Those of you who read my blog regularly know that I'm kinda into sports. If you've payed attention, you also know I hope for nothing but the best for the world, and so, support many good-doing initiatives.
One of my favourite charities, understandably, is Right to Play. Sound familiar? Zdeno Chara just raised $24,000 dollars for the organization by winning the Hardest Shot competition at the 2009 NHL All Star Game this past weekend in Montreal. Some of your other favourite athletes might have mentioned it in an interview at some point.
RTP combines education with fun by helping children learn through sport. Their aim, as per their website, is "creating a healthier and safer world for children through the power of sport and play." Now who wouldn't love that?
Apparently, the International Olympic Committee doesn't think that's good enough anymore. Since 2000, RTP has been allowed access into the Althlete's Village at Olympic Games to speak to the athletes and raise awareness for the cause - hoping to engage them into becoming Right to Play Ambassadors. These ambassadors help spread the word about RTP and its goals, via conferences, fundraising, and trips to Third World countries (that are occasionally covered by various media partners).
Since the IOC decided not to renew it's Memorandum of Understanding with Right to Play, the charity finds itself lacking a primary means of recruitment and fundraising. This is a huge blow, a gazillion steps back from all the progress it has accomplished in the past few years. Where in 2004 nearly no one was aware of its existence, RTP is now highly respected and recognized around the world as an organization of value, thanks to Olympic athletes like Clara Hughes, Chantal Petitclerc, Kyle Shewfelt, Adam Van Koeverden, Donovan Bailey, Beckie Scott, Hayley Wickenheiser, Catriona Le May Doan, so many more...
The list is endless - and that's just from the Canadian website. Whole sports teams and leagues, as well as corporations, have officially partnered with Right to Play.
The problem, according to this article published by the Lethbridge Herald, is that the IOC wants to focus on its own similar programs. It still supports Right to Play's activities though. Isn't that's sweet?
Apparently, the whole controversy boils down to, what else? Money! It's a sponsorship issue.
Gary Mason of the Globe and Mail writes that when the Vancouver Organizing Committee learned that RTP had managed to sign a major sponsorship deal with Mitsubishi Motor Sales - which, if you're keeping track, is a major competitor to Vancouver Olympics' major sponsor General Motors - VANOC and GM were "worried that Mitsubishi was going to use its sponsorship with Right to Play as a way of getting Olympic exposure."
A deal of sorts was struck between VANOC and Right to Play, whereas Mitsubishi's name wouldn't appear on promotional material distributed during the Games or on the RTP website during that two week period. But somehow, the IOC got involved and the final decision was a resounding "NO!"
There's no denying that this charity is legit and that it does accomplish good. In fact, its aims are truly allied with the IOC's, whose website says one of the goals of the Olympic movement is to "contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practised without discrimination of any kind."
Wouldn't that goal be easier accomplished by associating with an organization like Right to Play? I think so.
However, complaining and trying to raise awareness about how wrong this brusque denial really is will not help Right to Play promote its message worldwide. Instead, as regular citizens of the world, all we can do is join the movement and hope for the best.
Help make the world a better place through Right to Play, click here to donate one time or once a month, whatever your budget can handle.
And don't forget! A donation makes a great gift!
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Training Camp: Day 1
Hockey season is upon us once again. And I am extremely ecstatic about it!
I attended Day 1 of training camp today, at the Pierrefonds Sportsplexe. It was, indeed, open to the public, which is not usually the case for Day 1. Usually the open practices at Pierrefonds happen later on during camp, starting on a Friday and ending on Sunday.
Instead of writing a long long paragraph about my overall impressions on each player, I decided that I would take quick notes on the guys on the ice and share them with all of you.
I watched Groups A and B - which means I missed out on Group C and Saku Koivu, Christopher Higgins, Ryan O'Byrne, Georges Laraque and other storied names.
So here goes...
Keep in mind: there were only drills today, no matches.
Group A:
Shawn Belle (D) - I was really impressed by Belle. He's strong and fast and has good hands. Definitely noticeable on the ice, and not because of his skin colour ;)
Josh Gorges (D) - Solid as usual... Nothing new to report, nothing old to report.
Yannick Weber (D) - A bit weak at times, needs to work on anticipating plays, but has soft hands when he wants to.
Robert Lang (F) - Looked easy going, comfortable on the ice... At first, wasn't pushing too hard but seems to be a highly intuitive player, with creative passing, which includes a good use of the boards.
Alex Kovalev (F) - Got right back into it, so ready for the season to start... Hands are soft as ever.
Alex Henry (D) - Always gave a second effort, but needs a lot of work.
Tom Kostopoulos (F) - So full of energy... I think he can be a real player this season. He's already working hard, and looks ready to start pounding the opposition.
Ryan White (F) - Solid top shelf shot. He'll definitely be a leader in Hamilton this season. His shot is pretty hard, but he needs to think faster in sticky situations, ie behind the net.
Guillaume Latendresse (F) - Trying hard but I'm not sure it'll be enough. Still needs to work on his speed. Basically, the same Gui we all know.
Loic Lacasse (G) - Wow. Impressive. He sees the puck very well, has good, quick reflexes and is very intuitive. He has good composure and looks solid in nets.
Carey Price (G) - Good reflexes/reaction time. He's much quicker on his feet and faster reaching with his stick.
Olivier Latendresse (F) - He's strong and aggressive in front of the net. Needs to work on skating backwards. Thinks well in offensive and even defensive situations, but doesn't react well in 1-on-1s.
Mathieu Aubin (F) - Plays the man well, has good speed and positioning.
Kyle Chipchura (F) - A way different player from last year. He's not into it at all. Needs to work on skating backwards. Still thinks well, but doesn't read the play well in 1-on-1s.
Brock Trotter (F) - Good positioning. Is missing that spark that really gets you noticed, but is a hard worker and seems to provide a solid, constant effort. Should fit in well in Hamilton.
