• Scotiabank GTHL New To the Game Grant to help encourage positive relations between 54 Division Police Services and high risk communities

TORONTO, April 3 /CNW/ - The Scotiabank GTHL New to the Game Development Grant of $25,000 was awarded today to the Pro Action Hockey League (PAHL), a league made up of youth from the Flemingdon Park area ages 8 - 11 years, and to the Don Mills Citivan's Donaldson Diamonds program - a hockey league for people with developmental disabilities.

"The Scotiabank GTHL $25,000 Grant will support hockey programs that attract participants from all backgrounds, to hockey in this community," said David Croutch, President, Don Mills Citivan.  "Through our partnership with Toronto Police Service and the City, we are making the sport more accessible to all Canadians, and extending the capacity of our league to accommodate all the youth on our waiting list."

The PAHL is a league made up of youth ages 8 - 11 years of age from the Flemingdon Park area and policemen from Toronto's 53 and 54 Division.  In its second year functioning, the league has a waiting list of more than 200 youth.

"The excitement of hockey is being carried into several of Canada's diverse communities," said John Doig, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Toronto Region.  "The idea behind the Scotiabank GTHL New to the Game Development Grant is to see the game open up to new Canadians - many of whom are trying to get their kids into the sport, but who might be restricted from doing so for a variety of reasons including costs of registration, tournament fees and equipment.  This Grant opens up possibilities for kids who would otherwise not be able to participate in one of Canada's favourite sports."

The Grant was established earlier this year as part of Scotiabank's partnership with the Greater Toronto Hockey League, to attract new participants from all backgrounds to the sport. Each season, the Scotiabank GTHL New to the Game Development Grant will distribute a maximum of $25,000 among GTHL associations and member clubs that demonstrate a program plan targeted at attracting new participants to hockey.

"The GTHL is truly grateful for Scotiabank's support of minor hockey and, in particular, this worthy program." said GTHL President John Gardner. "The Pro Action Hockey League is the perfect example of the type of program we need to support in order to grow the game of hockey and give kids a chance to play when otherwise they would not have the opportunity to do so.  It can also be used as a template that can be used in priority areas all across Canada"

Applications were accepted from any GTHL association or member club allowing them to apply for the program funding individually, or in collaboration with one another.  Grant applicants need to demonstrate their program plan targeted at attracting new participants to hockey in their local community. Scotiabank and the GTHL collectively choose the most viable program(s) from the pool of submissions and distribute the necessary funds totaling $25,000.

About the GTHL

Founded in 1911, the Greater Toronto Hockey League is a non-profit organization and is the largest amateur minor hockey league in the World.  There are more than 40,000 participants registered annually in the GTHL.  GTHL jurisdiction spans Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Vaughan, and Markham and includes players ranging from the ages of 4 - 20.  The GTHL is a proud member of the Ontario Hockey Federation and Hockey Canada.

About Scotiabank
As the Official Bank of the NHL®, NHLPA®, NHL Alumni™ and the CWHL, Scotiabank is very proud to be Canada's Hockey Bank.  Scotiabank has a long tradition of supporting hockey in Canada from local teams and minor hockey associations to professional players and leagues.  Through its partnerships, Scotiabank's hockey programs enrich the communities where Canadians live and work by engaging fans and players in new ways to celebrate our game.  Scotiabank supports the passion and pride Canadians feel for hockey and believes it is fundamental to helping young people learn about teamwork, camaraderie and the spirit of competition. Scotiabank's partnership with Pro Hockey Life provides exclusive in-store and online discounts to the Bank's customers, promotes advice on equipment and enhances the grassroots community programs of both companies.  Scotiabank also has partnerships with the Montreal Canadiens®, the Calgary Flames® whose home arena is the Scotiabank Saddledome, and the Ottawa Senators® whose home arena is Scotiabank Place.  For more information on Scotiabank's hockey programs visit www.scotiahockeyclub.com.

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, 'Bright Future'.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $44 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.