We as concerned parents and avid supporters of youth hockey in Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada, present this petition to address an issue that affects many young families in our community. 

The current scheduling of U7 hockey teams before 8:00 a.m. and exclusively on Saturday and Sunday mornings will create significant challenges for young families who are trying to introduce their children to the sport of hockey.  

As concerned members of the Fort Saskatchewan community, we are seeking to make a positive change in our local hockey scene.  To highlight the difficulties faced by young families due to early morning ice times, waking up before the crack of dawn every weekend day adds unnecessary stress and fatigue for both children and parents alike. This early scheduling not only impacts our ability to fully enjoy the game but also hinders our efforts in fostering a love for hockey among our little ones and deters continued participation at the U7 level.

We believe that by adjusting the scheduling of U7 teams, we can encourage more young families to participate in and enjoy the sport while also providing better opportunities for spectators.

The current and exclusively weekend early ice times limit accessibility for extended family members such as grandparents, uncles, and aunts who wish to support their little ones on the ice. Many of them may find it difficult or even impossible to attend games.

Petition Request:
We respectfully request U5 and U7 teams be scheduled after 8:00 am and include 1 weekday and 1 weekend ice time at either the Sportsplex or the Dow Centre. The need for players to walk down the bleacher stairs, with skates on, to access the JRC ice is a serious safety concern for the 4-6 year olds.

Additionally, we propose sharing these undesirable early ice times with other age groups instead of exclusively burdening U7 families. This fair distribution would alleviate stress on one particular group while promoting inclusivity within our local hockey community.

By making this change, we aim to encourage more children and their families to embrace hockey as a lifelong passion. It is crucial that we create an environment where young players can fully enjoy the sport, and where their loved ones can actively participate in their journey.

Supporting Facts:
While we acknowledge that personal stories hold great weight, it is important to back our petition with relevant facts and statistics. Here are a few key points:

1. Increased Participation: Studies have shown that when sports activities are scheduled at more convenient times, participation rates tend to rise significantly. By adjusting U7 ice times, we can expect an increase in the number of children participating in hockey programs.

2. Hockey Albert states children aged 4-6 need adequate sleep of 10-13 hours per night and should not be scheduled before 8:00 am. Having them wake at 6:30 AM both Saturday and Sunday make it near impossible to get the sleep their bodies require or replace the slept debt of the school week. [Seasonal_Structure_2020_Update.pdf (hockeyalberta.ca)]

3. Family Involvement: A survey conducted by Hockey Canada revealed that family support plays a crucial role in a child's long-term commitment to sports. By providing ice times that accommodate extended family members' schedules, we foster stronger bonds and encourage continued involvement.

4. Community Engagement: Making U7 games more accessible for spectators will not only benefit families directly involved but also contribute to building a vibrant community spirit around youth hockey. This increased engagement has been proven to positively impact player development and overall enjoyment of the sport.

5. The FSMH Website clearly says we should expect 1 weekday (45min) and 1 weekend  (1 hr)  ice time in U7. 

Conclusion:
By signing this petition, you are supporting the growth of hockey in Fort Saskatchewan while advocating for better scheduling practices for U7 teams. Together, let us create an inclusive environment where young players can thrive and families can fully embrace the joy of watching their players on the ice.

Thank you for your support!