Newcomer girls introduced to Canada's sport: hockey (CTV News - Ottawa)

Young women and girls who are new to Canada were invited to their first skating opportunity on Wednesday.

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 >

'Hockey is Canada': Charity sends 10 teens to their first Leafs game (CBC Radio - Here & Now)

Javeria Mehmood, 18, expected her first time putting on a pair of skates to be her last. 

"The first time I went [on the ice], I thought 'I know nothing, I'm probably going to quit on the first day,"' she told Eli Glasner on CBC's Here and Now Thursday. 

Having grown up in Pakistan, she never had the chance to skate until she moved to Canada last year. 

But through the Toronto-based group Hockey 4 Youth, a charitable organization that provides new Canadians and low-income youth the opportunity to play hockey for free, Mehmood's been honing her skills on the ice. MORE >

'Hockey is Canada': Charity sends 10 teens to their first Leafs game

CBC Radio - Here & Now

First black NHLer Willie O’Ree ‘inspirational’ to Malvern youth (Toronto.com & Scarborough Mirror)

Article by Aaron D'Andrea focusing on inspirational visit by Mr. Willie O'Ree to Hockey 4 Youth students participating in year end tournament.

Willie O’Ree/Fadilla Darewish Interview (CBC Radio - Metro Morning)

Matt Galloway from Metro Morning speaks to Mr. Willie O'Ree, who was the first black player in the NHL and Fadilla Darewish, a first year Hockey 4 Youth student and refugee from Syria, on their experiences with hockey, breaking down barriers and the life lessons you can learn through sport.

Getting more kids playing hockey

CBC Radio - Toronto

Jujhar Khaira's goal another step forward for diversity in hockey (CBC News - British Columbia)

CBC British Columbia article "Jujhar Khaira's goal another step forward for diversity in hockey."

Written by Andrew Kurjata, this article focuses on Jujhar's first NHL goal, the impact on diversity & our Executive Director's effort to #GivingHockey to more new Canadian youth.

Fatima Al-Ali Interview (CP24 News - Toronto)

Fatima Al-Ali speaking to Steve Anthony of CP24 News

UAE Women's Hockey Team Assistant Captain, Fatima Al-Ali discusses her support of Hockey 4 Youth on CP24