TORONTO – June 15, 2023 – Today, Hydro One and the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) announced the 38 recipients of Hydro One’s Indigenous Hockey Coaching Grant. Coaches from more than 25 Indigenous communities across Ontario received funding to increase Indigenous representation in sports leadership.
Grant recipient, Mike Richon of the G’Chimnissing hockey team from Beausoleil First Nation and hopes to continue to motivate his players, while offering a safe and encouraging space to nurture their growing
athletic abilities. “Being a part of a league is important to these young athletes, it promotes leadership development and a healthy sense of competition,” said Mike Richon. “A huge part of building inclusion and self-esteem is ‘looking’ the part. This grant will enable us to buy new jerseys for our players, among other essentials.”
“A coach has the power to inspire generations of youth to excel in not only sport but in everything they do,” said Jeremy Cross, Executive Director, Coaches Association of Ontario. “Each day, we support coaches across Ontario in creating safe and positive experiences for all athletes. We are thrilled for the recipients of Hydro One’s new grant and are excited to watch them inspire and encourage young players of this magnificent game.”
“Being part of a team is an invaluable experience, and Hydro One is proud to help make hockey more inclusive, safe and fun for everyone,” said Penny Favel, Vice President, Indigenous Relations, Hydro One. “Coaches are powerful role models and leaders to their athletes, teams and communities. This grant will provide more opportunities for Indigenous coaches to share the power of sport.”
The following coaches and communities were selected to receive up to $1,500 from Hydro One and the Coaches Association of Ontario:
Adam Bernard, U13 Eganville Eagles; U9 Valley Storm; U13 Algonquin Jr Thunderbirds – Eganville
Adam Dunseath, Batchewana Thunderbirds U15 Bantam Rec. – Sault Ste. Marie
Albert Sutherland, Constance Lake Oji-Crees – Constance Lake First Nation
Andrew Corbiere, M’Chigeeng Thunderbirds U13 Peewee Rec.; M’Chigeeng U15 Bantam Competitive – M’Chigeeng First Nation
Blake Naponse, Atikamekheng Stingers U11 Atom Rec. – Lively
Brent Assinewai, Atikmekshang Goon Squad U18 Girls; U13 Boys Nipissing Warriors & Regular Season; U18AA North Bay Ice Boltz – Spring Bay
Brian Bissaillion, Mississauga – Blind River
Casey Abitong, Sagamok Eagles U9 Novice Rec. – Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation
Catherine Wesley, Attawapiskat Bantams Ice Hawks – Attawapiskat
Chad Jones, Saugeen Stars U7 Tyke Rec. –Southampton
Clarence Trapper, Moose Cree Scrappers U15 Bantam Competitive – Cochrane
Daniel Peltier, Sagamok Eagles U18 –Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation
Darcey Sim, Batchewana Thunderbirds U15 Bantam Rec. – Sault Ste. Marie
Darryl Williams Jones, Garden River Braves U7 Tyle Rec.; Garden River Braves U13 Peewee Rec. – Garden River First Nation
Debra Nolan, Garden River Braves U11 Atom Rec. – Garden River First Nation
Gordie Taylor, Hockey Equality – Curve Lake First Nation
Heather Cook, Akwesasne U18 Midget Competitive – USA
James Panamick, M’Chigeeng Thunderbirds U15 Rec. – M’Chigeeng First Nation
Jamie King, Wasauksing Islanders U15 Bantam Rec. – Parry Sound
Jamie Cameron, Saugeen Stars U13 PeeWee Girls – Saugeen First Nation
Jason Young, Missanabie Cree – Toronto
Jonathan Fisher, Walpole Island Hawks U15 Bantam Rec. – Wallaceburg
Jonathan Riberdy, Zhiibaahaasing First Nations Penguins Bantam – Zhiibaahaasing First Nation
Justin McGregor, Whitefish River Warriors – Birch Island
Justin Smith, Kettle and Stony Point Thunder U13 Peewee Rec. – Kettle Point
Kayla Soney, Walpole Island Peewee Hawks & Wallaceburg Lakers U9 – Walpole Island
Kyle Gee, Six Nations Lady Leafs U18 Girls – Caledonia
Leonard Peltier, Wiikwemkoong Lightning U9 Novice Rec. – Wiikwemkoong Unceeded Territory
Marvin McLeod, Chi Genebek U13 Peewee Rec. – Cutler
Mason William George, Kettle and Stony Point U13 Peewee Rec. – Kettle Point
Mike Rochon, G’Chimnissing First Nation –Parry Sound
Mike Wilson, U15 Girls Six Nations Smash – Port Dover
Pat Primeau, Nipissing Warriors U13 Peewee Competitive – North Bay
Philip Penasse, Nipissing Warriors U13 Peewee Girls – North Bay
Rodger Martin, Six Nations Blackhawk U11 Atom Girls – Hagersville
Shanna Lesage, Moose Cree Scrappers U15 Bantam Rec. – Moose Factory
Sherry Tabobondung, Wasauksing Islanders U7 Tyke Rec. – Parry Sound
Wendy Coppaway, RFN U13 Peewee Rec. –Orillia
Initially announced at the Little Native Hockey League (Little NHL) tournament in Mississauga in March, Hydro One’s Indigenous Hockey Coaching Grant aims to help remove barriers and make hockey more affordable and accessible to coaches and young players from Indigenous communities. The grant
will help assist with out-of-pocket expenses incurred for such items as equipment, travel, childcare and training.
“First Nations inclusion and representation in sport is the first step in getting our youth excited about being on a team,” said Patrick Madahbee, Acting President, Little NHL and Member of the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation. “This grant from Hydro One and the CAO will have continued positive impacts on the teams, the coaches and the players by knocking down any barriers that may have held them back in the past.”
This year’s Little NHL tournament saw more than 2,400 Indigenous children and their coaches participate in a fun-filled, week-long tournament. Hydro One’s Indigenous Hockey Coaching Grant builds on the
company’s existing partnership with the CAO and the Little NHL, which has been bringing Indigenous athletes together for close to half a century.
Through its community investment program, Hydro One focuses on building safe communities in Ontario, and directs at least 20 per cent of its corporate donations and sponsorships to Indigenous communities and initiatives that benefit Indigenous communities. The company also supports programs, events and initiatives that focus on safety training and safe play. Some of its partners include The ACT Foundation and Coaches Association of Ontario.
For more information about the grant and the partnership between Hydro One and CAO, please visit safesport101.coachesontario.ca/lnhl.
About the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) The Coaches Association of Ontario is an independent, non-profit organization that supports coaches from community to high performance across all sports in Ontario. Providing coach development, funding opportunities, and events that support, recognize and represent all coaches across the province.
For more information, please visit www.coachesontario.ca, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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