Scholarship Program

There is one thing that all Weekend Warriors share, and that is a high level of passion for playing the game of hockey.  Our camps exist to promote this passion, by providing a high quality learning experience in a fun, relaxed atmosphere so that adults may improve their skill, and thus get greater enjoyment in playing hockey.  However, we also recognize that not everyone can afford to attend a Weekend Warriors camp.  And while we can't offer a scholarship to every player who would like one, we have started this program to help out a few players each year.  It is our way of giving back.

The Basics

We will award 3 scholarships for the 2009 camp season.  Since we plan to hold camps in 6 locations, there will not be a scholarship awarded at each location.  Since a big part of the cost of a camp is the travel expense, it is envisioned that the winners will be attending camps that are in proximity to where they live, but that is not necessarily the case.  For instance, a winner may have a relative that lives near a camp location, where they could stay for the camp.

A scholarship award will be the equivalent of 1/2 the cost of a camp.  So in other words, a winner will be able to attend a camp at half price.

Who Qualifies

There are 2 simple criteria you must meet in order to apply:

1) You must love hockey, and have a burning desire to learn to play better, and

2) You must have a genuine financial need.

How to Apply

1) Write an essay entitled: "Why I Want to Be a Weekend Warrior". OK, I know the first question I'm going to get is "How many words should it be?"  My god, this is not high school.  Tell your story:  How you got into hockey, why you want to go to camp, etc.  Feel free to provide as much detail as you like.  Tell us about you.  Remember, it is assumed that everyone applying has financial need, so the essay is what differentiates you from all of the other Warrior Wannabes.  Photos are welcome.  Essays of Scholarship winners will be posted on our website.  It would be great to have a photo to go along with the essay.

Note: If you have another idea for a title to your essay, feel free to use it.  We don't want to limit you if you have a better idea.

2) Briefly describe your financial circumstances.  No, we don't want your W-2's and 1099's.  We are going to take people at their word.  Weekend Warriors are honorable people.  Besides, if we find out your squirreling away millions and just trying to  freeload, we'll strap you to the goal, and our coaches will shoot pucks at you until they get tired.  Did I mention you won't be wearing any protective equipment?  Basically, just tell us why you need the scholarship.

3) Tell us which camp you want to attend.  If you can attend more than one camp, list all that you can attend.

4) Be sure to include all of your contact information.  Name, address, phone, e-mail, etc.  Also let us know if you are a skater or a goalie.  Yes, that's right, goalies are eligible too.

All materials can be e-mailed or mailed the old-fashioned way.  If by e-mail, put "Scholarship Application" as the subject line.  You can attach word documents, .pdfs, photos, etc.  If mailing, send to: Weekend Warriors Hockey; P.O. Box 414; Buffalo, NY 14231.

How Do I Know If I Have Won?

You will notice that there are no submission deadlines. Similarly, there is no date on which winners will be chosen.  This is because I don't know how many entries will be received.  So for this first year, it is going to be a bit of "seat of the pants", but I will try to award scholarships for a particular camp location at least 30 days before that camp.

So should I keep bugging you to see if I have won?  Only if you want to ensure you DON'T win.  When you submit your application, I will send you an acknowledgement that your application has been received.  After that, I will make announcements of winners in our newsletter and post them on this page.  I will also post any further information on the program on this page, so go ahead and bookmark it if you like.