Ball Hockey In Belleville: New Partnership Brings Sport To Local Youth

BELLEVILLE, NJ — The Township of Belleville and nonprofit Hockey in New Jersey (HNJ) recently announced that they are teaming up in an effort to “reintroduce ball hockey programming and academics and enrichment offerings for Belleville youth.”

The new initiative will be centered at the Belleville Friendly House, with programming beginning this fall.

According to a statement from the township, HNJ – the second largest youth diversity hockey program in the United States – is committed to providing hockey programming at no cost for children who may not be well represented in the sport due to gender, race, ethnicity, disability or socioeconomic status.

The new partnership will enable Belleville residents ages 6 to 18 to participate in hockey programming, which will be offered by HNJ in partnership with the New Jersey Devils. HNJ will also offer all Belleville participants virtual homework assistance in sessions facilitated by HNJ tutors. To round out its offerings, HNJ will host virtual life skills workshops, with “age-appropriate programming.”

The nonprofit provided hockey programming in Belleville in prior years, but it was discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic, town officials noted.

Mayor Michael Melham said the collaboration will provide young residents in the town with “opportunities for growth.”

“By bringing ball hockey to our community, we are nurturing the spirit of teamwork, physical fitness and camaraderie,” Melham added.

“Our organization is proud to work closely with the Township of Belleville to offer local youth the opportunity to learn, play and grow through the sport of hockey,” HNJ board chair Richard Giuditta Jr. said.

“We look forward to the positive impact this collaboration will have on our community,” agreed Thomas Agosta, Belleville’s township recreation director.

“As someone who grew up in Belleville, I know firsthand the passion our community has for hockey,” HNJ co-founder and CEO Keith Veltre said, thanking the New Jersey Devils for their participation and partnership.

“As kids, we would play street hockey, sharing a love for the game,” Veltre recalled. “But back then, we did not have the structured programs and opportunities we’re now bringing to Belleville.”

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