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The Washington Capitals Sticks & Sneakers program offers ball hockey clinics to kids ages 5-17 in order to provide access to the game for kids and families across the Washington D.C. area. For just $10 per clinic, each participant will learn the basics of hockey (stickhandling, passing, and shooting) and will receive a hockey stick, ball, puck, and t-shirt to take home following the event to encourage continued development. Clinics are held at various Washington Capitals outdoor ball hockey rinks in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. This program is designed to be an introduction to the game for the participants and the first opportunity to reach the families in our community who are looking for more affordable options to play.
LOOKING FOR TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE?
Sticks & Sneakers is our updated ball hockey clinic program! Don’t miss out registering for our clinics this summer through the revamped Sticks & Sneakers program!
program details
- Ages 5-17
- Cost: $10 per clinic
- One-day clinic - parents may register their child(ren) for multiple clinics throughout the season
- Clinics hosted at Capitals ball/inline hockey rinks
- All participants take home a straight-blade hockey stick, ball, puck, and t-shirt on their first class
- After your first clinic, make sure to bring your stick and shirt to any future clinic you may register for!
Schedule
| Date: | Time: | Location: | Address: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, September 14 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am | Lake Fairfax Park | 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr, Reston, VA 20190 |
| Sunday, September 21 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am | Ridge Road Recreational Park (in partnership with Montgomery Parks) | 21155 Frederick Rd, Germantown, MD 20876 |
| Saturday, November 1 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am | Francis C. Hammond Middle School | 4646 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA 22304 |
| Saturday, November 8 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am | Lake Fairfax Park | 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr, Reston, VA 20190 |
Frequently asked questions
about sticks & sneakers
The program has a cost of $10 per class. This is an opportunity for your child to try the sport of ball hockey with limited initial financial requirement.
The Sticks & Sneakers Learn to Play Ball Hockey program is offered to participants between the ages of five (5) to fourteen (14).
No, this program is for ball hockey only and does not require skates. All participants will be required to wear proper athletic footwear (Crocs, flip-flops, sandals, Vans, Birkenstocks are prohibited). Participants who arrive wearing any of the prohibited footwear items listed above will be asked to change their shoes prior to stepping onto the ball hockey rink.
The schedule for the upcoming Sticks & Sneakers sessions can be found above.
Registration
Click the REGISTER NOW button above and select the rink you would like to register for. Upon registration you will receive a confirmation e-mail with next steps. Please check your SPAM or PROMOTIONS folder, as this e-mail may not arrive straight to your inbox.
We are sorry to hear that and hope there will be another opportunity to participate in the future! Unfortunately, there are no refunds once registration is complete. Please email youthhockey@washcaps.com with any questions.
If you have successfully registered each child for the same session, then they will be at the rink at the same time. However, coaches may split the class up into different groups for drills throughout the program.
USA Hockey is the governing body of ice hockey activities and does not regulate or control off-ice hockey. Therefore, a USA Hockey registration number is not needed to participate in the Sticks & Sneakers program.
Sessions
We would like everyone to arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to your first session in order to sign-in, receive your equipment, and ask any questions you may have for the coaches.
Equipment
Upon registration, each participant will receive complimentary equipment from Franklin Sports Inc. Participants will receive their equipment prior to the first class of their session.
The equipment provided includes: a stick, puck, and a ball. Participants keep the equipment upon finishing the Sticks & Sneakers clinic. Even though you can register for multiple clinics, you will only receive equipment on your first clinic.
Protective gear (mouth guard, eye wear, shin pads, elbow pads, gloves, etc.) is not required, but participants may purchase additional equipment on their own if deemed necessary.
Next Steps/Continue to Play
The Washington Capitals encourage all Sticks and Sneakers Learn to Play participants to continue playing hockey!
COMING SPRING 2025: Capitals Ball Hockey League
To be able to register for our upcoming Ball Hockey League, it is required to complete at least one Sticks & Sneakers class at any location.
*additional details on the league to come*
Talk to your coach or email us at youthhockey@washcaps.com for the best next step program.
As the Caps Youth Hockey Development team continues to create awareness of ball hockey and grow the interest among the community, you are allowed to register your child for more than one Sticks & Sneakers Learn to Play session (subject to change). You will only receive equipment for your first clinic so make sure to bring it to your next registered clinic!