Gregory Stewart (F) -A strong player with good passing. He thinks and sees the play well, but needs to get more involved at times in defensive play.
Group B
Andrei Markov (D) - Looked decent. Not in season shape yet. Mostly going through the motions, even seeming bored at times. Will probably have a slow start to the season if he doesn't pick it up soon.
Benjamin Maxwell (F) - Good hands. His shots are clean and he gives a second effort. Definitely a finisher.
Mathieu Carle (D) -Very impressive. One of my favourite guys to watch so far at camp. He aims well, has a strong shot and is a good forward skater. He's got those seeing-eye passes. He should be the number 1 D in Hamilton and the first to be called up to the big league.
Chad Anderson (D) - Good backwards speed, but sometimes commits to the play too soon in a 2-on-1 situation. He's pretty good defensively in the zone, and has good positioning.
Tomas Plekanec (F) - Hasn't lost his spark at all. Looks like he never stopped for the summer. He knows how to pace himself though, giving a solid effort when needed and relaxing when not. Will, once again, be great.
Mike Komisarek (D) - Strong skating from Mike. Looks his opponent right in the eyes... with a freakish amount of intensity. He is ready to be fantastic and was very focused throughout practice.
David Deharnais (F) - Impressive, just like last year. He has a solid shot and good hands. Knows how to deke, and when not to. He's small but smart - reminiscent of Koivu.
Sergei Kostitsyn (F) - As fast as ever. The finesse is still there, as is the intensity and grit.
Alex Tangay (F) - He's got really soft hands. He sees the plays well, knows how to make those key passes in front of the net. Also has an uncanny ability to find the holes in the goalie's stance... and hits net more often than not.
Ryan Flinn (F) - Was very average. Didn't stand out much, but has good positioning. He should be a good veteran in Hamilton.
Max Pacioretty (F) - Consistently made good clean shots, but needs to work on passing - both making them and receiving them, especially in motion. He doesn't seem to like passing very much, in fact. He has good speed and nice hands, but doesn't seem to be able to finish when chooses to deke.
Thomas Beauregard (F) - Needs to work on his aim. He's got strength but only average to poor skating... Much like Guillaume Latendresse. Also has trouble staying up to speed when skating backwards.
James T. Wyman (F) - An average skater, with an average shot. The kind of player you don't dislike, but don't necessarily like either because he doesn't stand out positively or negatively.
Cedrick Desjardins (G) - Has solid positioning. Makes the key saves and sees well when his net is crowded.
Jaroslav Halak (G) - Needs to work on cross-crease movement when he's doing the splits. Looks a little slow and out of practice, and didn't seem to be focused enough.
And now, some random observations:
- Carey Price was wearing white pads again. In fact, the only goalie I saw with a bit more colour than white with some accents was Lacasse.
- Ryan Flinn had some kick ass facial hair
- The Plekanec - Kostitsyn x2 line looks like it's ready to take over the league... They're sparking and sparkling!
- Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn had a nice little 2 on 1 with Pleky in D... Andrei roughed him up a bit but they laughed about it later... That's good chemistry!
- Halak was being really hard on himself... I wonder if he's sick or injured, or just out of it. Personal issues, perhaps?
- Similarly, Markov didn't look like his head was all there... though it got better as we went along.
Looking forward to intersquad matches tomorrow... if I can make it!
Stay tuned...
I attended Day 1 of training camp today, at the Pierrefonds Sportsplexe. It was, indeed, open to the public, which is not usually the case for Day 1. Usually the open practices at Pierrefonds happen later on during camp, starting on a Friday and ending on Sunday.
Instead of writing a long long paragraph about my overall impressions on each player, I decided that I would take quick notes on the guys on the ice and share them with all of you.
I watched Groups A and B - which means I missed out on Group C and Saku Koivu, Christopher Higgins, Ryan O'Byrne, Georges Laraque and other storied names.
So here goes...
Keep in mind: there were only drills today, no matches.
Group A:
Shawn Belle (D) - I was really impressed by Belle. He's strong and fast and has good hands. Definitely noticeable on the ice, and not because of his skin colour ;)
Josh Gorges (D) - Solid as usual... Nothing new to report, nothing old to report.
Yannick Weber (D) - A bit weak at times, needs to work on anticipating plays, but has soft hands when he wants to.
Robert Lang (F) - Looked easy going, comfortable on the ice... At first, wasn't pushing too hard but seems to be a highly intuitive player, with creative passing, which includes a good use of the boards.
Alex Kovalev (F) - Got right back into it, so ready for the season to start... Hands are soft as ever.
Alex Henry (D) - Always gave a second effort, but needs a lot of work.
Tom Kostopoulos (F) - So full of energy... I think he can be a real player this season. He's already working hard, and looks ready to start pounding the opposition.
Ryan White (F) - Solid top shelf shot. He'll definitely be a leader in Hamilton this season. His shot is pretty hard, but he needs to think faster in sticky situations, ie behind the net.
Guillaume Latendresse (F) - Trying hard but I'm not sure it'll be enough. Still needs to work on his speed. Basically, the same Gui we all know.
Loic Lacasse (G) - Wow. Impressive. He sees the puck very well, has good, quick reflexes and is very intuitive. He has good composure and looks solid in nets.
Carey Price (G) - Good reflexes/reaction time. He's much quicker on his feet and faster reaching with his stick.
Olivier Latendresse (F) - He's strong and aggressive in front of the net. Needs to work on skating backwards. Thinks well in offensive and even defensive situations, but doesn't react well in 1-on-1s.
Mathieu Aubin (F) - Plays the man well, has good speed and positioning.
Kyle Chipchura (F) - A way different player from last year. He's not into it at all. Needs to work on skating backwards. Still thinks well, but doesn't read the play well in 1-on-1s.
Brock Trotter (F) - Good positioning. Is missing that spark that really gets you noticed, but is a hard worker and seems to provide a solid, constant effort. Should fit in well in Hamilton.
