Incoming funds will help important work continue around building strong governance
Momentum is building around investing in sport as a tool to building a stronger, more resilient nation, and Field Hockey Canada is well positioned to benefit.
In March, the Future of Sport in Canada Commission released its final report, highlighting the importance of sport to Canadian communities and calling for improved access and stronger safe sport environments. In April, the Government of Canada responded by announcing a generational investment to help drive this transformation. With $755 million targeted at expanding access to sport, strengthening safe sport frameworks, supporting high-performance athletes, and bringing more international competitions to Canada, the federal government has answered the National Sport Organizations’ calls for more support.
Field Hockey Canada is excited and ready to use the increased funding for immediate impact, as a result of changes set in motion in 2020 through the previous Strategic Plan and continued in the 2026–2030 Strategic Plan released last fall. Field Hockey Canada is committed to becoming a high performing “Team of Teams,” and this federal funding will help accelerate progress across our three identified strategic priorities: govern effectively, grow consistently, and excel at all levels. Importantly, it will support our ongoing commitment to building a thriving and inclusive field hockey nation where all participants belong and are safe and supported. Following last month’s government announcement, CEO Susan Ahrens said the funding will be well-received at a critical time.
“This landmark investment in sport will have immediate and long-term impacts for field hockey in Canada. Costs for both our national teams and our local communities have sky-rocketed in recent years and this helps us re-balance the playing field and offer more opportunities for our members to play, grow and excel,” she said. “On behalf of Field Hockey Canada, I’d like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Government of Canada, including the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, and the Secretary of Sport Adam van Koeverden, for recognizing the vital role sport plays in building a stronger, healthier and more connected Canada.”
Governing with Strength and Stability
Over the past quadrennial, Field Hockey Canada has expanded its governance structure and embedded Safe Sport as a lived value across the organization, despite the limited growth in base funding noted in the Future of Sport report. The $660 million injection for National Sport Organizations over the next five years will help Field Hockey Canada continue to strengthen governance practices and build internal capacity to support communities across the country.
Minimum standards for Safe Sport certification are now in place across the entire field hockey environment, contributing to better on-the-ground leadership and ensuring a safe sport experience for everyone – players, coaches, officials, staff and volunteers. As a result, more people are completing the Safe Sport education pathway, expanding our community’s shared knowledge and capacity. This is all supported by Sport Integrity Canada’s Canadian Safe Sport Program, which Field Hockey Canada endorses and actively champions. [LINK TO OUR SAFE SPORT PAGES]
Field Hockey Canada is also expanding its safe sport supports across the country by welcoming Provincial Sport Organizations like Field Hockey New Brunswick and Field Hockey Québec into a shared governance framework and setting up a national database. Strengthening this coast-to-coast network will improve alignment, accountability, and service delivery, creating clearer pathways and a more connected, consistent experience for the entire field hockey community.
For several years Field Hockey Canada has been diligently updating its governance framework, setting the foundation for success at all levels, and the recently announced federal investment will help this important work continue, as we grow our Team of Teams.
Today’s story is part 2 of a three-part response to the Canadian Government’s funding announcement. Please review all stories in this series.
Part 1 – Federal Government Announces Historic Sport Investment
– CEO, Susan Ahrens welcomes investment in stronger national sport system
Part 2 – Federal investment in sport signals a strong future for Field Hockey Canada
– Incoming funds will help important work continue around building strong governance
Part 3 – Coming soon
