Jacob's next Sledge Hockey Season
Donation protected
As you might already know, I’m 17 years old and was born missing the right side of my pelvis, hip, and leg; otherwise known as Hemipelvectomy, but I was raised that every opportunity is mine if I work for it.
Para Ice Hockey is a sport that is available to people with or without lower body deficiencies. It’s played sitting in a “sled” which has two blades under the seat, two short hockey sticks which have “picks” at the other end which are used to push yourself forward (skate), turn, and score. Sportsnet did a short documentary (approx. 5 min) on the sport and me when I was 12 years old (http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/jacob-leblanc-even-strength) if you would like to get a glimpse. Once in the competitive league, Junior and Senior National level, you must have a lower extremity deficiency or lower body paralysis.
In New Brunswick, we’ve started a pilot project to organise a league in Moncton and Fredericton, although this is great news for those who are entering the sport or who would like to play recreationally, it doesn’t allow me the opportunity to get the skill training and ice time necessary to compete against players from other provinces who have this opportunity. I did still attend these ice times in the 2016-present season, to work on helping others develop the skills I have obtained, and to give them the love of the sport like I’ve always had.
To get to level I’m at, I’ve travelled on the bus to PEI every Saturday to practice with the recreational team in Crapaud. I’ve also been invited to participate in several tournaments, participate in National Training Camps, and to try out for the Junior National Sledge Hockey team, otherwise known as the NexGen Para Ice Hockey Team, which I made this team in 2018 and 2019. We then played three games against the USA, loosing the first game, winning the second (I scored the winning goal), and loosing the third in my rookie year. They were intense games with the expected CDA/USA rivalry. In August of 2018, as a rookie from the NexGen team, I was one of a few players selected to try out for the National Para Ice Hockey Team. Although I didn’t make the cut, the coaching staff said that they wouldn’t be surprised to see me on the team next year if I zoned in on my skills being a Left Wing, with positioning etc. This is training I can only get outside of the Maritimes since I need to be with players of my level to improve these.
I was invited again this year but sustained a mild concussion which prevented me from finishing the tryout camp.
On August 12, 2018, at 16 years of age, I moved to Terrebonne to train with the Quebec Provincial Team. I improved tremendously but became very homesick. Being a high caliber athlete is not only about physical capacity but also mental. I returned home and tried to train as much as I could to stay fit and work on the skills I attained.
I am currently attending Moncton High School as a grade 12 student. After high school I will be enrolling into an apprenticeship program for carpentry.
I will be playing in three tournaments with Equipe Quebec which obviously includes travel, hotel, food and registration expenses. To further improve my skills, depending on funding, I would be going out to Montreal once every month (month with no tournaments) to have practices with them. On the weekends I’m not with the Montreal team, I would be driving out to Fredericton to practice with my local team there. With my Fredericton team we have 4 annual tournaments (Fredericton, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, and Halifax) in which I would be driving to. Those tournaments would also include hotel, food and registration expenses.
This opportunity comes with greater expenses which are detailed in the attached document.
As this new season and journey have begun, I continue to be dependant on funding to allow me this opportunity. I hope that you would be interested to embark on this adventure with me. I understand that businesses like yours get many requests to sponsor athletes and you want to make certain that your investment is worth your while. Know that I don’t take my training or opportunity lightly. My love of the sport and desire to achieve my goal of one day winning a gold medal for my country at the Paralympic Games, is what keeps me working hard.
We calculated the cost for the 2019-2020 season to be approximately $16,967.00 with me needing a second hand vehicle for transportation to the gym, practices in Fredericton, tournaments, also flights to training and tournaments with Equipe Quebec, registrations, food, and lodging.
I would be interested to meet with you to discuss this possibility but if it is more convenient for you, you can simply make a donation to my GoFundMe page which will also provide you with a receipt. I realize your time is precious and filled with meetings. What ever works best for you, I would be greatly appreciative.
