FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I volunteer?

Please contact us at info@okanaganhockeyfoundation.com or at 250-276-8132 to inquire about volunteering.

Where are the locations of the Okanagan Hockey Camps?

Okanagan Hockey Camps are located in Penticton, B.C., Kelowna, B.C., Calgary, Alta., and Edmonton, Alta.

For additional information regarding the Okanagan Hockey Camps please visit okanaganhockey.com.

What is an accredited and/or recognized hockey camp or hockey academy?

A recognized hockey camp must be sanctioned by the provincial hockey governing body, must have on ice sessions of at least 1.5 hours a day for each attendee and shall be run by trained or certified coaches.

A recognized hockey academy shall be a member of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, be recognized by Hockey Canada as an official sport school and be recognized by the Provincial Ministry of Education as a sports school.

Where are the locations of the Okanagan Hockey Academy?

The Okanagan Hockey Academy has two locations in Canada. There is one academy located in Penticton, BC and one academy located in Edmonton, AB.

For additional information regarding the Okanagan Hockey Academy please visit okanaganhockey.com.

Who can apply for financial support?

Financial support applications are open to all that require financial assistance. An independent financial means assessment will be conducted on all requests for financial support prior to OHCF grant financial support to any applicant. The financial means assessment will assist in determining the successful recipients of any bursary or scholarship; however the means assessment will not be the only determining factor in OHCF granting support.

How do I apply for financial support?

Applications will be posted on or before March 31 of each calendar year. Please complete the required documentation as requested. Receipt of your application will be acknowledged via email.

What determines if I am successful in receiving financial support?

An independent granting committee will review all applications for financial support. All supporting documentation, including an interview with a member of the granting committee is required for consideration. Considerations that will be taken into account are financial barriers an requirements, academic status and ability, family needs and character references of the applicant.

How do I donate?

Donations can be made securely on-line by clicking here. If you wish to send a cheque, our mailing address is 201-853 Eckhardt Avenue West, Penticton, BC, V2A 9C4. Please note, official charitable receipts are issued quarterly.

How many teams are located at each Okanagan Hockey Academy?

Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton, BC currently operates six male teams and two female teams. Our Edmonton, AB location currently operates three male teams, while our new Whitby, ON location will operate one male team in 2018-19.

What educational institutions do the students attend as part of the Okanagan Hockey Academy?

The students in Penticton attend Penticton Secondary School or Skaha Lake Middle School, depending on grade, while students in Edmonton attend Vimy Ridge Academy which caters to grades 7 through 12.

Students at our new Whitby Academy will attend Henry Street High School.

I have a daughter that would like to apply for financial support; do you support female athletes as well?

YES! The Okanagan Hockey Community Foundation supports both female and male student athletes.

When will I hear if I am successful in receiving financial support?

If you have applied for a hockey camp bursary you will be notified no later than May 15 in the year that you have applied for support. If you have applied for a hockey academy scholarship, you will be notified within two months of your completed application. You will also be notified via email upon receipt of your completed application.

What ages are eligible to receive financial support?

Any child between the age of 5 and 17 are eligible to apply for hockey camp bursaries. Any child between the ages of 13 and 17 are eligible to apply for hockey academy scholarships. Anyone graduating from an accredited and recognized hockey academy is eligible to apply for support for his or her first year of post secondary education. Financial support will be determined through an independent financial needs assessment.

