Hockey isn't just a game in Canada – it's a tradition. And as a new season draws near, St. Clair College Alumni is excited to continue that tradition by giving youth the chance to experience the joy, teamwork, and excitement of hockey, free of charge.
Knobby's Kids has kicked off its 18th season of the Hockey and Skating program, which runs every Saturday (weather dependent) until March at Windsor's Lanspeary Lions Outdoor Rink, located at 1250 Langlois Ave.
Marty Kerester operates the program and says there's growth across the community each year, with some youth coming from as far away as Chatham.
"We've got 140 kids signed up right now, and unfortunately, we just don't have enough ice right now to expand," Kerester said. "It's going great, it just keeps expanding. And it's great to see the community to come together like this and help us out."
For the 16th consecutive season, St. Clair College Alumni is giving $5,000 to Knobby's Kids to offset insurance costs and rink rental fees. Kerester said generous donations from the community ensures the experience continues to be free for participating youth, complete with necessary gear and equipment.
"Every child deserves a chance to step on the ice. This program opens the door for kids to learn, play, and belong," said Joe D'Angela, the Senior Director of St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, Advancement and Campus Partnerships. "By removing barriers to entry, we're giving kids the chance to discover the joy of skating and hockey – building a lifelong love of the game in an inclusive and judgement-free environment."
Other sponsors include Windsor Factory Supply, Hogan's Printing, The Windsor Spitfires, Badder Bus, True Sports and Unifor.
Organizers are looking for more help from the community by way of second-hand donations, such as skates sized five to eight, extra-large helmets, padding and sticks to lend out to visiting players looking to learn some skills.
Knobby's Kids, established in 2006 by Robert "Knobby" Knudsen, Jerry Slavic, and Frank Spry, addresses the need for a free hockey and skating program for children who face financial barriers to participating in organized hockey leagues or learning how to skate.
Despite the unfortunate passing of the program's founders, their legacy lives on through the dedication of Marty Kerester and community volunteers who are now managing and running the program.
"These guys take it just as serious as the kids do and they're having fun. Everybody's having fun right now," he said.
Kerester and that team of volunteers are proud to keep the founders' legacy alive.
"They're looking down right now and they're saying, it's unbelievable how this program has come a long way, from nothing we had when it first began," said Kerester. "We didn't have any equipment, no money, nothing. And Knobby and Jerry, they just did a wonderful job getting this thing started."
Knobby's Kids also has some special dates for the whole family to get involved, including a special breakfast in January, as well as a big lunch to celebrate Family Day at the rink.
The Knobby's Kids program operates from late fall through March.
