Sunday, February 15, 2009

More on the ADM

Tier I Website

From The President and Executive Director


Over the past several weeks, our staff has made presentations about the concept of a new initiative – the American Development Model (ADM). At the core of the ADM are long-term athlete development (LTAD) principles, which for the first-time ever provide our 2,500-plus associations across the country a blueprint to follow in optimal athlete development – a blueprint based on sport science and consensus child development research.

A small but important component of the new ADM is what we’ve called a High Performance Club program. While there is widespread support of the long-term athlete development principles presented as the core of the ADM, it is clear that we need additional time to discuss how the HPC tool can work within our various regions throughout the country. We’ve had applicants for the HPC from across the country and we’re extremely pleased with the interest level. However, because of the feedback we’ve received from many in terms of the challenges involved with implementation in a very constrained time frame, we have determined that we will not implement the HPC component of the ADM in any region for the 2009-10 season.

We are asking stakeholders such as Tier I applicants, affiliates, directors, rink owners, league operators, local programs, etc., to send your comments on the overall ADM and specifically the HPC program to adm@usahockey.com. We are keenly interested in how you view the effect of the HPC as it is now proposed (more information at usahockey.org/adm). We’ll utilize usahockey.com/adm as our vehicle to share commentary on these topics as the evaluation process moves forward.

As for the implementation of the LTAD principles in the ADM, our staff will continue to work on the infrastructure and provide personnel to assist districts and affiliates in adapting these principles within local hockey associations for those that wish to adopt them.

Most of you are aware of the generous support we’ve received from the NHL. The grant they’ve provided to us includes up to $8 million dollars annually, consistent with the restrictions defined in the plan provided to and approved by the NHL. Under that plan, approximately $3 million is budget relieving as it covers our costs of the NTDP and the USA Hockey elite officiating program. Because of that budget relief, USA Hockey will continue all its curr ent budgeted programs without the need for any membership fee increases for next season. Up to $2 million will be invested in support of growth initiatives through our Membership Development department under the leadership of Pat Kelleher. Up to $1 million will be utilized for specific NHL requested elements, including support for the USHL, referee development programs and college hockey. Approximately $2 million will be allocated to the efforts of the ADM, including the HPC component. We will utilize some of these resources this year to build up the infrastructure to support the LTAD initiatives with districts and affiliates.

The NHL is solidly behind our efforts and has conveyed they are with us for the long term. They fully understand that the results associated with the investment they are making will take several years to measure. The oversight committee the NHL has in place associated with the grant has the responsibility to assure that the money is being spent on targeted initiatives and is well-managed. It is the responsibility of the hockey department at USA Hockey to deliver on providing quality products relating to the NTDP, referee development and the ADM. It is USA Hockey’s business operation which is responsible for helping to grow and retain participants in the game, as well as to develop more enthusiasts in watching and loving the game.

We’d ask to you take a moment to thank the NHL for its grant, one that helps us support the growth of the game and its participants th roughout the USA in these economically difficult times. You may express your appreciation by sending a note to ThankYouNHL@usahockey.org. We will gather your sentiments and share them with the NHL.

We appreciate the trust and confidence expressed by so many directors and presidents. We will continue to work on exciting new options and tools for providing a “fun and learning” environment for our children. There is a lot to like about USA Hockey.

Dave Ogrean
Executive Director
USA Hockey Ron DeGregorio
President
USA Hockey
February 12, 2009

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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