WHL Prince George Cougars

Spirit of Healthy Kids School Program Winners Announced

Published on May 21, 2021 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release


PRINCE GEORGE, BC- The Prince George Cougars, in partnership with the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation and the Northern Health Authority, are excited to announce the winners of the virtual Spirit of Healthy Kids Regional Program.

The Spirit of Healthy Kids (SOHK) Regional program used Cougars players as role models to teach elementary school students the importance of reading, education, increasing physical activity, practicing health behaviors, mental health wellbeing, and showing the spirit of kindness.

"We're very proud of our partnership with Northern Health and the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, because together we have evolved the SOHK program into a meaningful and measurably successful program," said Cougars Vice President, Business Andy Beesley. "Being able to offer this program to schools throughout the north during a pandemic is a great achievement. We're very proud of our players, who embraced this program and made a positive impact as roles models to hundreds of young students."

The SOHK School Program was adapted to adhere to current COVID-19 regulations. The Cougars produced a video that featured their players challenging students to practice their own healthy habits for two weeks. The school with the best overall participation was awarded the top prize, which was a $5,000 grant from the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation and the Northern Health Authority. Six other schools each received $1,000 grants.

Several thousand students participated in the program from 18 elementary schools across the Northern Health region. The winning schools are:

Ecole La Grande-Ourse in Smithers has won the top prize. They've won:

$5,000 Spirit of Healthy Kids grant from the Northern Health Authority

Free tickets to an upcoming Cougars' home game for the 2021-22 season.

Tickets are FREE for ALL students and teachers.

Dragon Lake Elementary (Quesnel), Prespatou School (Prespatou), Morris Williams Elementary (Burns Lake), Harwin Elementary (Prince George), and Gitanyow Independent School (Kitwanga) have each won $1,000 grants.

"We are truly touched in so many ways at the response, participation, and ideas that have surfaced through this program in such an unusual year." said Judy Neiser, CEO for Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation. "It speaks loudly to the role that health and well-being has played this year for us all. Keeping children active, engaged, and making it fun for the whole family is a goal that as a partner in this program, we strive for, this in itself is a win! For those who went above and beyond to secure an award that will leave a lasting gift for others to enjoy is truly remarkable."

The grants will be used to support school programs and projects that will help students to continue with the initiatives set out in the SOHK School program. Stay tuned for an announcement next week on how the SOHK School Program will be offered to the general public.

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