Gregory Stewart (F) -A strong player with good passing. He thinks and sees the play well, but needs to get more involved at times in defensive play.
Group B
Andrei Markov (D) - Looked decent. Not in season shape yet. Mostly going through the motions, even seeming bored at times. Will probably have a slow start to the season if he doesn't pick it up soon.
Benjamin Maxwell (F) - Good hands. His shots are clean and he gives a second effort. Definitely a finisher.
Mathieu Carle (D) -Very impressive. One of my favourite guys to watch so far at camp. He aims well, has a strong shot and is a good forward skater. He's got those seeing-eye passes. He should be the number 1 D in Hamilton and the first to be called up to the big league.
Chad Anderson (D) - Good backwards speed, but sometimes commits to the play too soon in a 2-on-1 situation. He's pretty good defensively in the zone, and has good positioning.
Tomas Plekanec (F) - Hasn't lost his spark at all. Looks like he never stopped for the summer. He knows how to pace himself though, giving a solid effort when needed and relaxing when not. Will, once again, be great.
Mike Komisarek (D) - Strong skating from Mike. Looks his opponent right in the eyes... with a freakish amount of intensity. He is ready to be fantastic and was very focused throughout practice.
David Deharnais (F) - Impressive, just like last year. He has a solid shot and good hands. Knows how to deke, and when not to. He's small but smart - reminiscent of Koivu.
Sergei Kostitsyn (F) - As fast as ever. The finesse is still there, as is the intensity and grit.
Alex Tangay (F) - He's got really soft hands. He sees the plays well, knows how to make those key passes in front of the net. Also has an uncanny ability to find the holes in the goalie's stance... and hits net more often than not.
Ryan Flinn (F) - Was very average. Didn't stand out much, but has good positioning. He should be a good veteran in Hamilton.
Max Pacioretty (F) - Consistently made good clean shots, but needs to work on passing - both making them and receiving them, especially in motion. He doesn't seem to like passing very much, in fact. He has good speed and nice hands, but doesn't seem to be able to finish when chooses to deke.
Thomas Beauregard (F) - Needs to work on his aim. He's got strength but only average to poor skating... Much like Guillaume Latendresse. Also has trouble staying up to speed when skating backwards.
James T. Wyman (F) - An average skater, with an average shot. The kind of player you don't dislike, but don't necessarily like either because he doesn't stand out positively or negatively.
Cedrick Desjardins (G) - Has solid positioning. Makes the key saves and sees well when his net is crowded.
Jaroslav Halak (G) - Needs to work on cross-crease movement when he's doing the splits. Looks a little slow and out of practice, and didn't seem to be focused enough.
And now, some random observations:
- Carey Price was wearing white pads again. In fact, the only goalie I saw with a bit more colour than white with some accents was Lacasse.
- Ryan Flinn had some kick ass facial hair
- The Plekanec - Kostitsyn x2 line looks like it's ready to take over the league... They're sparking and sparkling!
- Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn had a nice little 2 on 1 with Pleky in D... Andrei roughed him up a bit but they laughed about it later... That's good chemistry!
- Halak was being really hard on himself... I wonder if he's sick or injured, or just out of it. Personal issues, perhaps?
- Similarly, Markov didn't look like his head was all there... though it got better as we went along.
Looking forward to intersquad matches tomorrow... if I can make it!
Stay tuned...
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Round 1 in Toronto
Well, Round 1 is over and Round 2 is underway. And I'm still in Toronto! Which is to be expected, and a good thing really. Except that I'm really starting to miss the euphoria and Habs fever of Montreal. Not to mention their weather, which has been considerably more sunny than Toronto ever since that snowstorm period in early April.
As for the job itself, I definitely settled into it. It's really cool to learn all about the different technologies, from the audio mixer to video switcher, EVS machines and a bunch of other stuff like tape archiving, etc. I think my internship at Sportsnet last summer definitely better prepared me for this job, because I at least had some idea of how a studio show and production studio works. Those rows of big yellow tapes in Sports Archives on the second basement didn't scare me!
In a way, I find studio production to be much more hectic in the control room than in a truck. I guess the truck is hectic in a different way. Even though Control Room 42 basically only produces the studio segments and related VTR items, when they're on, it's crazy. And I love it.
My only problem is trying to sleep after a show... All I hear is "roll Silver, cut Silver, mix to Blue" etc etc.
I've learned so much just from observing and listening, and I'm glad that the Hockey Night in Canada family is so open and friendly. Not that I was expecting anything different, but it's nice to be able to ask just about any production related question and get a real answer. You just have to know when to ask and when to just be silent.
Anyway, instead of boring you with more TV observations, I thought I'd try something different. Here's a summary of my time in Toronto from the moment I got to the airport in Montreal until the beginning of Round 2, through facebook.
Enjoy!
PS: The (m) is for mobile update. And it's in reverse time order, by date.
Naila is in transit. (m) 12:02pm
April 6
Naila actually got home before 1 am! Impressive! (m)
Naila votes P.J. Stock for superstar of the day!That's 4 straight hours of radio,then 20 mins of TV.
Naila will try to read Total Stanley Cup today. 9:17am
Naila might be getting a cold. Oh well. Even the best fall down sometimes.
Naila can't wait for early meal break! (m)
Naila loves College station because of its beautiful hockey-related murals. (m)
Naila keeps forgetting she can't get out from Front Street at this time! (m) 11:42pm
Naila just flashed back to last summer... another example of the love-hate relationship between trams and bikes. (m) 2:06pm
Naila can't believe how loud the Bell Centre is... and that's just on TV! (m) 8:28pm
Naila had a wonderful 2 days in Montreal and will definitely miss Habs fever! (m)10:44am
Naila is flying! (m) 8:09am
Naila loves all these End of Year pics.
