Introduction

In 1991, the Sharks created Sharks & Parks, a street hockey program that provided schools, community centers and youth organizations with street hockey equipment and coaching tools and instruction to select centers in order to generate an interest in hockey and make it more accessible to local youth.

The program was so successful in San Jose, that the NHL hired its creator to implement the program at a league level. Currently the program is in 33 NHL and AHL cities. If you are interested in having Sharks & Parks, an NHL Street Program, at your location or would like to find out where your child can participate in a program nearby, please review the following:

Program Information:

WHAT IS SHARKS & PARKS?? Sharks & Parks is a street hockey program that can be played either indoors on a gymnasium floor, or outdoors on blacktop. In order for centers and schools to run a fun and rewarding program, the Sharks provide street hockey equipment and instructional material, such as administrator manuals for coaches and playbooks for kids. In addition, the Sharks will be sending out monthly newsletters with information regarding the program and tips to help kids improve their hockey skills as well as their health. Plans are underway to hold a free ice hockey and roller hockey clinic during the year to expose participating kids to all varieties of hockey. The Sharks & Parks season typically kickoffs with the Sharks & Parks tournament in the Fall, coinciding with the beginning of the Sharks season and culminates in the Spring.

 

HOW DOES MY SCHOOL/CENTER BECOME A SHARKS & PARKS PROGRAM CENTER? If your school or center is interested in becoming a Sharks & Parks program center, please email Tim Howell at thowell@sharkssports.net or call (408) 977-4757 for more information.

Due to program limitations, interested schools or centers may have to wait until the next season before being able to participate.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Boys and girls in Northern California, ages 6 to 16, can participate in the program.

WHAT IS NEEDED TO PLAY? Street hockey is played in sneakers, so tennis shoes are the only requirement. The San Jose Sharks and the NHL will provide the equipment, including sticks, balls, nets, and goalie equipment.

WHAT IF I'VE NEVER PLAYED HOCKEY? You don't need to have any experience to participate in Sharks & Parks. The San Jose Sharks will provide players with a playbook and coaches will be given an administrator manual that teach them the basics of hockey.