Ontario Minor Hockey Association launches campaign in hopes of boosting registration

Marcus Wong says without hockey during the COVID-19 pandemic, he was "bored out of his mind."

The10-year-old and hisbrother Matthew, 12, have each been on the ice since they were aboutfour years old and found their teammates and coachesbecamelikefamily.

It's something their father, Richard Wong, felt too.

"Hockey has given so much to my family," he said.

Wong says he's always been a huge hockey fan, but it wasn't something his parents were interested in signing him up for.

"My parents were immigrants and had different priorities, trying to putfood on the table."

He says he'sgrateful he has beenable to give his sons the opportunity to experience it and theOntario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA)hopes to see more families feeling this way.

The OMHA, which represents225 minor hockey associations around the province,launched a campaign this week called 'Stronger,'in an effort to boost registration in the sport. The association says registration numbers for hockey have been stagnant for the past five years due to several factors, including costs, which the OMHA is trying to address.

The campaign also highlights the mental health impactlosing organized sports has had on kids during the pandemic and the benefits of being part of the hockeycommunity. People advocating to make the game more inclusive say this is a good opportunity to tackle barriers that can make it difficult for kids to play.

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In a release, the OMHAsaid itrealizes it can no longer take for granted that people are just going to show up for hockey, as they have done in the past,if itwants hockey to remain as one of Canada's most popular sports especially after a pandemic.

"We never had to market the game before to kids in Ontario,but we recognize it is no longer a given kids are going to play hockey," saidIan Taylor,OMHA'sexecutive director.

Taylor saidmany of the minor hockey associations offer ways to help youth enter the game,includingthe option of playing once a week and providing equipment for families that need financial help.

WATCH | CBC's Talia Ricci reports on the new campaign by theOntario Minor Hockey Association:

How a new campaign is trying to get more Ontario kids to sign up for hockey

3 years ago

Duration 2:17

The Ontario Minor Hockey Association says registration numbers for hockey have been stagnant for the past five years. The Stronger campaign highlights the mental health impact losing organized sports has had on kids during the pandemic, and also addresses barriers to play such as cost to boost registration. Talia Ricci has the story.

"Another way we're trying to address cost is through trial programs," Taylor added.

That involves giving players the opportunity to trythe sport out for sixweeks before fully committing the time and money.He says outside of the sport itself, he wants parents to consider the mental health benefits of physical activity and feeling part of a team.

"Hockey is a game for everyone and that's something we want to communicate."

Building bridges in diverse communities

Moezine Hasham is theexecutive director and founder of Hockey 4 Youth,a charitable organization that provides new Canadian youth with an opportunity to play ice hockey at no cost. Hasham said he's interested to see the outcomes of the campaign.

"Anytime a sports organization is willing to do outreach and start a movement, I think that's important," he said. But as someone who's facilitated youth from 32 different countries to play the sport, he said,he also understands how challenging it can be.

"Beyond the financial barriers,there could be culturalbarriers, gender barriers, transportation and accessibility barriers," he said.

Hockey 4 Youth gets players on the ice once a week foraround five months and teaches them how to skate and play the game. It started in 2015 as a pilot program and has since expanded to multiple programs in various cities.

"What we're doing is using the sport to foster social inclusion,"Hasham said, adding that involves going to high schools and talking to kids, among other measures, which he hopes to see reflected in minor hockey as well.

The OMHA saidregistration is happening now and the plan is for hockey to start back up when kids are back in school in September.

Matthew saidhe's looking forward to it.

"I think what I'm looking forward to most is seeing my friends again."