Toronto – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club has been at the forefront of helping to eradicate bullying in GTA schools for well over a decade through its award-winning Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program presented by Tim Hortons. The program just announced the final in-school assemblies for the 2012 school year, leading the way in bullying initiatives through student empowerment and powerful testimonials by an Argos player. Argos players including Matt Black, Tristan Black, Cory Boyd, Mike Bradwell, Andre Durie, Joe Eppele, Ricky Foley, Sammy Tranks and Jordan Younger have participated in the Huddle Up program this off-season.
The program, reaching the end of its 11th year, is customized for each school to address the specific issues faced by each student body, ranging from physical intimidation to cyber-bullying. The focus is guided by the Huddle Up Student Committee at each of the 41 participating schools, made up of identified bullies, victims and popular students. 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 Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program presented by Tim Hortons uses the personal stories of Toronto Argonauts football players to encourage friendship and inclusion, and reduce or eradicate bullying. In 2012, Huddle Up has reached over 35,000 students, and 700 of their parents, with an impactful message that was developed in conjunction with the Canadian Safe School Network. Over the last decade, Huddle Up has reached close to 300,000 students across the G.T.A. ranging in age from 8-18. 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.
Due to school regulations, media wishing to attend any in-school events must contact the Toronto Argonauts Communications Department in advance.
Here are the details for the final Huddle Up Bullying Prevention program presented by Tim Hortons school visits for the 2012 school year:
DATE: Tuesday, March 20
TIME: 12:15 p.m.
SCHOOL: Jack Miner Public School
ADDRESS: 144 Whitburn Street
Whitby, Ontario
PLAYER: Tristan Black
DATE: Friday, March 23
TIME: 9:15 a.m.
SCHOOL: Pineway Public School
ADDRESS: 110 Pineway Blvd.
Toronto, Ontario
PLAYER: Matt Black
DATE: Friday, March 23
TIME: 1:00 p.m.
SCHOOL: St. Pio of Pietrelcina Catholic School
ADDRESS: 4765 Huron Heights Drive
Mississauga, Ontario
PLAYER: Sammy Tranks
DATE: Monday, March 26
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
SCHOOL: Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute
ADDRESS: 3663 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
PLAYER: Ricky Foley
DATE: Tuesday, March 27
TIME: 1:00 p.m.
SCHOOL: St. John Catholic School
ADDRESS: 749 Kingston Road
Toronto, Ontario
PLAYER: Sammy Tranks
DATE: Wednesday, March 28
TIME: 1:30 p.m.
SCHOOL: Blessed Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School
ADDRESS: 40 Sewells Road
Toronto, Ontario
PLAYER: Ricky Foley
DATE: Friday, March 30
TIMES: 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
SCHOOL: Silver Pines Public School
ADDRESS: 112 Stave Crescent
Richmond Hill, Ontario
PLAYER: Joe Eppele
DATE: Tuesday, April 3
TIME: 1:30 p.m.
SCHOOL: Parkland Public School
ADDRESS: 18 Coxworth Avenue
Markham, Ontario
PLAYER: Sammy Tranks
DATE: Thursday, April 5
TIMES: 8:20 a.m. and 9:40 a.m.
SCHOOL: Markham District High School
ADDRESS: 89 Church Street
Markham, Ontario
PLAYER: Joe Eppele