Right To Play and NHLPA Goals & Dreams Team-Up
NHL Players Donate 50 Sets of Equipment to Wapekeka First Nation children
Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Steve Montador, who has been a Right To Play Athlete Ambassador since 2007, is thrilled about this opportunity to give back to communities in Canada.
“After seeing the impact of Right To Play's programs in Tanzania, I'm looking forward to helping make an impact here in Canada. With incredible support from the NHLPA, I believe we can make a difference through hockey- building life-skills and increasing hope, while also providing access to necessary equipment these children and youth might not otherwise receive.” said Montador, NHLPA member and Chicago Blackhawks defenceman.
The PLAY Program aims to limit the challenges and build on the strengths of Aboriginal youth and their communities, while supporting the value of culture and identity. Working in partnership with First Nation's communities across Ontario, PLAY is comprised of training workshops, daily recreational and cultural activities and sport tournaments targeting children, youth and Elders in the community. One of the key components of the program in Wapekeka First Nation is the Hockey For Development module: a program that offers children and youth the chance to access hockey equipment, learn essential hockey skills, and gain valuable life skills. The program also includes a training program for local hockey coaches that allow them access to the Hockey Canada Certification.
Julia Porter, Deputy Director, Education and Aboriginal Initiatives at Right To Play, is very enthusiastic about the potential impact from the combined efforts of the NHLPA and Steve Montador: “This donation of hockey equipment is an incredible contribution to the children of this community. There are so many children and youth in Wapekeka First Nation who want to participate in hockey programs but are limited by their lack of equipment. This donation will bridge that gap and inspire kids to get on the ice and be active. The NHLPA's generosity will have a long-term impact and we are deeply grateful.”
Chairman of the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund, Devin Smith, commented on the success of the players' program and this donation, “The NHLPA is pleased to help more children in Right To Play's Hockey for Development initiative play the great sport of hockey. Over the past 11 years, NHL players have donated more than $20 million to fund and assist grassroots hockey programs around the world – from Australia to South Africa, Europe, Malaysia and North America. The biggest obstacle in participating in hockey is the cost of equipment. Our goal is to bridge that gap for less fortunate children.”
Right To Play is the leading international humanitarian and development organization using sport and play as tools to effect behaviour and social change. The organization works with over 15,000 trained Coaches and community leaders who implement Right To Play programs for 700,000 children and youth. Right To Play programs are designed to develop basic life skills, prevent diseases, teach conflict resolution and instill hope in children affected by war, poverty and disease in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America, and is supported by more than 350 elite Athlete Ambassadors from over 40 countries. Recently, Right To Play expanded its programs in Ontario to include 30 new First Nation communities.
In 1999, the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) launched the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. Over the past 11 years, more than 60,000 deserving children in 25 countries have benefited from the NHLPA Goals & Dreams donations of full sets of hockey equipment; the players' program has also assisted with upgrades and the building of hundreds of arenas world-wide. To date, NHLPA Goals & Dreams has donated more than $20-million to grassroots hockey programs around the world making it the largest program of its kind. For more information on the NHLPA, please visit www.nhlpa.com.