THE TOUR OF HOPE RETURNS FOR 2024
June 27th – July 13th, 2024
In January 2020, the Tour of Hope was established by Kerry Goulet, Wilf Brooks and Angela Lightning to unite Indigenous ice hockey communities in Canada and Australia. The Kaurna Boomerangs from Adelaide, the first Indigenous Ice Hockey Team in the Southern Hemisphere, participated in a cultural exchange in Edmonton and regions around Northern Alberta.
The Kaurna Boomerangs emerged from the Ice Factor Program, founded 15 years ago by Marie Shaw KC to support disadvantaged students. The first Tour of Hope marked a significant cultural and sporting exchange. The Tour of Hope has fostered the grow of the tour to inspire youth to dream big through education and sport.
The second annual Tour of Hope will commence in Melbourne. The Northern Ice will visit Adelaide, Auckland, Queenstown, Wellington, Sydney and Brisbane engaging in cultural exchanges, ice hockey clinics, attend an AFL event, two special cultural dinners and of course, friendly ice hockey games.
Support the Tour of Hope – hoodies, jerseys and pucks!
TOUR SUMMIT ITINERARY
Melbourne | June 27th & 28th
Thursday, June 27th | 7:00 PM Pre-Event | Welcome Ceremony and Artist Performance
8PM Showcase Game Northern Ice vs Melbourne Ice Jr Development Team
We experienced an amazing welcome to country at the O’Brien Icehouse with Aunty Zeta and from there the evening was brilliant. The Northern Ice took on the Melbourne Junior Development team to a crowd of over 600 which included Athol Hodgetts, Director of O’Brien Icehouse, Councillor and Doctor Olivia Ballard 2006 Gold Medalist for Canada in Para Ice Hockey, Paul Rosen. The score really did not matter as both teams played their hearts out and electrified the crowd with the Melbourne team squeaking out a 5-3 over the Canadian team. The cultural exchange at the end of the game both on and off the ice was second to none. It was great to see several Melbourne Ice pro players at the event supporting this important movement of hope, thanks to Jeff Solow, Austin Albrecht, Joachim Erdugan, Roman Kraemer, Tatsu Ishida and Ray Khalil.
Adelaide | June 30th
Adelaide once again put on a show like no other. Marie Shaw KC, founder of the Ice Factor Program organized an event that will be remembered by all, for a very long time. Uncle Moogy preformed the welcome to country with a traditional smoking and song which had the 400 in attendance ready for this international ice hockey extravanza. The list of dignitaries was impressive with Michael O’Donnell from the Canadian Consulate Sydney (the our’s cultural partner), the Honourable Mira El Dannani representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Josh Teague Shadow Minister for Aborinal Affairs, Glen Foll Director of Adelaide Adrenaline, Sam Trapolino of Stop Concussions as well as entertaininga Sami Mantere and Paul Rosens the international commentators. The Northern Ice played a very strong game in their second international game and came away with a 6-3 win over the impressive Kaurna Boomerangs. The Ice defended their last years win of the Damper Cup and look forward to returning very soon to continue the cultural game and exchange. The two teams met up after the game and shared stories of the heritage and great friendship were continued and made from this event.
Auckland | July 1st
Hobbiton was on the docket for Auckland. The players experienced the adventure just like any Hobbit would! Great time had by all!
Queenstown | July 5th
Friday, July 5th | 6:15 PM vs Queenstown Rangers
We are super excited to be in Queenstown. Cold but not for us Canadians! Tonight we will be playing at the Queenstown Ice Arena with a puck drop at 6:15 PM – tickets are free so please join us tonight! Get your game memorabilia and help support The Tour of Hope!
Wellington | July 7th
Sunday, July 7th | 4pm 3v3 game WIHA All Stars vs Canada, Daytona Adventure Park
5:30 pm dinner at Fermented.
Brisbane | July 13th
Saturday, July 13th | Guests of Melbourne Ice vs Brisbane Lightning Ice Hockey Team
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The Canadian contingency will present Indigenous culture, and stories will be exchanged along with Indigenous art.
If you are interested in getting involved in any capacity or would like to sponsor a player, donate an excursion/item, or volunteer,
please contact Toni Miil at toni@29sports.com.
Kerry Goulet +61 412 279 617 goulet29@29sport.com