The Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities are excited to announce the first round of funding that will be distributed as part of the newly launched Playmakers program. The program is part of a greater initiative which sees Jumpstart match funds contributed by the GTHL Legacy Fund, comprising total funding of more than $1.5 million over 5 years.

The first round of funding will see over $88,000 distributed across six programs – all of which will introduce the game of hockey to hundreds of children across the Greater Toronto Area. The SWAN Learn to Skate program, Scarborough Hockey Association, Don Mills Civitan Hockey League, City of Vaughan Hockey Association/Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Victoria Village Hockey League, Streetsville Hockey League, the Mississauga Hockey League, and the GTHL Summit will all receive various levels of funding for their initiatives.

“We are thrilled to see fundraising efforts by the GTHL Legacy Fund come to fruition and to have the support of an incredible organization like Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities,” said GTHL Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Scott Oakman. “The six programs to receive initial funding will be helping to grow the game while impacting the lives of hundreds of children.”

“Having the opportunity to not only play, but be part of a team, is such an important part of childhood,” said Scott Fraser, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “Jumpstart is proud to partner with the GTHL; together, we are helping kids, who otherwise might not have had the chance to play, get on the ice alongside their friends.”

Funding will be distributed yearly to organizations who wish to run hockey related programming for youth. Information on applications for the second round of funding will be shared with all GTHL clubs over the coming weeks.

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. The purpose of the GTHL is to govern organized hockey for youth within its jurisdiction, and to foster the development of good character, citizenship and sportsmanship.

About Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a national charity committed to ensuring kids in need have equal access to sport and recreation. With an extensive, national network of more than 1,000 grantees and 289 local chapters, Jumpstart helps eligible families cover the costs of registration, transportation, and equipment, and provides funding to selected organizations for recreational infrastructure and programming. Supported by the Government of Canada through Sport Canada and the Canadian Tire Family of Companies, Jumpstart has provided more than two million opportunities for Canadian kids to get in the game since 2005. For more information, visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.

Follow Jumpstart on Twitter and Facebook to learn about how the charity is giving kids across Canada a sporting chance