Originally posted March 20,2021.
Sunday, March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day, an officially observed day to promote global awareness.
The date for WDSD – the 21st day of the 3rd month – was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome that causes Down Syndrome.
World Down Syndrome Day is important to the SuperHEROS program. SuperHEROS is an adapted hockey program designed for aspiring players living with cognitive and physical challenges. Nearly 50% of SuperHEROS players are living with Down Syndrome.
When SuperHEROS executive director Kevin Hodgson reached out to DUBNetwork, our C.E.O. Paul Figler was immediately on board to chip in to create additional awareness.
“We currently have two teams in Calgary, one in Edmonton and one in Regina, with plans to add more locations this fall,” Hodgson said.
“In our time with these programs, we have gotten to see how amazing these young people and their families are and what hockey has come to mean to them,” Hodgson added. “Most importantly, what being accepted into the hockey community means to them.”
Part of the social call-to-action for WDSD is to wear mismatched socks that day. Here’s what the hockey community is doing:
“Wearing mismatched socks is an initiative that shows all types, shapes, sizes of the same thing can be unique in their own way, and yet do the same thing. Children understand what socks are, how they look, and what they are for, and children understand that no two socks are the same. It is a campaign to create conversation about diversity, uniqueness, inclusion, and acceptance.”
SuperHEROS has taken the initiative a step further and every year, the players wear mismatched hockey socks on the ice. It has been a fun aspect to integrate into the program.
DUBNetwork reached out to a number of Western Hockey League teams to inquire about the program and Andrew Peard, communications and broadcast manager of the Edmonton Oil Kings, was quick to chime in.
“I can tell you that we’re really excited to be partnering up with HEROS (Hockey Education Reaching Out Society) Hockey and their SuperHEROS team to take part in their “#RockYourHKYSocks” initiative,” Peard said. “This opportunity was presented to us by Robb Kerr with the Calgary Hitmen, and it was an easy decision for us to join in.
“We’re looking forward to Sunday’s game where both the Oil Kings and Red Deer Rebels will be wearing their mismatched socks, and we encourage DUBNetwork readers to wear their mismatched socks on Sunday while they take in some great WHL action in support of World Down Syndrome Day.”
For his part, Hodgson is pleased with the support.
“This year we wanted to encourage others to join us; whether it is on the ice or off,’ he said. “We started with the Calgary Hitmen to see if they wanted to take part and wear mismatched socks in practice.
“And we reached out to Merrick Sutter with the Red Deer Rebels and they were into it as well. Those two teams in turn went to the WHL to see if they could wear mismatched socks in their respective games on March 21 and got a quick ‘yes’. Then the Oil Kings and Hurricanes hopped in and all will be wearing mismatched socks.”
SuperHEROS has teams ranging from all age groups and levels (U11 up to University) who are going to take part in Regina, Calgary and Edmonton and many other cities throughout Canada and the US. The plan is to wear mismatched socks on the ice and post a picture or video. The Calgary Flames wore mismatched socks at a practice this past week and are said to be putting a video out on Sunday. The Stockton Heat did the same.
“I think that it’s not just our guys, but I think the National Hockey League and pro sports in general, have jumped on board with a lot of (these) different groups,” Flames bench boss Darryl Sutter told NHL.com on Tuesday. “Obviously it’s close to my heart. It’s awesome. It just tells you about hockey players, what kind of hearts they have and the kinds of things they do quietly for special needs.”
SuperHEROS promotes personal growth using mentor-based hockey programming as the catalyst but our success is measured on and off the ice. To help our participants achieve their dreams off the ice we provide workshops in areas like:
- Conflict resolution and healthy relationships building
- Drug awareness and addiction prevention
- First aid training
- Financial literacy
- Early literacy promotion
- Hockey coaching and referee training
- Vocational exploration, preparation, training, and goal setting
- Professional skills such as resume writing, interviewing, and personal presentation
- Tours of local post-secondary institutions including application and preparation skills
- Work experience placements and internships
- Volunteer and “give back” opportunities for youth participants in their communities
- Physical literacy opportunities (fishing, golf, wakeboard/waterski)
- Summer and spring hockey based programming
SuperHEROS supports academic development and personal success beyond post-secondary school with participants attending a variety of institutions across Canada. Some participants receive financial assistance for minor hockey, post-secondary, and vocational education.
DUBNetwork encourages everyone to take part in this initiative, no matter where you are from.
On Sunday, please use the hashtag #RockYourHKYSocks on social media, and if you like tag our team (@dub_network) so we can join you all by rocking your hockey socks!
