Coast to Coast: Surrey HEROS
Inclusivity and acceptance are words that easily come to mind when describing the Surrey HEROS chapter. The weekly on-ice program is staffed with caring mentors and volunteers who not only enjoy the sport of hockey but genuinely care about the wellbeing of the HEROS players. Behind the scenes, HEROS players in Surrey are generously supported by their Home-Ice Partners, the Herrendorf Family Foundation. As partners, they help fund crucial resources such as ice-time, equipment, and healthy snacks, while also creating educational development opportunities for players as they graduate the program.
“We’re not here to just play hockey,“ said Jordynn, a HEROS volunteer and a Facilitator of the Surrey Schools Community Schools Partnership program. “We’re also here to help our youth grow and be responsible, respectful young adults.”
“Every week the students show up ready to learn,” said James, the lead on-ice mentor of the HEROS Surrey program and one of the Facilitators of the Surrey Schools Community Schools Partnership. “We also spend time working on social emotional learning in program along with working together and building inclusion.”
One of the many tried and true aspects of the after-school Surrey program is how welcoming everyone is to each other.
Jordynn, recalling her first time working with the chapter in 2018 as a Surrey Schools outreach worker, described it as “exciting” and noted the diversity within the chapter.
“Just getting to know everyone and just seeing the diversity that we had in our group, that was the coolest part of it,” explained Jordynn. “We have a lot of students out there that wouldn’t have the opportunity to play ice hockey at the minor hockey or club level.”
James began working with the HEROS program in the 2021 – 2022 year as a program leader and Outreach Worker for Surrey Schools – Community School Partnership. He came equipped with a hockey background and knew right away that this chapter was special.
“I remember being a little nervous as this experience was new to me,” said James. “I had taught hundreds of programs in my past, but I knew going into this that it was a special program that I would want to be a part of for a long time. Within minutes of meeting Norm, the HEROS volunteer team, and the amazing players in our program, the nervousness went away as they gave me such a warm welcome.”
The Surrey HEROS program got its start in 2016, joining a growing list of HEROS programs across Canada. In its early days, Surrey HEROS partnered with Surrey Schools to bring HEROS into the local community and continues that tradition today.
Both James and Jordynn were given the opportunity to work with HEROS when they were individually asked by their Surrey Schools team. For each of them saying yes was an easy choice.
“The smiles and laughter! The players never take this program for granted and love the opportunity to be able to come each week to learn and progress their individual skills while working as a team to do so,” said James.
“I think the whole ice hockey component is so cool. But I love that it’s like a giant family atmosphere and I love that HEROS has that motto,” says Jordynn. After all, Norm always says, “Once a HEROS always a HERO.”
Favourite Memory
There are three memorable moments that stick out to James.
“Last year one of our players from the Surrey program had the opportunity to attend the NHL all-star game and this year one of our students was the towel kid for the Canucks game. These opportunities are not possible without the HEROS program, and I am grateful our community has it,” said James.
“The second moment that stands out to me is when one of our players learned to shoot the puck off the ice for the first time and has continued to work on this skill every week. During our scrimmage, this player skated across the blue line and took a shot that hit the crossbar of the net. In that moment everyone stopped playing and looked at each other with the realization that if they continue to show up each week and work hard, they can do that too.”
“The third moment,” said James, “is when one of our intermediate students during a skating drill took upon themselves to take a leadership role and after completing the drill went to help the younger students who were still working to complete the drill.”
Unique to HEROS Surrey
The West Coast program wouldn’t be complete without an insight into the activities that make each week even more enjoyable than the last.
One such tradition is:
“At the end of each practice,” explained James, “we have our players do a victory lap skate before forming two lines which face each other at the gate. Students at the end skate through the lines as the lines celebrate that player exiting the ice. Coaches are lined up on the bench and kids give the coaches a fist bump with their hockey gloves before heading to the room.”
Another tradition but one that occurs every other HEROS practice is the after-practice pizza party.
“Definitely the pizza afterwards, “said Jordynn. “I don’t know if that’s unique and if other places do that, but we’ve done pizza with Freshslice Pizza since I started program.”
“The after-practice pizza party” as Jordynn describes it “is a way to get to know the students, their families and build rapport. We really relish that time and try to keep as much of that going as we possibly can.”
No matter what way you “slice” it, the Surrey HEROS chapter, through its programming and amazing community members, provides a safe and inclusive environment for players to play, learn, and grow through the game they all love.
“HEROS constantly strives to create an inclusive atmosphere for all, regardless of gender, race, culture, or ability,” said Jordynn.
“We have a truly diverse group of students who are very accepting of each other and who continue to grow individually and as a group. It is amazing to see our youth do this as they will shape the future generations,” said James.
If you want to support HEROS players in Surrey, consider making a donation or becoming a volunteer today!