Hockey Diversity Alliance Focuses on Helping Young Players

Akim Aliu says the goal of his organization is not to create the next NHL player.

Akim Aliu throws a football to Luke Willson, a retired NFL player, at a park in Toronto.

Aliu prepares to throw the ball as Willson gets ready to catch it.

Willson says he is open to catch the ball.

Aliu was a strong hockey player, but now he helps kids play hockey for free.

A few dozen kids and parents watch Aliu and Willson play football at the Hockey Diversity Alliance's Summerfest.

The football clinic is a new event, but it shows how the HDA can work with other sports to help kids.

The HDA's event on Saturday is an example of how athletes support each other.

Two retired NFL players joined NHL players to help kids from underserved communities play sports.

The HDA's main focus is still on hockey, says Aliu.

The HDA has a free 22-26 week hockey program for kids, and it has been very successful.

During a break, Aliu talks about the HDA's successes.

In 2020, about 200 kids played in the HDA's hockey programs, but now there are over 2,100 kids.

More non-white players are being chosen for the NHL, and more Black players are playing in the league.

The HDA wants to help all kids play hockey, not just the ones who might become NHL players.

Nazem Kadri, an HDA founder, says they just want to do what is right and help kids play sports.

The HDA got a lot of attention in 2020 when companies and sports leagues talked about racism.

Four years earlier, Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem to protest police brutality.

After George Floyd was killed, many athletes and teams started kneeling to protest racism.

Matt Dumba, an HDA founder, gave a speech about racism during a playoff game.

Dumba said racism is a problem that hurts everyone, and players from other teams supported him.

But by 2020, the NHL and HDA were no longer working together, and the NHL started its own diversity committee.

The HDA is not getting as much money from sponsors as it used to.

Many companies that promised to hire more Black employees have not kept their promises.

Aliu says this trend is also affecting the HDA's ability to get corporate support.

Aliu is disappointed that some companies have stopped sponsoring the HDA.

The HDA needs about $1 million a year to provide free hockey programs for 2,100 kids.

When Aliu asked Marshawn Lynch to help with a free clinic, Lynch agreed to come to Toronto.

Lynch and Luke Willson, a retired NFL player, helped kids at the clinic.

Willson thinks the HDA's program is great and wants to support it.

Lynch did not talk to the media, but he thanked the kids for letting him come to Canada.

Aliu is still committed to the HDA's mission of helping kids play hockey.

While some kids played football, others played ball hockey in a community center.

Aliu does not measure success by how many kids become great hockey players, but by how many come back to play each year.

The HDA's goal is to help kids build confidence and work together as a team.

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