Lake Erie Sports Alliance

Lake Erie Sports Alliance (LESA) offers programs designed to cater to the diverse interests and needs of our community. 

At LESA, we are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in sports. Our mission is to provide opportunities for children from all walks of life to play together, fostering a sense of community both on and off the ice. The heart of our efforts is the Rise on Ice program. By actively collaborating with local schools, organizations, and youth groups, we aim to dismantle barriers and grant access to ice skating and hockey to youth from some of the most underserved communities in Pennsylvania. Through this program, we don’t just teach hockey and ice skating; we also impart life skills and foster personal growth.  We continue to offer incentivized field trips for underserved communities, aimed at promoting good school attendance, academic performance, and character development.

Our international program, the Ukrainian Hockey Camp and Cultural Exchange, brings together young athletes from different cultural backgrounds, providing them with a unique opportunity to learn from one another, build friendships, and play the sport they love. This month-long trip allows boys and girls from Ukraine to take a much-needed break from the daily stresses of living in a country at war. Many of these young athletes have experienced the trauma of evacuating, witnessing rocket attacks, and even losing loved ones. Here, they are given the opportunity to just be children again and enjoy the game they are passionate about.

This program is a testament to our belief in the power of sports to bridge cultural divides, build empathy, and foster international hopes for peace. Families in our community have opened their homes and hearts to our Ukrainian guests, creating lasting bonds and unforgettable memories. This exchange is a shining example of how sports can transcend borders and bring people together in meaningful ways.