Feature Article

The puck stops here!

Hockey Alberta moves onto RDC campus, opening doors to an exciting partnership

With their move to RDC’s campus on January 19, Hockey Alberta is one step closer to achieving a bold vision: to become the most progressive and innovative sport organization in Canada.

Rob Litwinski, Hockey Alberta’s General Manager, is excited about such progress: “Moving our head office to the campus concludes a lot of work over the last several years. This move opens doors to what we see as a significant future to our partnership, which includes a shared vision with RDC.” 

In roughly 465 sq. m. of space, 22 Hockey Alberta (HA) staff will help support more than 100 core volunteers that work for the organization. Volunteers and staff serve over 90,000 participants in the province through 200 local minor hockey associations and 200 club teams in senior, junior and female hockey.

In addition to HA’s administrative and office space now located at RDC, highlights of the new partnership include:
• enhanced practicum and field placement opportunities for students – leadership, business and kinesiology & sports studies
• collaborative programming initiatives in sport management and leadership development
• access to current and future RDC educational programs, resources and facilities

Collaboration scores big. Linda Moore Martin, Dean of Health, Science, Sport & Education, has led the official Partnership Charter. She believes that their collaborative resources will promote health in both groups. “For them, the hockey youth and coaches; for us, the students, faculty and staff,” she says. “The long-term goal is healthier communities overall. People think this partnership is all about ‘ice’ but it’s more than that. It’s about creating opportunities for our youth and students.”

According to Moore Martin, “both HA and the College see benefits that when offered today, will help create stronger citizens in the future. We can do this through hockey initiatives or through RDC initiatives and we can also partner to broaden access.” For example, HA can offer provincial level training on campus where attendees will access our residences and related services.

With HA on campus, expect enhanced practicum and field placements for RDC students, “and not just for the kinesiology students,” Moore Martin says. “We have visions for our business students to get involved, perhaps through a class assignment on behalf of HA or through a practicum where they learn how to run a sport-focused business or organization.”

Nursing students currently complete a number of health promotion projects with community-based organizations and they could do the same for HA, such as helmet safety and pre-game stress reduction programs. “Students would do the background research and then design the project accordingly,” she adds. “The partnership also means that HA has access to some of our resources that are currently available in-house only.”

Hockey Alberta fast facts… • 104 years old • provincial governing body of Hockey in Alberta • member of Hockey Canada • 500+ members consisting of 210+ minor hockey associations • 90,000+ participants including over 68,000 players, 17,000 coaches, and 5,000 officials • 6-million dollar operating budget

The connection between HA and the College continues to strengthen. Moore Martin and her colleagues are looking at re-designing and developing the Sport Management Diploma (Kinesiology). Here’s where partnering with the Donald School of Business would add a valuable management component.

To bring in direct experience, she’s asked for a representative from HA to join her project team. “We’ll also look at working with HA on leadership development to capitalize on the strengths each can bring to the table.” This ensures that RDC stays current while students learn what employers expect and need.
RDC is helping Hockey Alberta realize its vision. An innovative mix of leadership development, education and training will provide access to professional educators, learning technology and facilities. Factor in more advantages – established programs in kinesiology, sport and recreation administration, management, marketing and communication along with practicum opportunities for students in sports administration, coaching and kinesiology.

Rob Litwinski makes the final assist: “We’re aggressively moving forward with plans to ensure that new people are exposed to our great game, and that more options are provided for them in terms of time and financial supports.”