NOHA Approves New French-Language Minor Hockey Association for Greater Sudbury Region

North Bay, ON – June 25, 2025 – The Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) is pleased to announce the immediate approval of the Association du sport jeunesse du Nord-Est de l'Ontario (ASJ) as a new Minor Hockey Association serving the Greater Sudbury region for the 2025-26 hockey season.

The pilot program will initially operate two U9 teams and one U11 team, providing fully French-language minor hockey programming to meet growing community demand.

"This approval demonstrates NOHA's core values in action and our commitment to Hockey Canada's inclusion mandate," said NOHA President, Steve Lawrence. "By supporting ASJ, we're showing Leadership in expanding access to hockey, prioritizing Safety through comprehensive programming, fostering Teamwork by working collaboratively with community partners, and ensuring Fun for francophone youth who can now fully participate in their language and culture. This aligns perfectly with Hockey Canada's vision of hockey programs that are 'customized to meet unique needs at all levels and regions.'"

Addressing Community Need and Strategic Growth

The ASJ approval directly supports NOHA's ambitious 10-year strategic plan to grow participation by 25%, with particular emphasis on expanding access in underserved communities. The new association responds to documented community demand, with nearly 40,000 French-first-language speakers in the Greater Sudbury Census metropolitan area representing a significant underserved population.

ASJ builds upon the remarkable success of the existing "Dragons du Nord" hockey initiation program from the Centre de santé Communautaire du Grand Sudbury, which has grown from 63 participants in 2021-22 to 116 participants in 2024-25. Critically, surveys over the past three years consistently show that 73% of Dragons du Nord participants indicated they would not have had hockey exposure without this French-language programming. This data demonstrates the vital need for culturally and linguistically appropriate programming that ASJ will now provide at the competitive minor hockey level.

ASJ's mission focuses on reaching previously unserved families rather than recruiting from existing programs. The association targets children who would not otherwise participate in organized hockey, specifically the 73% of families identified through the Dragons du Nord program who indicated they would not have tried hockey without French-language programming and players who are not currently part of organized hockey who are looking to participate in French-language programming.

Upholding NOHA Values

ASJ's mission directly supports NOHA's core values and aligns with Hockey Canada's national commitment to inclusion:

• Leadership: Breaking barriers to create new pathways for francophone youth participation in hockey

• Safety: Implementing comprehensive risk management plans and certified coaching standards

• Teamwork: Collaborating with municipal partners and existing hockey community to expand opportunities

• Fun: Ensuring positive experiences for participants regardless of background, with emphasis on cultural celebration and inclusive programming

The approval also reflects Hockey Canada's 2023 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Path Forward, which emphasizes programming that is "customized to meet unique needs at all levels and regions in Canada." ASJ exemplifies this commitment by creating culturally appropriate hockey opportunities that preserve francophone identity while building bridges with the broader hockey community.

"The Association du sport jeunesse du Nord-Est de l'Ontario (ASJ) extends its sincere thanks to the Northern Ontario Hockey Association for their support and commitment to minor hockey in Sudbury. We are especially grateful for the opportunity to expand access for families and children to play hockey in French, among peers who share their language. Being integrated into NOHA's existing structure opens exciting new avenues for participation, particularly for children who may have stepped away from the sport due to language barriers. We are thrilled to join the NOHA family and contribute to its ongoing success," said ASJ Director, Dhiren Chohan.

Ice Time and Community Support

The City of Greater Sudbury has confirmed ice availability to support the program. This demonstrates the community's commitment to expanding youth sports opportunities without impacting existing programming.

Pilot Program Structure

The ASJ will operate as a pilot program during the 2025-26 season, with continuation based on registration numbers and community interest. The association exemplifies NOHA's leadership standards with a founding board of nine experienced volunteers including legal, financial, educational, and hockey governance professionals.

Looking Forward

Registration for the 2025-26 season will open shortly, with detailed information available through the association's communication channels. The program emphasizes player development, safety, sportsmanship, and cultural celebration in a supportive French-language environment.

"This exciting development showcases hockey's power to build not just better players, but better communities," added Steve Lawrence. "ASJ embodies our commitment to leadership, safety, teamwork, and fun while directly supporting our strategic goal to grow participation by 25% over the next decade, particularly in underserved areas. By 2035, NOHA will be a national benchmark for growth, retention, and culture, and ASJ represents exactly the kind of innovative, inclusive programming that will help us achieve this vision. We look forward to seeing these young Dragons develop their skills and love for the game."