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Hockey 4 Youth FOUNDATION

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:

  1. On-Ice Programming: Free Ice Hockey
  2. 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).
    ACCORDING to THE INSTITUTE OF CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP, 71% OF NEW CANADIANS EXPRESS INTEREST IN HOCKEY YET ONLY 1% WILL GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY THE GAME.

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

OTTAWA

  • Launched our fourth all-girls program in Ottawa at Woodroffe High School.

SEASON 6 (2022-23)

Montreal

Hamilton

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

Toronto

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.