Laurier’s Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities brings MLSE House of Hockey to Kitchener-Waterloo

Aug. 20, 2024

The Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities at Wilfrid Laurier University is delivering the MLSE House of Hockey ball hockey program to 40 Kitchener-Waterloo area youth as part of its summer programming, introducing the game to some for the very first time.

An initiative of MLSE Launchpad, MLSE House of Hockey includes 10 locations where youth learn the game, build life skills, make new friends and have fun. The Sun Life Centre at Laurier’s Northdale Campus in Waterloo is the first location to host the program outside of the Greater Toronto Area. MLSE Launchpad offers MLSE House of Hockey in collaboration with the Toronto Maple Leafs and partners Justin Bieber, his Drew House brand, and Tim Hortons.

“Given the barriers to traditional ice hockey – financial, transportation and others – we felt this was a great opportunity to get sticks in the hands of kids who might not be familiar with hockey or have never played the game,” says Nicole Vandermade, program manager with the Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities. “Traditionally we serve a high number of new Canadians and a lot of them face barriers in accessing typical registered sport programming.”

The Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities is a research and community outreach organization housed within the Kinesiology and Physical Education Department at Laurier active in the Waterloo and Brantford communities. The centre’s programs are designed to harness physical activity as a tool for creating positive change. In total, Sun Life has committed $1.25 million to support the development of the Sun Life Centre, including a $750,000 gift in 2023.

The eight-week MLSE House of Hockey program – including participants between the ages of 9 and 12 from Kitchener-Waterloo – kicked off on July 9 and runs through Aug. 27. Participants gather on Tuesday nights at the Northdale Campus, where four teams face off in outdoor ball hockey matches against a different team each week. The program is offered free of charge.

“Participants get the opportunity to learn a new sport,” says Vandermade. “And from Laurier’s perspective, it’s great to have them come to campus and start building a connection with the university.”

Learning the game

For many, participating in MLSE House of Hockey is their first experience on a team or competing in a league. In addition to hockey, learning life skills through participation in sport is a key focus of the program.

“With MLSE House of Hockey we are really trying to drive home the idea of ‘grit,’” says Alanna Harman, executive director of the Sun Life Centre for Heathy Communities. “More than 95 per cent of participants have never played hockey or ball hockey before, so you’re not going to get it the first time. You’re going to have to go back and do it over. It’s building up that skill set that they can apply in other contexts.”

Harman says MLSE House of Hockey, a co-ed experience, also aims to break down gender barriers.

“A lot of people see hockey as a traditionally male sport,” says Harman. “We have really worked on creating an inclusive space for all to come and participate and build camaraderie.”

Eight current Laurier students assist in running the program, including two league operations staff, two referees and four coaches. In the positions, the students learn how to communicate with youth, manage conflict and improve their leadership skills.

Vandermade says a prior relationship between the Sun Life Centre and MLSE Launchpad led to MLSE House of Hockey being delivered by the Sun Life Centre.

“Connecting with MLSE Launchpad in the past to share ideas and initiatives, I was able to learn about the MLSE House of Hockey program and I thought it aligned really well with our mission,” says Vandermade. “I also felt our membership and participants would really benefit from a program like this. Luckily, MLSE Launchpad was willing to partner with us and we are able to deliver this program for the first time outside of the GTA, which we are pretty proud of.”

A research study being conducted as part of the MLSE House of Hockey program delivered by the Sun Life Centre is seeking feedback from parents and guardians, as well as participants, to better understand their perceptions and experiences in the program. The information provided will improve future House of Hockey programs and inform the delivery of other physical activity-based programs for children.

A lasting impact

When MLSE House of Hockey concludes on Aug. 27, participants will get to keep the sticks and jerseys they used as part of the program. It is hoped the young players will continue their journey learning the game and remain physically active.

“The hope is they will meet friends and play together so they can continue this physical activity on their own,” says Harman. “The big mission for the Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities is to impact the health of individuals in the communities where Laurier has a presence.”

Founded in 2016 by Kinesiology and Physical Education faculty members Kim Dawson and Pam Bryden, the Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities focuses on providing physical activity and educational programming while conducting holistic and integrated research on physical activity and healthy living knowledge. Dawson and Bryden sought to leverage the knowledge and resources within the university to help community members lead healthier lives.

Building on the skills and enthusiasm of Laurier students, the Sun Life Centre today offers diverse programming for children and youth. Each semester, the Sun Life Centre welcomes between 50 and 60 Laurier Kinesiology student volunteers, who assist with program delivery.

The Sun Life Centre offers a wide variety of programs throughout the year. Programs offered during the coming fall include STEM and sport, programming for neurodiverse youth, and an active integration program for new Canadian women. All are offered free of charge and geared toward individuals who traditionally face barriers accessing similar programs. Close to 1,000 participants benefit from the centre’s programs each year.

Visit the Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities website to learn more about the centre, its programs and registration details.