Innovative Ice Factor Program a Success

A collaborative program between the South Australian Ice Sports Federation, the Adelaide IceArena, school communities and local businesses heads into its second phase after a highly successful pilot program at the end of 2005.

Developed by Marie Shaw (SAISF and Management Group of IceArena), Don Anderson (class liaison at Parafield Gardens High School), John Botterill (General Manager of IceArena and Head Coach, Adelaide Avalanche) and Chris Hall (IHA Women’s Director and Management Group of IceArena), the Ice Factor program is designed to assist schools in there efforts to keep “at risk” students, who show high probability of leaving school prematurely, within the school environment, and to provide those students with a focus through which they can develop life and vocational skills. Ice hockey was chosen as that focus. More

The Ice Factor program is based around the formation of an ice hockey team. While there is considerable emphasis on teaching them the skills of ice hockey, the students are also given tasks which are associated with the formation of a hockey team and expose them to development of literacy and numeracy skills. Tasks such as team management, keeping statistics, producing a newsletter, fundraising and developing promotional material are designed to teach the students vocational skills while developing sustainability of the program. Life skills are developed through involvement in a team sport where responsibility, commitment, fairness, respect and support for each other are fostered.

Fifteen students at Parafield Gardens High School attended the 8 week pilot program through which they learnt to skate and developed basic ice hockey skills. Television station Channel 7 filmed the students as they progressed through the program. A documentary on the program is planned for later this year.

The pilot program culminated in a game between the school students (who had formed themselves into Team Reapers) and a composite beginner/novice team from the IceArena Hockey Academy. Team Reapers was sponsored by VIP Services and Power Play Sports who between them supplied the players with equipment and skates. The Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency Majorie Jackson-Nelson, attended the game night and presented the students with Ice Factor certificates. Don Rurak, President of IHA, Kevin Browne, Treasurer, attended on behalf of IHA and Grant Harding, President of SAIHA, and Steve Wise, Vice-President, attended on behalf of local ice hockey (SAIHA). Bill Viss attended on behalf of VIP Services, the major sponsor of the program.

Based on the successful pilot program, Ice Factor has moved into its second phase, with 5 schools now involved. A further 3 schools will become involved in Term 2 of the school year. An inter-school competition will begin in the second half of the year as part of Phase 3 of the program. SA Ice Hockey Association will assist with the formation of the Schools League.