WEST ORANGE, NJ – Students at Redwood Elementary School had the unique opportunity to meet, work out, and learn from the New York Sirens, part of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).
The visits were organized by Physical Education teacher Franco Cozzolino. Cozzolino, who is also the owner of Pyramid Youth and Adult Fitness in West Orange, established a personal relationship with the Sirens as they trained at his facility. They practice at Codey Arena and play home games at Prudential.
“I've had the honor and privilege to get to know the NY Sirens on a personal level because they train at my facility and practice at Codey Arena,” began Cozzolino.
“They are dedicated and hard-working on and off the ice, and they are great role models in the West Orange Community and surrounding towns,” he said.
The Sirens are part of the six-team Professional Women’s Hockey League, formed in 2023 and consisting of three teams from the United States and three from Canada: the Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montréal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge, and Toronto Sceptres. The teams are currently in play for the 2025 season. Women’s Hockey is growing in popularity as evidenced by attendance at the games, where enthusiasm is high.
“The team visited Redwood three times: three visits at the end of February and, in honor of Women's History Month, I invited the players and staff of the New York Sirens to come to Redwood for an assembly on March 13,” Cozzolino continued.
“The first classroom visit was with the entire fifth grade class. We set up fitness stations and the students got to exercise with the players. The second visit was with the Kindergarten classes, where students enjoyed several 100th Day of School activities with the players. The third visit was with all second grade classes. All three visits were held during physical education periods with PE teacher Meredith Schwartz and me,” he explained.
“The kids and staff had a great time during the assembly,” he went on to say.
“I loved how they cheered each other on when they participated in the "Shoot the Puck" contest. The reaction of the students and students who scored goals and received signed hockey pucks was amazing. Students who didn't score were equally excited about receiving a card with the players' autographs.”
“The goal of the assembly was for the players and staff to emphasize the importance of women's sports, to share their personal journeys from childhood to making it to the professional level and learning that, no matter how hard it is, to never give up on your dreams and goals!”
Cozzolino concluded his comments by saying, “Captain Michah Zandee-Hart and I have discussed future visits before the season ends in May, and before the players go back to their home countries and states.”
SEE ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.
Top row (L-R) Micah Zandee-Hart, Corinne Schroeder, Elizabeth Giguere, Hailey Rock, Noemi Lefrancois, Franco Cozzolino
Bottom (L-R) Jaimie Bourbonnais, Kayla Vespa, Olivia Knowles, Emmy Fecteau
NY Sirens present a jersey to Redwood. (L-R) Micah Zandee-Hart, Elizabeth Giguere, Olivia Knowles, Corinne Schroeder, Noemi Lefrancois, Hailey Rock, Jaime Bourbonnais, Kayla Vespa, Emmy Fecteau, Hannah Beckman
Autographed puck
See video clips from the NY Sirens visit to Redwood below.
See a video from NJ Spotlight News about the NY Sirens below.
