Tim’s Kids Special, Hockey for Children with Cognitive Disabilities

August 5th, 2011, marked the successful completion of the inaugural session of Tim’s Kids Special, an ice hockey program for kids with cognitive disabilities.  The TIm's Kids Special program begins its next session in Fall 2013.

Our small army of volunteers have brought the unique experience of the sport to a group of kids that otherwise would not have the opportunity, which has always been the mission statement for Tim’s Kids. 

The Tim’s Kids program is the legacy of Tim Szymula, a hockey dad who, prior to his passing in 2007, communicated his desire to see the sport that meant so much to him and his family made accessible to all kids regardless of stature or ability.

The original program continues to introduce young prospective hockey players to the sport at no cost to see if it is something they would like to continue before parents invest in all of the equipment necessary for a player.  It then expanded to do the same for the physically disabled, by providing the specialized gear for the adaptive form of the sport called “sled hockey”.  Those who try the sport and wish to continue are able to progress into the quality youth hockey programs at the Space Coast Iceplex, including sled hockey teams that have made an impact statewide and nationally.
Now the program has expanded to offer a hockey outlet to the cognitive disability athlete through the generous support of various organizations such as the National Hockey League and the NHL Players’ Association, USA Hockey, RBC Canada, the Space Coast Iceplex, and the United Space Alliance.  Tim’s Kids has also benefited from grassroots community support in the form of individual donations of cash and equipment, and most valued of all, volunteers.

Tim's Kids ia proud member of ASHA, the American Special Hockey Association.

If you are interested in enrolling your child, or assisting with this program, please contact Gary O'Neil, oneil@timskids.org.