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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, March 12, 2010 · 30 Wemindji hockey team travels long road to success that he proposed the idea of bringing the kids down to his hometown to test their skills at Oakville's arenas. The kids worked hard to raise enough money to make Joel Brooks began a journey last August that has the dream a reality. They picked up garbage in the commuchanged the lives of a group of children from Quebec's nity, held putt for cash events at the local arena, cooked northern Wemindji Cree community. Brooks' experience breakfast at different events, held numerous raffles and sold has also had a very positive impact on his own life. a mountain of chocolate bars to raise the funds. All in all, The 21 year old traveled to the community on Paint Hills the players and coaching staffed generated about $10,000 Bay, which runs along the east coast of James Bay and has towards the trip. Brooks and the players were delighted that a population of about 1,300. The trip was part of the co-op their earnings were going to be matched by Wemindji's program in his University of Waterloo therapeutic recre- fundraising committee. ation program. The team's trip to Oakville wasn't an easy one though. They He was happy to find out that many of had to travel nine hours by van to reach the bus the youth from the area had a passion for "My trip to Wemindji that was set to make the trek to Oakville. The team hockey and had been practicing their skills and the time I've then had to travel another 15 hours to reach their for some time. So, he took it upon himself spent with these kids southern destination. to organize and coach the local midget Wemindji faced off against four older and was life changing." hockey team for youth aged 13-17. more experienced teams in Oakville with the Brooks scheduled games for the newlyteam's final game on Monday. Their 2-2 record formed team against other teams in Oakville's Joel Brooks made everyone happy, especially the team's capQuebec. The only problem was the closest tain. town with another team was almost three hours away. "This was an amazing experience for all of our players," "Hockey games are much different for these kids, com- said one of two girls on the team, 17-year-old Sara Morrison. pared to kids in the GTA," said Brooks. "Our team got on a "I am very proud of all of our players, especially the younger bus at 7 a.m. and traveled three to five hours for our games. ones because they stood up for themselves. Our team showed The kids played three games in one day because of the lack of everyone that we take hockey seriously in Wemindji." other teams in the area. Most days that the kids played on, we The real fun for the Cree youth started when their play didn't get home until about 2 a.m." on the ice was over. The group visited the CN Tower, the The coed team has been very successful to date. So far Hockey Hall of Fame, a Maple Leaf practice and took part in this season they've been triumphant at four tournaments on and off-ice training at Oakville's Canlan Ice Sports before and are only a few more victories away from a trip to the returning home. provincial championships. The youth weren't the only ones to benefit from the The team's immediate success excited Brooks so much experience. Brooks will always cherish the time he spent in By Daniel Perry SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER ROAD TRIP: Wemindji's Calvin Kakobul, left, battles for the puck with Brady Switzer of the Oakville Rangers in front of goalie Terence Shanush during an exhibition game at River Oaks Community Centre. the Cree community. "My trip to Wemindji and the time I've spent with these kids was life changing," said the Oakville resident. "I learned lessons from each of the kids on the team. Their work ethic and the amount that they push themselves to improve is unbelievable. I've been able to see these kids grow as a team and it's been very special. I want to thank my mom for making this happen and hopefully this will continue for many years." With 37 Years of Experience, We O er Summer Soccer at its Best 14 weeks of play* Includes end of season games All age divisions for youth and adults are available (U4+) Registration is NOW OPEN till the start of the season. Space is limited. Register in person at the Oakville Soccer Club. Proof of birth required. * Men's Open Age plays for 15 weeks, U4/U5 plays for 10 weeks 1520 Pine Glen Road (Dundas and Third Line) 9:30 a.m. ­ 10:00 p.m., Monday ­ Sunday. For more informa on, please visit our website at www.oakvillesoccer.ca