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The Bloomington Girls Hockey Club has nearly tripled their numbers in just five years

 

By Josh Levine
Let’s Play Hockey
 

Just over five years ago, the Bloomington Girls Hockey Club (BGHC) had just 25 8U skaters, and was unable to field more than two teams at the 8U level. Many might have guessed that the club’s days were numbered. Since then, however, the girls’ program has nearly tripled their numbers, hitting 70 8U skaters last season.

 

BGHC President Kurt Krenz explains that the rapid growth has been fueled by close collaboration with its brother programs, Bloomington Jefferson and Bloomington Kennedy/Richfield.  A co-operative agreement between the three associations was formed in 2012, permitting every girl in Bloomington and Richfield to skate with BGHC, and providing BGHC autonomy to chart its course. Krenz credits the co-operative agreement as instrumental in enabling the program to stretch and grow.

 

“It permitted BGHC an independent board, brand and community presence, and independence with fundraising and recruiting,” he said

 

Recruiting efforts this year have extended beyond the Try Hockey for Free events and strong community presence. Bloomington and Richfield girls trying hockey for their first season at the 8U level pay just $40, and the club outfits them for free (equipment use also extends to any new skater coming into the program). The amazing deal was made possible by an overhaul of BGHC’s fundraising efforts, and a social media campaign has added to the buzz. The best recruiters, however, are the families and players in the club.

 

“They often invite friends and families to come try hockey at one of our free skating events,” mite director Lenny Klevan-Schmitz said. 

 

One team, one fight

Like youth hockey communities throughout Minnesota, the Bloomington girls’ club is a pretty close-knit family. These hockey bonds extend from the Bloomington girls’ high school program to the youngest 6U skaters.

 

“It is critical for the high school coach and staff to be visible and involved in the youth association,” head high school coach Mike Ryan said.

 

And this presence doesn’t just include coaches. High school players are expected to take an active role in the youth program by modeling positive behavior and helping on occasion with youth practices.

 

Hockey development

BGHC has also focused and invested in development programs for its players. The club put together a low-cost, community skating program called the “Summer of Sundays.” This program is held on Sunday summer evenings.

 

“This year we had an 80-percent participation rate across our program,” Krenz said.

 

At the end of the day, the club’s mission couldn’t be simpler – “to provide our girls with the foundation to develop into confident, independent and successful young women,” as Krenz put it.