Neck Guards for Kids

The Southern Alberta Sport Equipment Bank Society (operating as the Calgary Flames Sports Bank) provides no-cost sports equipment to children from low-income families, ensuring every child can experience the lifelong benefits of sport.

With the exception of helmets, all equipment we distribute has been donated by the community, then carefully safety-checked, sanitized, and redistributed to families who need it most. However, one item that is consistently in high demand and short supply is neck guards, a critical piece of safety equipment for young hockey and ringette players.

Our idea is simple but essential: to purchase neck guards to ensure every child accessing hockey gear through our program can play safely. Currently, the demand for neck guards exceeds our available supply, leaving many kids without this important layer of protection.

Through the Field Law Community Fund Program, we are seeking $2,500 to purchase approximately 170 new CSA-approved neck guards, helping keep kids safe as they participate in hockey this season.

This initiative directly supports our mission to remove financial barriers so all kids can access and enjoy sport, and reinforces our commitment to community safety, inclusion, and well-being through sport participation.

This initiative will benefit children and youth from low-income families across Calgary and Southern Alberta who rely on the Calgary Flames Sports Bank for access to safe, quality sports equipment.

In 2024, 4,080 kids received no-cost equipment through our program, and hockey remains one of our most requested sports for equipment support. Many families cannot afford to purchase full sets of gear, particularly the essential safety pieces such as helmets and neck guards.

This project will especially benefit:

• Children aged 5–17 registered in local minor hockey and ringette programs;

• Families facing financial barriers, single-parent households, new commers;

• Local minor hockey associations striving to maintain high safety standards for all players.

Beyond the direct recipients, this project benefits the entire community by reinforcing safe play, supporting equitable access, and encouraging continued participation in sport, helping to build confident, active, and resilient youth.