Pilot project to cover senior, junior hockey
HALDIMAND—Haldimand County is bringing its local arenas into the digital age, approving a pilot project to livestream junior and senior hockey games, making the action accessible to fans near and far.
Haldimand County Council greenlit the pilot project to livestream junior and senior hockey games and special events held at County arenas.
The motion, passed at the November 19 Council-in-Committee meeting, aims to support local teams’ compliance with league mandates while exploring future opportunities for broader implementation.
The initiative reflects a growing demand for accessibility to sports events, particularly for families juggling multiple activities and schedules.
The livestreaming pilot focuses on the Dunnville Mudcats and Hagersville Hawks, members of the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL); the Caledonia Corvairs of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL); and the Dunnville Aeros, part of the Ontario Super Hockey League (OSHL).
These teams are already required by their leagues to livestream games, a move designed to boost fan engagement, promote local talent, and support training and coaching efforts.
Councillors underscored the project’s potential benefits. Councillor Rob Shirton noted that many families struggle to attend all games in person, especially when children participate in multiple activities. Livestreaming, he believes, would allow families to stay connected with their teams regardless of their location.
“This is a fantastic step,” said Shirton. “Parents with kids in different arenas or other commitments will now have an option to stay involved.”
Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley echoed these sentiments, calling the service a valuable addition for Haldimand County residents.
“We’ve heard from people attending these games who would love to see livestreaming become a reality,” Bentley said. “This is exciting, and we look forward to future updates.”
The approved pilot project, to be facilitated by NBC SportsEngine, will use advanced fixed-camera technology to provide seamless livestreaming. SportsEngine is already the exclusive provider for the PJHL. Cameras will be installed at the Hagersville and Dunnville arenas, offering features such as automated on-and-off scheduling based on game times, dedicated team channels, and immediate replay capabilities for coaching and training. The technology is designed to protect privacy and ensure transparency. Cameras will activate only during scheduled games, and with teams retaining full control of all footage. The system will not capture footage outside designated events, and any video sharing for purposes beyond team use will require league approval.
The project comes at no cost to Haldimand County. Hardware installation, maintenance, and repairs will be managed by SportsEngine, while participating teams will cover internet connectivity. This arrangement ensures the service remains financially viable for both the County and its clubs.
While the pilot currently focuses on adult teams, councillors and staff acknowledged the growing interest from minor sports associations and other ice users, including recreational hockey, ringette, and figure skating. Councillor John Metcalfe highlighted concerns surrounding privacy and data security, particularly for minors.
“Have we looked at other municipalities that have implemented similar systems to understand potential legal or privacy implications?” he asked.
Manager of Community Development & Partnerships, Katrina Schmitz, assured Council that such due diligence would be a priority.
“The junior and senior teams are primarily adult participants, making this pilot a more straightforward starting point,” she explained. “However, we will investigate how to responsibly expand livestreaming to minor sports. This includes addressing concerns about who owns the footage, how long it is retained, and its permissible uses.”
Schmitz added that LiveBarn, another popular live streaming provider, had been mentioned by residents and would be considered alongside other platforms as the County evaluates options for minor sports.
The community response to the pilot has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly those with busy schedules expressing appreciation for the potential convenience of live streaming.
“This is about more than just hockey,” Mayor Bentley remarked. “It’s about fostering community engagement and making our local arenas more accessible to everyone.”
A report evaluating the pilot’s outcomes will be presented to Council before the 2025-2026 ice season. This will include recommendations on whether to extend livestreaming to additional ice users.
As part of the initiative, the County will collaborate with its Information & Privacy Co-ordinator to develop clear guidelines for data management. Signage will be placed in arenas to inform the public about the presence of cameras, and staff will ensure compliance with privacy laws.
While junior and senior teams will benefit immediately, the initiative opens the door to future enhancements that could benefit all ice users.
As the pilot unfolds, the County will monitor its impact closely, ensuring that any expansion serves the best interests of residents and aligns with the community’s values.
“This is just the beginning,” said Shirton. “The potential here is incredible, and I’m excited to see where this takes us.”
