Canada's national pastime isn't accessible to many young people in Canada. Hockey 4 Youth Foundation provides free equipment and ice time to newcomer teens and other youth facing barriers so they can learn the game and find community.
[VIEW VIDEO ON CBC OTTAWA WEBSITE]
New guidebook aims to promote diversity, belonging in community sports (CBC News Ottawa)
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.
Once-in-a-Lifetime NHL All-Star Red Carpet Experience (CityNews)
Sports reporter Lindsay Dunn speaks with members of the Hockey 4 Youth organization about their NHL All-Star Red Carpet experience provided by Rogers, the parent company of CityNews.
New Program Teaches Neurodivergent Girls How to Play Hockey (CTV News Ottawa)
A new program for neurodivergent girls in Ottawa is teaching them the game of hockey, with many of them coming from backgrounds where they would never get the opportunity to do so.
Hockey 4 Youth, an organization launched in 2015, has a goal to break barriers for kids, focusing on newcomers to Canada and high-priority youth. The new program by the organization is focusing on neurodivergent girls in Ottawa.
"This is our first program where we're working with girls who are neurodivergent," said Moezine Hasham, the executive director for the Hockey4Youth Foundation.
"They might have different forms of trauma. And so for us, at the end of the day, it's all about social inclusion through the game of hockey, which is so beautiful to play."
Hockey 4 Youth Ottawa Girls Program (CBC News - Ottawa)
“"It's a sport that honestly, I never actually pictured myself doing in my life because I was always so scared and I just thought, you know, might as well try it," said Bahja Jama.
Fellow student Rouba El Khatib, who applied what she learned roller skating in Lebanon, said she realizes the benefits of playing ice hockey.
"I really forget anything I'm annoyed about outside of the rink and I just play with spirit and have a lot of fun, score some goals," said El Khatib.
"It always feels different and [it's] so fun being on the ice and playing whenever I'm on the ice."
[Read ‘Newcomers hit the ice thanks to group making hockey more accessible’ via CBC News]
Newcomer girls introduced to Canada's sport: hockey (CTV News - Ottawa)
Hockey 4 Youth, a program that wants to make hockey more accessible, hosted the event at the Jim Durrell Arena.
The program was introduced to 53 new Canadians from Ridgemont and Gloucester High Schools in grades 9 to 12. The participants skated alongside teachers, volunteer coaches and Hockey 4 Youth staff. MORE >
Giving newcomer girls a shot at hockey (CBC News - Ottawa)
A new hockey program in Ottawa is helping newcomer girls conquer a traditional Canadian game.
Hockey 4 Youth launched Wednesday at the Jim Durrell Arena, with 53 participants aged 14 to 18 from Ridgemont High School and Gloucester High School. MORE >