In partnership with Sport Niagara, Row Ontario is pleased to announce the inaugural RowOn Indoor Hat Trick, a new festival-style indoor rowing event debuting Sunday, November, 15, 2026 at Canada Games Park in Niagara. The event will mark Row Ontario’s first-ever indoor rowing competition and serve as the pilot for an innovative new regatta format designed to expand participation and bring the sport to new audiences.
Built around the number three, the RowOn Indoor Hat Trick is designed for everyone from complete beginners to experienced rowers. Participants will compete in three short events; (1) Peak Power (2) Three-Minute Test, and (3) Step Up or Out; combining ranked racing, season-baseline testing and open come-try opportunities. The format will provide competitive rowers with meaningful off-water racing while offering newcomers an accessible, low-barrier introduction to rowing.

About the Events
The three events in the RowOn Hat Trick are built around three ways of measuring the same two things – how much power an athlete can produce and how long they can hold it. One is an established way of measuring peak power, one is a fixed-time race for distance, and one is a power ladder built for this event.

● Peak Power – Three self-paced maximal surges in one three-minute window — the highest single stroke in watts is the score, and the day’s baseline.
● Three-Minute Test - All out for three minutes, head-to-head in waves — the most metres wins.
● Step Up or Out – A universal power ladder that starts easy and rises every 30 seconds — climb as far as you can, and your peak stage is your score.

Placing points will be awarded and summed across the three events with scoring designed so no athlete goes home empty-handed. Placings, Power Efficiency Rating, the ‘Hat Trick Award’, and club standings will all be incorporated into event results.

Quote – Andrew Backer, CEO, Row Ontario
“Indoor rowing has the potential to take rowing to a new audience and really help grow the sport. We view hosting this pilot of the RowOn Indoor Hat Trick as the first step in building a meaningful indoor race schedule throughout the off-water months. It’s also a very exciting moment for us as an organization since it will be the first indoor rowing event we’ve ever hosted. Bringing this event to the Ontario rowing community wouldn’t have been possible without our partners at Sport Niagara and we can’t thank them enough for their guidance and enthusiasm in getting this concept for a new indoor rowing event off the ground and running. The participants can look forward to an inclusive, high-energy event and we’re all excited to see this new concept in action.”

Quote – Dan Kennedy, Executive Director, Sport Niagara
“We’re proud to partner with Row Ontario to bring the inaugural RowOn Indoor Hat Trick to Niagara. This innovative format is exactly the kind of event we want to help foster in our region; one that creates a meaningful competitive experience for athletes while also making the sport approachable for people who may be trying rowing for the first time. We look forward to welcoming Ontario’s rowing community to Canada Games Park and helping Row Ontario launch what has the potential to become an exciting addition to the indoor rowing calendar.”

While indoor rowing is new to the Row Ontario race calendar, there’s a long history of indoor rowing events in Ontario, including the annual Canadian Indoor Rowing Championships and Nancy Storrs Ontario Indoor Rowing Championships. In 2023, the World Rowing Indoor Championships took place in Mississauga and welcomed athletes from across the world.
Further announcements about the RowOn Indoor Hat Trick, including the full event format, schedule and participation information, will be shared by Row Ontario in the coming weeks.

About Row Ontario
Row Ontario is the provincial sport organization responsible for the development and promotion of rowing across Ontario, supporting athletes, coaches, umpires, clubs, and communities at all levels of the sport.

The 16-year-old Niagara Falls athlete will compete in a Provincial Championship at home for the first time when Ontario's top taekwondo athletes arrive at Canada Games Park this October

NIAGARA, ON – September 15, 2026 | At just 16 years old, Niagara Falls athlete Violet Yerich has already established herself as one of Ontario's emerging taekwondo talents, earning Junior and Senior Provincial Championship titles during the 2025–2026 season and bronze and silver medals at the Taekwondo Canada Junior National Championships.

Yet throughout her competitive journey, Violet has never had the opportunity to compete in a Provincial Championship in her hometown.

That will change October 24–25, 2026, when the Taekwondo Ontario Provincial Championships arrive at Canada Games Park, giving Violet the opportunity to step onto the mat in front of her family, friends and home community for the first time.

For Violet, the moment represents another milestone in a journey that began seven years ago.

She first entered taekwondo at the age of nine as a recreational athlete. Shy by nature, the sport provided an opportunity to build confidence while learning discipline, perseverance and self-belief. By 14, her interest had evolved into a commitment to high-performance sparring, and her competitive career began to accelerate.

Today, Violet balances life as a student at A.N. Myer Secondary School with an intensive training schedule. She trains locally with Grandmaster Chan Jung, Master Won Jung & Master Minji Jung, Program Directors of Jeong Family Taekwondo, as she continues her development at the high-performance level.

Her commitment has already produced impressive results.

