Business Details
12 Years
experience
Youth Dek Hockey Programs in Swansea, MA
Established in 2014, we began as the Spindle City Warriors, the first youth travel dek hockey team from the Greater Fall River area. Starting with 12 children aged 6-9 and one coach, we expanded to three teams totaling 40 children and nine coaches. In 2016, we formalized our mission by becoming a 501c3 nonprofit organization, now known as the Fall River Dek Hockey Association (FRDHA). Our vision extends beyond travel programswe aim to build a legitimate dek hockey facility in Southeastern Massachusetts to host international teams and foster community engagement. We prioritize core values of respect, discipline, and teamwork, ensuring a safe environment for youth development. With a dedicated board of directors, we focus on creating lasting memories through structured leagues and tournaments.Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our growing participation, organized schedules, and emphasis on fair play. We serve diverse age groups, from U6 to adult men, and provide opportunities for competitive play while maintaining accessibility through online registration. Our partnership with the YMCA Swansea ensures reliable facilities for practices and games. As advocates for dek hockeys global appeal, we strive to elevate local talent and promote the sports growth regionally. Through transparency and community collaboration, we continue to strengthen our programs and infrastructure.
Services
Youth Dek Hockey
Adult Men's League
Tournament Hosting
Facility Development
Online Registration
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We are a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to youth development.
- Our board includes experienced leaders with over a decade of hockey program management.
- We provide structured leagues for ages 6 through adult with 40+ participants annually.
- Our facility partnerships ensure access to reliable, all-weather playing surfaces.
- We emphasize core values that extend beyond sports into lifelong character development.
Associations and certifications
- IRS 501(c)(3)
What people say
Great youth development
Organized tournaments
Safe environment
Community-focused
Services
Youth Dek Hockey
Structured dek hockey programs for children aged 6-16, offering skill development and competitive play. Our leagues emphasize teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship while providing a safe, inclusive environment. Participants gain experience through regular tournaments and coached training sessions.
Adult Men's League
Competitive dek hockey league for adult players, featuring organized schedules and officiated games. The program promotes physical activity, community engagement, and continued hockey participation beyond youth levels while maintaining fair play standards.
Tournament Hosting
Annual dek hockey tournaments attracting regional and international teams, fostering community connections and sport growth. Events include structured brackets, officiating, and facilities meeting competitive standards to ensure professional-level play.
Facility Development
Initiatives to establish a dedicated dek hockey facility in Southeastern Massachusetts, enhancing accessibility and hosting capabilities. Plans prioritize all-weather surfaces, spectator amenities, and spaces for community engagement and training programs.
Online Registration
Digital registration system for youth and adult players, streamlining sign-ups and participation tracking. The platform ensures accessibility for families while maintaining organized team management and scheduling efficiency.
People
Edward Costa
President
Edward Costa leads FRDHA's strategic initiatives, leveraging over 15 years of local hockey leadership to expand youth programs and facility development efforts.
Henry Santos
Secretary
Henry Santos manages administrative operations, ensuring organizational transparency and compliance with nonprofit standards through structured governance practices.
Robert Cordeiro
Director
Robert Cordeiro focuses on community outreach, building partnerships with local businesses and facilities to strengthen the association's regional impact.
Joe Botelho
Vice President
Joe Botelho oversees tournament logistics, coordinating multi-team events that attract regional participation while maintaining competitive standards and safety protocols.
Josh Panchley
Treasurer
Josh Panchley manages financial operations, ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainable growth through budget planning and sponsorship coordination.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We offer programs for children aged 6-16 (U6 to U16 divisions) and adult men's leagues.
Are you affiliated with ice hockey organizations?
We focus exclusively on dek hockey, a non-checking variant played on all-weather surfaces without skates.
How can my child join a team?
Register through our online system during open enrollment periods for youth divisions.
Do you offer equipment assistance?
Players provide personal gear; we maintain facility equipment for shared use during games.
What are your facility plans?
We aim to establish a permanent dek hockey facility in Southeastern Massachusetts to host regional tournaments.
How are games scheduled?
Games occur weekly at YMCA Swansea, with schedules published online for all divisions.
