Cambridge, ON – Lindsay Stakes is a hockey trainer pioneer of sorts with clear plans towards a promising future.
Click here to see Lindsay’s 2023 Bursary Video
“I started watching hockey with my dad,” said the 2022-2023 Bill Terpstra Memorial Award recipient as the top volunteer with the Picton Pirates.
“I was never one to play hockey.”
That hockey is the base from which Stakes has sprung forward has been one surprise. The other is being the first trainer to earn a Dairy Farmers of Ontario bursary.
To apply for the 2024 Bursary click here
Stakes staked her own claim in sports after approaching the Junior-C Pirates in 2021 after the Provincial Junior Hockey League team was down a trainer.
Her risk stepping forth was met with a working spot on the Pirates bench, and lately a look into a future in sports.
“I decided to step up and see what it was like.”
A former all-around gymnastics champion in high school, Stakes remains focused on her future. She spends time as a physiotherapy assistant and registered kinesiologist in order to align with her ultimate goal: chiropractic college.
Her life plan seems to be rolling along with grace.
“You have to maintain a schedule and stick to it,” said Stakes.
“In communications with the players, the coaching staff and executive I feel that I have … gained a lot of hands-on experience.
“It’s helping me pursue my goals of attending school and being able to give back to the community and to the players.”
Walking the path amid risks and obstacles is validating.
“Balancing hockey with life and school has been a challenge,” Stakes said. “It has been tough maintaining the balances between practices and my job and school work.
“I am hoping to practice as a chiropractor but I would like to stay involved with sports as much as I can.”
2024 Bursary Program – HOW TO APPLY
Candidates must complete the application form below and submit it to the OHA by 8 p.m. on May 6, 2024. Each application will be reviewed by a panel and only the successful recipients will be contacted by the OHA. We wish the best of luck to all applicants.
To apply for the 2024 Bursary click here
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, Senior – Allan Cup Hockey (AAA) and Ontario Elite Hockey League (AA). For the 2023-24 season, these five leagues encompass 125 teams.
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.
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For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:
Chris McCleary
General Manager, Operations & Marketing
Ontario Hockey Association