In 2010 I was fortunate enough to play at the Okanagan Hockey Academy on the Midget Prep team. With coaches like Robert Dirk and Greg Holst it was an unbelievable year. I have to this day still never been on such a close-knit team. It was my first year of midget hockey and that meant a lot more travel. Playing in the CSSHL I got the opportunity to play in some pretty awesome spots. The league helped me learn to stay on top of school, which has helped me not only in college but also in junior. I was able to make an easy jump to junior and college academically with the help of Dave Nackoney, a guidance counselor at Penticton Secondary School who works with all the student athletes. To this day if I need anything he is always more than willing to help. It is the great staff that left such an impression on me, and made it possible for me to be where I am today.
Adam Plant, 2012 OHA Graduate, University of Denver Student Athlete
As a parent, you want your children to have the best opportunities to succeed. The Okanagan Hockey Group provided the structure and setting for my sons to excel, not only at hockey but in school. The skills and life lessons both of my sons learned at OHA afforded both of them the opportunities to continue their hockey career and educational paths. All of us look back fondly at the experience OHA afforded my sons.
Mike Barnett
My time at OHA was a wonderful experience, and the best 3 years of my life. I made lifelong friends and memories that will stay with me forever. OHA not only prepared me for university but for succeeding in everyday life.
Stephanie Rempe, 2016 OHA Graduate, Brown University Student Athlete
As the eldest of the Bill and Pat Dineen clan, including five boys and my sister who is Rose Dzamongst the thorns’dz; we are definitely a hockey family through and through. A great part of that hockey thread was woven by the Okanagan Hockey School (OHS). Our family was introduced to OHS when my father was playing with Seattle Totem teammates and OHS cofounders Larry Lund and Larry Hale. Once my father started instructing at OHS, the unbreakable link was made to our family that shaped us as athletes and people to this day. Our family owes a great deal of our family’s collective NHL success to that of OHS. OHS was, and continues to be, a great influence in my life.
Shawn Dineen
Being a part of the Okanagan Hockey Academy has been an extremely rewarding and unforgettable experience. It has enabled me to gain confidence and acquire life long skills expanding beyond the game of hockey. The balance between academics and athletics is superb, allowing you to achieve your ultimate success. The academy assisted me in achieving my dream of playing hockey at the NCAA level while studying Pre-Medicine. Without this caring support group, none of this would have been possible and I am forever grateful.
Brenna Hannon, 2017 OHA Graduate, Aurora University Student Athlete
My time with OHA not only shaped me into the person I am, but taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, loyalty, and friendship. Okanagan Hockey Academy has become my home and I value everything they have done for me.
Alley Rempe, 2016 OHA Graduate, Brown University Student Athlete
During my time at OHA I really grew as both a person and an athlete. I learned necessary life skills that I will continue to use throughout my life.
Cyan Roepcke, 2016 OHA Graduate, University of Guelph Student Athlete
Our daughter is 11 years old and has been playing hockey for 4 years. She has a true passion for the sport and a real drive to learn and improve. She had been to an OHA camp once before but understood that we were not going to be able to afford to send her this year. Completely by surprise we found out in June that she had been chosen as a recipient of funding from the Okanagan Hockey Community Foundation; an organization we had not even heard of. It was a true blessing for our family. This made a real difference in our daughter's life and strengthened her love and passion for the game. We cannot thank you enough
Anonymous
OHA helped instill the moral standards I have and helped me become the person I am today.
JR Krolik, 2010 OHA Graduate, RMT student
OHA gave me the opportunity to grow as a person and as a player. It taught me how to work hard and how to overcome adversity.
Jagger Dirk, 2008 OHA Graduate, St. Fx University Student Athlete
At the end of grade nine, my parents and I decided it would be beneficial for both my hockey and scholastic development to attend OHA the next year. We toured other hockey academies, but ultimately felt OHA was the best fit for me. The coach’s and trainer’s expertise allowed me to learn more about the game, further develop my skills, strength and stamina and readied me to enter the WHL as a competent and confident 16 year old. With the support of great teachers and tutors my grades improved and I made friends that will last a lifetime. I highly recommend OHA for the player who is looking to take their game, grades and life skills to the next level.
Josh Mahura, 2014 OHA Graduate, Anaheim Ducks Prospect
The Okanagan Hockey Academy instilled core values such as hard work and perseverance into my daily life, which have allowed me to successfully pursue a degree in biomedical studies and biochemistry at UNBC.
Jack Lofroth, 2015 OHA Graduate, Biomedical and Biochemistry Student
Joining Okanagan Hockey Academy was the best decision I made to advance my hockey development. I grew as a person and as a player thanks to our amazing coaches. My education was held to a very high standard by our education advisor and tutors. I also met people who will be lifelong friends.
Michael Rasmussen, 2015 OHA Graduate, Detroit Red Wings Prospect
Attending OHA has been the greatest experience of my life. It didn't only help establish myself as a better hockey player; but also helped me become a better individual. I wouldn't be heading down the path I am today if it wasn't for OHA.
Tanner Johnson, 2012 OHA Graduate, University of Alaska-Anchorage
I look back at OHA and smile. The whole experience helped and continues to progress my life for the better.
Marcus Moles, 2010 OHA Graduate, Entrepreneur
OHA provided me the perfect environment to grow as a person as well as a hockey player. Without OHA I would not have made it to the college level. OHA taught me everything I could need to grow and play at the next level. With out OHA I would not have gone to Castleton University and obtained my BSc. Exercise Science.
Sabrina Hosner, 2013 OHA Graduate, Castleton University Graduate
The Burke family has fond memories of the numerous summer weeks we spent at the Okanagan Hockey School. Both my sons attended the school, and Patrick was an instructor there, just as I was. A great setting and a fantastic learning experience for young hockey players.
Brian Burke
My time at OHA provided me an opportunity to grow as a person and athlete. Without OHA I would not have had the opportunity to play post secondary hockey. The life skills I learned at OHA are skills that I will have with me forever.
me forever. Alyssa MacMillan, 2016 OHA Graduate, University of Ottawa Student
Discipline and Teamwork: These two foundations were essential to my success in the Marine Corps. The Academy taught me skills that help me outside of hockey that I was able to incorporate into my success as a Marine.
Matthew Wesley, 2010 OHA Graduate, US Marine