During the 2025–2026 season, Violet captured both the Junior and Senior Taekwondo Ontario Provincial Championship titles and has earned bronze and silver medals at the Taekwondo Canada Junior National Championships.

Her development has also taken her beyond Canada. This summer, Violet was selected by Taekwondo Ontario to participate in the Galeb International Summer Training Camp in Serbia, where she had the opportunity to train alongside athletes from around the world in an elite international environment.

But for all the kilometres travelled, competitions entered and experiences gained, the opportunity to compete at home holds a different significance.

"It will be my first time ever competing in Niagara," said Yerich. "Usually we have to travel outside the region for competitions, so having the Provincial Championships here and being able to compete in front of family, friends and my community is really exciting."

Violet also sees the Championships as an opportunity to introduce more people across Niagara to the high-performance side of the sport.

"I think having the Provincials here will help taekwondo grow in Niagara by giving the sport more exposure," she added. "A lot of people don't really know what high-performance taekwondo looks like. Having athletes from across Ontario competing here gives people a chance to see the sport at that level and hopefully inspires more young athletes to get involved."

For Master Minji Jung, Violet's progression reflects what can happen when talent is matched with discipline, consistency and a strong support system.

"Violet's development as an athlete has been remarkable to watch," said Master Minji Jung, Program Director of Jeong Family Taekwondo. "She brings tremendous discipline and commitment to her training, but equally important is the confidence and maturity she continues to develop through the sport. To see Violet now have the opportunity to compete at this level here in Niagara, surrounded by the people who have supported her journey, will be very special. She is a wonderful example for younger athletes in our club and throughout the Niagara taekwondo community."

Violet's story also demonstrates one of the lasting benefits of bringing major sporting events to Niagara.

Sport Niagara recently announced that the region has secured the Taekwondo Ontario Provincial Championships for both 2026 and 2027, creating consecutive opportunities for Ontario's top athletes to compete at Canada Games Park while strengthening the sport's presence within the local community.

"When we talk about the legacy of hosting sporting events in Niagara, this is exactly what we mean," said Dan Kennedy, Executive Director of Sport Niagara. "Yes, these championships bring athletes, coaches, officials and families into our region, but the impact goes much further. They give young Niagara athletes like Violet the opportunity to compete at home, allow our community to experience high-performance sport firsthand and create moments that can inspire the next generation. Violet's journey is a tremendous example of the athletes we have right here in Niagara, and we're excited to see her step onto the mat at Canada Games Park this October."

The 2026 Taekwondo Ontario Provincial Championships will take place October 24–25 at Canada Games Park, welcoming athletes, coaches, officials and families from across Ontario to Niagara.

For Violet, however, this championship will be unlike any that has come before it.  After years of travelling to pursue her sport, this time, the journey leads home.

Championship events to bring Ontario's top taekwondo athletes to Canada Games Park in 2026 and 2027.

NIAGARA, ON – August 18’26 | Sport Niagara, in partnership with Taekwondo Ontario and Niagara's taekwondo community, is proud to announce that Niagara has been selected to host the 2026 and 2027 Taekwondo Ontario Provincial Championships at Canada Games Park.

The championships will take place on:
● October 24–25, 2026
● October 16-17, 2027

The back-to-back hosting award further strengthens Niagara's growing reputation as one of Ontario's premier destinations for provincial and national sporting events while providing an exceptional competition experience for athletes, coaches, off icials and spectators from across the province.

The Taekwondo Ontario Provincial Championships represent the pinnacle of the provincial competition calendar, bringing together Ontario's highest-performing athletes as they compete for provincial titles and advancement opportunities, while celebrating the sport's core values of respect, perseverance, integrity and excellence.

Hosted at the legacy facility of the 2022 Canada Summer Games, Canada Games Park off ers a world-class competition environment capable of delivering a championship experience worthy of Ontario's best athletes.
Planning for the championships is already underway, with Sport Niagara working alongside Taekwondo Ontario, local clubs and community partners to deliver an exceptional event experience. This collaborative approach reflects Sport Niagara's commitment to ensuring Niagara's sport organizations play an active role in hosting major championships while creating a lasting legacy for athletes, coaches and volunteers throughout the region. Canada Games Park, 2021 Canada Games Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4Y6 | sportniagara.ca
Beyond the competition, the championships are expected to generate significant economic benefits for Niagara's tourism, hospitality and local business sectors as hundreds of athletes, coaches, off icials and families travel to the region over both championship weekends.
"These championships represent far more than two weekends of competition," said Dan Kennedy, Executive Director of Sport Niagara. "They are an opportunity to bring together Taekwondo Ontario, our local clubs, volunteers and community partners to showcase Niagara's passion for sport. Together, we'll create an outstanding championship experience while leaving a lasting legacy for our local athletes and the continued growth of taekwondo throughout the region. We are grateful to Taekwondo Ontario for their confidence in Niagara and look forward to welcoming the province's best athletes to Canada Games Park."

