Sharks Foundation Brings Tealtop to City of Merced

Since 1999, the Sharks Foundation has worked to transform outdoor blacktops at Bay Area schools and community sites into
Tealtop Street Hockey Courts
, expanding opportunities for youth to learn the game of hockey in a safe environment.

On March 23, the Sharks Foundation introduced its newest Tealtop at Applegate Park in partnership with the
City of Merced
,
El Capitan Hotel
, and Sara Johnson Kerrest and Frederic Kerrest, whose generous $25,000 donation to the Sharks Foundation was instrumental in bringing this court to life.
The court was officially dedicated during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony emceed by Sharks Director of Social Impact
Heather Hooper
, and featuring remarks by Merced Mayor
Matthew Serratto
, Sharks President
Jonathan Becher
, Merced City Manager
Stephanie Dietz
, and El Capitan Managing Director
Robin Donovan
.

Following the ceremony, Sharks alums
Scott Hannan
and

joined
S.J. Sharkie
and children from the
Boys and Girls Club of Merced County
in an inaugural game on the new court.

In addition to the court, the site received a full set of new street hockey gear which will give the city the tools needed to teach the game to local youth year-round.
The court anticipates serving the 13,000 children that annually benefit from Merced's Parks & Recreation programs. This was the thirteenth Tealtop Street Hockey Court constructed by the Sharks Foundation. To learn more about this program,
click here
.