A GUIDE TO DRIVE 8 & UNDER PARTICIPATION FOR YOUR LOCAL ASSOCIATION

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1 A GUIDE TO DRIVE 8 & UNDER PARTICIPATION FOR YOUR LOCAL ASSOCIATION INSIDE:» 2 and 2 CHALLENGE» PROGRAM OVERVIEW» STATUS & REWARDS

2 What is THE CHALLENGE? The 2 and 2 Challenge guides youth hockey leadership through national programs and tools to drive participation at the 4 to 8 age group. By growing hockey at this age group, programs will experience long-term growth as these kids continue to develop. To complete the CHALLENGE, participating associations will utilize programs that emphasize the main driving forces of growth Retention, Acquisition & Conversion. ACTION GOAL Retain more youth hockey players Welcome Back Week Acquire new youth hockey players Host national Try Hockey For Free Days Convert Try Hockey For Free kids to youth hockey players Place kids in a Transition Program 2

3 VISIT ACCEPT.2and2CHALLENGE.COM AND START GROWING YOUR PROGRAM! CHALLENGE GOALS The goal is for every association to add two new players and retain two additional players than the previous season s 8 & under player totals = [Acquired] [Retained] Growth When you re ready, get started on the path to being the best possible local youth sports program by visiting Accept.2and2Challenge.com. DID YOU KNOW? Thanks to the 2 and 2 Challenge and a local commitment to growing youth hockey, 8 & under participation was at an all-time high last season. 115,694 players in this age group participated in a USA Hockey program. 3

4 1 RETENTION WELCOME BACK WEEK September 18-24, 2017 Associations gather volunteers to personally call and invite families back for another season. Reaching out with a personal invitation will dramatically increase retention. Local Association Coordinates:» Volunteers to make phone calls to local families USA Hockey Provides:» reminders to unregistered families» Broadcast phone message reminder from a Women s National Team athlete or NHL player» Step-by-step instructions» List of players that need a personal phone call WELCOME BACK WEEK FACT: 37,939 registration reminder calls were sent in 2016 Key Dates: Women s National Team athlete Kendall Coyne and NHL player Auston Matthews welcomed kids back to hockey last season with a phone call. a AUGUST 22 ND reminder to 8 & under players that need to register for SEPTEMBER 7 TH Recorded phone call from a Women s National Team athlete or NHL player goes out to previously registered participants SEPTEMBER 18 TH -24 TH Welcome Back Week 4

5 VISIT ACCEPT.2and2CHALLENGE.COM AND START GROWING YOUR PROGRAM! 2 ACQUISITION TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE DAYS November 4, 2017 & March 3, 2018 Provides youth hockey associations the opportunity to acquire new players locally. By participating on November 4th and March 3rd, associations will attract new players for this season and for future seasons. Due to the heightened opportunity that the Winter Olympics provides, 2 and 2 Challenge associations must participate in both s. Local Association Coordinates:» One hour of ice» Volunteers» Equipment to lend USA Hockey Provides:» Jerseys and giveaways» On- and off-ice clinic guidelines» USA Hockey sanctioning» Online registration platform» Grassroots promotional tools» Best practices on attracting new families» National marketing WHY THESE DATES? NOV 4 November is an ideal time to bring families into your rink that may not have previously considered youth hockey and are wrapping up fall sports. MARCH 3 The last post-olympic season ( ) marked an 8.8% increase in new 8 & Under players. This event is scheduled to capture interested families as a result of the Games. The timing also helps to fill spring programming and identify new families for next fall. OFFICIAL SPONSORS OF TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE DAYS AND Try Hockey Day November 4th: SEPTEMBER Complete online training OCTOBER 16 TH Jerseys and giveaways arrive NOVEMBER 4 TH Key Dates: Try Hockey Day March 3rd: JANUARY Complete online training FEBRUARY 19 TH Jerseys and giveaways arrive MARCH 3 RD 5

6 COMPLETING THE 3 CONVERSION TRANSITION PROGRAM Begins after your A low-cost, low-commitment program eases new families from Try Hockey into youth hockey. These programs are vital to growth in your association. Successful programming allows kids to become more comfortable on the ice and welcomes them into your association. REWARDS:» National recognition from USA Hockey» Banner for display in your rink» Depending on what level your association achieves, you will receive a credit with Total Hockey. This credit can be used for items that will help your association continue its growth and development. BRONZE: $100 credit SILVER: $200 credit GOLD: $250 credit Examples:» Learn to Skate» Learn to Play» Shortened Season Local Association Coordinates:» Low-cost, low-commitment introductory program» Coaches to run on-ice sessions» Equipment to lend CHALLENGE TIMELINE: USA Hockey Provides:» Best practices on developing a transition program» Practice plans» Learn to Play Transition Program Template 6 August 22nd: reminder to 8 & under players AUGUST SEPTEMBER September 7th: Recorded phone call from a Women s National Team athlete or NHL player September 18th-24th: Welcome Back Week September: (Try Hockey Nov. 4th): Complete online training OCTOBER

7 VISIT ACCEPT.2and2CHALLENGE.COM AND START GROWING YOUR PROGRAM! CHALLENGE Exclusive Hockey Equipment Retailer of USA Hockey BRONZE: Achieve Bronze status by participating in all three growth programs listed below. Bronze Initiatives: Organize a personal phone call program during Welcome Back Week Host both Try Hockey events (Nov. 4 and March 3) Organize a Transition Program SILVER: Achieve Bronze status and participate in at least one more growth initiative, and we ll recognize you as a Silver status association. Silver Initiatives: (Choose at Least One) Girls Hockey Weekend (Oct. 7-8) Create a femalefocused initiative within your coed 8 & under program Host a Transition Program after both Try Hockey For Free Days (Nov. 4 and March 3) GOLD: Go for the Gold! Achieve Silver status and participate in at least two additional growth initiatives, and you ll reach the top of the podium as a Gold status association. Gold Initiatives: (Choose at Least Two) Apply for an Affiliate growth grant Hold an equipment drive Host a Season Ice Breaker Event (Season Kick-off) Purchase OneGoal equipment from Total Hockey NOVEMBER November 4th: JANUARY February 19th: (Try Hockey March 3rd): Jerseys and Giveaways arrive March: Transition Program Starts October 16th: (Try Hockey Nov. 4th): Jerseys and Giveaways arrive November: Transition Program Starts DECEMBER January: (Try Hockey March 3rd): Complete online training FEBRUARY March 3rd: MARCH 7

8 TO ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE PROGRAM SERVICES:» » The National Hockey League and USA Hockey are committed partners in the shared goal of promoting youth hockey participation.