Hydro One and the Coaches Association of Ontario have announced that 38 hockey coaches in Ontario will receive financial assistance for their team's out-of-pocket expenses through Hydro One’s Indigenous Hockey Coaching Grant.
Initially announced at the Little Native Hockey League (Little NHL) tournament in Mississauga this past March, the Hydro One grant aims to help remove barriers and make hockey more affordable and accessible to coaches and young players from Indigenous communities. The grant will help assist with out-of-pocket expenses incurred for such items as equipment, travel, childcare and training.
Here are the coaches from the Algoma District who received the grant:
- Adam Dunseath, Batchewana Thunderbirds U15 Bantam (Sault Ste. Marie)
- Darcey Sim, Batchewana Thunderbirds U15 Bantam (Sault Ste. Marie)
- Darryl Williams Jones, Garden River Braves U7 Tyke and Garden River Braves U13 Peewee (Garden River First Nation)
- Debra Nolan, Garden River Braves U11 Atom (Garden River First Nation)
- Brian Bissaillion, Mississauga First Nation (Blind River)
- Marvin McLeod, Chi Genebek U13 Peewee (Cutler)
"A coach has the power to inspire generations of youth to excel in not only sport but in everything they do," said Coaches Association of Ontario Executive Director Jeremy Cross. "Each day, we support coaches across Ontario in creating safe and positive experiences for all athletes.
“We are thrilled for the recipients of Hydro One's new grant and are excited to watch them inspire and encourage young players of this magnificent game."
“Being part of a team is an invaluable experience, and Hydro One is proud to help make hockey more inclusive, safe and fun for everyone,” said Penny Favel, vice president of Indigenous relations for Hydro One. “Coaches are powerful role models and leaders to their athletes, teams and communities.
“This grant will provide more opportunities for Indigenous coaches to share the power of sport.”
Coaches from more than 25 Indigenous communities across Ontario received the funding in an effort to increase Indigenous representation in sports leadership.
The full list of recipients can be found here.