HOT news! Britannia

For the first time in Vancouver starting next September 2007, the lucky hockey-lover students of Britannia Secondary School are in for a “shot’. Not only are they now allowed to ditch school P.E and take hockey as an alternative, but they also have the icy sport as an elective course during the year! Britannia community centre will be a huge part of this.

The co-ed course will be open to students in Grades 8 to 12. Course participants will pay $140 per month for 10 months of hockey class. Lessons about hockey theory, drills, and on-ice positioning will be taught to the students as classroom lessons. They will also have the chance to participate on the ice at Britannia Community Centre, where they will learn the fundamentals like puck handling.

But wait! It isn’t an “everybody’s welcome” sort of thing. Students must submit a letter outlining reasons for applying and a letter of reference and have at least two years of minor hockey experience.

As we cheer for the school, there are two members of the Board who are not so cheery. Sharon Gregson and Allen Blakey think that the $140 is too much for most students who come from the many mid- to low- income families in the neighbourhood. However, the athletic director Jamie Overgaard isn’t giving up. He plans to fundraise like mad and ask a number of organizations who can help support them so the class can be successful.

Way to go team!