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NGB News USA Hockey & U.S. Figure Skating 34 / SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2015 RINKMAGAZINE.COM , Registration for USA Hockey's 2 and 2 Challenge is now open for the 2015-16 season. The 2 and 2 Challenge is designed to help youth hockey leadership achieve their growth goals by following a year-long plan comprised of grassroots marketing and national events. This program focuses on the three main driving forces of growth: acquisition, retention, and conversion. Associations that accept the challenge will participate in Welcome Back Week (Sept. 14-20, 2015), host a Try Hockey For Free event (Nov. 7, 2015, or Feb. 20, 2016), and offer a Transition Program following their Try Hockey clinic. Associations that complete the challenge will receive national recognition from USA Hockey, a banner for display in their rink, as well as four sets of starter equipment. USA Hockey provides additional incentives for associations that participate in more national events or programs such as, Girls Hockey Weekend (Oct. 10-11, 2015), a Season Kick-Off, applying for a growth grant, and more. A full list of incentives and their breakdown by tier can be found at 2and2challenge.com For the 2014-15 season 31% of the 1,285 associations that register 8 and under players completed the 2 and 2 challenge, growing 26% from the previous year. The 2 and 2 Challenge played a significant role in achieving a record number of overall hockey players during the 2014-15 season. USA Hockey is committed to growing the game, and with your help can achieve another record- breaking year for the 2015-16 season. For more information, and to register your association visit 2and2challenge.com and accept the challenge today! , U.S. Figure Skating announced the recipients of the 2015-16 U.S. Figure Skating Community Development Grants. Six mem- ber clubs and Basic Skills programs have been awarded $2,000 each for the purpose of developing community-based programs and events designed to attract, involve and inspire new generations of figure skaters. The recipients of the grants are: Brooklyn Ice (Brooklyn, New York); Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena (Washington DC); The Friends of the Kelly Rink (Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts); Glenwood Figure Skating Club (Flossmoor, Illinois); The Ice Skating Academy (Atkinson, New Hampshire) and Rolling Meadows Park District (Rolling Meadows, Illinois). The grants will be used in the follow- ing ways: • Brooklyn Ice will expand its after- school figure skating program to include a synchronized skating program, a community ice show and more. • Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena will build on the success of its Kids On Ice – Positive Living Using Skating program by expanding its synchronized skating and advanced figure skating offerings to more participants. • The Friends of the Kelly Rink will increase the number of scholarships offered to community members in its Learn to Skate Program and add 20 new pairs of rental skates to its collection for participant use. • The Glenwood Figure Skating Club will bring high school skating to the south suburbs of Chicago and participate in U.S. Figure Skating high school competitions. • The Ice Skating Academy will provide free skate rental with the purchase of a session package or walk- on fee to low-income participants and community members. • Rolling Meadows Park District will grow the number of high school affiliated skating clubs in Illinois by establishing figure skating as a club sport at Rolling Meadows High School, branching out to other area schools and hosting a high school team competition in conjunction with the Chicago Figure Skating Club. The Community Development Grants, started by the Robert V. Hauff and John F. Dreeland Foundation, were established in 2010 with the purpose of providing funding to eligible member clubs and Basic Skills programs throughout the United States. For more information on the grants or any of the recipient programs, please contact U.S. Figure Skating. Register Now for USA Hockey's 2 and 2 Challenge 2015-16 U.S. Figure Skating Community Development Grants PHOTOS: COURTESY OF USA HOCKEY