RBC launches grassroots hockey program to encourage new Canadians to play

RBC has launched its RBC Play Hockey program, a wide-ranging, multi-year commitment that will impact hockey in communities across North America. Through a $1 million grant program and a team of RBC Play Hockey Ambassadors, which includes Steve Yzerman, Steven Stamkos and P.K. Subban, who will share their passion and excitement for the game, RBC Play Hockey will focus on growing the game from the grassroots level.

”Hockey is one of the great things that defines Canada and what it means to be Canadian. It is woven into our nation’s fabric and we encourage people of all ages and all cultures to be engaged with the sport,” said Camon Mak, director, Multicultural Markets, RBC. “By promoting our national pastime through RBC Play Hockey, we believe this will drive more community involvement through active participation and increased volunteerism.”

RBC has been involved in hockey at both the community and national level for decades. Following the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and the World Hockey Summit last year, RBC recognized the role that hockey plays in the lives of Canadians. And that by leveraging its sponsorship activities, providing financial support, and recruiting hockey superstars to offer inspiration and guidance, RBC could make a real difference in communities across the country.

The RBC Play Hockey initiative hopes to provide an opportunity to introduce people to the sport, build stronger communities and inspire people through hockey. Over the next year, more than $1 million in grants will be awarded, to help shine the spotlight on the people and programs that help hockey happen in communities across North America.

“Hockey is bigger than any person or business. It is something that ties communities together and through RBC Play Hockey, we will fund projects that help make hockey happen,” said Mak. “To help launch our program, we provided a $25,000 grant to the Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Centre for learn to skate and ball hockey programs that encourage new Canadians, age six to 18, to develop their hockey skills.”

RBC Play Hockey grant applications will be accepted at www.rbcplayhockey.com All applications will be reviewed by a panel of hockey experts and successful applicants will be awarded a grant in the amount of $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000.

For more information about the RBC Play Hockey, the grants program and the ambassadors, please visit www.rbcplayhockey.com