Hockey Diversity Alliance, BGC South East and Kingston Frontenacs announce Partnership

Kingston, Ontario – The Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA), BGC South East and the Kingston Frontenacs are thrilled to announce their partnership, which will provide grassroots hockey programs to Kingston and the surrounding areas. These programs are designed to inspire the next generation of young athletes and provide children from underrepresented communities with the opportunity to play the sport at no cost.

The ‘HDA Intro to Hockey’ program is specifically designed to teach youth from diverse communities the fundamentals, skills, and rules of the game. This weekly program will offer a fun environment where young athletes can learn to play the game.

Additionally, the ‘Intro to Hockey Program’ will allow participants to attend a Kingston Frontenacs game, introducing upcoming athletes to a live hockey experience. During these games, youth will interact with players and coaches, be a part of the high-five alley during the second intermission, and experience a hockey game live!

The Hockey Diversity Alliance is committed to eradicating racism and promoting diversity at all levels of hockey. As an organization, they work to improve accessibility at community levels and encourage accountability from leagues and leaders through anti-racism and unconscious bias education. The HDA runs grassroots ice & ball hockey programs across the GTA that welcomes youth from underresourced communities.

Overall, this partnership offers an incredible opportunity for young athletes to experience the joy of hockey while eliminating barriers to entry and promoting diversity and inclusion in the sport.

 

 

PROGRAMS

Our ‘Learn to Play with the HDA Program’ will centre around teaching youth the fundamentals, skills and rules of the game. Young athletes will be given an opportunity to learn and play the game in a fun environment. The ‘Learn to Play with the HDA Program’ will be a weekly program and it will teach youth from diverse communities the game via ball hockey.

Our ‘Intro to Hockey Program’ will allow youth participating in the ‘Learn to Play with the HDA Program’ to attend a Kingston Frontenacs game. The experience will be designed to introduce the upcoming athletes to a live hockey experience. During these games, participating youth will be able to interact with our players and coaches, be a part of our high-five alley as the players hit the ice during the second intermission and experience a hockey game live!

 

ABOUT THE HOCKEY DIVERSITY ALLIANCE

The Hockey Diversity Alliance was formed by NHL players of colour who saw an immediate need to organize and create a platform to eradicate racism and promote diversity at all levels in hockey. Committed to inspiring a new and diverse generation of hockey players and fans, the HDA works to improve accessibility at community levels while educating and encouraging accountability from leagues and leaders through anti-racism and unconscious bias education.

The HDA runs grassroots ice & ball hockey programs across the GTA that welcome marginalized youth from underserved communities. All HDA programs are entirely free of cost for youth and eliminate all barriers to entry surrounding the game. Not only do HDA programs aim to provide opportunities for diverse youth to achieve their potential through sports, but their programs also provide support services, community engagement, and job opportunities for the communities they serve.

 

 

ABOUT THE BGC SOUTH EAST

The BGC South East opened in 1993 in partnership with the Rotary Club of Kingston. Their mission is to provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life. The BGC South East served over 4,000 children and youth in 2021-22 and is continuing to see that number grow.

 

ABOUT THE KINGSTON FRONTENACS

The Kingston Frontenacs Hockey Club strives to provide their players, fans and the city of Kingston with the best sports and entertainment in the Ontario Hockey League. The team’s goal is to strengthen their community, while assisting to develop premier athletes into exceptional people on and off the ice.

The Kingston Frontenacs are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Kingston, Ontario. The Frontenacs play their home games at the Slush Puppie Place, which is located at 1 The Tragically Hip Way, Kingston, Ontario.

The franchise was founded in 1973–74, then known as the Kingston Canadians. The team was renamed the Kingston Frontenacs in 1989.