The AHA season has come to a close
By: Emma Weller
April 2nd was a bittersweet day.
After 13 practices, the African Hockey Association’s season has come to an end. The final practice was on April 2 and it was followed by a team celebration at the St. Laurent Complex.
We had nearly 25 kids attend regularly throughout the season which was fantastic. Each week, every player showed up with a beaming smile and was ready to get on that ice to get better and play some games.
The team party consisted of a potluck lunch for the kids after the skate which was donated by the coaches and parents. Each player was also awarded a medal at the celebration to congratulate them on their dedication to the sport and development throughout the year. The smiles on the kids’ faces that day were indescribable.
This was the second year the African Hockey Association has had a season – it is comprised of children aged 3-15 who are learning to skate, or beginners in hockey. Its purpose is to break down racial and socioeconomic barriers in hockey for kids and families and show that anyone can play the sport.
To make this program more inclusive for families and eliminate costs, the cost of our ice was donated by Hockey Eastern Ontario and the time slots were donated by Dave Lohr from the Ottawa Centre Minor Hockey Association. Additionally, all of the players’ equipment was donated by The Next Shift.
Although we do not play in a league, competing against other teams, we compete in games within our group and work on learning the basics so that one day, each kid has the ability and confidence to join other local leagues to compete at higher levels.
This year, Amarkai Laryea, Abbas Kwofie and I were the coaches of the program, Godlove Ngwafusi was our manager, and Mathew Ashworth, Adam Bizeau, Verda Cook, Finn Graham, and Patricia Harewood joined us on the ice to volunteer. This program would not have the success it had without the coaches and parent volunteers, and the parents who commute each week to ensure their kids make it to the arena.
In February, the AHA was highlighted by the Ottawa Senators and Black History Ottawa in honour of Black History Month and had the opportunity to skate with several Sens alumni at the Canadian Tire Centre. Two of our players then performed the ceremonial puck drop at the BHM game on Feb. 13 between the Senators and the Calgary Flames with several of our players watching from the stands – it was definitely a highlight of the season for the kids.
The program is set to run again next season, hopefully from September to April to utilize the entire “hockey season” and we welcome any new participants who would like to join the hockey community and break barriers with us.
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My name is Emma Weller and I am a third-year student at Carleton University pursuing a degree in journalism with a minor in community engagement. During my time at Carleton, I played hockey on the Varsity Women’s Team for two seasons and am the current President of Global Minds Carleton — a social justice club aimed to support people and communities on local, national, and international levels. I am also the current head coach of the African Hockey Association Team and have been involved since it was established in 2021. Additionally, I am the founder of Emma’s Winter Buncles Charity which aims to support homeless communities across Ontario!