In the rural-meets-suburban communities just west of Ottawa, the West Carleton Warriors Minor Hockey Association is experiencing a resurgence. With 515 registered players across 30 teams, the league serves families from agricultural country, smaller towns, and outer-Ottawa suburbs—an area that is passionate about hockey but faces unique financial and logistical challenges.

Chris Havey, President of the West Carleton Warriors Minor Hockey Association, says their mission is simple: keep hockey accessible and thriving for every family who wants to play. And thanks to new support from Sportspay Foundation, that just got a little easier.

A Growing League with Limited Resources

The Warriors teams feature players from U7 to U21—everyone from five-year-olds lacing up skates for the first time to 20-year-olds finishing their minor hockey journey. The league currently operates three tiers of house league programming and fields competitive Rep B teams as well.

“Post-COVID, we’ve seen a huge resurgence in players coming back to hockey,” Havey says. “We’ve sold out multiple levels. The interest is there—but the ice availability isn’t.”

West Carleton shares ice with several nearby organizations, meaning the number of teams the league can accept is capped not by demand, but by resources. Ice remains the single largest operating cost for what can be an expensive sport, and rising prices put significant pressure on families and volunteers. Annual player fees start at around $900 before equipment and travel — substantial costs for many households in the region, some of whom are single-parent or reliant on grandparents to step up with costs and time.

“Our volunteers work incredibly hard,” Havey notes. “They fundraise, organize, and pay it forward. Keeping hockey affordable is a constant effort.”

A Major Boost for Young Goalies

This season, Sportspay Foundation stepped in with targeted assistance: funding for new goalie equipment for the league’s U9 division.

For Havey, this support couldn’t be more meaningful. “Goalie is the most expensive position in hockey—by far,” he explains. “Kids deserve safe, well-fitting equipment, but it’s incredibly costly for associations to keep these sets updated.”

With the Foundation’s help, the Warriors can purchase brand-new, modern equipment to replace old and used gear. This gear will last nearly a decade and ensure young players stay safe as they explore the game’s toughest role. “Proper fit matters,” Havey says. “You can’t send a child onto the ice in gear that doesn’t protect them. This donation removes a major barrier.”

The Warriors see an ongoing shortage of goalies in minor hockey—partly because of the cost, partly because players can’t formally declare as full-time goalies until U11. In U9, players rotate through every position. Having updated, safe, shared U9 equipment helps spark interest early and lets kids learn the position without financial pressure.

A Strong Relationship with Sportspay

The Warriors have an existing relationship with Sportspay, having used the company’s platform for league registration and payment processing since Hockey Canada’s registry refresh. According to Havey, the system has been a game changer. “There are fees for credit cards, sure,” he says. “But the alternative—managing e-
transfers—was a massive administrative burden on our volunteers. Sportspay lets us focus on what happens on the ice, not chasing paperwork.”

The association relies on features like installment plans, and automated notifications for failed payments or expired cards. “It’s an effective system that respects our volunteers’ time,” Havey adds. “It just works.” So when the Sportspay Foundation announced funding opportunities, the Warriors applied. The
process, Havey says, was refreshingly simple. “No hoops, no over-complication. Quick, clean, and easy. Exactly what busy volunteers need.” The team plans to purchase their new equipment on sale now for next season.

The Path Forward

Hockey has deep roots in West Carleton, where families often rely on each other to make the sport possible—driving carpools, volunteering at the rink, or helping cover costs when needed. Sportspay Foundation’s support reinforces that sense of community. “Sport is huge for our community,” Havey says. “It brings families together, gives kids confidence, and builds a sense of belonging. This equipment helps remove obstacles so more kids can learn and grow their game.”