Ehrlo Sport Venture’s Outdoor Hockey League (OHL) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. It is a time for us to reflect on the past and plan for the future. From its humble beginnings in a Regina classroom to a league that now welcomes over 300 youth a year, the OHL allows all youth the opportunity to play hockey by removing the financial barriers.
OHL owes most of its success to its volunteers and community supporters. We wanted to take this opportunity to thank two of our long-time sponsors, the Cooperators and Jumpstart.
Cooperators
Playing indoors is a huge opportunity for kids who have never experienced hockey anywhere but on an outdoor community rink.
In 2009, the Cooperators teamed with the OHL to allow the league to play some of its games indoors in the Cooperator Centre and that tradition continues to this day.
The partnership with Cooperators changed the OHL league in terms of family engagement. The indoor viewing area is a comfortable, warm space for families to watch their children play hockey.
Check out this video from 2012 courtesy of the Cooperators.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart
Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart is a charity that is committed to ensuring all kids in need have equal access to sports and physical activity. They have partnered with Ehrlo Sport Venture to benefit all our leagues but especially the OHL.
From donations of equipment to money to finance the league, Jumpstart has been at the heart of our programing.
“It is through support from organizations in the community such as Jumpstart and the Cooperators that we are able to continue to offer barrier-free leagues such as the OHL,” said Gloria Patrick, Sport Venture manager. “Because of their support we are able to give youth opportunities to play sports that they may not have otherwise been able to have.”
OHL celebration
Today the OHL is gearing up for its next season which kicks off in December. Registrations for the 2022-2023 season will open soon.
We will also be celebrating our upcoming anniversary with a celebratory family skating event on November 2nd from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. at the Brandt Centre rink for Ehrlo Sport Venture players, parents, volunteers, and sponsors. Come skate on the same rink as the Regina Pats! If you are interested in coming, please RSVP to kayla.mckee@ranchehrlo.ca. We hope to see you there!
