youth sports Archives - Listen to Lena

My niece is over, and she’s running around with her two older cousins – my sons.

“Look at her!” a family member cries. “She’s wants to be one of the boys! Running and jumping and playing tag and basketball too!”

I feel that I should point out that running, jumping, playing tag and basketball are not gender-specific pastimes, but I consider my audience and bite my tongue. After all, I was raised in a generation that praised girls for sitting quietly and playing with dolls – surely, the generation before mine would be even more out of date with their gender bias and perception of social norms.

But as I watch my niece run on her long, strong legs and shout for a chance at the basketball, sweat misting over her sweet little brow, I’m secretly quite pleased. She hasn’t been told “her place” as a little girl is to sit and look pretty. She isn’t scared of getting dirty, screaming too loud or trying too hard. She goes after everything with gusto, not realizing she is part of a new generation where girls’ potential is limitless.

She doesn’t play like a girl. She plays.

This past weekend, more than 350 future female hockey stars hit the ice with Olympic Gold Medalist and Canadian Women’s Hockey League star Natalie Spooner for the 6th annual Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest in Toronto, in partnership with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to mentor young girls and help them pursue their dreams,” said Natalie Spooner. “The support I received from the hockey community growing up in Ontario helped me get to where I am today. Being able to give back through Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest is an honour, and it’s a privilege to celebrate Canada’s game with these girls who share my love for hockey.” …

Last week, I shared details about the Erin Mills Town Centre “Spring into Action” Sports & Camps Show. If you’ll recall, the single most motivating factor for my own attendance was the convenience of signing up the boys for spring and summer activities – all at one time, all in one place.

We were not disappointed.

With a record exhibitor turnout (the show was packed with 40 vendors!), enthusiastic Mississauga residents had a chance to meet the organizers, ask questions, take advantage of special offers (more on that later!) and most importantly, introduce their children to sports and activities that may not have been on their radar… like fencing! Yes, FENCING!
Here’s why the Erin Mills Town Centre “Spring Into Action” Sports & Camps Show was a success:

1. Easy Access to Information. Every parent craves information, especially when signing up their children for extra-curricular activities. However, it’s safe to say that if you’ve ever tried to navigate a local sports organization’s website… well, it’s not necessarily the most user-friendly experience. So, rather than searching through a list of FAQs, I was able to bring my questions directly to the representatives. It saved time and frustration, and of course, allowed me to get the answers I needed! …

Changing the Face of Hockey: Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest

When You Spring into Action… There’s No Stopping Them!