Who:

Ages: 5-65+ CO-ED

 

Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities:

 

Is, simply stated, a disability that significantly affects one's ability to learn and use information. It is a disability that is present during childhood and continues throughout one's life. A person who has an intellectual disability is capable of participating effectively in all aspects of daily life, but sometimes requires more assistance than others in learning a task, adapting to changes in tasks and routines, and addressing the many barriers to participation that result from the complexity of our society.

 

Some diagnosis can be but not limited to:

Down’s syndrome, Autism, Fetal alcohol syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Neurodevelopmental disorders, and complications from diseases like whooping cough, measles, or meningitis can cause intellectual disabilities.

 

Intellectual disabilities can be acquired later in life through acquired brain injuries.

 

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette’s, OCD, and PTSD can also fall into our categories with strict guidelines.

 

 

What:

Our philosophy is being a Heart League (Hockey programs tailored to individuals with disabilities) where it’s about fun and not competition, back to the days of having fun no matter win or lose and creating an opportunity for social time, creating friendships, and physical activity. For individuals that because of their intellectual disabilities could not follow up through the house leagues age categories and to create a place where liked skill players can play together without having to worry about anything except having fun.

 

Games played at our arena, it is the coaches responsibility to make sure that the game is not lop sided and if it becomes that way to make the necessary changes to their lines to keep the game fun, example being changing a forward player that is much higher skilled to defense and training them with positional play not just rushing in to get goal after goal and other players not being able to touch the puck. Another option is  implementing a 3 pass rule for the skilled players so that they pass to others and know they can’t shoot it on goal until other teammates have had a chance to play. Helping people with disabilities cope and understand how to behave and create friendships and become mentors to others.

 

When everyone has the chance to play at the best of their abilities and has fun then everyone wins. :)

 

We are a family, we except all players with guidelines to work on past or reoccurring issues that other teams would not accept. We understand that all people deserve a chance and as long as they work on what they need to they’re welcome to stay. Violence, Threats or Aggression whether in person, online or any other method will be an immediate expulsion from the team.

 

 

Where:

We practice at multiple locations in Toronto, ON. We play games from Peterborough to Cambridge to Barrie and have an International tournament once a year.