July 30, 2025
Why Sport for Life Matters at Canlan Sports™: Building Lifelong Hockey Journeys
Everyone deserves a chance to thrive through sport. At Canlan Sports, we follow the Sport for Life approach to help you grow, stay active, and build confidence – on and off the ice. Discover how our programs support healthy development at every stage.
Let’s be real – learning to skate or play hockey can feel like a big leap. At Canlan Sports, we’re all about making that leap feel like a glide. Behind every confident stride, every first goal, and every “I did it!” moment is something you might not see right away: Sport for Life.
Yep, we’re talking about the nationally recognized organization that’s helping people move better, play longer, and love sport for life. Their Long-Term Development (LTD) model is baked into everything we do – from Learn to Skate to Level Up to Skills & Drills.
Here’s why that matters – for your kids, for you, and for the future of play.
What Is Long-Term Development? A Quick Look.
Think of LTD as a roadmap for physical activity. It’s designed to help people of all ages and abilities develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to stay active for life. It’s not about fast-tracking kids or pushing adults to compete – it’s about doing the right things at the right time, so everyone can enjoy sport in a way that’s meaningful to them.
Sport for Life’s LTD model is built on stages – from early movement exploration to high-performance training and everything in between and at Canlan Sports, we’ve aligned our programs to meet participants exactly where they are on that journey.
First Stop: Learn to Skate. Where Confidence Begins.
Before you score goals, you’ve got to learn how to glide.
While addressing their quality sport programs, Sport for Life states, “skating provides the opportunity for people to achieve better health and well-being, to learn sport-specific skills, to develop or enhance life skills, and to build and foster relationships with others”.
We’re doing just that. Learn to Skate isn’t just lessons; it’s the foundation of Canlan Sports’ programs. This is where confidence is built, balance is found, and love of movement takes off.
What makes it awesome:
• Fun first, skills second
• Open to all ages
• A clear path to the next step: Level Up.
With a strong foundation in skating, kids are ready to take the next exciting step—introducing hockey in a way that’s playful, supportive, and skill-building.
Level Up: Where Hockey Starts
Once the skates are steady, it’s time to Level Up.
Sport for Life says that “along with teamwork, hockey teaches participants fundamental movement skills, fundamental sport skills and the ABCs – agility, balance, coordination and speed – of physical literacy.”
So we introduced Level Up. Our beginner hockey program is where kids 5–8 get their first real taste of the sport. It’s fun, fast, and rooted in play-based learning, just like Sport for Life says it should be.
Why it works:
• Builds technical, mental, social, and physical skills.
• Makes hockey accessible with welcome events, gear loans, and payment plans.
• Leads right into Skills & Drills, YHL, and more.
As their love for the game grows, Skills & Drills steps in to keep that momentum going – helping players sharpen their abilities and stay engaged on the ice.
Skills & Drills: Keep Growing. Keep Playing.
Hockey Skills Never Stop. Age 8 or 58, skills matter. Skills & Drills keeps you learning, playing, and loving the game. It’s structured, it’s fun, and it’s built for every age and stage.
How it supports lifelong hockey:
• Keeps you moving, learning, and improving.
• Builds confident players, not just better ones.
• Easy to fit into busy lives.
And that’s what it’s all about – programs that grow with you, rooted in a philosophy that values lifelong participation over short-term wins.
Why Sport for Life? Because Hockey Should Last a Lifetime.
Sport for Life focuses on quality sport, which is to create positive experiences in supportive environments that are developmentally appropriate, safe and inclusive, and well run. Quality sport consists of good programs, led by good people, in good places.
Sport for Life accreditation isn’t just a badge – it’s a commitment. It means our programs are:
• Safe and inclusive
• Designed for long-term success
• Built around fun, not pressure
• Centred on the whole person – not just the athlete
Whether you’re a parent looking for a positive first sport experience for your child, or an adult rediscovering your love for the game, our partnership with Sport for Life ensures that your journey is supported every step of the way.
The Bottom Line
At Canlan Sports, we don’t just teach hockey – we build hockey lives. With Sport for Life as our guide, we’re creating a future where every participant, no matter their age or ability, can find joy, confidence, and community on the ice.
So, let’s lace up. Let’s play. Let’s grow. Together.