The goal of the hockey program is to combat racism in sport

“It all started, all this and the negative things about hockey racism that we all know about,” said Ngwafusi, executive director of the African Hockey Association.

“His heart was in hockey and then to come face to face with negative criticism and insults, he was called an N-word and things that could really hurt him since he was born here.”

Nick persevered and continued to play for the National Collegiate Athletic Association at Marian University Sabers.

Ngwafusi started the program in October. The African Canadian Association and other corporate sponsors also contributed to cover equipment costs as well as registration and ice age to help children who do not normally have the financial means to play sports.

“Most of them just couldn’t skate at all, they’ve never been on the ice … they’re playing the fight now,” Ngwafusi said, referring to some of the team’s players, many of whom are new. Canada.

“These kids are Canadian and they’ve always felt left out because they can’t play. They played football and stuff, but they want to be able to play all Canadian sports, and Canada’s number one sport is hockey.”

More than skills

Ngwafusi said that as more children join the program, their friends and family will see their fun and also want to play.

“I wanted to start skating … and hit the puck and score goals,” said Jayden Mforteh, who is involved in the program.

For Jaeden Bouzi Laryea, who started playing hockey on the backyard field after watching Canada’s national winter sports on television, developing skills from high-level players who volunteer as coaches means the world to him. He said it’s especially relevant when coaches look like him.

“I feel like I can keep in the NHL, and there aren’t a lot of black players in the NHL, so I want to be one of them,” he said.

He was one of many children who attended Sunday morning exercises at the Jim Durrell Recreation Center on Sunday morning.

“I think it’s important to be with people who look like you in hockey because there aren’t a lot of people who are racial during hockey.”

Parents who watch their children play also believe this.

“I think at some point you have to do something, and if you can start building it from a lower level, why not? I think the kids need representation,” said Melissa Piere Sossoyan.

“As a parent, it’s our job to give them the tools, so that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Ngwafusi said any child can join the program and she hopes it will continue to grow in the years to come.

For more stories about the experiences of black Canadians – from anti-black racism to the success stories of the black community – see Being Black in Canada, a CBC project that black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.