BY: AYESHA KHAN

In the heart of Downsview, one education worker is empowering and motivating youth through physical activity and team-building. Meet Tony Wray, a speech pathologist at Westview High School, known lovingly by his team as Coach Tony when he leads the local chapter of HEROS Hockey in the Jane/Finch area.

Coach Tony began in 2008 as a volunteer with the HEROS program, which provides hockey programming and mentorship to youth all across Canada.

In 2009 when he began going out on the ice with students, he noticed that many talented hockey coaches were working with more developed students but far less attention was being paid to the students who needed more support. This became his personal mission. He recalled working with a Grade 8 student in his capacity as a speech-language pathologist, who came on as a volunteer. HEROS Hockey gave her connection and purpose. She attended every single practice.

When she transitioned into high school, he began supporting her at Westview and quickly noticed the need for support beyond middle school and for retention and mentorship from graduates of the program as well as the need to ensure the high school students were getting volunteer hours. HEROS added more programming to North York, diversifying beyond middle school to both elementary school children (referred to as Future Stars) and high school students (called All Stars.)

So far, approximately 500 kids have been filtered through the program and their lives have changed in all aspects for the better. Coach Tony attests to the immense value it brings to the children to always have mentors one step ahead of them to look up to. Many of them also branch out and volunteer with local organizations providing aid, such as the North York Harvest Food Bank.

“It’s really about that relationship and helping them be as much as they can be.” Tony spoke about the deep, lasting relationships he forges with his students. “These kids are my kids, each one of them.”