NIAGARA COLLEGE
Simplii Financial supports College students with $1 million sponsorship

Simplii Financial, a longtime partner of Niagara College, announced a generous $1 million commitment to expand recreation and engagement opportunities for students, across sports, extra-curricular programming, and events.

A $1 million commitment from Simplii Financial will expand recreation and engagement opportunities for students, across sports, extra-curricular programming, and events, including expanding a new extramural cricket program within the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association's (OCAA) Ontario College Recreation division.
 

"This commitment represents a significant contribution to the lives and college experience of our students," said Niagara College President Sean Kennedy. "Academic excellence and a wholistic student experience are key priorities for us as a College, and Simplii's generous support gives us a leg up in providing academic and co-curricular experiences that set our students up for success in work and in life."

The College's Niagara-based campuses are home to more than 11,000 students from over 80 countries, and the partnership makes possible the following initiatives which support the evolving needs and expectations of an increasingly diverse student community:

• A new extramural cricket program, additional funding for varsity athletics, and financial support for student athletes;
• Upcoming cricket and women's flag football tournaments;
• Enhancements to Niagara College's acclaimed Broadcasting: Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) program, including new equipment to support the program's extensive sports broadcasting capabilities;
• Sponsorship of orientation fairs, expansion of on-campus multicultural celebrations including Diwali, Lunar New Year, and other events that celebrate Niagara's diverse college community.

"Opportunities outside the classroom are vital to building the support networks that students need to be successful. They're the social spark that start students' engines at the beginning of the school year," said Kam Dhadwar, Managing Director, Simplii Financial. "We know this partnership will help all students, including a growing number from outside Canada feel more engaged and represented."

Simplii's financial support will bring to life a cherished part of many students' home culture by expanding a new extramural cricket program within the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association's (OCAA) Ontario College Recreation division. In its inaugural season in spring 2023, the college's cricket program saw significant interest from students and success on the field. The OCR cricket division includes mini tournaments among participating colleges over a spring-summer season. Given the growing demand for the sport among students, Niagara College is also exploring opportunities for a drop-in recreational cricket program for students.

Live sports broadcasting is an essential component of Niagara College's BRTF program. As television and broadcasting technology continues to evolve, the partnership will help to ensure students broadcasting Knights varsity games as part of their program are working on the latest equipment, reflecting what they'll experience in the workplace.

In recognition of Simplii's investment in the college's students, the Niagara College Athletic Centre will be named the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre.
 

"The additions to our sports broadcasting capabilities will give me experience with the newest technology and provide an advantage as I prepare for a career," said Val Naumenko, a third-year TV production student in the BRTF program who came to Niagara College from Ukraine. "The opportunity to be part of a broadcast team for Niagara College's varsity sports program also makes me feel like I'm a bigger part of our NC Knights community."

In recognition of Simplii's investment in the college's students, the Niagara College Athletic Centre will be named the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre.