Ontario Supporting Squash Canada 2023 Canadian Junior Open in Niagara
Niagara-on-the-Lake – Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, announced today that the Ontario government is providing $57,200 to Squash Canada through the 2023-24 Ontario Sport Hosting Program to host the 2023 Canadian Junior Open scheduled to be held at The Club at White Oaks in Niagara-on-the-Lake, December 9-12, 2023.
This funding is part of the nearly $1.2 million that the Ministry is providing to support twenty national and international amateur sport events that will be hosted in communities across the province.
“This funding is supporting our local economy in Niagara, while providing young athletes across the province with an opportunity to compete in a world-class event,” said MPP Oosterhoff.
“Just as Niagara hosted last year’s successful 2022 Canada Summer Games, our region is poised to shine again as we host the Squash Canada 2023 Canadian Junior Open.”
“Squash Canada is thrilled to be able to host players from across Canada, Pan-America and the globe at The Club at White Oaks in Niagara-on-the-Lake for the 2023 Canadian Junior Open,” said Jamie Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer of Squash Canada.
“This event is one of prestige and is always a joy to host in this region. We are appreciative of the funding opportunity generously provided by the Ontario Sport Hosting Program. We look forward to welcoming all the junior athlete participants, their families and coaches this weekend to what will be Squash Canada’s largest Canadian Junior Open in the event’s twenty-seven year history.”
Funding for the Canadian Junior Open at White Oaks builds on support from the Ontario Sport Hosting Program for the 2024 World Rowing Championships, scheduled to be hosted at the Henley Rowing Course in St. Catharines, August 18-25, 2024.
The Canadian Junior Open is the most prestigious international junior squash tournament held annually in Canada.
Ontario’s Sport Hosting Program is designed to help attract national and international amateur sport events to the province by funding a variety of winter and summer sport competitions. It enables communities to host these national and international sport events by encouraging investment in local sport infrastructure, increasing tourism and economic activity.
The Ontario Sport Hosting Program provides funding support to hosts of national and international amateur sport events. Successful applicants could use this funding to help with operational costs, including venue, staffing, participant expenses (such as accommodations and meals) and legacy projects.
“This investment reaffirms Ontario’s reputation as a top destination for amateur sport events – the total number of applications that were received for the 2023-24 program year is the highest to date,” said Hon. Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
“I am proud that our government is helping Ontario athletes to gain the elite competition experience that they require to excel on the world stage while remaining close to home.”
More than 5,300 athletes from across Canada and around the world will visit Ontario to compete in these events, which are expected to generate over $12 million in economic activity for local communities.