Kids First Fund, Stouffville

09/16/2026

FREE SKATING LESSONS OFFERED FOR YOUTHS IN STOUFFVILLE FOR FIFTH YEAR

September 16, 2026: Whitchurch-Stouffville children and teens who don’t know how to skate can learn free of charge this fall, thanks to a local program being offered for the fifth year.
Learn to Skate is aimed at girls and boys aged 5 to 14 years old who want to learn the fundamentals of skating.
The program, which is being supported by Hockey Canada, is fully sponsored by Stouffville’s Kids First Fund.

The one-hour sessions will be held on Wednesdays, from October 14 to December 16:
• Ages 5, 6 and 7 year olds - 6:15 and
• Ages 8 to 14 year olds - 7:15

“It's all about building community through skating,” Peter Harmsen of the Kids First Fund. “We know there are kids and teens in Stouffville who have never been on skates. We want to give them that opportunity to hopefully pick up a pastime they can enjoy for the rest of their lives.”
Beginning October 14, 2026, the program runs for 10 sessions on Pad B of the Stouffville Arena, 12483 Ninth Line, Stouffville.
An orientation session for participants will be held on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. in the upstairs lounge at the Stouffville Arena. Participants will be sized for hockey equipment and provided a checklist of items they need.

Registration is now open. A maximum of 35 participants will be enrolled for each session. Please note that you are not guaranteed registration. If you have secured a spot, you will receive an email (from [email protected]). We will need confirmation back for your child's participation.

Click the links to register:

5 – 7-year-olds
https://wsmha.com/Forms/12392/2026_Learn_To_Skate_(2019_-_2021)/

8 – 14-year-olds
https://wsmha.com/Forms/12412/2026_Learn_To_Skate_(2018_-_2012)/

A second program will be offered in the new year for children interested in trying hockey.
Spots fill up quickly for these programs and once all spots are filled, a wait list will be created.
Participants will spend one hour on ice each week with a very high ratio of instructors to skaters. Instructors will include facilitators from the Ontario Minor Hockey Association Coaching Program and local volunteers.
Each participant will receive a complimentary jersey.

“They’ll learn the fundamentals of skating,” said Harmsen. “And we hope this program will encourage them to come and try hockey with the Whitchurch-Stouffville Minor Hockey Association, Stouffville Markham Stars Girls Hockey Association or the Stouffville Figure Skating Club. It allows children who are unsure about playing hockey the opportunity to try without committing to an entire season.
“But if they never play hockey, they’ll know how to skate.”

Kids First has been funded by generous donations from local families and events and the Whitchurch-Stouffville Legacy Fund.

For more information, click here:
https://wsmha.com/Articles/23733/Learn_to_Skate_Registration/

04/08/2026

Graduating from the Whitchurch Stouffville Minor Hockey Association this year and moving onto post-secondary?

Be like Jonah Barclay and apply now for a Bonnie & Glenn McDougall Bursary via this link:
https://wsmha.com/Pages/16914/Bursaries/

*Deadline extended until April 20.

"I played 13 years of minor hockey in Stouffville... I learned so much about leadership and the role athletics should play in everyone's life "
2020 McDougall Bursary recipient Jonah spoke about the bursary program a year ago.
Listen to his story, Stouffville hockey players.
⤵️

03/30/2026

Attention, Stouffville Minor Hockey players!

Going to postsecondary? Have you given back to your community?

Apply by April 2 for a Bonnie and Glenn McDougall Bursary – valued at up to $2,000.

Applications are now open for a program that provides financial assistance to WSMHA members enrolling in a post-secondary educational program. The Bonnie and Glenn McDougall Bursary – valued at up to ...

01/26/2026

Scenes from Week 1 of our 2026 winter ❄️ Try Hockey program.
Good luck to the kids giving our great game a look-see. 🏑
Thanks to our supporters, donors volunteers, admin and instructors.
See everyone again this week.
Hockey Canada
Whitchurch Stouffville Minor Hockey Association
Stouffville Spirit
Iain Lovatt
Ian McDougall

01/24/2026

Our winter ❄️ Try Hockey program hit the ice this week.
Good luck to the kids giving our great game a look-see. 🏑
Thanks to our volunteers, admin and instructors.
See everyone next week.
Hockey Canada
Whitchurch Stouffville Minor Hockey Association
Stouffville Spirit

10/23/2025

The fourth annual Kids First learn to skate program is on at the Stouffville Arena this fall.
Thanks to the Legacy Fund, Whitchurch Stouffville Minor Hockey Association Hockey Canada and the Ontario Minor Hockey Association.
Lots of smiling faces and happy skaters.

09/14/2025

FREE SKATING LESSONS OFFERED FOR YOUTHS IN STOUFFVILLE FOR FOURTH YEAR

September 13, 2025 ... Whitchurch-Stouffville children and teens who don’t know how to skate can learn free of charge this fall, thanks to a local program being offered for the fourth year.
Learn to Skate is aimed at girls and boys aged 5 to 14 years old who want to learn the fundamentals of skating.
The program, which is being supported by Hockey Canada, is fully sponsored by Stouffville’s Kids First Fund.
“It's all about building community through skating,” Peter Harmsen of the Kids First Fund. “We know there are kids and teens in Stouffville who have never been on skates. We want to give them that opportunity to hopefully pick up a pastime they can enjoy for the rest of their lives.”
Beginning October 15, 2025, the program runs for 10 sessions on Wednesdays from 6:15 to 7:15p.m. or 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. on Pad B of the Stouffville Arena, 12483 Ninth Line, Stouffville.

Registration will open on Sept. 17 at 9 a.m.
Click the links to register:
5 – 7-year-olds
https://wsmha.com/Forms/11634/
8 – 14-year-olds
https://wsmha.com/Forms/11651/

A second program will be offered in the new year for children interested in trying hockey.
Spots fill up quickly for these programs and once all spots are filled, a wait list will be created.
Participants will spend one hour on ice each week with a very high ratio of instructors to skaters. Instructors will include facilitators from the Ontario Minor Hockey Association Coaching Program and local volunteers.
Each participant will receive a complimentary jersey.
Participants will be sized for hockey equipment and provided a checklist of items they need during an orientation session.
“They’ll learn the fundamentals of skating,” said Harmsen. “And we hope this program will encourage them to come and try hockey with the -Stouffville Minor Hockey Association, Stouffville Markham Stars Girls Hockey Association or the Stouffville Figure Skating Club. It allows children who are unsure about playing hockey the opportunity to try without committing to an entire season.
“But if they never play hockey, they’ll know how to skate.”
Kids First has been funded by generous donations from local families and events and the Whitchurch-Stouffville Legacy Fund.

02/24/2025

So proud.
Our program is being featured by Hockey Canada
Amazing work by our team!

02/19/2025

"I played 13 years of minor hockey in Stouffville... I learned so much about leadership and the role athletics should play in everyone's life "

2020 Bonnie & Glenn McDougall Bursary recipient Jonah Barclay of Stouffville is a fifth-year engineering student at Queen's University
Listen to his story, Stouffville hockey players.

Graduating from the Whitchurch Stouffville Minor Hockey Association this year and moving onto post-secondary?
Be like Jonah and apply now for the McDougall Bursary via this link: https://wsmha.com/Pages/16914/Bursaries/
⤵️