Around 70 percent of children quit sports by the age of 13, according to the Washington Post. The Learn To Play program is helping to make sure this isn’t the case for Brookline hockey.

The girls varsity hockey team volunteers their time to Brookline Youth Hockey, which runs the Learn To Play (LTP) program, sponsored by the Boston Bruins. LTP teaches skating fundamentals to kids new to hockey, while also making it more accessible for anyone interested.

Senior and girls varsity hockey co-captain Julia Janowski said that with the Bruins’ help, LTP can cover some of the cost of the equipment, so less pressure is on parents.

“The Bruins are sponsoring equipment for these young kids, and they get new equipment so parents don’t have to worry about spending thousands of dollars. Everything about it makes it really easy for kids to try hockey out, and most of the kids really do end up loving it. It’s growing our program so much,” Janowski said.

According to senior and co-captain Riley Lackey, the program is beneficial to the children participating since it gives them the chance to talk to varsity hockey players who aren’t one of their coaches.

“Having someone to look up to, someone to learn from, that’s not an adult is great. When I was younger my coaches were amazing, but it is intimidating to go up to a coach and ask a question,” Lackey said.

According to head coach Nick Sama, LTP has helped the Brookline hockey program grow.

“This year we had a record number of kids try out. We’re at 53 kids for the program. That continued growth will just make the high school level more competitive and allow more and more kids to experience everything that hockey has to offer,” Sama said.

Sama described LTP as a tight-knit family, where everyone is trying to make sure the kids are having a fun time every time they step on the ice.

“The Learn To Play program is a good way for more and more people to experience community. The program does it in such a way that they find a very welcoming community. Even if you don’t know how to skate, they make it a really fun experience,” Sama said.

Lackey said that LTP helps spread the word about hockey and helps the kids keep their interest in hockey.

“It’s helping to make hockey more enjoyable. Younger kids are able to see what they could be like in the future. They also get to see what the team is like to help them want to keep playing hockey,” Lackey said.

Janowski said she didn’t have an older hockey role model to look up to when she was younger, and she enjoys having the opportunity to be that for the next generation of female hockey players.

“Seeing all of their faces light up, helping them out, getting them to be better and seeing them improve week after week,” Janowski said. “It’s a really good feeling.”