Naila wonders how she got a bruise in the middle of her right cheek bum. (m) 2:24pm
Naila was looking at Olympic dates and just realized she didn't have to worry about starting school! (m) 11:54am
Naila loves. 10:29am
Naila is glad her prediction for tonight turned out to be wrong. 1:05am
Naila realizes how much she really does miss playing hockey after watching it day in and day out.
Naila loves her uncanny ability to cut or bruise herself on just about anything. (m) 1:12pm
Naila is glad it isn't as cold as it was supposed to be today.
Naila apologizes.
Naila is so happy for her boys!! (m) 10:36pm
Naila is having hockey related heart attacks! (m) 8:24pm
Naila just saw 2 random guys walking down King street in Habs jerseys. Oh yeah! (m) 3:06pm
Naila is sorta comforted at the fact that the subway fails in Toronto too... but why did it have to happen to me? (m)12:13pm
Naila will rock you. 10:00am
Naila wrote half her paper in shorthand on the subway ride in to work this morning. 2:23pm
Naila just saw a butterfly crossing the street!(m) 11:34am
Naila is ready for flip flops.
Naila thought that was pretty depressing. (m) 9:47pm
Naila has heart palpitations again! (m)
Naila has decided today is a HUG day. Any and all hugs will be accepted. 10:17am
Naila thinks these seagulls or wtv they're called sound like whining babies. Also, yey! sun! 2:24pm
Naila always forgets how different it feels to walk in flip-flop like sandals.11:56am
Naila is excited to hang out with Ryan tonight!!! :D.
Naila is sad that her aunt who she hasn't seen in 11 years is in Montreal, and she's not :(. (m) 12:25am
Naila brought the flowers Ryan got her to the craft room. Now it smells exotic in there. 3:03pm
Naila has decided she's pretty decent looking. (m)
Naila had amazing cake at work today. 7:02pm
Naila really has to get cracking on this act of citizenship assignment.
Naila has too much pent-up frustration (not Habs related), but she wishes she'd punched something softer than an elevator mirror. 12:29am
Naila still can't stop smiling!!
Naila just can't believe it!! GO HABS GO!! (m) 10:22pm
Naila just saw Peter Mansbridge walking around level 4 of the CBC building. (m) 4:23pm
Naila thinks her paper is almost done.
Naila will have to finish this thing at work today.
Naila is hanging out. 7:56pm
Naila saw a girl in a Habs smile Tshirt sitting on a bench in downtown Toronto... And then a guy in a Habs jersey having lunch a few steps away. (m) 2:09pm
Naila almost just walked in to a CTV shot. Can't escape the media forever!!
Naila can't believe she's actually done school. 11:17am
Naila has new clothes! 10:39pm
Naila would move to Toronto for Red Lobster. (m)8:01pm
Naila can't believe she's actually eating at Red Lobster for the first time since she was like 8. Omg awesome! (m)6:58pm
Naila has Hockey Night music stuck in her head! (m)5:05pm
Naila is shopping on her day off! (m) 3:46pm
Naila wanted to go out but the rain is putting a damper on things...
Naila should be sleeping.
And there you have it... the ups and downs of life in live TV...
As for the job itself, I definitely settled into it. It's really cool to learn all about the different technologies, from the audio mixer to video switcher, EVS machines and a bunch of other stuff like tape archiving, etc. I think my internship at Sportsnet last summer definitely better prepared me for this job, because I at least had some idea of how a studio show and production studio works. Those rows of big yellow tapes in Sports Archives on the second basement didn't scare me!
In a way, I find studio production to be much more hectic in the control room than in a truck. I guess the truck is hectic in a different way. Even though Control Room 42 basically only produces the studio segments and related VTR items, when they're on, it's crazy. And I love it.
My only problem is trying to sleep after a show... All I hear is "roll Silver, cut Silver, mix to Blue" etc etc.
I've learned so much just from observing and listening, and I'm glad that the Hockey Night in Canada family is so open and friendly. Not that I was expecting anything different, but it's nice to be able to ask just about any production related question and get a real answer. You just have to know when to ask and when to just be silent.
Anyway, instead of boring you with more TV observations, I thought I'd try something different. Here's a summary of my time in Toronto from the moment I got to the airport in Montreal until the beginning of Round 2, through facebook.
Enjoy!
PS: The (m) is for mobile update. And it's in reverse time order, by date.
April 5
Naila is in transit. (m) 12:02pm
Naila is in Toronto, ready for her big debut! (m)3:49pm
April 6
Naila thought watching broadcast schedule making was awesome. So hectic. So worth it. (m) 11:02pm
Naila really enjoys the fact that if you miss the subway in Toronto it only takes 2 mins for the next one to show up. Even on weekends. (m)5:33pm
Naila thoroughly enjoyed work today. 1:57am
April 7
Naila actually got home before 1 am! Impressive! (m)
Naila votes P.J. Stock for superstar of the day!That's 4 straight hours of radio,then 20 mins of TV.
Naila will try to read Total Stanley Cup today. 9:17am
Naila hopes the Habs give her a Bday present for Game 1. 12:34am
April 8
Naila might be getting a cold. Oh well. Even the best fall down sometimes.
Naila feels like today was longer than any other day, but in fact, it was 2h shorter! (m) 8:12pm
Naila can't wait for early meal break! (m)
Naila loves College station because of its beautiful hockey-related murals. (m)
Naila couldn't sleep past 7:45. Silly brain. 8:37am
April 9
Naila keeps forgetting she can't get out from Front Street at this time! (m) 11:42pm
Naila just flashed back to last summer... another example of the love-hate relationship between trams and bikes. (m) 2:06pm
Naila just realized that people in Toronto who are not hockey fans think HNIC goes off the air onge the Leafs' season is over. (m) 11:57am
Naila totally is sick. But have no fear! Advil Cold & Sinus is here! 9:50am
April 10
Naila has had the best birthday ever and received an abundance of love and gifts, including the Habs' victory and a promise of a ticket to Vancouver from my dad! 10:36pm
Naila is excited for Ryan's graduation ceremony!(m)12:47pm
Naila has landed in her hometown. (m)10:00am
Naila couldn't sleep, with Ron and Don and Control Room 42 in her ear all night! (m) 7:12am
Naila is kinda impressed that facebook wished her a happy birthday! 12:28am
April 11
Naila has a papercut in the middle of her right index finger. What inconvenient placement! (m) 1:29pm
Naila is so very happy :).
