'This is bigger than football': Golden Hawks welcome back Light House members for training day
A tradition has returned to the turf on Tuesday at University Stadium in Waterloo.
The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks football team welcomed back a group of their biggest supporters after a multi-year pandemic hiatus.
“I keep saying to the guys, this is bigger than football,” said head coach Michael Faulds.
Members of Light House, an adult day program that supports those in the region with special needs, returned to the gridiron to participate in a team practice during training camp.
“I like Laurier Golden Hawks, and I want them to win,” said Liam Kelly, a Light House participant.
For members of the program, the day wasn’t just about having fun, it was about being a part of a team they normally root for from the sidelines.
“It’s just such a unique activity to get our guys out to be part of a university campus feel and feel like they’re part of a team,” said Kyle Craig, program supervisor at Light House.
For many it was the first time they were able to participate in the day as COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the tradition for the past few years.
“This is my first time doing it, and I am very excited,” said Jake Jennings, a Light House member.
From footwork speed drills to learning to defend from tacklers, the Light House program members gave the Golden Hawks a boost of support just weeks before the season starts.
“It’s nice post-COVID getting them out here to training camp once again. The smiles, the dancing, the laughter from both from the Light House participants and from our players is so amazing,” said Faulds.
Light House officials said a day like this helps foster shared experiences for its participants, while building social networks within the community.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.