At the opening of the Their Opportunity’s new office in Oshawa ten years ago, Randy Gill the organization’s CEO propped himself up in front of his peers to thank them. “His leg was completely busted, and he had these crutches” said Dan Walters, a dear friend of Randy Gill and Practicum and Internship Co-ordinator and faculty member at Ontario Tech University.
Gill had been severely injured playing hockey shortly before the opening of the offices.
“I’m thinking surely Randy is not going to be there,” Walters said. “(But) he was working the whole crowd … the place was full.”
Gill, the CEO of Their Opportunity, is dedicated to presenting the chance for every Canadian child to have access to sports and recreation. His own journey in minor hockey significantly contributed to his outlook. Giving back to communities is core to Their Opportunity’s mandate while making sure families feel comfortable when seeking help is a priority for the foundation. Gill’s objective is to present opportunities to those seeking aid. With Their Opportunity, dedicating over 1.1 million hours of sport and recreation time in pursuit of supporting communities all over Canada and with an increase in funding, Gill firmly believes it will allow his message to reach a larger audience.
“Here he is, standing on one leg leaning up against a post, grinning ear to ear, thanking people,” said Walters who emphasized his admiration for Gill.
Gill, who operates Their Opportunity Sports in Oshawa along with his team, wants to give every child an opportunity to compete. Those who may be overlooked due to financial barriers, an issue that affects a vast amount of Canadians, is a priority.
“I’m proud to work for the guy,” said Matthew Cronin, Director of National Programs at Their Opportunity Sports where he helps ideate and facilitate new initiatives.
“He is really a great leader,” Cronin added.
For Gill, growing up in Brockville, Ontario and skating his way to the top of his class in minor hockey, he never realized the impact of the support he received.
“All throughout my sports career I was receiving support I didn’t know I was getting,” said Gill.
The passion he has for sports and giving back runs deep and is reflected in the three pillars for Their Opportunity: inclusion and diversity, social recreation and development, as well as health and wellness.
Hockey and other sports can be a way many kids experience team building for the first time and Gill used this skill to help create Their Opportunity.
In his journey creating Their Opportunity, Gill recognized his days playing hockey were coming to an end, and with a deep rooted desire to give back to communities he sought an outlet to help those in need.
Gill realized he needed to start Their Opportunity 15 years ago at a professional development day. He was inspired by a presenter named Ian Hill encouraging them in Gill’s words to “get off there blankety-blanks and do something.” After the presentation, Gill took Hill aside and made a declaration that: “One year from now I am going to start a movement for kids just like me.”
Gill incorporated Their Opportunity in 2009 and by Father’s Day 2010 they were supporting their first family.
At a grass roots level, the impact is “rippling through” said Gill. He made it apparent giving back is the number one priority of Their Opportunity. He added how Their Opportunity does not have enough funds to keep up with the demand.
“The more funds we raise the more kids we can help, it’s simple,” said Gill.
Gill also doubled down on the variety of physical activity Their Opportunity wants to provide to the community not only focusing on hockey. Their Opportunity offers programs in other sports such as dance to boxing to gymnastics.
The ethos of Gill is embedded within his organization, Their Opportunity, and his goal of providing every child with the means to participate and giving back to his community is something he truly strives to accomplish every day.