Ed Snider is a man who believes deeply in the value of uniting communities, and the importance of guiding young people to be good and productive citizens. Out of respect for the sport of hockey and its athletes, and out of love for the cities of Philadelphia and neighboring Camden, NJ, he established Snider Hockey in 2005 to bring the “the greatest game ever invented” to children who otherwise might never have the opportunity to play.

The Foundation provides more than 3,000 children in the greater Philadelphia region with the equipment, ice time and experienced coaching needed to play hockey. In addition, it incentivizes kids to value their academic and personal development by stressing the importance of schoolwork, mutual respect and good citizenship.

2005 to 2006 – THE INAUGURAL SEASON

In its first season, Snider Hockey forged a unique partnership with the School District of Philadelphia to provide a Learn to Play Hockey program to elementary and middle school boys and girls, ages 7 – 12, during the school day as an integral part of their physical education curriculum. As a result, the Foundation was able to host fifteen (15) schools and approximately 450 students at three (3) rinks throughout Philadelphia.

2006 to 2008 – CONTINUED GROWTH & EXPANSION OF PROGRAMMING

Snider Hockey built upon initial activities by developing new programming in an effort to increase its number of participants. The Foundation introduced summer hockey camps during June, July, and August at the Polonia Bank Flyers Skate Zone in NE Philadelphia. The camps were designed to help further develop ice hockey skills during the summer and were a huge success for everyone involved.

The 2007-2008 Season also saw the introduction of Snider Hockey’s After School Excellence Program. Over 500 Philadelphia students hit the ice at seven city rinks throughout the year. The intent of these sessions are to provide students with a fun after school activity in a safe environment by introducing new players to the sport of hockey, as well as further developing the skills of existing players. An important component of the After School Excellence Program is the integration of homework help and other supplemental educational services into each session.

2008 to Present – CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD

As the foundation continues to grow, major emphasis is being placed on the introduction of competitive games for Snider Hockey participants. During the 2008-2009 season, the foundation formed teams at three Department of Recreation rinks in Philadelphia. Players from the Laura Sims Skate House, Scanlon Ice Rink, and Simons Ice Rink played a series of home-and-home games during February & March, 2009. The games were a huge success and moving forward, Snider Hockey is planning to form teams at all locations, including Rizzo Rink in South Philadelphia, Tarken Ice Rink in NE Philadelphia, and at the two Skate Zone facilities in NE Philadelphia and Pennsauken, NJ.

In September, 2009, Snider Hockey began forming select teams featuring the most advanced players in the program at the Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam, Midget U-16 and Midget U-18 USA Hockey age groups. During the 2009-2010 Season, these teams began competing in a series of exhibition games against local and regional recreational league teams. Snider Hockey has also formed a select high school team that began playing a full schedule of games against local varsity and JV teams. All of the select teams currently practice and play out of the Penn Ice Rink, located in University City.