David Poile and his wife Elizabeth Poile have announced a new scholarship program that will provide financial assistance to young hockey players in Middle Tennessee. The initiative, developed in partnership with the Nashville Predators Foundation, is designed to remove cost barriers that often keep talented youths from participating in the sport.
Funding the Future
The family has committed $100,000 to the cause, with plans to award at least $10,000 each year for the foreseeable future. The funds will be used to cover registration fees and equipment expenses for recipients.
Eligibility and Application
Applications for the Fall 2026 season are now open, and the program will accept nominations twice annually. To be considered, applicants must be under 18 years of age and currently play hockey within the Middle Tennessee region.
Impact on the Community
Youth hockey participation in Nashville has risen by 15.8 percent over the past five years, a trend the Poiles hope to accelerate. The scholarships are intended to build on that momentum by making the sport more accessible to families across the area.
The selection process will be overseen by a committee that includes the Poiles, representatives from the Preds Foundation, and staff from the organization’s amateur hockey department, ensuring that nominations are reviewed by knowledgeable stakeholders.
Beyond this latest pledge, the Nashville Predators Foundation has a long history of supporting the community, having raised over $4 million in 2025 alone and distributing nearly $30 million in grants, SuperGrants, donations and in‑kind gifts since its inception in 1998.