Strategic Planning and Benchmarking in Minor Hockey

The Guelph Minor Hockey Association (GMHA) is a not-for-profit community sport organization (CSO) that has serviced the City of Guelph with youth hockey programming since 1948. Currently, 1,500 youth are enrolled in GMHA programming. Although hockey is known as Canada’s sport, the landscape has been changing. Many of the country’s largest minor hockey associations have reported regular declines in participation over recent years with the most significant losses coming from age groups between 14 and 18 years old. The decline in youth hockey participation has been linked to the sport’s extensive participation costs which has led to an overall lack of diversity and equity deserving stakeholders not feeling welcomed. While the GMHA has been able to maintain consistent registration levels, the call remains for Canadian sport organization to become more athlete-centred in their governance by showcasing their commitment to innovating programming and ensuring that all opportunities are safe from maltreatment. Thus, the goal of this internship is to support GMHA’s strategic planning process.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ann Pegoraro

Student:

Partner:

Guelph Minor Hockey Assocation

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Arts, entertainment and recreation

University:

University of Guelph

Program: