PLAYER DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY AND CHARITY MISSION STATEMENT
The Berkshire Bees IHC operates on a Not for Profit basis. Aside from operating a semi-professional Ice Hockey Team in the national Division of the National Ice Hockey League (2nd tier of British Ice Hockey), the Club’s main focuses are on Ice Hockey Player Development, Community, Charity, and getting Children Active.

This document outlines the way in which the Club works on this Mission Statement

1. Our stated objective is to improve young developing talent within our Sport and give these players additional / all the skills they need to play at a National League level and beyond into the fully Professional Leagues.
   1. We operate multiple player development pathways with Junior and Academy Programmes around the Country to find, nurture and develop such talent
   2. Current pathways in place:
      1. Cardiff Canucks IHC
      2. Streatham Redhawks IHC
2. We operate a local Community Outreach Programme working with multiple local community and educational establishments to help promote our sport, and to also provide access to our games for underprivileged children and families. Examples of our work in multiple organisations include:
   1. Chalvey Can Community Group – Slough, providing access to our games for under privileged children and families whilst encouraging families to be more active together
   2. Great Oaks College – Hounslow, providing volunteering opportunities for young adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities as part of their employability and independent living skills programme
3. Charitable Events and Fundraising. Our Supporters Club carry out at least 3 Charitable Fundraising events every season. These will take the form of fundraising at a Berkshire Bees Home Game at the Slough Ice Arena. Examples from last season:
   1. Pink The Rink Night – fundraising for the Cancer Charity – The Pink Ribbon Foundation. Special Pink Jerseys were worn by the players and sold to supporters to raise funds for the Charity. In addition, multiple other fundraising activities were carried out during the game.
   2. Teddy Bear Toss Night – in aid of the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice. When the Bees score their 1st goal of the game, the supporters throw Teddy Bears onto the ice which are then collected by the players and sent to the Hospice for the Children as well as fundraising activities. We regularly donate over 500 Teddy bears through this event.
   3. Purple Night – In aid of Young Epilepsy. Special Jerseys and fundraising event.
4. We pride ourselves on our Community Interaction Programme (distinct from our Community Outreach Programme). In this programme, we attend local events and operations to bring knowledge of Ice Hockey to the Community offering Ice Hockey “taster” activities with a focus on “Active Children”. This is further backed up by our First Shift (learn to Skate and Play) Programme in Partnership with Everyone Active at Slough ice Arena:
   1. Windsor On Ice – temporary Winter Ice Rink – Windsor. Offering Ice Hockey Taster Session free of charge, with expert guidance and training from the Berkshire Bees Ice Hockey Players.
   2. Summer of Fun Events – supporting Local Councils in East Berkshire and beyond with Summer Activities for Primary School aged children, including Ice Hockey Skills Training, Skill Shot and Virtual Reality Goalie.
   3. First Shift Learn to Skate and Play. Offering 2 free 1 hour taster sessions to try out our sport with no previous skating or ice hockey training required. All equipment required can be loaned to children by the club. Ongoing sessions are priced at £10 per hour per child (many other programmes will be in the region of £25 to £30 per hour) and includes free access to public skating and swimming sessions in locations in Slough managed by Everyone Active. This encourages activity and sport in children without “hitting the pockets of parents” on a constant basis.

Signed and Agreed on behalf of the Berkshire Bees IHC by the Directors,
Graeme Bower, Richard Dobney, Paul Clark & Doug Shepperd