Meet the People Involved

Hi, my name is Jessica Fanous and I am in my second year of University at Queen’s majoring in Sociology and minoring in Developmental Psychology.  I am actually not a hockey player but have played soccer for 16 years.  I chose to be part of this campaign because I have personally faced racism in soccer and believe it is very important to talk about the racial discrimination within sports.

Hi, I am Cole and I am an 11 years old and in grade 6. I have played minor hockey in Ottawa for 6 years. I currently play PeeWee Raiders house league A as a Centre/Forward. I love being a part of a team and the relationships sports has brought to my life. I think it is important to be part of Blow the Whistle on racism because everyone should know they can play hockey, be included and accepted no matter who you are, the colour of your skin or where you come from. We are all the same.

Fred was born in Ottawa to Barbadian parents. He played minor hockey in Nepean and went to Sir Robert Borden High School. Fred played 19 years of professional hockey, represented Canada ten different times as a player and coach. He played on 4 different NHL teams: Edmonton, Calgary, St. Louis and Columbus.

Over the years I myself have experienced racism within the sport. Being a part of  Blow the Whistle on Racism is important to me as I never want anyone else to go through the same feelings and emotions I had to when being discriminated against  because of the colour of my skin. Raising awareness and starting the conversation about racism so it can be eliminated is a priority. Now is the time for positive change.  We are all equals and should treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves. 

Fred Brathwaite

Learn more about Fred here

Ayan is a 12 twelve year old goalie who plays for the Ottawa South End Snipers. In November of 2019, Ayan was called the N-word after him and his team had won a bronze medal and he was named MVP. Ayan and his family were shocked that an 11 year old would call him this and decided to make it a teaching moment.

When Ayan found out that the player, as well as the whole team could be suspended this was his response, “I don’t want anybody to get suspended. We all love playing hockey. I just want you to tell the coach to teach them, when they go in the line, what to say,’” she said. “He told me no one cares who’s behind the mask, they all just want to play hockey.”

You can learn more details here.