Thank you for your time and consideration. You can contact me at [phone redacted] or email [email redacted] if you have any questions or would like to meet with me.
Para Ice Hockey is a sport that is available to people with or without lower body deficiencies. It’s played sitting in a “sled” which has two blades under the seat, two short hockey sticks which have “picks” at the other end which are used to push yourself forward (skate), turn, and score. Sportsnet did a short documentary (approx. 5 min) on the sport and me when I was 12 years old (http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/jacob-leblanc-even-strength) if you would like to get a glimpse. Once in the competitive league, Junior and Senior National level, you must have a lower extremity deficiency or lower body paralysis.
In New Brunswick, we’ve started a pilot project to organise a league in Moncton and Fredericton, although this is great news for those who are entering the sport or who would like to play recreationally, it doesn’t allow me the opportunity to get the skill training and ice time necessary to compete against players from other provinces who have this opportunity. I did still attend these ice times in the 2016-present season, to work on helping others develop the skills I have obtained, and to give them the love of the sport like I’ve always had.
To get to level I’m at, I’ve travelled on the bus to PEI every Saturday to practice with the recreational team in Crapaud. I’ve also been invited to participate in several tournaments, participate in National Training Camps, and to try out for the Junior National Sledge Hockey team, otherwise known as the NexGen Para Ice Hockey Team, which I made this team in 2018 and 2019. We then played three games against the USA, loosing the first game, winning the second (I scored the winning goal), and loosing the third in my rookie year. They were intense games with the expected CDA/USA rivalry. In August of 2018, as a rookie from the NexGen team, I was one of a few players selected to try out for the National Para Ice Hockey Team. Although I didn’t make the cut, the coaching staff said that they wouldn’t be surprised to see me on the team next year if I zoned in on my skills being a Left Wing, with positioning etc. This is training I can only get outside of the Maritimes since I need to be with players of my level to improve these.
I was invited again this year but sustained a mild concussion which prevented me from finishing the tryout camp.
On August 12, 2018, at 16 years of age, I moved to Terrebonne to train with the Quebec Provincial Team. I improved tremendously but became very homesick. Being a high caliber athlete is not only about physical capacity but also mental. I returned home and tried to train as much as I could to stay fit and work on the skills I attained.
I am currently attending Moncton High School as a grade 12 student. After high school I will be enrolling into an apprenticeship program for carpentry.
I will be playing in three tournaments with Equipe Quebec which obviously includes travel, hotel, food and registration expenses. To further improve my skills, depending on funding, I would be going out to Montreal once every month (month with no tournaments) to have practices with them. On the weekends I’m not with the Montreal team, I would be driving out to Fredericton to practice with my local team there. With my Fredericton team we have 4 annual tournaments (Fredericton, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, and Halifax) in which I would be driving to. Those tournaments would also include hotel, food and registration expenses.
This opportunity comes with greater expenses which are detailed in the attached document.
As this new season and journey have begun, I continue to be dependant on funding to allow me this opportunity. I hope that you would be interested to embark on this adventure with me. I understand that businesses like yours get many requests to sponsor athletes and you want to make certain that your investment is worth your while. Know that I don’t take my training or opportunity lightly. My love of the sport and desire to achieve my goal of one day winning a gold medal for my country at the Paralympic Games, is what keeps me working hard.
We calculated the cost for the 2019-2020 season to be approximately $16,967.00 with me needing a second hand vehicle for transportation to the gym, practices in Fredericton, tournaments, also flights to training and tournaments with Equipe Quebec, registrations, food, and lodging.
I would be interested to meet with you to discuss this possibility but if it is more convenient for you, you can simply make a donation to my GoFundMe page which will also provide you with a receipt. I realize your time is precious and filled with meetings. What ever works best for you, I would be greatly appreciative.
Thank you for your time and consideration. You can contact me at [phone redacted] or email [email redacted] if you have any questions or would like to meet with me.
Organizer
Jacob LeBlanc
Organizer
Moncton, NB