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NGB News USA Hockey & U.S. Figure Skating 24 / JULY.AUGUST.2019 USICERINKS.COM 3 USA Hockey Resources to Grow Your Associations USA Hockey's Program Services department focuses on providing both growth and leadership resources for local youth hockey associations. Resources and rewards for associations are provided through the Hattrick Growth Challenge and Try Hockey For Free Days. Leadership resources are provided primarily through the Club Excellence Portal and by connecting with the Program Services staff. , Hattrick Growth Challenge The Hattrick Growth Challenge provides youth hockey associations with a season-long plan for increasing participation among children between the ages of 4-8. Associations can choose to participate in various initiatives involving retention, acquisition and conversion. By doing so, USA Hockey will provide support and rewards to associations who meet their commitments. , Try Hockey For Free Days USA Hockey's national Try Hockey For Free dates are scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, during Come Play Hockey Month, and Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, as part of Hockey Week Across America. Youth associations are welcome to host additional Try Hockey For Free dates and can still utilize USA Hockey's online registration system. , Club Excellence USA Hockey's Club Excellence Portal provides local leadership with support in the day-to-day needs of running an association. We recognize our administrators are the backbone of our programs. We continue to build educational resources based on best practices from around the country to support those administrators. To find more information on these programs or connect with a member of the Program Services staff, visit usahockey.com/programservices. Start the season strong with athletic testing, sports science education and the High Performance Movement Screen. , What is a S.T.A.R.S. Combine? S.T.A.R.S. (Standardized Testing of Athleticism to Recognize Skaters) is a fun, one-day off- ice testing event that provides skaters and coaches with specific information about the skaters' athletic abilities, specifically those related to on-ice skills. The combine consists of 15 tests in the areas of agility/flexibility/coordination, strength/power and flexibility. All participants will take part in a dynamic warm- up class, attend a sports science seminar and receive a detailed athlete report at the conclusion of the combine. S.T.A.R.S. combines are open to U.S. Figure Skating athletes ages 6+ who have passed the Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field test. , What is the High Performance Movement Screen? All S.T.A.R.S. combines are held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating High Performance Movement Screen (HPMS). The HPMS is a group of evaluations designed to give athletes, coaches and parents information in three key areas: mobility, stability and symmetry. Participating athletes receive a detailed report flagging areas of concern as well as video-based feedback for corrective exercises. The HPMS is open to U.S. Figure Skating athletes who have passed the Juvenile Moves in the Field test as well as adult skaters. For more information about S.T.A.R.S. and the HPMS, upcoming dates and locations including ways to prepare for the combine, please visit starscombine.org. Train Like a Champion, , The HPMS is a group of evaluations designed to give athletes, coaches and parents information in three key areas: mobility, stability and symmetry.