting them, but it’s their smiles which motivate the coaches and volunteers. After so many discouraging moments during the pandemic, the time on the ice with friends has been a gift. “It’s hard to believe how far our team has come in just three short years,” Furstein said. “Without question, ASHA has been a huge part of our success. ASHA has provided unwavering support and guidance since our inception. From providing equipment, to offering guidance in program development, ASHA has been there with us every step of the way. “Bauer is synonymous with hockey. It’s the first brand that comes to mind when it’s about hockey equipment. To us, Bauer is also synonymous with leadership, humanitarianism and benevolence. The generous unsolicited equipment donations our team has received from Bauer have been instrumental in keeping our players on the ice.”
Friends stick together in hockey and best friends learn to play together. That has never been more true than for two Cincinnati Cyclone athletes, Brooke and Maria. Seeing these friendships grow strengthens the sense of community which many athletes have not experienced before. “It has been an absolute pleasure to watch these two young ladies grow and develop into hockey players,” Furstein said. “The joy and excitement they bring to the ice each and every week is what hockey is all about.”
Accessing the Game: From San Diego, California to Labrador, Canada
This February, ASHA learned 17-year-old Kendra spearheaded a hockey equipment campaign to grow the game in her remote community of Hopedale, Northern Labrador. Teaming with Bauer, Canadian Tire Charities and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ASHA helped coordinate an airlift of new equipment for 75 kids, to try hockey for the first time. ASHA worked closely with them to identify their needs for equipment, but also recognized that the connection with the sport of hockey was something that the kids in Hopedale had in common with special hockey programs. Special hockey athletes in San Diego, Washington, D.C., New York, Florida and Phoenix are gathering small items from their hometowns, writing letters and sharing their love for the sport, and sending the boxes to be delivered to Hopedale. Special hockey athletes can be isolated socially but love the game and understanding that everyone is learning how to play is the common thread connecting them. Despite the geographic differences, they have hockey in common and much to share about their communities and cultures. ASHA is working with its partners to make sure that all abilities are welcome to the sport of hockey.
