Field hockey is a popular sport around the world and on Saturday, Calgary kids were encouraged to try it out. All they need to make it just as popular in Calgary are a few more good fields. Saturday, Calgary Ward 5 Councillor Raj Dhaliwal and a group of local athletes were joined by Adam van Koeverden, the federal Secretary of State (Sport) and Kyle Breckenridge, the vice-president of Field Hockey Alberta in a northeast Calgary gym for a try-it day of field hockey, indoors-style. Dhaliwal said he believed that with a little more infrastructure, the sport could explode in popularity in the city. “It is all about giving the resources to these kids, and giving them the infrastructure that they can play on,” Dhaliwal said. “You can see this field, this is not a field hockey field. They shouldn’t be playing on it, but they don’t have that luxury.” Field Hockey Alberta’s Breckenridge said that meeting with a city councillor and a representative from the federal government was the first steps towards developing a funding relationship. He estimated that the construction of a water-based outdoor field, constructed at an international standard, will cost around $10 million. “What we’re hoping to get out is awareness of the sport, and then also awareness of the needs of first facilities,” Breckenridge said. “Like all sports, we’re lacking on the supply side.” Van Koeverden came from Banff, where the Liberal cabinet was meeting. He said the feds have created a $1 billion fund “to get more kids active playing sports, creating more positive sporting environments for all Canadians, and continuing to perform on the world stage.” Might that include $10 million or so for a new water-based outdoor field, constructed at an international standard? “Well, absolutely,” Van Koeverden said. “We’re working with municipalities across the country as well as with national sport organizations. With that $1 billion building sport plan, from playground to podium, we want more facilities, more infrastructure, more great opportunities for kids to play -- and that starts at the playground.” Hosting sporting events In April’s spring economic update, Ottawa injected $755 million over five years, with another $118 million each year after, to help host international sporting events, support athletes and boost participation in sport. The government also issued a call in April for national sport organizations to work with private sector partners to get Canadians more involved in sport. Van Koeverden announced on Friday that Edmonton-based Capital Power is partnering with Alpine Canada. And while private sector money flowing to amateur sport in Canada is not new, van Koeverden’s office is touting the partnership as the first sign of the private sector stepping up since the call-out. “The details are forthcoming. But Alpine Canada is thrilled, and I know some of the athletes are really excited as well,” van Koeverden said. Van Koeverden also announced details this week about several events Ottawa is supporting, including the 2026 Men’s Continental Volleyball Championships in Moncton, N.B., and the Davis Cup international team tennis events, both taking place next week. “These events are awesome,” van Koeverden said, reminiscing on the FIFA World Cup that Canada co-hosted earlier this summer. “They bring us together, we’re cheering for the same team. So we want to do more of that.” With files from The Canadian Press
