It is no secret that the sport of hockey will set back parents quite a bit—"it costs about $4,000 a year to put a kid into one year of hockey"—but it is organizations like Hockey 4 Youth that ensure everyone who wants to play has a chance to do so, regardless of their background or their family's financial status.
Hockey 4 Youth is a charity that prioritizes new Canadian youth and kids from low-income families by allowing them to play the country's national sport at no cost. A recent announcement was made that the accessible program will be coming to Ottawa and it will welcome all genders.
Hockey 4 Youth is an important initiative that does not only create inclusion in the world of sport, but it also gives children confidence. As per the organization's founder, Moe Harsham, about 80% of kids who take part in the programs feel socially inclined, while 91% are more secure in their mental and physical health.
Image Credit: Hockey 4 Youth
What's Driving This Trend
- Inclusive Youth Sports
- Opportunity for nonprofit organizations to create inclusive sports programs for low-income families.
- Low-cost Sports Programs
- Opportunity to disrupt traditional high-cost sports programs and create accessible options for all families.
- Gender-inclusive Sports
- Opportunity for sports organizations to prioritize gender inclusivity and create safe spaces for all genders to participate in sports.
Who This Affects Most
- Nonprofit
- Opportunity for nonprofit organizations to create inclusive sports programs for low-income families and prioritize accessibility.
- Sports
- Opportunity for sports organizations to disrupt traditional high-cost sports programs and prioritize inclusivity and accessibility.
- Youth Development
- Opportunity for organizations focused on youth development to incorporate inclusive sports programs to promote confidence, mental and physical health.
