Programs

Ages: 6-18 years old, boys and girls

Practices: one night a week Monday through Friday, varies by team

Games: Saturdays and Sundays

Pottstown Area PAL Dek Hockey is a variation of ice hockey in which players run on sneakers instead of skates.  It is played on blacktop, using a ball instead of a puck. Operating continuously since 1996, Pottstown Area PAL Dek Hockey is the largest intramural dek hockey program in Eastern Pennsylvania.

Players are placed on competitively-balanced teams and we attempt to vary the coaches your child will take instruction from season to season.  All players are eligible to play in an older age division or pay an additional $25 to play in two age divisions (their natural division and the next division up). At registration, players have the option of opting to try the position of goaltender on a full-time or part-time basis, and the league has goalie equipment available which stays at the rink.

Teams have one designated practice night a week, Monday through Friday. Parents can request during registration to not have practice on a certain night due to personal conflicts, however no requests are guaranteed. Siblings in the same division are placed on the same team.

Games are on Saturdays and Sundays. Older levels have games in the morning, going in descending age order to the youngest level in the afternoon. Games generally take an hour. All teams play a slate of 10 regular season games, and all qualify for the double-elimination playoff tournament of series which follows.

Players brand new to the league will be contacted about a low-key evaluation session prior to the season, and shortly after that, all players are notified of their team and schedule.

Ages: 4-6 years old, boys and girls, 9/1/2016 to 6/30/2019 birthdays

Cost: $55 registration fee

Times: late afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays

For children in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, Pottstown Area PAL holds an instructional program rather than competitive league play. Hour-long sessions are held on weekend late afternoons, resulting in 12 to 15 sessions by the end of the program.

There is no weekend commitment, and there are no games. The sessions feature drills, groups, and scrimmages under the instruction of multiple on-rink coaches. Lessons build from one session to the next. The focus of this instructional program is to teach basic skills and to get acclimated to the sport and physical activity within a controlled group atmosphere.

More experienced five-year-olds, or those turning six, have the option of playing up in the regular league at the parent’s determination, or play in both.

All new players in the instructional program receive their first one-piece stick from PAL, free of charge.

The cost of registration only partially covers the expenses of administration, insurances, training equipment, facility rental, facility maintenance & care, and restrooms among other necessities. Fundraising is necessary to keep families’ participation costs down.

The required equipment to participate includes:

(1) a helmet with cage,

(2) gloves,

(3) elbow pads,

(4) leg pads that cover the knee and shin.

These four pieces of equipment are able to be rent for a season from PAL. There is a $5 or $10 fee for each item ($25 for all), and you can select the option during registration. Sizing and pickup happens shortly before practices begin, and you will receive an email notification.

All players must possess their own stick, either a one-piece composite or a two-piece with a wood shaft and plastic blade. They are available at local sporting goods stores. Be sure to look for the cheaper “street hockey” sticks instead of ice hockey sticks.

Players receive a PAL team shirt to use for the season and keep afterward.

Many kids end up preferring the speed and teamwork of hockey to other activities, if only they get a chance to be exposed to it.  League games take 30 timed minutes, and players change on and off the rink after every two minutes or so. All players are guaranteed equitable playing time, insofar as this is possible. And while all sports carry the risk of injury, dek hockey is a closely regulated sport. Two trained referees are on hand to call penalties to keep games safe. Checking is not allowed in dek hockey.

• Contact (for questions about sign up form) - pottstownpaloffice@gmail.com, 610-327-0527, or PAL Office 146 King St Mon-Fri 9:00-3:0

• Contact (for PAL board) - pottstownpaldirector@gmail.com

Facebook (for all updates) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/pottstownpal

Instagram (for pictures) - https://www.instagram.com/pottstownareapal