DARTMOUTH — Hockey players from across the province are invited to take a stand against bullying and tape their sticks pink this month.
Hockey Nova Scotia, in partnership with the RCMP, is proud to launch the Pink Tape Campaign across the province on November 24 — Pink Tape Day.
The Pink Tape Campaign was created by Cst. Blair Dole, a Cole Harbour Bel Ayr Minor Hockey Association coach and RCMP community officer. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about the consequences of bullying and to promote education.
Last season, Cst. Dole was made aware of a bullying incident on his team.
The Cole Harbour native used pink tape to help spark a conversation about the situation and to address it in front of his players.
To see Cst. Dole’s story, please click on the YouTube video below.
“This experience made me realize that we need to start a conversation about bullying,” Cst. Dole said.
“We need to get the kids talking about it.”
Hockey Nova Scotia has partnered with Cst. Dole and the RCMP to do just that.
On Saturday, November 24, hockey players from across Nova Scotia are encouraged to tape their sticks with pink tape and join in the conversation.
Helmet stickers featuring the Pink Tape Campaign logo will also be made available to every player in the province through our local Minor Hockey Associations and Female Hockey Associations. Players are asked to wear their helmet stickers proudly.
“We know that the harsh reality is that bullying exists in many forms and in many facets of our society,” Hockey Nova Scotia president Garth Isenor said.
“By partnering with Cst. Dole and the RCMP on the Pink Tape Campaign, we want our members to know that we support them and that they’re never alone. The rink must always be a safe and fun place where everyone feels welcome.”
Rolls of pink tape were provided to each association across Nova Scotia during our Fall Road Show meetings in October. Our associations are encouraged to host Pink Tape Day games on November 24 to help mark the launch of the campaign.
Cst. Dole and the RCMP have put together a bullying awareness presentation that is aimed at educating players and coaches. The presentation has been distributed to RCMP detachments across the province and the community officer from the local detachment will be available to make the presentation upon request.
Beginning next week, associations and teams can schedule a Pink Tape Campaign presentation by contacting their local RCMP detachment and asking for the community officer.
Hockey Nova Scotia encourages everyone to tape their sticks pink and be a part of Pink Tape Day on November 24.
*Release via Hockey Nova Scotia