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A5 Labs Announces Divisional Ownership of NBHL Waterloo Region for 2027 and Beyond
Waterloo Region, ON – November 3, 2026
A5 Labs is expanding into ball hockey league operations, announcing its divisional ownership of NBHL Waterloo Region and its commitment to operating the division beginning in 2027. Team registration is now open to clubs from Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph and surrounding communities.
The expansion brings together business and sport for A5 Labs co-founders Daniel Marchione and Chris Lamarucciola. The pair founded A5 Labs just one month after competing together for Team Italy at the ISBHF Masters 35+ World Championships. Their shared love of ball hockey built their partnership, and the opportunity to operate an NBHL division now brings that passion into the company’s next chapter.
The NBHL’s combination of structured competition and media coverage for every game stood out to the co-founders, who see an opportunity to deliver a compelling experience for local teams while helping grow the sport’s visibility.
“Ball hockey has been an important part of my life since I was 16 years old,” said Chris Lamarucciola, co-founder of A5 Labs. “From playing in Toronto growing up to representing Italy at the World Championships, this sport has given me unforgettable friendships and even helped create a business. Having the opportunity to continue growing the game in my new home in Waterloo Region under the NBHL banner is an honour. I love this sport, and 2027 can’t come soon enough.”
A Growing Ontario Competition
Waterloo Region will join an expanding NBHL presence in Ontario, with London also joining alongside the established Niagara division. The Ontario schedule will include a crossover weekend, with teams traveling to another participating region for interdivisional competition.
Teams will play ten regular-season games across four weekends, followed by a culminating Ontario Finals event that will crown the Ontario champions. Up to two teams will advance to the 2027 NBHL Finals.
For A5 Labs, divisional ownership is an opportunity to combine its marketing and media capabilities with a personal commitment to ball hockey, supporting both the competition on the floor and the stories surrounding it.
Team Registration and Partnership Opportunities
Team registration for the 2027 season is now open. A5 Labs is also seeking sponsors and community partners to help offset team participation and league operating costs.
Teams interested in joining NBHL Waterloo Region, along with businesses and organizations interested in sponsorship or partnership opportunities, are encouraged to contact sports@a5labs.ca.
About A5 Labs
A5 Labs is a marketing and media company co-founded by Daniel Marchione and Chris Lamarucciola. Built on a partnership formed through ball hockey, the company is expanding into sports operations by owning and operating NBHL Waterloo Region.
Media, Registration and Partnership Inquiries
Chris Lamarucciola
A5 Labs
sports@a5labs.ca
FORT ERIE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY ESPORTS TO BRING A NEW TYPE OF COMPETITION TO CAMPUS
Fort Erie, ON – February 23, 2026
A5 Labs and Fort Erie International Academy Partner to Launch Canada’s First Purpose-Built Scholastic Esports Facility and Program.
A5 Labs has announced a partnership with Fort Erie International Academy (FEIA), a private Grade 6-12 boarding and day school in Fort Erie, Ontario, to launch Canada’s first purpose-built scholastic esports facility and competitive programming for middle and high school students.
This initiative will extend FEIA’s high-performance sports model, already well established in hockey, basketball, and soccer, into esports. The program provides competition, academic integration, and personal development, opening doors to post-secondary opportunities in the gaming and media industries.
Under this collaboration, A5 Labs will lead the design of esports programs, facility planning, and competition structure for FEIA’s new esports lab. The space will include high-performance training stations and a fully equipped broadcast studio to support team broadcasting and curriculum in media production, STEM, and digital literacy.
“FEIA has already shown how a focused, high-performance environment can help student-athletes thrive at the next level,” said Chris Lamarucciola, Co-founder of A5 Labs. “Bringing that same structure to esports will allow students to turn their passion for gaming into pathways toward post-secondary opportunities and future careers in media and esports.”
FEIA views the initiative as a natural extension of its sports excellence framework. “Esports is the next frontier of our high-performance ecosystem,” said William Cockburn, Principal, Fort Erie International Academy. “By partnering with A5 Labs, we’re creating an esports pathway that helps students grow as competitors and leaders, just as they do through our other programs.”
Industry leaders have also praised the initiative. “Esports in schools is about more than competition; it’s about preparing future-ready learners,” said Melissa Burns, CEO of Esport Canada. “FEIA’s commitment sets a new benchmark for what scholastic esports can look like in Canada.”
Daniel Rolo, Director of Finance at the Ontario Scholastic Esports Association (OSEA), added: “Structured programs like FEIA’s help ensure esports in schools focus on wellness, teamwork, and safe play, which are key factors for long-term student success.”
Together, A5 Labs and FEIA envision Fort Erie as a national and international destination for scholastic esports excellence. The school plans to host leagues, camps, and showcase events that connect K-12 students with post-secondary and industry partners, further supporting domestic and international learners preparing for top universities worldwide.
About A5 Labs
A5 Labs is a Canadian media and esports consultancy specializing in esports program development, media strategy, and experiential learning initiatives for schools, municipalities, and organizations. The company helps clients design sustainable esports programs and facilities through feasibility studies, strategic planning, and community engagement.
About Fort Erie International Academy (FEIA)
Fort Erie International Academy (FEIA) is a co-educational Grade 6-12 boarding and day school located in Fort Erie, Ontario, minutes from the U.S. border. With a focus on academics, athletics, character, and community, FEIA offers high-performance sports academies and specialized learning pathways that prepare students for success in Canada, the United States, and beyond.
About Esport Canada
Esport Canada is a federally registered not-for-profit organization and the national body for esports in Canada. Working in partnership with its Members, Esport Canada
promotes the growth and development of esports participation and excellence at all levels of play, while fostering safe, inclusive, and equitable competitive environments for all Canadians in communities across the nation and on the global stage.
Press Contact:
Chris Lamarucciola
Co-Founder, A5 Labs
chris@a5labs.ca