Amazing Support From The Ottawa Sting Major Midget AA Team

The 16 to 17 year old boys of The Ottawa Sting Major Midget AA Team, headed by coach Steve Besharah, took the initiative to support White Ribbon Campaign during the 2009 campaign period.

White Ribbon Campaign Canada is awed by their level of support and commitment to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and their ability to spread the message through their community.

An email I received from a team representative, alerting me to their initiative explains it best:

Steve, the team's head coach, wholeheartedly supported the team's participation in the White Ribbon Campaign. Their participation officially began on Friday, November 27th with an information session performed by Bailey Reid of Neighbours, Friends and Families, (and a member of OCTEVAW) about healthy relationships, violence against women and an introduction to the White Ribbon Campaign in particular, all of which seemed very well-received by the boys.

Their sweaters with the ribbons sewn on were handed out that night, and they wore them for their practice (and for the subsequent week). This evening was covered by CJOH-TV (unfortunately the clip could not be found online - ed); and includes coverage of the Montreal Massacre, a brief interview with Bailey and some of her presentation, words from three of the team's members, and an overview of them skating on the Peplinski arena ice, part of the Jim Durrell Complex in Ottawa.

The players wore their sweaters the following night, Saturday, November 28th, in a game against the Gloucester Rangers (also a Major Midget AA Team) at the Armstrong arena in Gloucester. This team also agreed to wear white ribbons which were sewn on their shorts! Posters and white ribbons for the spectators were available in the waiting area.

On Monday, November 30th, the team played another game, this time on their own turf at Sandy Hill arena against the Kanata Blazers (another Major Midget AA Team), and the campaign was spotlighted by: the Kanata Blazers also wearing White Ribbons; close to 50 ribbons being distributed to a mix of parents in the waiting room, and the game ending with a brief congratulatory talk by Zac Brunet about the White Ribbon Campaign.

The boys continued to wear their sweaters throughout the week, ending with a team practice in their ribboned jerseys on Sunday, December 6th.

Amazing work boys! Truly inspirational.