GREENFIELD — Who says you can’t get anything for free, especially when it comes to sports and your children?
The Franklin County Hockey Association is offering freebies to area children on Nov. 12 with Try Hockey For Free through USA Hockey at Collins-Moylan Arena in Greenfield.
The event is one of approximately 400 happening nationally that day.
This is the third year the association has offered the program, according to FCHA President Sean Lavoine.
Participation numbers in the previous two ventures have ranged from 40 to 60 children, which is increasingly important to help the association increase its player base at all levels.
Lavoine estimated that 80 percent of children who participated in Try Hockey For Free went on to join an FCHA in-house program, such as Intro to Hockey, House League and Learn to Skate.
One difficult reality for families is the cost associated with equipment, especially when replacing it as the child grows. FCHA has taken the initiative to ease that financial burden.
“Due to the high cost of entry to ice hockey, we offer several ways to make it affordable and easier to play,” said Lavoine, referring to their equipment program. “We provide all the equipment necessary to play except for a stick — skates, shin guards, pants, shoulder pads, elbow pads and a helmet — for kids of all ages for a $150 deposit in the form a personal check (the check is returned at the end of the season when all equipment is returned).
“We’ve been able to build a good inventory of equipment over the years through grants we’ve received,” added Lavoine. “It allows kids to play hockey without their family having to invest several hundreds dollars in gear, not knowing if they are going to like the sport.”
Lavoine noted that a grant the association received from a private company last fall allowed FCHA to make Intro to Hockey free and helped spur younger kids to play the game. This year, FCHA will offer Intro to Hockey for free for first-year players only, as well as Junior and Senior House League.
Lavoine added that a family’s only expense would be USA Hockey registration, but those who participate in the Try Hockey for Free event are given a code to register for free.
FCHA will also offer its Learn to Skate program for $5 per week (no commitment is required). Lavoine said it’s a great alternative for families that can’t commit to a high-priced Learn to Skate program.
“The $5 per week is an affordable way for kids to skate with instruction and aides,” offered Lavoine. “We also offer skates and helmets for those kids who need them.”
Parents can register their children for any of the FCHA introductory in-house programs in person on Nov. 12, or on the association’s website (www.fcha.org). All of those programs begin on Nov. 19.