GFL, MLSE Foundation Deliver Memorable Clinic with Hockey 4 Youth
Through a shared commitment to community, MLSE Foundation, GFL Environmental and Hockey 4 Youth came together to host a youth hockey clinic at Scotiabank Arena for a day on the ice that went beyond the game—creating space for connection, confidence, and inclusion through hockey.
A total of 40 participants from Hockey 4 Youth stepped onto the ice for a free clinic led by the Toronto Maple Leafs Sports Development team, before sharing a meal and heading behind the scenes for a tour of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors dressing rooms—turning a day at the arena into an experience they won’t soon forget.
“Tuesday’s event was super special," said Moezine Hasham, Founder of Hockey 4 Youth Foundation. "I can’t thank GFL and MLSE / MLSE Foundation enough for giving these kids this opportunity. On a personal note, when you’re in an iconic arena like Scotiabank Arena where the Maple Leafs play and see the Hockey 4 Youth signage up there on all the digital boards I think was really special."
"It became community for me"
Since founding Hockey 4 Youth in Toronto in 2015, Moezine has helped expand the organization to reach more than 2,000 youth across 14 programs nationwide. Focused on creating pathways for newcomer families and youth facing barriers, the organization provides free access to hockey as a tool for social inclusion—an effort rooted in Hasham’s own experience as the child of Ugandan immigrants.
"The reason I started the program is my experience in hockey growing up in Vancouver as the son of refugee parents, it became a community for me," explained Moe. "To date we’ve worked with kids from 44 different countries of origin. Being on the ice with kids from various different backgrounds is important. It’s the way society is and sharing that first step for these youth and having those shared experiences like they did through this opportunity is really special."
MLSE Foundation believes in the power of sport as a tool to develop youth both on and off the playing field. Moe's vision with Hockey 4 Youth shares a similar sport for development approach, and he understands the value in giving youth exposure to new opportunities beyond the game.
"This is how, as young people you start to experience things in the real world and this is how you learn how these things happen," Moe said. "Nothing happens with one individual, nothing happens with one owner or organization, there’s always collaboration."
"That's why I say the only barrier should be the boards"
For Moe, it's all about paying it forward and continuing to provide sport opportunities that serve youth as a conduit for growth and inspiration.
"I want to be able to leave the sport in a better place that’s absolutely for sure and I think we’ve done that and continue to do that and break down barriers that exist for these youth. That’s why I say the only barrier should be the boards."
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Through a shared commitment to community, MLSE Foundation, GFL Environmental and Hockey 4 Youth came together to host a youth hockey clinic at Scotiabank Arena for a day on the ice that went beyond the game—creating space for connection, confidence, and inclusion through hockey.
A total of 40 participants from Hockey 4 Youth stepped onto the ice for a free clinic led by the Toronto Maple Leafs Sports Development team, before sharing a meal and heading behind the scenes for a tour of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors dressing rooms—turning a day at the arena into an experience they won’t soon forget.
“Tuesday’s event was super special," said Moezine Hasham, Founder of Hockey 4 Youth Foundation. "I can’t thank GFL and MLSE / MLSE Foundation enough for giving these kids this opportunity. On a personal note, when you’re in an iconic arena like Scotiabank Arena where the Maple Leafs play and see the Hockey 4 Youth signage up there on all the digital boards I think was really special."
"It became community for me"
Since founding Hockey 4 Youth in Toronto in 2015, Moezine has helped expand the organization to reach more than 2,000 youth across 14 programs nationwide. Focused on creating pathways for newcomer families and youth facing barriers, the organization provides free access to hockey as a tool for social inclusion—an effort rooted in Hasham’s own experience as the child of Ugandan immigrants.
"The reason I started the program is my experience in hockey growing up in Vancouver as the son of refugee parents, it became a community for me," explained Moe. "To date we’ve worked with kids from 44 different countries of origin. Being on the ice with kids from various different backgrounds is important. It’s the way society is and sharing that first step for these youth and having those shared experiences like they did through this opportunity is really special."
MLSE Foundation believes in the power of sport as a tool to develop youth both on and off the playing field. Moe's vision with Hockey 4 Youth shares a similar sport for development approach, and he understands the value in giving youth exposure to new opportunities beyond the game.
"This is how, as young people you start to experience things in the real world and this is how you learn how these things happen," Moe said. "Nothing happens with one individual, nothing happens with one owner or organization, there’s always collaboration."
"That's why I say the only barrier should be the boards"
For Moe, it's all about paying it forward and continuing to provide sport opportunities that serve youth as a conduit for growth and inspiration.
"I want to be able to leave the sport in a better place that’s absolutely for sure and I think we’ve done that and continue to do that and break down barriers that exist for these youth. That’s why I say the only barrier should be the boards."
MORE STORIES
Through a shared commitment to community, MLSE Foundation, GFL Environmental and Hockey 4 Youth came together to host a youth hockey clinic at Scotiabank Arena for a day on the ice that went beyond the game—creating space for connection, confidence, and inclusion through hockey.
A total of 40 participants from Hockey 4 Youth stepped onto the ice for a free clinic led by the Toronto Maple Leafs Sports Development team, before sharing a meal and heading behind the scenes for a tour of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors dressing rooms—turning a day at the arena into an experience they won’t soon forget.
“Tuesday’s event was super special," said Moezine Hasham, Founder of Hockey 4 Youth Foundation. "I can’t thank GFL and MLSE / MLSE Foundation enough for giving these kids this opportunity. On a personal note, when you’re in an iconic arena like Scotiabank Arena where the Maple Leafs play and see the Hockey 4 Youth signage up there on all the digital boards I think was really special."
Moezine Hasham, Hockey 4 Youth
Since founding Hockey 4 Youth in Toronto in 2015, Moezine has helped expand the organization to reach more than 2,000 youth across 14 programs nationwide. Focused on creating pathways for newcomer families and youth facing barriers, the organization provides free access to hockey as a tool for social inclusion—an effort rooted in Hasham’s own experience as the child of Ugandan immigrants.
"The reason I started the program is my experience in hockey growing up in Vancouver as the son of refugee parents, it became a community for me," explained Moe. "To date we’ve worked with kids from 44 different countries of origin. Being on the ice with kids from various different backgrounds is important. It’s the way society is and sharing that first step for these youth and having those shared experiences like they did through this opportunity is really special."
MLSE Foundation believes in the power of sport as a tool to develop youth both on and off the playing field. Moe's vision with Hockey 4 Youth shares a similar sport for development approach, and he understands the value in giving youth exposure to new opportunities beyond the game.
"This is how, as young people you start to experience things in the real world and this is how you learn how these things happen," Moe said. "Nothing happens with one individual, nothing happens with one owner or organization, there’s always collaboration."
Moezine Hasham, Hockey 4 Youth
For Moe, it's all about paying it forward and continuing to provide sport opportunities that serve youth as a conduit for growth and inspiration.
"I want to be able to leave the sport in a better place that’s absolutely for sure and I think we’ve done that and continue to do that and break down barriers that exist for these youth. That’s why I say the only barrier should be the boards."