Lisa "Longball" Vlooswyk
When Lisa first joined the Hockey Alberta Foundation board in 2020, she admits she didn’t fully know what she was stepping into.
“I wasn’t really familiar with what they did,” she said. “But hockey has been such a gift in our family’s life. I have a child who played minor hockey, and I wanted to make sure that no child in Alberta would miss that opportunity just because their family couldn’t afford it.”
Lisa, who jokes that she might be the only board member who can’t skate backwards, quickly found her passion and purpose through the Foundation’s Every Kid Every Community grant program. “That idea really resonated with me. I volunteer my time so that every family in Alberta can experience what my family had, regardless of their financial situation.”
One of her most powerful memories came during a visit to Sport Bank, one of the grant recipients. “I was there to do a cheque presentation, and there were children picking up equipment. When you see their eyes light up because they just got a new hockey helmet or their first pair of skates, that’s our why. That’s why we do this.”
Reflecting on that moment, Lisa adds, “To see the money and hard work we put in actually impact a child’s life… it makes it all worth it.”
In her five years on the board, Lisa has been a passionate advocate for access, inclusion, and ensuring every child gets a chance to fall in love with hockey, no matter their background. Her leadership and commitment continue to help grow the game across Alberta, one child at a time.
Kent Smith
Kent’s journey with the Hockey Alberta Foundation began five years ago, right in the middle of a global pandemic.
“It was a challenge,” he recalled. “Board meetings, getting together, hockey not being played, it was a difficult time. But my passion for the game never wavered”.
With a strong belief in the power of sport, Kent joined the board to help make hockey more accessible. “Hockey is such a great sport, but it’s not a cheap one to play,” he said. “When I heard about the Every Kid Every Community program, I was all in. It’s about getting more kids involved in the game”.
For Kent, the mission runs deeper than just getting players on the ice. “Hockey helps develop leadership, discipline, and life skills,” he explained. “If kids don’t get the chance to play, they miss out on all of that.”
Over the past five years, Kent has played an important role in helping grow the Foundation’s impact. His contributions reflect his commitment to community, youth development, and the values at the heart of hockey in Alberta.
“It’s a great group of volunteers and a great organization. I’ve just tried to do my part to help.”
Thank you to Lisa and Kent for all their hard work they have done with the Hockey Alberta Foundation. Read more about the Hockey Alberta Foundation and the Every Kid Every Community Grant here.
