When 9 year old Abeedah first laced up her skates for a hockey program hosted by the Kitchener Minor Hockey League, she wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Growing up in her neighbourhood, ice skating and hockey were never part of her world. However, thanks to this incredible opportunity, Abeedah was about to embark on a journey that would test her resilience and stir up something within her that she was yet to discover.
From the very first practice, Abeedah faced challenges. Balancing on skates was hard enough, and learning to control the puck while staying upright seemed almost impossible. She fell more times than she could count. Each tumble hurt, both physically and emotionally. There were days when Abeedah would leave the rink in tears, frustrated and ready to give up, because it all seemed ‘too hard’.
Despite wanting to quit, something remarkable happened. Each time she thought about quitting: Abeedah showed up anyway. With gentle encouragement from her parents, coaches, and peers, she took it one day at a time. Little by little, her confidence grew. Every fall became a chance to rise again, every missed shot an opportunity to TRY AGAIN.
Months passed, and Abeedah transformed before everyone’s eyes. Her skating became smoother, her puck handling more precise, but the biggest change was her attitude. Her tears gave way to laughter, and her frustration turned to determination.
Flash forward to last month, when Abeeah competed in her first tournament. To everyone’s delight including her own she won Player of the Tournament! It was a proud moment, not just for Abeedah , but for her family and the entire community. Watching her confidently glide across the ice and celebrate with her team was a testament to her perseverance and the power of opportunity.
We want to express our heartfelt thanks to the Kitchener Minor Hockey League for hosting this program and providing Abeedah, and others like her, with the chance to experience something new. Programs like this go far beyond teaching a sport; they open doors, build confidence, and show young people what they’re capable of achieving even if they never thought about it.
Today, Abeedah is a confident skater and hockey player, ready to take on whatever challenges come her way, on and off the ice. Her story is a reminder to us all that growth often starts with a few stumbles and that every fall is an opportunity to rise stronger.
Thank you, Kitchener Minor Hockey, for believing in our youth and helping us create opportunities for their success. Here’s to many more stories like Abeedah’s!