There are some powerful voices behind the new Hockey Canada Foundation Assist Fund.
The ambassadors for the program include Jarome Iginla, Marie-Philip Poulin and the captain of Canada’s sledge hockey team, Greg Westlake.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of four Paralympic Games…Torino in 2006, Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014 and most recently Korea in 2018,” says Westlake, “Those have all been a blast.”
He’s come home with a medal three times with gold in Torino, silver in PyeongChang and bronze in Sochi. Canada’s sledge team finished fourth in 2010 in Vancouver.
At the IPC World Championships, Westlake has helped Canada take home three gold medals (2008, 2013, 2017), one silver (2015), two bronze (2009, 2012) and one fourth-place finish (2004).
He’s been a member of the team since he was 17, making his debut in 2003.
Amazing new initiative from @HockeyCanada …. helping to get young Canadians back on ice. https://t.co/H703EW8mQk #hcfassistfund pic.twitter.com/ppTYd6mCl5
— Greg Westlake (@gwestlake12) October 19, 2020
When it comes to the Assist Fund, Westlake explains that he was happy to endorse the program.
“I just know what the game means to me, and I want everyone to experience that. The fund right now is due to COVID-19 and I just see how much these kids want to get back into the game.”
He goes on to say that the purpose of the program echoes advice fellow program ambassador Iginla gave him years ago.
“The whole goal of the fund is to get Canadians into hockey…to include everyone and not to let anyone feel excluded from our great game.”
The Assist Fund provides up to $500 to those who need help covering hockey costs due to COVID-19.
I am proud to support the new @HockeyCanada Foundation Assist Fund! $1M in funds dedicated to
helping young Canadians who need financial support to register for #hockey. APPLY TODAY: https://t.co/Tc7bIQDQOR. #HCFAssistFund pic.twitter.com/L7iDNiIV9i— Marie-Philip Poulin (@pou29) October 19, 2020
Jarome Iginla knows how golden an assist can be.
The NEW The Hockey Canada Foundation Assist Fund is providing $1M in hockey registration funding to get youth back to playing they game they love. #HCFAssistFund
APPLY NOW at https://t.co/jlIYr7E33n pic.twitter.com/MiuA294A4L
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) October 19, 2020
