NHS Hockey Program Seeks Support

To the Editor:

The Newtown High School ice hockey team is in the middle of its fourth season, and the players are working hard to qualify for the SWC playoffs for the third successive year and hopefully the state tournament as well. This year’s team features a new coach, a new skating system, strong senior leadership, and a cross section of players representing all four classes at the school. In this, only our fourth as a team, the program seems to have developed strong roots. With the large number of young skaters participating in area youth hockey programs, it is our hope that the hockey program is setting a foundation to become a permanent part of the school’s athletic budget.

The costs of maintaining a hockey program are considerable. Equipment, which needs to be replaced as players grow during their teen years, is quite expensive. The cost of each hour of practice ice is approaching $400. The school does not allow the players to drive to practices at the Danbury Ice Arena and the cost of busing to and from practices exceeds $5,000 for the season. When supplies, referee cost, and incidentals are added in with the two major costs of ice time and transportation, you end up with a fairly expensive program.

One of the goals of this organization was to make a player’s ability and not cost the determining factor in whether or not a student participates in this program. While we have made progress on many levels, the one area where we are lacking is in the sharing of the cost of the program with the school district. By the agreement with the Board of Education, which allowed this program to go forward, by this point in time the bulk of the cost should be borne by the school district. In reality, this season, for the first time, we received a contribution from the school. The amount of that donation, while gratefully received, does not cover the cost of one week’s practice ice.

The players engage in various fundraisers throughout the year and in the past we have been graced with generous contributions from individuals and organizations to help lower the cost for each player. While we are aware that worthy causes in Asia as well as closer to home are taxing people’s ability to give, we are once again coming to you for help. Please make any contribution payable to The Friends of NHS Ice Hockey, and mail it to: Jim Giesen, 34 The Boulevard, Newtown CT 06470.

Thank you,

Charles Borchetta, Board Member

The Friends of Newtown High School Ice Hockey

10 Willow Brook Lane, Newtown                             January 10, 2005