Community Moment | The Titan’s always there for the local youth
Since its arrival in Bathurst back in 1998, the Titan has always made great efforts to get closer to the communities of the Chaleur region, and more particularly to its young hockey fans.
Each year, the organization creates partnerships with schools and community groups in order to develop lasting ties. Over the past few months, youngsters from the École Communautaire Carrefour Étudiant in Beresford, NB have had the chance to live some unique experiences.
Physical education teacher Denis Boudreau selected a group of young hockey players, boys and girls, to visit the Titan players in mid-January.
Thirty middle school kids from grades 5 to 8 were able to attend a Titan practice, visit the team’s locker room and learn more about the behind-the-scenes everyday operations of a QMJHL team. The tour also included stops at the medical clinic, the administrative offices and the players’ gym.
Two weeks later, the entire school was invited to the Titan’s game against the Cape Breton Eagles. In all, more than 120 students attended the game on January 31. Some of the franchise’s sponsors covered the cost of tickets and snacks for the youngsters on site.
“Many of these kids had never had the chance to go see a Titan game. I heard from several of them after the game that they wanted to come back. I think they really appreciated their experience”, said Denis Boudreau.
On February 8, it was time for three Titan players (Donovan Arsenault, Mason Chitaroni and Émile Perron) to make their way to the Carrefour Étudiant to chat with some of the youngsters about their hockey careers.
“The objective was to make the kids realize that nothing comes easy. There is a lot of hard work and sacrifice behind every player’s success,” said the physical education teacher.
Many of the kids had prepared questions for their guests.
“I think the players showed a lot of maturity and generosity. The kids look up to them as stars, but they were surprised to learn the details of their hockey careers,” says Boudreau. “The guys mentioned how some of them had been cut from certain teams, and that they didn’t always play for the top squads. But they persevered, and I think that’s the great message for our youth.”
Denis Boudreau says he is fortunate to have such a collaboration with the Titan.
“We have been organizing activities with them for a few years now. This year, I found them even more generous in terms of community relations. It’s really sweet!”
Jean-Daniel Boudreau, the franchise’s Director of Marketing and Game Coordinator, says that kids are the future of the team in the Chaleur region.
“It is important for the Titan to get closer to its community and to the youth. The sparkle in the eyes of youngsters when they enter the players’ room, see our banners and our Memorial Cup replica or, even better, when they interact with players, is proof that somewhere we are succeeding”, he underlines.
“Making people dream is one of the many strengths of sport and it is a beautiful thing when you can share that kind of moment with your community,” he concludes.
