The Hockey 4 Youth FOUNDATION facilitates social inclusion for newcomer & sidelined youth of all genders through our free ice hockey and T.E.A.C.H. programs
Launched in 2015, Hockey 4 Youth’s mission is to increase social inclusion for new Canadian (newcomer) and high-priority youth through two aspects of programming:
On-Ice Programming: Free Ice Hockey
Off-Ice Programming: T.E.A.C.H Program
Since 2015, we have worked with over 700 children and youth from 41 countries of origin including Syria, Brazil, Afghanistan, Yemen, India, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Somalia, Cuba, the Philippines, and Mexico.
We are currently offering 11 programs to schools in Vancouver, Vernon, Windsor, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.
Hockey 4 Youth fosters social inclusion for newcomer & high-priority teens and youth of all genders through FREE ice hockey. We provide the following at no cost:
Equipment: skates, helmets, neck guards, elbow pads, chest/shoulder protectors, shin guards, hockey pants and socks, skates and jerseys
Ice time: 18 – 22 weeks of learn to skate/learn to play programs
Coaching
Transportation for field trips
Snacks
Access to inclusive tournaments
RATIONALE
NEWCOMERS LEFT OUT
Hockey is a significant part of Canadian culture but many newcomers are left out. According to the Institute of Canadian Citizenship, 71% of newcomers express an interest in hockey but only 1% will have an opportunity to play (see image below).
COST
According to a 2016 story in The Guardian, a family would have to spend $3,700 for 1 youth (age 11 – 17) to play one year of hockey. This makes Canada’s national game cost prohibitive for new Canadian families living in high priority neighbourhoods.
GIRLS LEAVING SPORTS
Finally, according to Canadian Women & Sport, “among girls who have participated in sport, there is a dramatic dropout rate observed with 1 in 3 girls leaving sport by late adolescence. By comparison, the dropout rate for teenage boys (aged 16-18) is only 1 in 10.”
With these barriers in mind, we created FREE hockey programming serving teens in several cities across Canada.
SEASON 7 (2023-24)
WINDSOR
Launched our first program in Windsor, ON for newcomer/diverse girls from St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School (grades 9-12). The program was made possible with funding from the Quenneville Family.
VERNON
Launched the Larry Kwong Memorial Program in Vernon, BC, for grade 4-7 students from Mission Hill Elementary School with the support of the Canucks for Kids Fund.
VANCOUVER
Launched our first program in British Columbia in Surrey, BC in November 2023 for diverse girls in grades 9-12 from Princess Margaret and Tamanawis Secondary Schools. This program was made possible with support from the Canucks for Kids Fund, Surrey School Board and Surrey RCMP.
OTTAWA
Launched our fourth all-girls program in Ottawa at Woodroffe High School.
SEASON 6 (2022-23)
Montreal
Launched a new girls program in Saint-Laurent, which serves 28 girls from grades 5-6 (ages 10-12) with support from Georges Laraque, NHL/NHLPA Player Inclusion Coalition, Canadian Tire Jumpstart, Osler, and Côte Saint-Luc Canucks.
Hamilton
Our first program in Hamilton was launched in December 2022 for high school girls in grades 9-12 from Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School and Westdale Secondary School with funding from the Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the National Hockey League.
OTTAWA
Launched an all-girls program for neurodivergent students at Ottawa Technical Secondary School, our third program for girls in Ottawa.
SEASON 5 (2021-22)
Montreal
On Friday, February 11, 2022, we launched our first program in two years (due to COVID). This program is focused on newcomer girls from countries such as Nigeria, Haiti, Angola and Congo who live in Montreal-Nord
Season 4 (2019-2020)
OTTAWA
2 programs launched for 53 newcomer girls in Ottawa with Ridgemont High School and Gloucester High School
Support received from Ontario Trillium Foundation, City of Ottawa, Osler and Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group Foundation
Toronto
Mitch Marner becomes first NHL Player to support Hockey 4 Youth through Marner Assist Foundation
Season 3 (2018-19)
Toronto
4th program launched in Regent Park at Jarvis Collegiate with the support of MLSE Foundation
5th program launched in Rexdale (North Etobicoke) with the support of the Calgary Foundation
Developed partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University Women’s Hockey Team as volunteer coaches for the Regent Park program
Season 2 (2017-18)
Toronto
Partnership established with StubHub Foundation
Third Toronto Program launched at Central Technical School
Olympic Gold Medalist & U of T head coach Vicky Sunohara & UAE Assistant Captain Fatima Al-Ali attend launch of Hockey 4 Youth season with students from Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute
Partnership established with University of Toronto Women’s Hockey Team; Players volunteer as coaches at Central Technical School program
Montreal
Established new programs sites at JFK High School in Saint-Michel and École la Dauversière in Ahuntsic Cartierville
Working with a total of 150 new Canadian and low income youth
Season 1 (2016-17)
Toronto
Second Toronto program launched in Malvern area of Scarborough at Lester B. Pearson Collegiate Institute with support from the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund
Partnership established with MLSE Foundation & Just Energy Foundation
Developed partnership with University of Toronto Scarborough Athletics. 8 student athlete from women’s and men’s hockey teams volunteer as coaches for Lester B. Pearson program
3 students from Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute (Aya, Srinidhi & Faustin) spoke about their Hockey 4 Youth experience at a luncheon attended by of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr, Head of adidas Hockey Dan Near & Hockey 4 Youth Executive Director Moezine Hasham
PILOT PROJECT (2015-16)
TORONTO
Launched first Toronto program in Flemingdon Park/Thorncliffe Park at Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute
Introduced 29 female and male youth to hockey
4 youth minor hockey players volunteering as assistant coaches
80% of students identified as new Canadians from countries such as Slovakia, Pakistan, India and Tanzania
MONTRÉAL
Program continuing at JFK High School with 30 youth enrolled in the program
With the help of our caring partners, Hockey 4 Youth is able help more new Canadian & high-priority youth become socially included through free hockey and off-ice learning.