OMHA Partners with KidSport Ontario to Help Remove Financial Barriers, News (Markham Waxers)

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May 12, 2023 | OMHA | 8806 views
OMHA Partners with KidSport Ontario to Help Remove Financial Barriers
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association is excited to partner with KidSport Ontario for the first time in its history to help provide a resource to remove some of the financial barriers for families.  

KidSport provides funding for children under the age of 18 to participate in a full season of sport. In 2019, the organization offered more than $8.3 million to kids across Canada. KidSport believes when kids have access to sport they improve in school, become stronger leaders, create safer communities, ignite inclusivity and fuel healthy habits for life.

“KidSport Ontario plays a crucial role in ensuring no family misses out on the benefits of sports because of financial barriers,” said Ian Taylor, the Executive Director of the OMHA. “We appreciate the fact kids today have many choices for how they spend their leisure time. Like us, KidSport believes that having kids playing hockey leads to a sense of belonging and a connection to local communities, on top of the physical, mental, and social health benefits.”

“The sport landscape is in a challenging state right now. More kids than ever before have been left out of participating because costs are increasing quicker every year.” said Sara Restani, Program Manager at KidSport Ontario. “In order for teams, leagues, and programs to continue growing, we need to provide access to as many kids as we can. KidSport Ontario and its local community chapters across the province are connecting more families to our grant program this year to ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation.”

KidSport Ontario will be providing grants of up to $300 per eligible kid, per year (January 1st - December 31st) towards hockey registration fees.

With one in three children in Canada unable to afford the cost of participating in sports, KidSport Ontario is well-situated with 20 community chapters across the province. By providing funding for children facing financial hardships, sport clubs are able to expand their programming to include those who normally would not have been able to sign up.

KidSport Ontario will have representatives on site at specific upcoming OMHA Championships to answer any questions and accept any donations to help more youth participate in organized sport.

For more information on eligibility, or to fill out an application, please visit www.kidsportcanada.ca/ontario

If you're interested in making a donation, please click here.

Sponsors
AtoMc
In keeping with a 40-year heritage, McDonald’s Canada is proud to support minor hockey in communities across the country, by offering young players a unique opportunity to build their sense of teamwork and focus on the joy of playing.
Markham District Baseball Association
Markham District Baseball House League is a community-centered, recreational program that is all about creating a nurturing, enjoyable and inclusive environment for children born between 2006 and 2020 of all skill levels. We believe in fostering a love for baseball while teaching valuable life skills such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect. It's not just about winning; it's about making friends, having fun, and creating unforgettable memories.
Budget Towing Services
Based in Markham, Budget Towing Services Ltd has served customers since 1973. Gaining local recognition while performing good works has benefitted the staff at Budget Towing Services Ltd.'s over the years. Stepping up in times of need or celebration has demonstrated our leadership ability among customers and peers alike. Our public presence has offered opportunities for the public to get to know Budget Towing Services Ltd. in their own back yard. And in the mean time has helped us improve our community's standard of living. We provide local and long distance towing services as well as general roadside assistance, trailer moves for community groups, clubs, and sponsor sports teams and amateur athletes like snow cross.
Tim Hortons
The Timbits Minor Sports Program is a community-oriented sponsorship program that provides opportunities for kids aged four to nine to play house league sports. The philosophy of the program is not based on winning or losing, but on learning a new sport, making new friends, and just being a kid.
Tokio Marine Canada
We are a new Canadian start-up Property and Casualty insurance company which is part of the Tokio Marine global family and, as such, we belong to one of the largest and most recognized insurance brands in the world. We strive To Be A Good Company, doing our part for customers and society in their times of need.
Braces in Markham
At Braces in Markham, we take pride in making our patients' orthodontic experience a pleasant and comfortable one. Our patients can take advantage of the expertise that our knowledgeable doctors and staff have, and trust that they are receiving high quality care. We always put our patients first.