As a hockey dad, Murray Bamford knows exactly what it takes to run a successful academy.
"In the hockey business it's all about coaching," he said. "If you've got a kid who has some talent then you want to help him get to the next level. That means he needs the coaching to get him there."
Bamford lives in Tsawwassen and his son attends the hockey academy at nearby South Delta secondary school. He is also a counsellor at RC Palmer and involved as an administrator/advisor for the school's own academy.
In an effort to boost the school's enrollment, Palmer had initially offered a soccer academy through Total Soccer Systems. That program has since been put into hiatus and attention turned to hockey when the school was approached by well-respected local instructor Glenn Wheeler.
Not only has Wheeler enjoyed plenty of success coaching and developing kids for both local minor hockey associations, he also happens to operate Pacific Elite Hockey School. It's a business relationship that made a lot of sense and gave Palmer's fledgling academy instant respectability.
"Families follow coaches and that's what has happened here," said Bamford of the second-year academy that has over 20 players ranging from Grade 8 to 10 participating. "Glenn has a very good reputation in the hockey community.
I've been very impressed with the quality of on ice instruction we have. It's intense. It's business and the kids work their butts off."
Every other day, Academy students are on the ice from 1: 45 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Minoru Arenas. Thanks to a close working relationship with the City of Richmond, parents are able to drop off their child's hockey equipment in a secured dressing room, prior to each session. The students are bussed from the school and are picked up by their parents at Minoru when they are finished.
On the days when their is no on ice sessions, the students are doing one block of dryland training which could be everything from weight training to yoga. The academy accounts for two of the students' eight courses over the school year, in the place of PE and one other elective. The students receive credits for the Academy and are graded as well. The cost to participate is $3,000 with installment payments over the 10-month period.
The fee includes insurance, transportation and complete academy apparel (jerseys, socks, t-shirts and jackets).
Wheeler and his staff run the on ice curriculum. Goalies receive specialized work from Rob Fuchs every other session, while longtime Palmer teacher Ryan Strachan represents the school and is also part of the instructional staff.
"We have some real high end kids who are hoping to be drafted and house (level) kids as well," said Bamford. "It's a real mix of calibre so no one should be intimidated. There are some academies that are only for rep players but I don't see us doing that."
The academy already features two female participants and Bamford admits a future exclusive girls training group is a strong possibility.
With the majority of rep players already on the ice four or five times of week with their association team, it can be a hockey overload. That's where Bamford fits into the program as an academic advisor.
"These kids have to stay organized with school work," he said. I help on what route they should go by maintaining their status or what requirements they made need. If you want to play CIS or NCAA you have to be a good student too. Some of the kids lose sight of it and lose the opportunities if they don't stay on a predetermined path."
