Langenburg has been selected, as one of three communities to host the Adam Herold Legacy Foundation’s Hockey and Leadership Development Program in 2021-22.
The other locations selected are Carrot River and ‘Quad Town’ (Vibank/Odessa/Francis/Sedley).
The Foundation was established to honour Adam Herold, the youngest player killed in the Humboldt bus tragedy. The Hockey and Leadership Development program provides opportunities for Saskatchewan youth to develop and refine on-ice skills as well as their leadership potential.
Each camp includes three full days of hockey and leadership development and are a joint effort between the Foundation and host communities. Communities provide ice and classroom facilities, co-ordinate registration and other support as required while the Foundation provides top level coaches, instructors and other resources for the two weekend sessions.
“We had a great selection of applicants again this year, so it’s gratifying to see so many communities interested in the work of the Foundation and what it brings to these rural areas,” said Russell Herold, Adam’s dad in a release. “I think a lot of that interest can be chalked up to the positive feedback we continue to receive from the communities where we have already hosted camps so we’re very pleased with that.”
Riley Apland, president of Langenburg Minor Hockey told Yorkton This Week that when an email arrived seeking applications to host the program, he was interested, taking it to the organization which jumped at the chance. They applied and were happy to be chosen.
“It’s what the camp is about,” said Riley when asked what drew his interest. “It’s the message that the camp had, the message about community leadership.”
Riley said while there is an on-ice element to the program, off ice there is a message about the importance of players being involved in their communities, in giving back to the community.
“It’s a good message,” he said.
While the dates for the camp in Langenburg are still unconfirmed pending COVID-19 restrictions, Riley said they are hoping for October, with all minor hockey players in the organization – 85-90 – participating.
Initially, the Foundation planned to visit only two communities during the 2021-22 hockey season, noted the Foundation release. But a new partnership with the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders and Global Sport Academy enabled an additional community to be selected. Adam was a top prospect of the Raiders so the team wanted to join with the Foundation to host the Carrot River program.
“We were touched by this offer from the Raiders and Global Sport Academy to bring our program to an additional community this year,” Herold said in the release. “It means the world to us that the Raiders continue to honour Adam in such a meaningful way.”
The 2021-22 camps will take place during the upcoming fall/winter. Since 2018, the Foundation has brought its Hockey and Leadership program to Balcarres, Gravelbourg, Alameda, Montmartre, Torquay, Preeceville, Radville, Naicam and Maple Creek.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Foundation can visit www.adamheroldlegacyfoundation.ca, the Foundation’s Facebook/Instagram pages or by emailing erin@heroldstrong.ca