9:27amApril 12
Naila can't believe how loud the Bell Centre is... and that's just on TV! (m) 8:28pm
Naila had a wonderful 2 days in Montreal and will definitely miss Habs fever! (m)10:44am
Naila is flying! (m) 8:09am
Naila feels totally blessed. 12:54am
April 13
Naila loves all these End of Year pics.
Naila wonders how she got a bruise in the middle of her right cheek bum. (m) 2:24pm
Naila was looking at Olympic dates and just realized she didn't have to worry about starting school! (m) 11:54am
Naila loves. 10:29am
Naila is glad her prediction for tonight turned out to be wrong. 1:05am
April 14
Naila realizes how much she really does miss playing hockey after watching it day in and day out.
Naila loves her uncanny ability to cut or bruise herself on just about anything. (m) 1:12pm
Naila is glad it isn't as cold as it was supposed to be today.
Naila apologizes.
Naila was impressed by stellar performances by both early game goalies tonight. Not so much in Calgary. 12:28am
April 15
Naila is so happy for her boys!! (m) 10:36pm
Naila is having hockey related heart attacks! (m) 8:24pm
Naila just saw 2 random guys walking down King street in Habs jerseys. Oh yeah! (m) 3:06pm
Naila is sorta comforted at the fact that the subway fails in Toronto too... but why did it have to happen to me? (m)12:13pm
Naila will rock you. 10:00am
April 16
Naila wrote half her paper in shorthand on the subway ride in to work this morning. 2:23pm
Naila just saw a butterfly crossing the street!(m) 11:34am
Naila is ready for flip flops.
Naila enjoys the luxuries in life... like having lunch with Lindsay! 12:09am
April 17
Naila thought that was pretty depressing. (m) 9:47pm
Naila has heart palpitations again! (m)
Naila has decided today is a HUG day. Any and all hugs will be accepted. 10:17am
Naila had fun learning a bunch of new things tonight. (m) 12:24am
April 18
Naila thinks these seagulls or wtv they're called sound like whining babies. Also, yey! sun! 2:24pm
Naila always forgets how different it feels to walk in flip-flop like sandals.11:56am
Naila is excited to hang out with Ryan tonight!!! :D.
Naila is sad that her aunt who she hasn't seen in 11 years is in Montreal, and she's not :(. (m) 12:25am
April 19
Naila brought the flowers Ryan got her to the craft room. Now it smells exotic in there. 3:03pm
Naila had a blast hanging out with Ryan and work friends last night. 9:42am
April 20
Naila has decided she's pretty decent looking. (m)
Naila had amazing cake at work today. 7:02pm
Naila really has to get cracking on this act of citizenship assignment.
Naila has too much pent-up frustration (not Habs related), but she wishes she'd punched something softer than an elevator mirror. 12:29am
April 21
Naila still can't stop smiling!!
Naila just can't believe it!! GO HABS GO!! (m) 10:22pm
Naila just saw Peter Mansbridge walking around level 4 of the CBC building. (m) 4:23pm
Naila thinks her paper is almost done.
Naila will have to finish this thing at work today.
Naila needs to finish this essay. 1:05am
April 22
Naila is hanging out. 7:56pm
Naila saw a girl in a Habs smile Tshirt sitting on a bench in downtown Toronto... And then a guy in a Habs jersey having lunch a few steps away. (m) 2:09pm
Naila almost just walked in to a CTV shot. Can't escape the media forever!!
Naila can't believe she's actually done school. 11:17am
April 23
Naila has new clothes! 10:39pm
Naila would move to Toronto for Red Lobster. (m)8:01pm
Naila can't believe she's actually eating at Red Lobster for the first time since she was like 8. Omg awesome! (m)6:58pm
Naila has Hockey Night music stuck in her head! (m)5:05pm
Naila is shopping on her day off! (m) 3:46pm
Naila wanted to go out but the rain is putting a damper on things...
Naila should be sleeping.
Naila has a day off!! 2:59am
And there you have it... the ups and downs of life in live TV...
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
New Feature!
Of the written kind, I mean.
Here's the piece I wrote on the goalies of the Concordia University women's hockey team, the Stingers. It was published in today's edition of the Link.
Enjoy!
By Naila Jinnah
On paper, Concordia Stingers goaltenders Meggy Hatin-Léveillée, Audrey Doyon-Lessard and Stephanie Peck don’t have much in common, apart from sharing a spot on the women’s hockey team.
A quick glance at the roster shows that the girls have different eligibility years, come from different CÉGEPs and are in programs that couldn’t be more different: honours psychology, exercise science and marketing respectively. But one look at these three masked warriors and all those differences come crashing to the ice.
Goalies are a special breed, a saying that rings especially true for collegiate teams. For years, these girls have been the only goaltenders on their team, left aside at practices while the rest of the players worked on drills. They have become more self-sufficient than their teammates, often learning on their own and from their own mistakes. They have been the starting goalie every game—by default. But CÉGEP brought not only a new level of play but also a new reality—competing for the starting spot with at least two other girls.
This is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, there is the risk of spending most of the season on the bench rather than on the ice. On the other hand, practices are a bit more fun when you have a companion to run goaltending drills with.
“With the three of us, practice is more fun, because it’s like a team of goalies!” said Hatin-Léveillée, laughing with her goaltending partners.
