FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPARK Teams Up with USA Field Hockey to Create New PE Lessons

New lessons incorporating field hockey concepts will be available to download on the SPARKfamily website

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - June 19, 2015 -SPARK™,provider of the world’s most-researched and field-tested physical education (PE) programs, is partnering withUSA Field Hockeyto create a field hockey-centric mini-curriculum for the SPARKfamily website. The lessons bring additional physical activity opportunities and the love of sport to physical education (PE) classes.

“A partnership with USA Field Hockey is natural for us because their core mission aligns with ours – keeping children active while instilling a love of physical activity and lifelong wellness,” said Dr. Kymm Ballard, Executive Director of SPARK. “These lessons will not only add more standards-aligned content to SPARK’s vast collection of lessons, they will help generate a love of field hockey in youth around the country.”

Created by three PE professionals and three field hockey experts, USA Field Hockey’s new mini-curriculum for grades 3-5 are based on age-appropriate field hockey core themes and concepts in line with SHAPE America national PE standards and grade level outcomes. The grade-level lessons are based on the following:

  • Grade 3: The 10 lessons detail the basic skills of pushing, receiving/trapping, and tackling while focusing on introducing students to fun 'hidden learning’ games.
  • Grade 4: The 10 lessons review basic skills, as well as teach forehand/reverse sweep and the jab techniques. Small games will emphasize spatial awareness, vision of the field and basic movements.
  • Grade 5: The 10 lessons build player confidence in the individual attack and defense skills. The lessons introduce the positions and roles/responsibilities of a full-sided 11 on11 game, as well as the importance of positive communication and teamwork.

"As we continue our grass roots development of field hockey and work to get the sport into more physical education classrooms across the country, partnering with SPARK was an easy decision,” said Kyle Boyer, USA Field Hockey National Development Director. “Their curriculums are research based and tested and are found in classrooms everywhere. This is a great step forward for us."

About SPARK
SPARK is a collection of research-based Physical Education/Activity, After School, Early Childhood, and Coordinated School Health programs for educators serving Pre-K through 12th grade students. Since 1989, SPARK has provided curriculum materials, teacher training, and consultation to over 100,000 teachers and youth leaders, representing many thousands of schools, organizations, and agencies worldwide. SPARK also helps educators findphysical education grants. For more information on SPARK, visit email spark(at)sparkpe(dot)org or call 1-800-SPARK-PE.

Media Contacts
Katie Fenton
SPARK Marketing Manager
800-772-7573 ext. 2212

Rachael Ballard
KEH Communications
410-975-9638

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