Has squash impacted you and/or your friends and families lives positively? Is it more than just the sport to you, but also a truly amazing community of athletes, coaches, officials, parents and volunteers? We at Squash Ontario checked both boxes and more as we are excited to launch our 2018-19 fundraising campaign that will help to continue to grow our sport and develop Ontario athletes.
Last season, with the generous support of both corporate partnerships and private donations, Squash Ontario was able to dramatically revamp our player development programs from grassroots to elite athletes and everything in between. Over 1,500 players directly accessed programs made possible by fundraising activities. Now it’s up to us to continue this incredible momentum.
With a solid foundation already in place due to generous support from our Platinum and Gold Corporate Partners Equity Builders, Jesters of Ontario, Slaight Music, Sprott Resources, YDC Pro, Mortgage Company of Canada, The Hazelton Hotel, Harrow Sports and Black Knight, we are now asking those in the community with the means and passion to contribute with personal and/or corporate contributions to help us reach our goal of an additional $52,000 by December 31st, 2018.
Squash Ontario is a not for profit organization that directs 100% of all funds raised through this campaign directly into grassroot programming and athlete development. Donors will receive a charitable tax receipt for their contributions and be recognized on our virtual and at-event donor walls. To donate to squash Ontario or to learn more about the campaign, the programs it supports, and our existing donors, please click the button below.
With thanks to our generous donors in 2018-19, over 1,500 young squash players accessed programming from brand new juniors via community programs to our world ranked elite top junior and senior players.
Highlights from the 2017-18 Season:
26 programs and 750 youth across the province received support for new junior initiatives including YMCA’s, community centres, multi-sport camps, and urban squash programs.
800 players participated in school squash through physical education partnerships with Squash Ontario including 240 competing in tournament play in both public and independent school events.
120 athletes accessed regional development camp opportunities for newly competitive players including travel support to gain critical exposure outside of their home clubs.
Junior event participation has increased 42% since 2015, including 110 new junior girls competing in 2018-19.
80 aspiring U15, U13, and U11 athletes came together regularly from across Ontario to train alongside top coaches in an effort to usher in the next generation – the future is bright!
60 juniors and 12 coaches travelled to Yale University in December 2018 in order to gain valuable international experience – Team Ontario finished with five Top 12 finishes in the largest junior tournament in the world.
42 Top Professional/University/U19 juniors trained together regularly under elite coaches and support staff during a dedicated summer program and select in-season sessions.
95% of over 40 graduating U19 juniors are currently playing on post secondary teams including Harvard, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, University of Western, Queen’s and the University of Toronto.
16 special athletes were recognized for their extraordinary academic and athletic excellence in 2018-19 receiving financial support to help them continue to achieve their on and off court goals.
The Squash Ontario fundraising committee of Steve Yuzpe, Heather MacLean, Javed Khan, Faheem Tejani, Squash Ontario President Bruce Marrison and Simon Kay have tasked the community to continue to step up generously to give our athletes and coaches the tools they need for success. We currently sit at $148,000 of $200,000 raised and have until December 31st to reach our goal. Squash Ontario is a not-for-profit and those donating will be issued a charitable tax receipt immediately. 100% of all funds raised goes directly into athlete development programs as described above and new initiatives designed to grow our sport and develop community leaders.
For more information on our current Donors/Partners, the Squash Ontario Giving Program or to make your contribution please visit http://www.squashontario.com/donate.