“Being goalie is a very special bond,” she added. “Aside from our field of study, we really understand each other, even if others don’t. We know we can rely on the other two to understand, so we don’t feel awkward or out of place.”
Hatin-Léveillée and Doyon-Lessard have been splitting the load for one season, but Peck joined the team this year. They were an instant fit.
“I totally felt welcome with them,” said rookie Peck. “I knew right away that they got along really well because it showed. It really makes a difference when you get along with your goalie partner.”
This year, the girls need to get along with someone else too. For the first time in four years, the Stingers have added a goalie coach to their staff. Dave Paré gets on the ice with the girls during practice and his feedback is definitely appreciated.
“Last year we couldn’t improve on anything because no one would tell us what the problems were,” Hatin-Léveillée said. “But this year, in practice, our coach tells us what we do and we can improve our game.”
“It makes us feel more part of a team and more important, in a way.”
“I think it shows that we just prioritize the goaltending and that it’s really important,” said Peck. “We need that kind of help and it’s good to have that kind of support.”
The girls also get a lot of support from each other—they spend a lot of time together and the comfortable chemistry that was established during training camp turned into friendly competition as the season started. At the beginning, Hatin-Léveillée and Doyon-Lessard were the goaltending duo of choice, and while Hatin-Léveillée got many starts, there was no clear-cut number one goalie. But on Oct. 28, 2007, Doyon-Lessard was injured in a game at Carleton University.
“I tried to cover the puck and was going forward, but the girl sort of skated on my head,” explained Doyon-Lessard.
She was diagnosed with a concussion, an injury that is particularly hard to recover from since it requires complete rest. After over two months on the injured reserve list, Doyon-Lessard finally made it back between the pipes on Jan. 6, 2008 for the championship game of the Theresa Humes tournament, replacing starter Hatin-Léveillée. The Stingers lost 7-0 to McGill.
“It was great for me to play,” Doyon-Lessard said after the game, “but I didn’t like the reason why I had to go in.”
Meanwhile, Peck was back at her usual seat in the stands. The third goalie is often lost in the rush, but she is just as much a member of the team as the other girls. Like Doyon-Lessard when she was injured, Peck needs to attend all practices and games, even if she’s not dressing for the latter. The average observer doesn’t notice her, but she is far from invisible to her teammates. And while the seats in the stands are mostly comfortable, it’s not Peck’s spot of choice.
“It’s really tough coming in as a third goalie,” she said. “People don’t understand unless they’ve lived it.”
“With goalies, there are only three spots, and two that dress,” said Hatin-Léveillée. “With players, there’s a lot more room to work with. They have twelve!”
“I’ve lived it,” she added, “and now Steph is going through it.”
“It’s a real learning experience,” Peck said. “It’s definitely going to make me better for it. Stronger. It’s humbling too, because you have to earn it. Everybody has to pay their dues.”
The bond between these three girls is apparent in their interactions on and off the ice, and their unofficial ranking on the roster is not of much concern to them.
“We try to stay together and keep it equal in practices,” Hatin-Léveillée said. “And come game time, for sure there’s going to be a goalie who plays and a goalie who doesn’t dress. I think that’s the only time that there’s a difference.”
“In practice, we don’t see number one, number two, number three. We don’t see a difference.”
But for Hatin-Léveillée, having a new partner in crime didn’t change the way she approached the game. Competition is important, but the girls each have a different role to play on the team. They push each other in positive ways.
“It’s never taken for granted,” Hatin-Léveillée said. “I’m not number one for sure. We have to work for it, earn it, and if I play a good game, more points for me!”
“It’s a competition, but at the same time it’s healthy, because we’re not bitching about it and we’re not being mean about it. We want our spot and we want to deserve it. If I don’t feel like I deserve it, I don’t want to be the one in nets.”
“It’s not like if someone has a bad game, you’re like ‘yes!’ You put the team first,” Peck agreed.
“We all can do it, and we all know that everyone here can stop the puck wherever it is,” said Hatin-Léveillée. “When it happens that we have bad games, we know it’s a mental thing. So we go up to each other and tell the other goalie to get back in there and to be strong mentally.”
The girls don’t really see each other outside of hockey, although that’s probably a good thing. With practice, workout sessions, school and homework, it’s hard to find time to relax, not to mention that non-hockey friends tend to get jealous.
“You’re with each other every day,” said Doyon-Lessard. “We see each other more than our family!”
It is this commitment to the game that enables the girls to make these sacrifices. Their love for hockey is apparent on and off the ice, and their passion brings them together just as it divides them.
“We have that thing in common that we love to come here to play hockey in the morning,” said Hatin-Léveillée.
“But like it or not, we’re here to play hockey, and we all want the same thing,” concluded Peck.
-30-
Here's the piece I wrote on the goalies of the Concordia University women's hockey team, the Stingers. It was published in today's edition of the Link.
Enjoy!
Passion brings Stingers goalies together
But a little competition is healthy for women's hockey teammatesBy Naila Jinnah
On paper, Concordia Stingers goaltenders Meggy Hatin-Léveillée, Audrey Doyon-Lessard and Stephanie Peck don’t have much in common, apart from sharing a spot on the women’s hockey team.
A quick glance at the roster shows that the girls have different eligibility years, come from different CÉGEPs and are in programs that couldn’t be more different: honours psychology, exercise science and marketing respectively. But one look at these three masked warriors and all those differences come crashing to the ice.
Goalies are a special breed, a saying that rings especially true for collegiate teams. For years, these girls have been the only goaltenders on their team, left aside at practices while the rest of the players worked on drills. They have become more self-sufficient than their teammates, often learning on their own and from their own mistakes. They have been the starting goalie every game—by default. But CÉGEP brought not only a new level of play but also a new reality—competing for the starting spot with at least two other girls.
This is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, there is the risk of spending most of the season on the bench rather than on the ice. On the other hand, practices are a bit more fun when you have a companion to run goaltending drills with.
