When teachers from various high schools in the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) gather to talk about sports, they don’t just focus on the rules and strategies of the game. They also discuss how they can spread the joy of sports to those who may have never been able to play, such as introducing them to hockey at the local rink or around the world.
Jamie Mayo, a teacher at St. Matthew’s High School, recognized the value of sports for character-building, collaboration, and enjoyment. So he contacted fellow educator Lino Dixon, a St. Mother Teresa High School teacher, about how they could help Sticks Together, a charity founded by Sarah Thompson, an Ottawa resident who strives to improve the lives of children from underserved communities by introducing them to the sport of hockey.
Once the talking stopped, the collaborating and collecting began. Mr. Dixon reached out to the St. Mother Teresa school community, and the school’s front office resembled a crowded change room at the local arena.
Soon, previously-loved hockey sticks left the comfort of Barrhaven basements and were on a plane bound for Muizenberg, South Africa, to be loved by their students. In South Africa, most schools don’t offer physical education classes due to insufficient funds and resources.
Educators Mr. Mayo and Mr. Dixon, both passionate about hockey, said the response from the school community was outstanding, with dozens upon dozens of sticks collected. The simple act of donating a used hockey stick had an impactful rebound effect, as it allowed students around the world to improve their physical health. While simultaneously teaching OCSB students about the importance of being a good global citizen and practicing Catholic social justice teachings.