by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
BEACHBURG — A luncheon to thank the sponsors of the Kyla’s Kids Club program was held Saturday at the Beachburg Arena.
The parents provided most of the food and each of the sponsors were presented with an Appreciation Certificate and for any new sponsors, a Kyla’s Kids jersey with their name on it.
Prior to the lunch, the sponsors were invited to watch the children during the hour-long on-ice program, which was mostly drills and a fun obstacle course. There are about 80 children registered for this free program.
Dave Alexander, who is the head volunteer coach of the program, noted this is the third season for the program. The program was established in memory of Kyla Simmons, a young woman who was very much involved in hockey but died at an early age.
“Kyla was a local athlete who played a lot of hockey, who loved to coach hockey, she was a real inspiration to the kids,” he said.
He recalled years ago when he played hockey with Kyla and helped him coach a team.
The program is designed to give the children somewhere to come out have fun, learn how to skate and learn the basic skills of hockey, he said.
“It’s a chance for them to get out with other kids, learn team work, build self-confidence and above all, have fun,” Mr. Alexander said.
He became involved when he was asked to volunteer by organizer Hugh Martin.
“It’s a super program for the community,” he said. “The kids are four to 12 years old. Most of the kids are pretty good. Once in a while we have to deal with short attention spans.
“The kids you saw today have really come a long way,” Mr. Alexander said, adding, “First night out we had 12 to 14 kids who were on skates for the first time.”
Some of the skills the children have learned include learning how to stride, skate forwards and backwards, basic puck handling and shooting.
While Mr. Alexander didn’t know the exact number, he has seen some of the children who have come through this program on various hockey teams.
“It’s great to see them and when they see me, they recognize me and say ‘hi coach,’” he said.
Hugh Martin, stepfather to Kyla, said without the sponsors this free program for young people would not exist. Many of the children are on skates for the first time and this is a great program for them, he said.
Along with learning to skate and basic hockey skills, Mr. Martin said they learn life lessons, such as team work and how to get along with other people.
Very important to the program are the volunteer coaches and the parents who help out, he said. He applauds anyone who helps out with the program in any way they can.
A big fundraiser was the golf tournament held earlier in the year, he said.
“I thank every single person who participated in the golf tournament,” Mr. Martin said. “Without fundraising, this program would not happen.”
Mr. Martin added, “Kyla would smile every day if she were here and saw this program.”
