The 2017 Esso Cup fundraising committee has applied for a 'Canada's Dairy Farmers, Fuelling Women Champions' grant.

"The application is for a grant to help assist hosting the Esso Cup," said committee co-chair Cindy Kowalski.

With each grant that is available there are a few requirements each application needs to meet.

"I felt that we met their criteria of empowering and improving women's sport in Canada," said Kowalski. "The Esso Cup provides an opportunity to take their sport to the next level. Whether that be as an athlete, a official, or a coach. It's a national level event, and provides exposure to a higher level of competition, as well as an opportunity to recruit for the next level of play. All in all it is an opportunity to fuel women champions in the sport of hockey."

The fund is $100,000, and will be split into twenty different $5,000 grants across the country. Kowalski noted the money will help cover some of the cost of hosting the national tournament.

The recipients are expected to be announced in November of this year and will be selected by a grant committee including, Natalie Spooner, Canadian Professional Hockey Player, Amy Matheson, Oxford County, and Brenda Andress, League Commissioner for the Canadian Women's Hockey League. Kowalski did mention you can show your support by liking her application, which may help with the selection process.