CFL Toronto Argonauts

Argos Huddle Up Against Bullying

Published on January 5, 2006 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release


Toronto - The Toronto Argonauts committed to visit 40 schools this season with its Huddle Up Against Bullying program as part of the Club's ongoing initiative to Stop The Violence in Toronto. Not only has the team fulfilled this promise, it is pleased to announce that it will be taking the program to 77 GTA schools, reaching over 60,000 youth with its message of preventing school bullying.

The Huddle Up Against Bullying program, sponsored by Tim Hortons, is in its fourth year. A three-part interactive program designed in consultation with the Canadian Safe School Network, Huddle Up representatives first meet with student leaders at each school. The second element is a student body assembly, featuring a talk from a Toronto Argonaut player and a skit performed by the student leadership committee. The third part is a follow-up visit by the Argo player to the school to see how the anti-bullying message is being followed in the school.

One teacher from Tecumseth Beeton commented on the program, "I have been a teacher for 26 years; I have taught in Toronto where police officers were called in everyday. Tecumseth Beeton, like most schools, has bullying issues. Never before have I seen a presentation like this. Nothing compares."

Principal Brenda Nixon from Gandatsetiagon Public School added, "The powerful and very personal message from the Toronto Argonauts players left our students talking about how hurtful bullying can be. The intermediate students that performed the skit are now acting as Peacemakers on our playground to reinforce the message given by the Argonaut players. Great role models with a great message!"

Keith Pelley, President and CEO of the Toronto Argonauts, has been overwhelmed by the number of requests for the Huddle Up program. "We have grown the program with its anti-bullying message because of the overwhelming demand and proactivity from parents and schools. This has forced us to add staff members to our community team and we still cannot meet the demand."

The following school visits have been confirmed for the month of January:

January 9 Huddle Up committee leadership meeting - Second St. Middle School

January 9 Huddle Up committee leadership meeting - Chester Le

January 10 Huddle Up committee leadership meeting - Dr. Roberta Bondar Public School

January 10 Huddle Up committee leadership meeting - Humberside C.I.

January 11 Huddle Up Assembly - Centre Wellington H.S. (Michael Fletcher)

January 12 Huddle Up Assembly - Gulfstream P.S. (Orlondo Steinauer)

January 12 Huddle Up committee leadership meeting - Blooredale P.S.

January 13 Huddle Up Assembly - Michael Power St. Joseph (Eric England)

January 13 Huddle Up committee leadership meeting - G.A. Brown P.S.

January 13 Huddle Up committee leadership meeting - St. Luke Catholic School

January 16 Huddle Up Assembly - Jefferson Public School (Jonathan Brown)

January 16 Huddle Up committee leadership meeting - St. Brennan

January 17 Huddle Up Assembly - Chester Le (Player TBD)

January 17 Huddle Up Assembly - John M. James (Player TBD)

January 18 Huddle Up committee leadership meeting - Cookstown Central P.S.

January 19 Huddle Up Assembly - Newmarket H.S. (Michael Fletcher)

January 20 Huddle Up Assembly - Second Street Middle School (Player TBD)

January 23 Huddle Up committee leadership meeting - Marc Garneau C.I.

January 24 Huddle Up Assembly - Dr. Roberta Bondar (Player TBD)

January 25 Huddle Up Professional Development for teachers - Marc Garneau

January 25 Huddle Up Assembly - St. Brennan (Player TBD)

January 26 Huddle Up Assembly - Humberside C.I. (Player TBD)

January 26 Huddle Up committee leadership meeting - Osprey Woods

January 27 Huddle Up Assembly - Blooredale P.S. (Player TBD)

January 30 Huddle Up Assembly - Cookstown P.S. (Clifford Ivory)

January 31 Huddle Up committee leadership meeting - Sutton District H.S

Remember: Don't be a bully, be a friend. Support, report and defend.

The Stop The Violence - We Are Toronto initiative was launched on August 23 and has brought the Argos to community practices, as well as merchandise sales to raise funds and awareness. A town hall meeting was conducted live on Citytv on September 11 in a call to action from both community and business leaders to address issues of violent and gun-related crimes. The corporate community continues to step up to raise funds to support existing community programs and new initiatives in this ongoing effort. The Board of Directors will make a significant announcement regarding next steps and more grants from the Stop The Violence - The Argos Foundation by early February.

The Toronto Argonauts are North America's oldest professional football club, having celebrated their 130th anniversary in 2003. The Toronto Argonauts have 15 Grey Cup championships to their credit. For information on 2006 season ticket packages, please contact the sales team at (416) 341-ARGO. Full roster details are available at www.argonauts.ca.

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