The following letter from Hockey Canada to Canadian Arena Facilities, as published on the OMHA site on September 14th 2009 highlights the financial challenges associated with attracting families and kids to minor hockey, and keeping them involved in the game. Fundraising can play an integral role in ensuring the game remains accessible to Canadian kids from all communities, regardless of their socio-economic status. Including silent auctions throughout the year can be an effective strategy  to offset these rising costs for teams, leagues, and associations. Hockey Fundraising is committed to working with the OMHA and Hockey Canada to ensure all kids can experience the fastest and greatest game on earth.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Calgary, AB – To: Canadian Arena Facilities

Issues in Minor Hockey today don’t only include on ice issues, they also include parents of young people not being able to afford to register their son or daughter in the game, minor hockey associations on the verge of closing down and increasing costs to administer events such as local tournaments.

Hockey Canada and its 13 Branches are committed to attracting kids of all ages, genders and ethnic backgrounds to the game of hockey. We feel that by giving parents tips as to how they can reduce costs associated with the game including buying good used equipment and carpooling to games and practices, that we can play a role in keeping costs associated with being involved with hockey down.

But we also need the help of municipalities, towns and villages as well as individual facilities in keeping ice costs as low as possible for our hockey associations. Hockey Canada realizes how lucky we are to have safe, well run facilities across Canada and we also realize that operationally this takes a certain level of annual budget.

Saying this, Hockey Canada would like to encourage all facilities to do as much as possible to reduce ice costs and ultimately reduce the hourly rate for hockey associations across Canada while keeping the outstanding level of service we now receive. By doing this you will assist us in giving opportunities to all those who want to play this great game and help hockey to continue to grow in Canada.

As we move into Vancouver 2010 I want to thank each and every facility and your staff as you have all played a role in developing players, showcasing the game, and creating interest in the game through public skating and hockey at all levels. This season will be a banner year for hockey and as we all savor the experience we need to continue to work towards the future, and this means keeping the game accessible to all. A great start to this is doing all we can to keep ice costs down.

Hockey Canada thanks you for your ongoing commitment to amateur sport and wishes you all the best in the upcoming months.

Sincerely,

Bob Nicholson
President and CEO
Hockey Canada