Ice hockey does not come with a light price tag. Between the cost of equipment, travel, and ice time the bill racks up. Unfortunately, these costs are prohibiting many youth players the opportunity to take the ice. However, the Grindstone Award Foundation works to alleviate this financial burden, particularly for young girls.
The Grindstone Award Foundation was created by two young women who had a passion for hockey. The pair wanted to provide support to girls under 19 who had a love for the game but couldn’t play because of financial reasons. Sasha Podolchak and Daniella Grundy created the foundation in 2014, and it didn’t take long for it to become a national movement in Canada. In August of 2015, the foundation sponsored their inaugural player, Johanna Hoek. Since then, the foundation has provided $72,000 in grants.
In 2020 the New York Times shed light on the cost of hockey preventing many parents from enrolling their children into the sport. More and more frequently, parents are choosing to put their kids in other sports simply because they cannot afford to get their kids out on the ice. The cost of equipment each season alone can break the bank for some families. According to this article and a Boston-based sports research organization, families spend about $1,300 a year on equipment, team registration, tournaments, and other fees. That amount is simply not manageable for many working-class families. It is important to keep in mind that these numbers are from 2020, and with the rate of inflation today, we can imagine how much these prices have continued to go up. In order to keep the game of hockey alive, youth players need to be excited by it. If they aren’t given the opportunity to play the sport because of the expenses, the love for the game will die out. This is exactly what the Grindstone Award Foundation is working to avoid, especially in the lives of young girls wanting to get involved in the game.
Just a year ago, 16-year-old Cadence Windsor started playing hockey, but she couldn’t have done it without the Grindstone Award Foundation. After facing mental health struggles, she has found comfort and a purpose through the sport. When sharing her story she noted that the game gave her purpose, something to work for, and a chance to see her friends regularly. When Cadence asked her mom, Lisa, if she could play ice hockey, her mom wanted to make it happen but knew it wasn’t in their budget. When offered the support of the Grindstone Award Foundation in partnership with the Canucks For Kids Fund, sponsored by the Vancouver Canucks, Cadence was able to play. Cadence’s mom shared a touching sentiment about what the game has done for Cadence. She noted that after seeing her daughter go through all that she had, seeing her on the ice wanting to get better and contribute on the ice was a newfound purpose she hadn’t seen from her daughter.
Cadence’s narrative story is a single story out of the countless grants provided by the Grindstone Award Foundation, each offering hope and opportunity to girls like Cadence and their families. By providing this financial support, the foundation empowers young women to discover themselves through hockey, a feeling that would otherwise be beyond reach.
The foundation’s rallying cry, “Help us help her play,” highlights its commitment to ensuring young girls have access to hockey, no matter their financial circumstances. I believe every girl deserves the powerful opportunity to find themselves through hockey, and any amount of support can help hand this opportunity to young women.
To support the Grindstone Award Foundation, individuals can contribute directly through their website HERE or engage in various other fundraising efforts such as event promotion, team fundraising, or advocating for the foundation on social media.
In essence, every girl deserves the life-altering experience of playing hockey, and the Grindstone Award Foundation fulfills that dream for young women in hockey.
Information and image from:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/22/sports/hockey/canada-youth-hockey-cost.html
Erin Young 
Leave a comment