Toronto – January marks the launch of another year for Toronto Argonauts’ award-winning Huddle Up programs. In 2016, the club’s long-standing and renowned Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program, presented by Tim Hortons, will enter its 15th year and has reached its capacity for the third consecutive school year while Huddle Up and Make the Call: A Gender-Based Violence Prevention Project will return for the third year in February.
Since the inaugural season of the Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program in 2001 it has received notable recognition throughout the country. The program has visited more than 500,000 students across eight different school boards in the Greater Toronto Area with nearly 50 different Argonauts players. In 2016, the program will continue to leave its mark as the longest standing community program facilitated by a sports team in the city by hosting 40 Argos player assemblies and seminars from January-April 2016.
In addition to the Huddle Up Bullying Prevention program entering schools this Winter / Spring, the Argonauts Huddle Up and Make the Call: A Gender-Based Violence Prevention Project will also make its return to local high-schools next month. While the Club has been recognized for its noteworthy involvement in the Toronto community, it has also taken a stand to help end men’s violence against women by partnering with the White Ribbon Campaign and Status of Women Canada.
Through both initiatives, Argos players, staff and cheerleaders will lead the way in educating youth on making positive choices through student empowerment and engagement. Argos players including Natey Adjei, Matt Black, Kevin Bradfield, Ricky Foley, Shane Herbert, Tyler Holmes and James Yurichuk will participate in programming this season.
Commented Toronto Argonauts Director, Education & Community Programs, Jason Colero, “As founder of the Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program presented by Tim Hortons, I am very proud to see that this program has made such an impact in our community and in schools around the GTA over the last 15 years. The number of players and cheerleaders that have and continue to demonstrate a true commitment to changing the lives of others is astonishing. Bullying has affected the mental health of many people both young and old, and that is an important reason to continue to assist in addressing the issue. ”
The Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program uses the personal stories of Toronto Argonauts football players, staff and cheerleaders to encourage friendship and inclusion, and reduce or eradicate bullying. It is customized for each school to address the specific issues faced by each student body, ranging from physical and verbal intimidation, to cyber-bullying and even targeted female bullying prevention strategies. The focus is guided by the Huddle Up Student Committee at each of the 40 participating schools, made up of influential student leaders and students that have experience with bullying. These students are empowered to positively impact their school environment by enhancing awareness on the issue of bullying in their school community before, during and after the Toronto Argonauts’ presentation. The program also includes specially designed Parent-Teacher Information Sessions so that parents can learn more about bullying tactics and support their students in overall prevention. In 2009, the Huddle Up program became recognized on the Ministry of Education’s Registry of Bullying Prevention Programs. The Argonauts are the only Canadian sports team to have a program registered.