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REAL PROGRAMS Grow the Game While this article has been heavily focused on acquiring new players, don't forget that it's much more cost effective to retain players. In a normal hockey season, a program administrator may have long passed on focusing on player retention. With all the delays and modifications to families' schedules, consider that January is your new September. Every September, USA Hockey organizes a national campaign for member programs to invite families back to the rink called Welcome Back Week. In order to supplement the fluidity of local hockey programs, registered USA Hockey programs will be provided with a list of participants they had during the 2019-20 season, that haven't renewed their membership. That list will be accompanied with a script and best practices. A second iteration of the program will take place in January. To make sure you set yourself up with the best chance to get those participants back to the rink this spring, connect with Program Services to participate. Do you want to be a part of a proven way to invite new families to your rink? Try Hockey For Free days have helped organizations across the country grow for the last 11 years. More than 230,000 kids have enjoyed their first hockey experience through Try Hockey For Free events. Local rinks have an option of doing a custom date and leveraging the resources offered through Program Services. Or, they can participate on the national day on Saturday, February 20th. The national event generates plenty of buzz, along with the grassroots promotional tools that are provided to host sites. To complement these tools and national programs is an ever-expanding library of resources, ideas and step-by-step programs. You can access these resources or connect with your local growth contact that can assist you with building out a custom plan to ensure hockey success this spring and fall by visiting usahockey.com/ programservices. Like you, we look forward to welcoming any and all families back to the ice quickly and safely—and keep them there for a lifetime of memories. J ABOUT USA HOCKEY'S PROGRAM SERVICES , The Program Services department provides resources for growing your membership at the youngest levels as well as foundational guidelines for leading your local youth hockey association with intent. • GROWTH: We know that growing a youth hockey association isn't easy. Let us connect you with proven community development programs and best practices. Through initiatives like the Hat Trick Growth Challenge (Guides youth hockey leadership through national programs and provides tools to drive participation at the 4-to-8 age group), Try Hockey For Free Days (Provides youth hockey associations a national platform and opportunity to acquire new players locally) and Girls Hockey Weekend (Celebrates and grows girls hockey across the country through grassroots programming led by local youth hockey associations) your facility can offer lots of fun marketable programs. • CONNECT: Not sure where to start? Let's chat. Feel free to contact Katie Holmgren, director of program services at katieh@usahockey.org or Taylor Gross, manager of program services, at taylor.gross@usahockey.org. , This year's 2021 national Try Hockey For Free Day is scheduled for Feb. 20. 40 / JANUARY.FEBRUARY.2021 USICERINKS.COM PHOTOS: USA HOCKEY, ARCHIVES