“With the three of us, practice is more fun, because it’s like a team of goalies!” said Hatin-Léveillée, laughing with her goaltending partners.
“Being goalie is a very special bond,” she added. “Aside from our field of study, we really understand each other, even if others don’t. We know we can rely on the other two to understand, so we don’t feel awkward or out of place.”
Hatin-Léveillée and Doyon-Lessard have been splitting the load for one season, but Peck joined the team this year. They were an instant fit.
“I totally felt welcome with them,” said rookie Peck. “I knew right away that they got along really well because it showed. It really makes a difference when you get along with your goalie partner.”
This year, the girls need to get along with someone else too. For the first time in four years, the Stingers have added a goalie coach to their staff. Dave Paré gets on the ice with the girls during practice and his feedback is definitely appreciated.
“Last year we couldn’t improve on anything because no one would tell us what the problems were,” Hatin-Léveillée said. “But this year, in practice, our coach tells us what we do and we can improve our game.”
“It makes us feel more part of a team and more important, in a way.”
“I think it shows that we just prioritize the goaltending and that it’s really important,” said Peck. “We need that kind of help and it’s good to have that kind of support.”
The girls also get a lot of support from each other—they spend a lot of time together and the comfortable chemistry that was established during training camp turned into friendly competition as the season started. At the beginning, Hatin-Léveillée and Doyon-Lessard were the goaltending duo of choice, and while Hatin-Léveillée got many starts, there was no clear-cut number one goalie. But on Oct. 28, 2007, Doyon-Lessard was injured in a game at Carleton University.
“I tried to cover the puck and was going forward, but the girl sort of skated on my head,” explained Doyon-Lessard.
She was diagnosed with a concussion, an injury that is particularly hard to recover from since it requires complete rest. After over two months on the injured reserve list, Doyon-Lessard finally made it back between the pipes on Jan. 6, 2008 for the championship game of the Theresa Humes tournament, replacing starter Hatin-Léveillée. The Stingers lost 7-0 to McGill.
“It was great for me to play,” Doyon-Lessard said after the game, “but I didn’t like the reason why I had to go in.”
Meanwhile, Peck was back at her usual seat in the stands. The third goalie is often lost in the rush, but she is just as much a member of the team as the other girls. Like Doyon-Lessard when she was injured, Peck needs to attend all practices and games, even if she’s not dressing for the latter. The average observer doesn’t notice her, but she is far from invisible to her teammates. And while the seats in the stands are mostly comfortable, it’s not Peck’s spot of choice.
“It’s really tough coming in as a third goalie,” she said. “People don’t understand unless they’ve lived it.”
“With goalies, there are only three spots, and two that dress,” said Hatin-Léveillée. “With players, there’s a lot more room to work with. They have twelve!”
“I’ve lived it,” she added, “and now Steph is going through it.”
“It’s a real learning experience,” Peck said. “It’s definitely going to make me better for it. Stronger. It’s humbling too, because you have to earn it. Everybody has to pay their dues.”
The bond between these three girls is apparent in their interactions on and off the ice, and their unofficial ranking on the roster is not of much concern to them.
“We try to stay together and keep it equal in practices,” Hatin-Léveillée said. “And come game time, for sure there’s going to be a goalie who plays and a goalie who doesn’t dress. I think that’s the only time that there’s a difference.”
“In practice, we don’t see number one, number two, number three. We don’t see a difference.”
But for Hatin-Léveillée, having a new partner in crime didn’t change the way she approached the game. Competition is important, but the girls each have a different role to play on the team. They push each other in positive ways.
“It’s never taken for granted,” Hatin-Léveillée said. “I’m not number one for sure. We have to work for it, earn it, and if I play a good game, more points for me!”
“It’s a competition, but at the same time it’s healthy, because we’re not bitching about it and we’re not being mean about it. We want our spot and we want to deserve it. If I don’t feel like I deserve it, I don’t want to be the one in nets.”
“It’s not like if someone has a bad game, you’re like ‘yes!’ You put the team first,” Peck agreed.
“We all can do it, and we all know that everyone here can stop the puck wherever it is,” said Hatin-Léveillée. “When it happens that we have bad games, we know it’s a mental thing. So we go up to each other and tell the other goalie to get back in there and to be strong mentally.”
The girls don’t really see each other outside of hockey, although that’s probably a good thing. With practice, workout sessions, school and homework, it’s hard to find time to relax, not to mention that non-hockey friends tend to get jealous.
“You’re with each other every day,” said Doyon-Lessard. “We see each other more than our family!”
It is this commitment to the game that enables the girls to make these sacrifices. Their love for hockey is apparent on and off the ice, and their passion brings them together just as it divides them.
“We have that thing in common that we love to come here to play hockey in the morning,” said Hatin-Léveillée.
“But like it or not, we’re here to play hockey, and we all want the same thing,” concluded Peck.
-30-
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Game story: Concordia puts up a fight against Carleton, loses 3-0
Concordia puts up a fight against Carleton, loses 3-0
By Naila Jinnah
For the first time this season, the Carleton Ravens woman’s hockey team beat the Concordia Stingers by a score other than 4-3. Carlton goaltender Valerie Charbonneau stopped all 32 shots against her to earn a 3-0 shutout, her first of the season.
“It’s amazing,” said Charbonneau. “I’m really happy that it was a team effort, more than just a shutout.”
The first period ended tied at zero, with both goaltenders keeping their team in the game. Despite both teams hooking and slashing away, only four penalties were called.
The second period was much more aggressive. Carleton started out strong, scoring two goals in the period’s fourth minute. Right-wing Carly Snell passed the puck to Kristina Romeo in a 2-on-1 that caught Stingers’ goalie Meggy Hatin-Léveillée in the middle of her lateral movement. Forty-eight seconds later, Caitlin Cadeau accepted a breakaway pass from Amanda Stillar to secure a two-goal lead.
