COXHEATH, N.S. — In a normal year, the Cape Breton County Islanders would use hockey tournaments as a building activity to find success both on and off the ice.
However, with COVID-19 restrictions and no tournaments permitted in the province, the Coxheath-based under-13 ‘A’ club was forced to find another way to bond.
The Islanders looked no further than the annual Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup, an initiative for minor hockey teams across the country to find good ideas that would have a significant impact on their communities with the winner taking home $100,000 for their registered charity.
The team selected the Cape Breton Down Syndrome Society as its charity of choice and pitched the idea of inclusion known as the Joey Moss Project, in memory of the late Edmonton Oilers dressing room attendant Joey Moss.
County Good Deeds Cup from JLF Productions on Vimeo.
As part of the initiative, the Islanders created a video, with the help of JLF Productions, explaining their good deed pitch and submitted it through Twitter on Jan. 25.
“Our pitch has a huge focus on community and social inclusion,” said Lynn LeVatte, manager of the Cape Breton County team.
“It’s really to provide acceptance and awareness for individuals with different abilities and how we, as a community, can really find ways to empower the community to step forward and find opportunities for education and social connections.”
Late last week, the team found out they were one of 11 finalists across the country and would represent Nova Scotia in the national contest. As a finalist, the team will receive $2,000 for the local Down syndrome society.
“We thought it would be a good building activity for the players, but to find out that we were one of the 11 finalists was truly special for the kids,” said LeVatte, whose oldest son has Down syndrome.
“The hockey season has been affected by COVID-19, so to have this for the kids to connect while helping our community is rewarding for all.”
LEARNING CURVE
The players were asked to do research on Down syndrome as a learning tool to better understand the condition, which causes physical and mental development delays and disabilities.
The research also included learning more about Moss, who had Down syndrome and worked with the Oilers organization from the mid-1980s until his death last October at age 57.
“It wasn’t just the players that learned about Down syndrome, the parents and families also learned through the activity, so it really provided an opportunity for everyone to become a bit more familiar with the condition,” said LeVatte, who’s involved with the local Down syndrome society.
The team also connected with members of the society and had the opportunity to ask the members what they would like if the team were to win the contest.
“We have quite a few members that are in high school right now and their goal is to continue their education,” said LeVatte.
“The Cape Breton University Inclusive program is available for individuals with intellectual disabilities and it allows students to experience university life.”
LeVatte said some options for the prize money would be an educational scholarship for the CBU program, along with support for music therapy as well as technology such as computers, laptops and programming.
“I think we were really impacted this year with COVID-19 and the lack of resources and training for technology for individuals with intellectual disabilities,” she said.
“We know something like this may come again in the future and we need to have technology access as well for our individuals to continue their schooling from home and continue social programs as well.”
COMPETITION AND VOTING
Along with the Islanders, other teams in the running for the Good Deeds Cup are the Canmore Eagles (Canmore, Alta.), City Tire Blues (Mount Pearl, N.L.), CR Oilers (Yellowknife, N.W.T.), Intrépide de l'Outaouais (Outaouais, Que.), London Devilettes (London, Ont.), Manitou Tigers (Manitou, Man.), Regina Rebels (Regina, Sask.), SEFHA Fury (Moncton, N.B.), Southside Wildcats (Borden-Carleton, P.E.I.), and Victoria Admirals (Victoria, B.C.).
Jaxon Williams, an 11-year-old defenceman with the Islanders, is confident the Cape Breton County club has what it takes to take home the top prize.
“I feel we have a really good chance at winning,” said Williams. “We’re a small province compared to others, but I think we can pull it off.”
Online voting for the contest will close on Wednesday at 11:59 p.m., with three teams moving on to the final. The clubs will be notified of the results on or before Feb. 28.
Residents can vote once per day by visiting chevrolet.ca/en/good-deeds-cup. Once on the site, click “Vote Now” under the Cape Breton County Islanders team picture.
“We’re honoured to be one of 11 finalists, but we really do need the community’s support to make this a reality,” said LeVatte. “We want to show that Cape Breton can be one of the more inclusive communities in Canada — we can be proud of it.”
The virtual champion selection process will take place from March 1-17. The three finalists will be reviewed by judges appointed by Chevrolet Canada. The results will be announced on March 20.
If the Islanders were to win, they wouldn’t be the first Cape Breton representative to claim the title.
In 2017, the Glace Bay Miners under-13 ‘A’ team was crowned the Good Deeds Cup champions after the club organized a Valentine’s Day celebration for 67 residents of Taigh Na Mara continuing care home in Glace Bay.
The Northeast Eagles of Torbay, N.L., captured the 2020 edition of the Good Deeds Cup last March.
Jeremy Fraser is a sports and breaking news reporter for the Cape Breton Post. He's been with the publication for four years. Follow Jeremy on Twitter @CBPost_Jeremy.
