The EIHA are committed to providing opportunities for young people to get involved in hockey and removing as many barriers to participation as possible.
In collaboration with Puck Stop and Bauer, we are excited to have been given the opportunity to relaunch the Netminder Development Programme for the 2023/24 season.
This is an exciting two-month opportunity for junior players to loan Bauer netminder kit at no cost, allowing them to try the netminder position before investing in their own equipment.
Bauer have supplied five sets of full protective equipment – everything except more personal items such as helmet, skates, stick and jock – to PuckStop, and it is ready for individuals to start the application process and begin the loan period.
Puck Stop director Richard Day said: “It is great that we can support the EIHA and our new young goalies, and we are fortunate to be working with Bauer on this project, the first of its kind globally.
“They are excited by the project, as are we, and look forward to getting the gear on its way to a keen new goalie and supporting them with their other kit needs and queries.
“Puck Stop was founded back in 1995, because as a goalie it was difficult to find equipment in the UK. That initial desire to help goalies and players alike by offering the best selection of hockey gear in the UK, with staff who love and play the game remains unchanged.”
Our relaunched NMDP will see equipment loaned on a three-month basis to junior players who meet the criteria below.
Priority will be given to female players, players from black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups, and players living in areas of high deprivation and from low socio-economic groups. However, every player who meets the essential criteria outlined below is eligible to apply for the Netminder Development Programme:
Essential Criteria:
• Player has limited or no prior netminder experience
• Player is a current member of a junior club
• Player does not have access to own netminder kit
• Player is playing ice hockey in England or Wales
Application Process:
Applications can be made as follows:
- Round 1 applications are open from 8th September 2023 to 6th October 2023. Successful applications will receive kit on loan from 29th October 2023 to 11th December 2023.
- Round 2 applications are open from 30th November 2023 to 8th January 2024. Successful applicants will receive kit on loan from 15th January 2024 to 15th April 2024.
More information on the application process can be found here: Netminder Development Programme 2023 24.
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