Tori SuttonStaff ReporterWhen it comes to business, Ryan Diehl doesn't believe in dreaming small.When he was in college, the owner and operator of Avonton-based Provision Sports decided he was ready to take on some of the biggest names in athletic apparel, including Nike, Reebok and Adidas."I was talking to a friend and I told him I really wanted to start a sports apparel company and compete with the big guys," said Diehl, in a recent interview. "I remember him saying it was a cool idea, that I was dreaming big and had to go for it."It didn't seem like too much of a stretch for the marketing student, who had always been passionate about sports. As a teen, he played high school volleyball, national-level fastball and hockey, even being called up once to play with the Cullitons in a playoff series.In high school, he would often sit and doodle, creating new logos for established sporting companies. What he didn't realize then is his interest in design would lead him to his future career."I was into art very much," he said. "I guess it was a passion within that I didn't really know about."In 2003 he registered the company and over the last five years, with the help of family and friends, he has seen it make some steady growth.But this year the company has taken off. First the company signed a deal with the Stratford Nationals to create new jerseys for the team. Diehl was also busy working on launching the company's largest catalogue to date featuring original designs on everything from baseball apparel and T-shirts to hoodies and hats. The 2009 catalogue will be sent to independent sports stores and fitness clubs, where he hopes to establish a clientele through catalogue sales.Along with Diehl, Provision has two other employees. His wife handles the accounting and administrative side of the business, while his brother-in-law comes in daily to help out.While screen printing and heat transfers are done in the Avonton office, major production and embroidery are done in London using the services of other small businesses. Diehl has been fortunate in sourcing fabric from the same Canadian supplier who does business with yoga-wear powerhouse lululemon."My plan is to keep it Canadian," he said.Though the slow times have sometimes been discouraging, Diehl said he has relied on his Christian faith to get him through."I follow my faith and I believe God has a plan for everyone," he said. "Really, I've had nothing to hold me back other than my mind."But he's been pleased to see his work rise in popularity and especially enjoys seeing the finished product."Just seeing people wearing your products and liking them is definitely rewarding."For more information about Provision, visit www.provisionsports.ca.PHOTO: Owner and operator Ryan Diehl is ready to take his Avonton-based business Provision Sports to the next level, launching his first major catalogue this fall. (Tori Sutton)