Master David Silverman, President of Taekwondo Ontario, said the organization is excited to partner with Sport Niagara.

"Taekwondo Ontario is delighted to bring our Provincial Championships to Niagara for the next two years. Sport Niagara has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to excellence in sport hosting, and Canada Games Park provides an exceptional venue for our athletes, coaches and off icials. We look forward to working together to deliver memorable championship experiences while celebrating the continued growth of taekwondo across Ontario."

Master Minji Jung, Head Instructor of Jeong Family Taekwondo, believes the championships will create a lasting impact for local athletes and clubs.

"This is an exciting opportunity for the entire Niagara taekwondo community. Hosting the Provincial Championships gives our athletes the chance to compete at the highest level in front of family, friends and their local community, while welcoming competitors from across Ontario to experience everything Niagara has to off er. We're proud to partner with Sport Niagara and Taekwondo Ontario to help create an unforgettable championship that will inspire the next generation of martial artists throughout our region."
Canada Games Park, 2021 Canada Games Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4Y6 | sportniagara.ca

The announcement continues Sport Niagara's momentum in securing major provincial and national championships for the region, reinforcing Niagara's reputation as one of Canada's premier sport hosting destinations. By working collaboratively with Provincial Sport Organizations, municipalities, local clubs and tourism partners, Sport Niagara continues to create opportunities that strengthen community sport while generating meaningful economic and social benefits throughout Niagara.

Additional event information, including registration details, schedules, volunteer opportunities and spectator information, will be released in the months leading up to each championship.

Dodgeball ON Provincials, Dodgeball Canada Club Championships, and the Return of Dodge Wars Highlight Growing Momentum for the Sport in Niagara

Sport Niagara is proud to announce that Niagara has once again been selected to host two major provincial and national dodgeball championships in 2027, further strengthening the region's reputation as a premier destination for sport hosting and community sport development.

Building on the success of the 2026 Dodgeball ON Provincial Championships, Niagara will welcome the event back from February 26–28, 2027, bringing Ontario's top athletes and clubs together for a weekend of competition and community celebration.

Just two months later, Niagara will take center stage nationally as host of the Dodgeball Canada Club Championships from April 29–May 2, 2027, attracting teams from across the country to compete for national titles.

As part of the lead-up to these events, Sport Niagara will once again partner with the local dodgeball community to host the Dodge Wars – Corporate & Community Throw Down on January 30, 2027. The annual fundraiser invites local businesses, organizations, and community groups to take part in a fun and competitive day of dodgeball while helping support the delivery of both championship events.

The announcement reflects Sport Niagara's ongoing commitment not only to attracting major sporting events but also to growing participation opportunities within the community. Through its collaboration with Dodgeball St. Catharines, Sport Niagara continues to support the development of local programming, introduce new participants to the sport, and create pathways for athletes of all ages and abilities to become involved.


"Dodgeball has become a tremendous success story for Niagara," said Dan Kennedy, Executive Director of Sport Niagara. "What began as a hosting opportunity has evolved into a true community partnership that is helping grow participation, strengthen local programming, and showcase Niagara as a destination capable of delivering exceptional sporting experiences. We are excited to welcome athletes, coaches, officials, families, and fans from across Ontario and Canada back to Niagara in 2027."

The return of the provincial championships reflects the strong partnership between Sport Niagara and Dodgeball Ontario, as well as the positive experience delivered during the 2026 event.

"The success of the 2026 Provincial Championships made Niagara an easy choice for our return in 2027," said Steve Villeseche, President of Dodgeball Ontario. "The collaboration between Sport Niagara, local volunteers, and the dodgeball community created an outstanding athlete experience. We are thrilled to continue building on that momentum and bring Ontario's best dodgeball athletes back to Niagara."

The national championships will further elevate Niagara's profile within the Canadian dodgeball community while creating significant economic and tourism benefits for the region.

"Dodgeball Canada's Club Championships represent the highest level of club competition in the country, and we are excited to bring this event to Niagara," said Matt Lawrence, President of Dodgeball Canada. "Sport Niagara has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in event hosting and a genuine passion for growing the sport. We look forward to welcoming teams from coast to coast and showcasing the incredible hospitality that Niagara is known for."

Together, the 2027 Dodgeball ON Provincial Championships, Dodgeball Canada Club Championships, and Dodge Wars fundraiser are expected to generate significant visitor activity throughout the region while creating lasting opportunities for local athletes, volunteers, and community members to engage with the sport.

For Sport Niagara, these events represent another example of how strategic sport hosting can create meaningful community impact—bringing people together, supporting local sport organizations, and inspiring the next generation of participants.