TORONTO – June 15, 2023 – Today, CAO and Hydro One announced the 38 recipients of Hydro One’s Indigenous Hockey Coaching Grant. Coaches from more than 25 Indigenous communities across Ontario received funding to increase Indigenous representation in sports leadership.
Grant recipient, Mike Richon of the G’Chimnissing hockey team from Beausoleil First Nation and hopes to continue to motivate his players, while offering a safe and encouraging space to nurture their growing athletic abilities. “Being a part of a league is important to these young athletes, it promotes leadership development and a healthy sense of competition,” said Mike Richon. “A huge part of building inclusion and self-esteem is ‘looking’ the part. This grant will enable us to buy new jerseys for our players, among other essentials.”
“A coach has the power to inspire generations of youth to excel in not only sport but in everything they do,” said Jeremy Cross, Executive Director, Coaches Association of Ontario. “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, Indigenous Relations, 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.”
The following coaches and communities were selected to receive up to $1,500 from Hydro One and the Coaches Association of Ontario:
Initially announced at the Little Native Hockey League (Little NHL) tournament in Mississauga in March, Hydro One’s Indigenous Hockey Coaching 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.
“First Nations inclusion and representation in sport is the first step in getting our youth excited about being on a team,” said Patrick Madahbee, Acting President, Little NHL and Member of the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation. “This grant from Hydro One and the CAO will have continued positive impacts on the teams, the coaches and the players by knocking down any barriers that may have held them back in the past.”
This year’s Little NHL tournament saw more than 2,400 Indigenous children and their coaches participate in a fun-filled, week-long tournament. Hydro One’s Indigenous Hockey Coaching Grant builds on the company’s existing partnership with the CAO and the Little NHL, which has been bringing Indigenous athletes together for close to half a century.
Through its community investment program, Hydro One focuses on building safe communities in Ontario, and directs at least 20 per cent of its corporate donations and sponsorships to Indigenous communities and initiatives that benefit Indigenous communities. The company also supports programs, events and initiatives that focus on safety training and safe play. Some of its partners include The ACT Foundation and Coaches Association of Ontario.
For more information about the grant and the partnership between Hydro One and CAO, please visit safesport101.coachesontario.ca/lnhl.
About the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO)The Coaches Association of Ontario is an independent, non-profit organization that supports coaches from community to high performance across all sports in Ontario. Providing coach development, funding opportunities, and events that support, recognize and represent all coaches across the province.For more information, please visit www.coachesontario.ca, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Hydro One Limited (TSX: H)
Hydro One Limited, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is Ontario’s largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with approximately 1.5 million valued customers, approximately $31.5 billion in assets as at December 31, 2022, and annual revenues in 2022 of approximately $7.8 billion.
Our team of approximately 9,300 skilled and dedicated employees proudly build and maintain a safe and reliable electricity system which is essential to supporting strong and successful communities. In 2022, Hydro One invested approximately $2.1 billion in its transmission and distribution networks, and supported the economy through buying approximately $1.9 billion of goods and services.
We are committed to the communities where we live and work through community investment, sustainability and diversity initiatives. We are designated as a Sustainable Electricity Leader™ by Electricity Canada.
Hydro One Limited’s common shares are listed on the TSX and certain of Hydro One Inc.’s medium term notes are listed on the NYSE. Additional information can be accessed at www.hydroone.com, www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov.
For further information: Media can contact Hydro One Media Relations 24 hours a day at 1-877-506-7584 (toll-free in Ontario only) or 416-345-6868.
Coaches Association of Ontarioinfo@coachesontario.caTel: 416-426-7086
View all available workshops in Ontario.
By completing the NCCP Planning a Practice module you will be able to organize a well-structured practice plan with safe, age-appropriate activities you’ve designed to match the proficiency level of participants.
This is a Competition Introduction Multi-Sport module. With the NCCP Make Ethical Decisions workshop you will be fully equipped to handle virtually any ethical situation with confidence and surety.
This is a Competition Development Multi-Sport course. This module will allow you to promote a positive image of sport, and model it to athletes and those supporting their performance.
This is a Competition Introduction multi-sport course. With the workshop you will be able to analyze certain coaching situations to determine if they promote learning.
View Course Calendar
Subscribe to receive communications on programs, events, resources and more.
