Huntsville Council honours Sting U 13 Black Hockey Team for being the annual Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup Champions
The Huntsville Council honoured the Sting U-13 Black Hockey Team, in the March 25, 2024, meeting.
Mayor, Nancy Alcock, said, “We have a group of unbelievably inspirational ladies.”
She explained that the team was honoured because they won the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup by completing over 2500 good deeds in the community with the help of their families, friends, and community. They achieved the most good deeds within a six-week period.
She added that the team also held first place on the leader board for the entire duration of the annual contest, which ran between January 19 to March 3rd, and they won $100,000 to donate to the charity of their choosing.
The team chose to donate the winnings to Food4Kids Muskoka, which provides kids with food to take home on the weekends in their Weekends Without Hunger program.
Alcock added that the charity provides 12 to 15 healthy food items to kids that may not have enough food at home, and that they are currently supporting 90 kids each week.
She continued that in addition to the contest winnings, the exposure from the contest will also be helpful to the charity “because the contest will have a huge impact in families in our area, and they totally need the support.”
The team and its leaders were honoured with certificates by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Dan Armour.
Councillor, Scott Morrison, praised the team and their success. He said, “I’m so proud and so inspired by this group of kids… They also won a championship on the weekend, which is a huge accomplishment.”
He added that he was involved with Sting in the past at a time when they had to combine age groups to form a team and weren’t yet competing for championships. The program’s focus at the time was on family, growth, and inspiring team members to do their best.
He said, “For you guys to come here and do what you guys just did… I can’t even believe it. You just put us on the map.”
He continued that he has been receiving communication from people across the province about the accomplishment saying they saw the Sting on Hockey Night in Canada, which he referred to as a “big deal” and comparable to when Huntsville’s Dara Howell won a gold metal for freestyle skiing at Sochi in 2014.
“I’ll never forget you guys winning this award on National TV. And I know that you picked an amazing cause. Between all of you guys this Town’s a better place, and I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Well done,” said Morrison.
Councillor, Jason FitzGerald, shared that when he was 7 years old, he started hockey as a way to give back, and “50 years later I’m still doing it.” He added, “What I learned when I was 7 still is such a huge part of my life.”
He told the team, “So, look forward to a life of giving. You’re on the right path and that’s what builds a community. Fantastic.”
Alcock indicated that the team completed various tasks as a part of their accomplishment, including filling backpacks with food for Food4Kids.
She said, “What a memorable experience and you have this for your life. What you’ve achieved is…it’s really what makes communities tick. It’ll become a part of who you are, and it just is such a great way to live. I’m so inspired. Thank you.”
Councillor, Monty Clouthier, shared that he has a hockey background and has been involved with Sting for a few years through his granddaughter who is on another team, and he praised the program.
He said, “I’ve seen organizations start and fail and stumble, and ever since I’ve been here, I’ve seen nothing but the Sting grow and grow and grow, and you’re going to get bigger and better with the professional women’s league now.”
He added, “Hopefully you’ll inspire all the other teams as you’ve done already in the program and keep it growing girls. Go for it. Congratulations.”
