The partnership will continue through to 2025 and focuses on supporting sports and youth in local communities
CAMBRIDGE, ON (September 6, 2023) – The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is proud to announce it will extend its long-standing partnership with Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) for two more years to continue supporting local community-based sports. This exclusive partnership will see DFO’s involvement in a number of areas across OHA’s leagues including: OJHL, GOJHL and PJHL.
Part of the partnership is the continuation of the very successful annual ‘OHA Bursary Program, presented by DFO’, where eight (8) OHA members receive a bursary of $6,000 each for their outstanding achievements on the ice, in the classroom and in their communities. In addition, DFO will support key programming throughout the calendar year with activations and product distribution as well as having branding on-site in all the OHA member-leagues.
“Through MilkUP, our youth lifestyle brand, we are proud to extend our partnership with OHA to provide young athletes the chance to reach their educational goals, while competing in sports,” said Cheryl Smith, Chief Executive Officer at DFO. “We hope to continue to bring positive outcomes to youth sports across the province and instill values of hard work and dedication to these future leaders – values our Ontario dairy farmers exemplify.”
“The OHA is extremely excited to continue its partnership with Dairy Farmers of Ontario, and we look forward to forging stronger bonds between our leagues, players and staff with DFO,” OHA Board of Directors Chair Marc Mercier said. “This cornerstone partnership has a profoundly positive impact on the educational aspirations of our players and club staff members, as well as the overall delivery of programming excellence for the betterment of all of our members within the OHA footprint in Ontario.”
The agreement runs through the end of the 2024-2025 season. For more information about the OHA, please visit OHAHockey.ca. For more information on the Dairy Farmers of Ontario please visit new.milk.org.
About the Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) was founded on November 27, 1890, and is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior hockey in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is a Member Partner of the Ontario Hockey Federation which is one of thirteen Provincial and Regional Branches of Hockey Canada. It is comprised of three Junior hockey leagues and two Senior hockey leagues: Junior A – Ontario Junior Hockey League; Junior B – Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League; Junior C – Provincial Junior Hockey League, Sr. AAA – Allan Cup Hockey and Ontario Elite Hockey League at the Sr. AAA category of play. For the 2023-24 season, these five leagues encompass 125 teams at the Junior and Senior levels.
The objectives of the OHA are to foster and encourage the sport of amateur hockey, to conduct competition in the various categories established, to determine teams for entry into the inter-branch competitions that may be provided by Hockey Canada, and to provide for the affiliation of other hockey organizations.
The OHA provides administrative resources, coordinates programs, services and events for hockey participants and provides support to various Development Programs for coaches, officials, trainers and players, Safety and Risk Management Issues and offers resources for Harassment and Abuse education.
About Dairy Farmers of Ontario
Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) is the marketing board for the largest sector of Ontario agriculture. Our mission is to provide leadership and excellence in the production and marketing of Canadian milk for a dynamic, profitable growing dairy industry. Ontario’s 3,273 dairy farmers, their families and employees are proud to produce high-quality milk for Canadians. For more information, visit new.milk.org
About MilkUP
MilkUP is Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s bold and dynamic Gen Z lifestyle brand. Whether through academics, sports or entertainment, MilkUP is there encouraging Gen Zs to ‘milk every moment’. Our brand motivates Ontario youth using authentic experiences that inspire them to realize their untapped potential and re-embrace milk as a lifestyle staple. Learn more about MilkUP initiatives at new.milk.org/MilkUP.
-30-
For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:
Chris McCleary
General Manager, Operations & Marketing
Ontario Hockey Association
Charzie Abendanio
External Communications Manager
Dairy Farmers of Ontario
