One local man used his connection with high-level sport to help Ehrlo Sport Venture’s league participants receive some brand-new equipment.

Shawn Dayman runs the Hockey Regina Fred McBeth Western Canadian Midget AA hockey tournament every year. Last year, he received an offer for hotel sponsorship. This year, the company did one better – they told him if he could book more than 200 nights of rooms in their hotel, they would give him a cash donation.

He succeeded, and received $2,000 from the chain.

“I could’ve given it back to Hockey Regina, but to split it between players evenly, each would only receive about $30,” he explained.

So instead, Shawn decided to use the money to purchase some brand-new equipment for Sport Venture’s free-of-charge leagues, which also provide participants with all equipment required to safely play each sport.

“I understand how playing a sport can temporarily remove you from some of the issues you may be experiencing in your life,” he said, noting that coaching hockey helped him with some of his own personal issues.

“It’s your time to get away.”

Thanks to a friend who owns a sporting goods store, Shawn was able to use the money he received to purchase five sets of ten t-shirt jerseys for junior soccer, three sets of 20 for senior soccer, 21 hockey jerseys and bags, 23 pairs of hockey socks, 12 softballs, 75 pucks, several hockey sticks (some of which he donated from his own personal collection), and eight rolls of stick tape for Sport Venture’s youth.

“It’s always appreciated when someone in the community wants to donate to Sport Venture,” said interim manager Taylor Ward. “Matching jerseys create the cohesion that makes a team, a team, and this is an opportunity most youth in our programs would not get to experience if not for donations like these.”

Shawn’s motivation was simple.

“I’ve had a very soft heart for kids my entire life,” he said.

“These kids deserve it.”