Concordia retaliated by tightening their defence and dishing out a strong forecheck, spending most of the next two minutes in the Ravens’ zone. The Stingers’ aggressive play forced Carleton to take three consecutive penalties, but the Ravens were excellent in killing the penalties.
“Out of the 10 penalties called in the period, (8) were against us,” said Carleton head coach Marco Ouellette after the game. “I really think the penalty-kill came strong for us, especially from our goalie.”
The Stingers’ offensive efforts ended with a two-minute hooking call on captain Andrea Dolan.
On her next shift, Dolan and Carleton defender Maxime Vaillant collided at the Stingers’ blue line. Vaillant received a delayed cross-checking penalty. As the play moved to the Ravens’ zone, Carleton captain Michelle Higgins elbowed Dolan, who was in mid-stride. For several minutes, Dolan writhed on the ice. Finally, she was carried off to the dressing room, helped along by her teammates and cheers from the stands.
Higgins was served with a 5-minute penalty for cross-checking, a 10-minute game misconduct, and a 2-minute subsequent penalty for elbowing (served by Jessica Bradley).
“It was unexpected,” said Charbonneau. “I knew emotions were running high, but my captain is always in control of her emotions. I asked her after the game and she said she wasn’t intentionally trying to (injure her).”
“She was just trying to get off the ice,” concluded the Carleton goalie.
With less than a minute left in the second period, Concordia had a 5-on-3 opportunity, but they were unable to capitalize on their chances.
Dolan returned to the bench to start the third period and brought with her a renewed and energetic team. But motivation was not enough, as star player Angela Di Stasi was called for roughing.
“We were in a position to get back in the game,” said Stingers’ coach Les Lawton, visibly disappointed. “We had a 5-on-3 for three minutes, then we took a needless penalty.”
Carleton would add an insurance goal midway through the third period. Veteran Stingers’ defender Esther Latoures handled herself well on the one-on-one, but Hatin-Léveillée gave Ravens’ centre Tara O’Reilly a soft rebound.
The Stingers could have stopped trying, but instead, they battled with almost fierce determination until the final buzzer.
“We never got control on the ice,” summed up Lawton. “We’re working on that, but I think everyone was on a different page tonight.”
On paper, Carleton and Concordia are evenly matched. Carleton is only four points in front of Concordia in their division, with one game in hand, and all four of their wins have come against the Stingers.
The Carleton coach thinks both teams are very talented. “Concordia only won one game,” said Ouellette, “but they’re one of the strongest teams in the (Canadian University Sports League), as they proved at the Theresa Humes Tournament.”
It remains to be seen if Concordia can be competitive when it actually counts – not just in exhibition games. The Stingers next take the ice against the Ottawa Gee Gees on Friday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 pm at the Ed Meagher Arena.
-30-
P.S.: My Canada's Top Female Athlete in 2006 article earned me an A+
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Canada's Greatest Athlete - Female Edition
Here's an article I wrote for my sportswritting class. Enjoy!
By Naila Jinnah
Canada’s Best Athlete of 2006 – Female Edition
By Naila Jinnah
At the end of each calendar year, experts and fans alike weigh in on Canada’s best athletes. The Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy made 2006 an especially fruitful year, as Canada placed third overall, earning a record 24 medals.
Canadian athletes also dominated the professional sports. Steve Nash was named the NBA’s most valuable player for the second consecutive season, and Joe Thornton won several prestigious NHL awards, including the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy. The MLB also profited from the play of a Canadian first-baseman Justin Morneau, the American League MVP.
But what about the women? Apart from the Olympics, there aren’t many competitions where female athletes can broadcast their talents to the world. That makes their accomplishments harder to spot, and tougher to applaud. This top three of Canada’s best female athletes for 2006 is sure to stir up some memories.
Speed skater Cindy Klassen indisputably takes the top spot. The 26-year-old Winnipeg native earned record-breaking five medals at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, making her the most decorated Olympian ever in Canada. Klassen placed third in the 3,000 and 5,000 meters, came second in the 1,000 race, and earned her first gold medal in the 1,500 meters. She also won a silver medal for her performance in the 2,400 team pursuit, playing a major contribution to Canada’s third place finish. Klassen also won the overall title at the world championships, and was crowned the World Cup champion in the 3,000 meters race. She set numerous world records in the 1,000, 1,500 and the 3,000. Klassen has six career Olympic medals, having won the bronze in the 3,000 during the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
Christine Sinclair is not a household name, but the Burnaby, B.C. soccer player is making a name for herself on the international scene. Sinclair was named the MVP of the 2006 W-League Championship Tournament, leading the Vancouver Whitecaps to their second title in three years. The 23-year-old university student was also on the Canadian national team that finished second in the Women’s Gold Cup, playing the full 90 minutes in most games. Sinclair was named to the FIFA shortlist for the 2006 player of the year, her second consecutive nomination for the award. Sinclair also received honours for her performance in the NCAA, having played with the University of Portland Patriots for the 2005-2006 season. She was named the top female college athlete of 2006, taking the Honda-Broderick Cup for her record-setting 39 goals in one season. For her strong performances in many different circuits, Christine Sinclair is the runner-up for Canada’s best female athlete of 2006.
Clara Hughes won her first-ever gold medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics, topping fellow Winnipeg native Cindy Klassen in the 5,000 speed-skating event. But it’s her determination that places her third on this year’s list. Trailing by nearly four seconds halfway through the race, Hughes pushed herself to the limit on her final lap, finishing in six minutes and 59.07 seconds. Hughes also earned a silver medal in the team pursuit event. The 34-year old became the first-ever Canadian to win multiple medals in both the Summer and Winter Olympics, having earned two bronze medals in cycling at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games. Inspired by American speed skater Joey Cheek’s donation of his $25,000 medal bonus to the athlete-driven charity Right to Play, Hughes donated $10,000 of her own money, since Canada does not give out medal bonuses.
-30-
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