Crossfield welcomes new sporting school

Crossfield’s W.G. Murdoch school will expand its educational breadth to include a hockey program for students in grades 6-12 beginning in September.

The National Sports Development (NSD) will offer kids of Crossfield, Airdrie and surrounding area a full-time program.

“By combining academics with high-performance hockey, the NSD program presents a tremendous opportunity for students to achieve Alberta’s educational learning outcomes, while taking part in a sport,” said W.G. Murdoch School Principal Greg Roberts.

“Students benefit from exceptional on-ice instruction aimed at improving their playing skills, self-esteem and self-confidence.”

Crossfield school trustee Norma Lang is excited the program will be implemented this fall.

“The decision to bring the NSD program to Crossfield was a concerted effort involving the jurisdiction, the Town of Crossfield, and various community organizations,” said Lang.

“It’s a great example of how RVS (Rocky View Schools) is taking a more generative approach to governance, which provides communities with an opportunity to become engaged and provide input into how students’ learning experiences can be enriched.”

The program will annually provide each student with 100 hours of coaching, 70 hours of ice time, 20 hours of dry-land training and 10 hours in class.

Parents are responsible for the annual enrolment fee of $2,782.50, which includes transportation to and from school.

Two different showcases, Jan. 15 and 22, at the Pete Knight Memorial Arena will give kids a chance to see how the program would work.

Two open houses — Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at W.G. Murdoch and Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the RVS Education Centre in Airdrie — will give parents and kids a further examination of the program. For more program and open house information, vistit www.rockyview.ab.ca or call W.G. Murdoch at 403-946-4012.