Rouba El Khatib joined the Hockey 4 Youth program in Grade 10 when the program emerged. The team plays at the Jim Durrell Recreation Centre in Alta Vista.
For 17-year-old Rouba El Khatib, playing hockey during Ramadan has been a slight challenge as she's kept up her fast while practicing.
El Khatib is a member of the Hockey 4 Youth program at Ridgemont High School, a team made up exclusively of female newcomers that introduces them to the sport at no cost. She learned about hockey in gym class four years ago after moving to Ottawa from Lebanon following the explosions in Beirut.
El Khatib said she has "a lot of passion" for the sport, and suggests scheduling practices after sunset during Ramadan so players can eat and drink while on the ice.
It's her belief, she said, that the guide will help others feel as included as she does, adding that she's grateful that programs like Hockey 4 Youth exist.