Minor hockey gets a boost from equipment donations
Fort Providence welcomes about 20 full sets of hockey gear
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, November 10, 2016
DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
Fort Providence will be receiving approximately 20 full sets of hockey equipment for young players thanks to a donation from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and CCM Hockey.
Tim Cragg, left, and Kole Landry display a stack of hockey equipment donated to the community in February from the Northern store, hamlet and Deh Gah School. Recently, the community has received even more equipment to bolster its hockey program. - photo courtesy of Fort Providence Minor Hockey
|
The community's minor hockey board has been collecting equipment over the past year.
That collection has now been enhanced by 20 full sets of hockey equipment.
Andre Bolduc, recreation co-ordinator for the hamlet, said he contacted the Canadian Tire organization about general funding, at which point he found out about the hockey equipment. Two hundred sets in total are available for the Northwest Territories.
"Most kids in town aren't able to afford equipment. It's pretty expensive in general," he said.
"This is good for older youth who want to take that next step in learning how to play hockey but always face the barrier of not being able to have equipment."
The equipment will be set aside for children from low-income families who want to play hockey but cannot afford the cost of equipment.
Bolduc said while younger children focus on learning how to skate, older youth who hope to learn hockey will now have an easier time doing so.
The equipment will remain the property of the hamlet but will be available for use.
Melissa Rhodes, spokesperson for CCM, stated in an e-mail the equipment comes as part of more than $42,000 donated to the Northwest Territories.
Equipment includes CCM hockey skates, sticks, helmets and protective equipment.
When asked why CCM decided on the donation, vice-president Global Marketing and North American Sales Sean Williams stated the company makes an effort to make hockey more accessible for children.
"(That's) something we're extremely proud of," he stated.
"We're happy to work with Jumpstart to identify communities in need and are excited to see the impact it will have on young players in their programs."
Canadian Tire corporate spokesperson Leah Gaucher said aside from Fort Providence, equipment is also going to Behchoko and to Yellownife's Yk1 schools as well as Side Door Youth Ministries.
