Thanks to some quick action by Melissa Harrigan, the Millbrook Novice Rep Team was the beneficiary of sponsorship funding from a new program established by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) in support youth sport. A dairy farmer herself and mother of four on Zion Line, Melissa discovered the opportunity while browsing the dairy producers’ magazine and quickly put together a successful application for her son’s team.
Through an initiative called “Recharge with Milk”, each year the DFO will allocate $500K to be used to improve youth access to hockey, basketball and soccer in communities across Ontario, fostering inclusive opportunities for youth to grow and excel through sport. The project is also designed to promote milk as the healthy rehydration and recovery tool of choice for young athletes, encouraging them to reach for milk instead of the energy drinks and sugar-laden alternatives like slushies.
Dairy producers maintain that regular white milk outperforms sports drinks and even water for hydration after a demanding activity. The ingredients in chocolate milk have been shown to help the body recharge, replacing lost electrolytes such as potassium and sodium while delivering what the nutrition world refers to as the ‘golden ratio’: four times as much carbohydrate as protein. This mix is recognized as providing the carbs required to refuel along with protein to help restore and repair strained muscles. Milk is also a natural source of vitamins A and D and calcium which help maintain bone health.
In addition to this amateur youth outreach, the dairy organization is forming partnerships with professional athletic organizations including the Ottawa Senators and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. Milk is now the official rehydration and recovery drink of the Ottawa Senators. The DFO is partnering with the Toronto hockey organization to develop new sports events and opportunities for youth in Ontario.
Millbrook’s Novice Rep team used their sponsorship funds so they could play more hockey- contributing to tournament expenses and purchasing more ice time and the team proudly bears a Recharge with Milk crest on their hockey jerseys.
The dairy farmer’s organization wanted to be sure the connection provided some fun as well as funds, so after the final game of the regular season on Sunday, members of the Peterborough Dairy Farmers’ Committee threw the team a pizza party lunch with swag bags and of course, some chocolate milk.
This sponsorship fund is a tangible demonstration of Ontario’s dairy farmers’ commitment to provide meaningful support and opportunity within their home communities. They welcome applications for youth sport sponsorship through their Recharge with Milk program. To learn more, visit www.rechargewithmilk.ca. KG
