Toronto, ON – The Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) is pleased to announce the launch of the GTHL Rookie Camp presented by Scotiabank, beginning Friday, March 3 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at Scotiabank Pond. Comprised of seven sessions, the program will introduce 30 children from the Jane and Finch Boys and Girls Club to the game of hockey.
“We really want to open the eyes of these kids to something they’ve never done before,” said Simone Spike, Children’s Coordinator of the Jane and Finch Boys and Girls Club. “Our partnership with this program will allow these kids to do something different and experience activities beyond their neighborhood.”
The free learn-to-play program will provide children with a full set of new hockey equipment and on-ice instruction. The program aims to increase participation in minor hockey programs while promoting an active lifestyle, teamwork and good sportsmanship.
“We are grateful for the support from Scotiabank and our community partners in helping bring the game of hockey to local neighborhoods,” said GTHL Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Scott Oakman. “We are committed to growing the game in the Greater Toronto Area and are excited to welcome children from Boys and Girls Club. This program will allow children the opportunity to try a sport they may never have been exposed to previously.”
The GTHL Rookie Camp presented by Scotiabank aims to get all participants registered in minor hockey after the sessions are complete. Children who decide to register with a local minor hockey program will be able to keep all equipment free of charge.
“Scotiabank proudly supports hockey at all levels in Canada – from grassroots hockey through to the NHL. The heart of our sponsorship program is in the communities where we work and play. We are proud to support more than 8,000 kids’ community hockey teams across Canada. We are delighted to support the GTHL Rookie Camp as another important way that we work together to help kids reach their full potential both off and on the ice,” said Suzette Armoogam-Shah, District Vice President, Toronto West District at Scotiabank.
The GTHL aims to roll out additional Rookie Camp sessions starting this Spring.
About the Greater Toronto Hockey League
Founded in 1911, the GTHL is a non-profit organization and the largest minor hockey league in the world. The GTHL registers more than 40,000 annual participants in Mississauga, Toronto, Markham and Vaughan.
About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is the Official Bank of the NHL®, NHL Alumni™, CWHL, Vancouver Canucks®, Winnipeg Jets®, Toronto Maple Leafs®, Ottawa Senators®, Edmonton Oilers® and the Calgary Flames® whose home arena is the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Bank also supports the Montreal Canadiens®. Scotiabank’s Community Hockey Sponsorship Program supports over 8,000 minor hockey teams in communities across Canada. To find out more about Scotiabank’s hockey programs, please visit www.scotiabank.com/the5thseason.
About the Boys and Girls Club
The Boys and Girls Club is part of a global movement dedicated to helping young people grow into healthy, confident, contributing adults. Boys and Girls Clubs are dedicated to ensuring that young people are given every opportunity to develop to their fullest potential. It is our goal that every youth grow up equipped to meet the challenges of leading and building this country in the 21st century.
For more information, contact:
Adrienne Middlebrook | Coordinator, Marketing and Communications
416-636-6845 x. 234 | amiddlebrook@gthlcanada.com
