Hockey is wildly popular in Thorncliffe Park, but organizers struggle to find space for kids to play

Ball hockey was a central part of life growing up in Thorncliffe Park for Huzaifa Jogiat and his friends. They'd bring out their sticks and use any space they could find to play, including hallways or parking lots. 

"Our parents couldn't afford ice hockey because they were all new immigrants, so we just stuck to ball hockey," he said.

As Jogiat got older, he started playing in leagues and tournaments around the city. Now in his 20s, Jogiat's a university graduate working in public health. But he hasn't left Thorncliffe Park.

The neighbourhood is known for its high population of new immigrants and children. In Thorncliffe, 27 per cent of the population are children aged 14 and under, which amounts to about 5,600 youth. That's close to double the percentage of kids in the city's overall population, which is 15 per cent .

Two years ago, Jogiat and co-founder Anas Memon decided it was time to pay forward the friendship and community they got from playing ball hockey. That's why Jogita says he created the Thorncliffe Ball Hockey League for local kids. 

"We've seen the need to introduce the program to the younger generation," he said.

The need for funding and the lack of public recreational space for sport in a community teeming with kids has made that difficult, Jogiat says.

The lack of space is compounded by how densely packed the neighbourhood is. According to the city of Toronto's neighbourhood profile of Thorncliffe Park, the population density is 6,787 people per square kilometre, more than double Toronto's average of 4,457 per square kilometre. 

There's only one small community centre in the neighbourhood that has a single gym inside and a small park behind it. Kids in Thorncliffe are often seen playing in hallways or outside apartment buildings. But Jogiat says the nearby Angela James Arena could remain open for ball hockey in the warmer months, if the city would allow it. 

"There isn't much [space] in the summertime, we were playing at the local tennis court. There's no facility to play hockey in our area besides parking lots," he said. 

Jogiat and Memon were only able to take the league indoors and have it run during the winter six months ago, when their local mosque covered the cost of a permit for a local gym. However, Jogiat and neighbourhood community organizations told CBC Toronto that more permanent solutions and spaces are needed to facilitate sports programming for Thorncliffe's young population.

Sports brings kids together and helps them connect to their new home in Canada — and for new Canadians growing up in Thorncliffe, Jogiat says that's central to their wellbeing. 

Jogiat's league has about 100 kids signed up from ages four to 16. On Saturday, several girls were at the local high school, Marc Garneau Collegiate, to play. Among them was seven-year-old Aria Daya.

"When I play with my friends, I always pass and it's fun," she said.