With the support of MLSE's teams and dedicated community partners, MLSE Foundation supports programming aimed at increasing youth participation in sport. We give youth the tools and training to have their first goal, befriend their first teammate and in many cases, experience the game for the first time. Our programs bring communities together, employ local youth to be leaders in their neighborhoods and empower children to stay off the sidelines.
In partnership with Toronto Community Housing Corporation, the KickStart program positively engages over 250 youth aged 6-14 with introductory soccer skills while providing them a safe space to explore the sport and focus on physical literacy and soccer skills.
In partnership with the Toronto Raptors and the City of Toronto, Homecourt Hoops brings organized basketball to communities facing barriers at no cost. This non-competitive basketball program for youth ages 6-12, delivers more than 100 individual programs across 26 priority community centers, including three (3) girls-only locations. This program engages more than 2000 youth, while providing employment to more than 100 community coaches during the programming year. Homecourt Hoops reaches youth at the community level offering a chance to learn the basics of basketball while discovering life skills through sport from trained coaches.
Home Ice Hockey brings non-competitive organized hockey to youth facing barriers at no cost. In partnership with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Scotiabank and the City of Toronto, Home Ice Hockey activates 12 community sites, including two (2) girls-only locations, and provides protective equipment with on-ice instruction to 350 young hockey enthusiasts. The program operates every weekend from September through March offering youth a chance to learn the basics of hockey while discovering life skills through sport from trained coaches.