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Sustainable Hockey Canada

Give back to the game.

About the Project

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a call to action for all citizens, organizations, and countries to participate in furthering peace and prosperity for all, now and in the future. They recognize that eradicating poverty, promoting economic growth, enhancing healthcare and education, addressing climate change, and other important initiatives must be addressed such that the advancement of one goal does not hinder another. Being Canada’s national sport, hockey has a significant impact on our culture and communities, as such, the advancement of hockey’s contribution and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals can foster meaningful progress.

Throughout the Sustainable Hockey Canada project, we will investigate the relationship between hockey and sustainability and identify the ways in which hockey contributes to sustainable development while highlighting areas that necessitate improvement.

Our mission is to further hockey’s commitment to sustainable development through conducting novel research, building meaningful partnerships, and organizing insightful events.

Together, we can harness the power of hockey for positive change!

Sustainable Hockey Canada Workshop: Exploring the Power of Hockey for Positive Change

About the Workshop

We are organizing a workshop to explore the relationship between hockey and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Quality Education, Good Health and Well-Being, Reduced Inequalities, Climate Action and more!

Sports have the remarkable potential to transcend boundaries, unite communities, and inspire positive change. While some studies have been done on the relationship between sport and the UN SDGs, limited information is available on how hockey can contribute to the advancement of the SDGs.

This workshop aims to bring together experienced hockey professionals, academics, and UN SDG experts to share insights, network and explore how hockey sport can contribute to sustainability.

The objectives of the workshop are:

  • To discuss and understand the relationship between hockey and the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • To examine and explore how hockey stakeholders, including players, managers, industry professionals and fans can contribute to the promotion, achievement, and enhancement of the SDGs.
  • To identify potential training gaps and needs to make the sport of hockey more sustainable and better contribute to the SDGs.

Workshop Presentations

Workshop Program

9:00-9:10 Land Acknowledgement (Francesco del Carpio)

9:03-9:15 Welcome note & Introduction & Workshop Participants (Ali Asgary)

9:15-9:20 Sustainable Hockey Canada Project Overview (Michael Tapley)

9:20-10:30 Presentations

  • Professor Simon Darnell on the history and practice of sport for sustainable development
  • Professor Nicholas Watanabe on measuring externalities of sport to sustainability, and the imperative next steps to sustainability assessment in sports
  • Andrew Caldana on sustainable event planning
  • Taylor Mckee on SDGs 4,5,9, and 10
  • Professor Jordan Howell on responsible & sustainable business practices and leadership in sport

10:30-10:45 Coffee Break

10:45- 12:15 Group Discussions

12:15-12:30 Conclusion & Next Steps

12:30-1:00 Lunch

Details

Date: July 26, 2023

Time: 9:00AM to 12:30PM

Location: York University, Kaneff Tower, 5th Floor, Room 519

Or via zoom: (To be posted soon)

Registration

To register for in person option please click here.

To register for online option please click here.

Attendees and Participants

  • Michael Tapley, Sustainable Hockey Canada Project Coordinator, York University Student and former junior hockey player in the GOJHL & OJHL
  • Andrew Caldana: Event Planner with the City of Richmond Hill, Sports Management Degree from Brock University
  • Alison Doherty: Professor of Sport Management and Kinesiology at Western University
  • Jordan Howell: Associate Professor of Sustainable Business at Rowan University, Co-Director of the Rowan Center for Responsible Leadership
  • Taylor Mckee: Sports Management Professor at Brock University
  • Mike Vernace: ex – NHLer, Hockey Coach, and Founder of a successful hockey school, SHIFTD Hockey
  • Simon Darnell: Associate Professor of Sport for Development & Peace at the University of Toronto
  • Nicholas Watanabe: Associate Professor of Sport and Entertainment Management at the University of South Carolina
  • Ali Asgary: Director of CIFAL York and Professor of Disaster & Emergency Management at York University
  • Maxim Voronov (TBD): Professor of Organization Studies and Sustainability at the Schulich School of Business
  • Cameron Sikich: Women’s Division I NCAA player, Team Canada U18
  • Charles Cho (TBD): Professor of Sustainability Accounting at the Schulich School of Business
  • Alison Cain: Deputy Dean of the School of Life and Medical Sciences at University of Hertfordshire
  • Anton Sopov: ex – CCHL Jr. A player, Co-Founder of Edge Hockey, Business Student at Ivey Business School
  • Scott Barnes: Owner, General Manager, and Head Coach of the Jr. B Thorold Blackhawks
  • Ludovic Lord: Senior Manager of Growth and Retention at Hockey Canada
  • Dan Vernace: ex – Pro Hockey Player, Head Coach of championship AAA hockey team
  • Jeffery Levine: Assistant Clinical Professor of Sport Business at Drexel University
  • Sam Edmunds: Jr. A Hockey Goaltender
  • Francesco Daniel del Carpio: CIFAL York Operations Coordinator
  • Mahbod Aarabi, Practicum Graduate Student at CIFAL York
  • Peyman Naeemi, PhD Student, York University
  • Chris Goulet: Assistant Coach of the Thorold Blackhawks Jr. B
  • Nadica Jovanovik: Sport Development Consultant at ENGSO Youth
  • Lorena Hoeber: Professor at the University of Regina
  • & others yet to confirm!

Target Participants

  • Players
  • Coaches
  • Hockey Clubs and Teams
  • Those experienced in Sport for Sustainability
  • Sustainability Professionals
  • Hockey Industry Professionals
  • Hockey Equipment Producers
  • Municipal and Community Centre Employees
  • Scouts
  • Agents
  • Club Owners and General Managers
  • Referees
  • Hockey Retail Workers
  • Interested Listeners

Join us in driving positive change within the Canadian hockey community. Together, we can leave a lasting legacy for future generations.