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08/29/2018 12:00 AMThe Shoreline Sharks Youth Hockey Association is offering a 20-week session of its Learn-to-Play Hockey Clinics that are designed to teach the fundamentals of hockey to girls aged 3 to 19 who have little-to-no experience in the sport. The clinics will focus on skills including skating, puck control, passing and shooting. The weekly, hour-long development program is held at DiLungo Rink at 71 Hudson Street in East Haven on Sunday afternoons from Sept. 30 through Feb. 24.
The Sharks are offering a Sand Sharks program for girls aged 3 to 10 and a Junior Sharks program for girls aged 10 to 19. Both programs are coached by Bill Greim and Rick Gedney, two seasoned volunteer coaches who have more than 30 years of coaching experience at the youth and high-school levels. The USA Hockey’s American Development Model guides to the clinic design to accelerate skill development and engage players through fun and age-appropriate activities.
“We are passionate about all things hockey, especially girls’ hockey. An important part of our mission is to give girls that have never played or are new to hockey an easy way to learn to love and play the sport,” said Greim, who is the co-founder of the Shoreline Sharks and its clinic director. “Rick and I, along with our team of coaches and player volunteers, use drills, stations, small-area games, and elements of fun to keep the kids engaged and wanting to come back to the rink. The smiles and sense of achievement we see on the parents’ and player’ faces week to week are confirmation that we created a positive and impactful experience.”
“Most learn-to-play programs are focused on kids under age 12. However, we believe that you are never too old to learn the sport,” Gedney added. “Our Junior Sharks program is one of the only clinics in the state targeted to girls 11 and older. It is perfect for those curious about exploring the game or beginners wanting to improve their core hockey skills.”
The tuition for the 20-week program is $400. Kids aged 8 and younger participate for free, and those who are ages 9 and 10 are eligible for a 50-percent discount. To register, visit shorelinesharkshockey.com.
Founded in 1998, the Shoreline Sharks are a non-profit organization dedicated to offering developmental and competitive hockey programs for girls aged 3 to 19. It is the largest- and fastest-growing girls’ hockey program in southern Connecticut and is known for building a passion for hockey in a fun, challenging environment.
More than 225 girls are registered for the 2018-’19 season with players coming from Hamden to Stratford to New London and the towns in between. The organization fields 11 travel teams ranging from U-8 to U-19 with varying levels of competitiveness. The Sharks are affiliated with the Connecticut Girls’ Hockey League, the Connecticut Hockey Conference, and the New England Girls’ Hockey League
The Shoreline Sharks won the USA Hockey national championship for the past two years, becoming the 15th and 16th Connecticut-based girls’ team to win the title since the tournament started 40 years ago. The association has been recognized by USA Hockey as a model organization for its leadership in growing participation in the sport among girls aged 8 and younger.
For more info on the Sharks, contact info@shorelinesharkshockey.com.