Background
Given my experience and focus on working within the sport event space, particularly on Indigenous sport events, my area of expertise to this point in my academic and professional career has been focused on that unique intersection within the sport industry. As a result, I was approached by Stephane Friday of Hockey Indigenous to work on the upcoming National Indigenous Junior Hockey Championships (NIJHC), which has allowed me to expand on my interest for Indigenous sport and sport events by applying the knowledge and experience I’ve garnered throughout my studies and work. In discussing this role with Dr. Taylor McKee, we recognized an opportunity to leverage the volunteer capabilities of the CSC and it’s relationship with Brock’s driven Sport Management students. I plan to build out the volunteer-related logistics and access Brock’s Sport Management students on behalf of the CSC and Hockey Indigenous. Ultimately, this would allow the NIJHC to flourish through enhanced support and capacity, while also providing Brock Sport Management students the opportunity to gain hands-on event-related experience.
Current Projects
While wrapping up my fourth and final semester, I recently engaged in researching the topic of “women’s sport and representation of women’s sporting events in the media.” I learned plenty about the differences in sponsorship, media representation – both quality and quantity – and how these issues reinforce negative gender stereotypes both within sport and society.
My most recent project, which is ongoing, is my work on the NIJHC with Hockey Indigenous. We are a small team of volunteers which has allowed me to take on a very hands-on role. As a result, I’ve been afforded very meaningful and critical responsibilities and tasks that allow me the opportunity to apply the expertise I’ve gained from my previous work experiences and studies. For example, I’m currently working on selecting the venue for the event while being mindful of key logistical components, developing the event website and social media, facilitating the internal database and organizational materials, and related event management / administration tasks.
Industry work
Prior to my work on the NIJHC, I was tasked with creating the programming for the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) x Carnegie Initiative’s partnership, which was aimed at encouraging hockey participants to have conversations about racism within and the culture of the sport of hockey. I created synchronous and asynchronous programming so that all 60 CHL teams could participate on their own schedule, and this programming generally included a film viewing, participation in and viewing of a panel discussion, and proof of performance collection. I was also able to bring this programming to life at the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game by gathering nearly 200 high-school students, CHL players, delegates, and panel speakers together to watch the Carnegie Initiatives “Beyond Their Years” film as well as a panel discussion regarding both the film and concepts of race and racism within hockey.
What is your Favourite TV Show?
Survivor and Attack on Titan
What are your current Hobbies and Interests?
I enjoy playing just about any sport. Right now and for the last year or so I’ve focused on volleyball and becoming a better player, though I also enjoy playing hockey, basketball, and soccer. As such, I keep up with all professional sports, following the NHL most closely. I’ve also developed an interest in working out and learning how to most efficiently train in the gym. I’ve always been interested in video games and esports, most notably Rocket League. Truthfully, I’m interested in just about anything I can compete in, whether it’s against others or myself.
What’s your Favourite Sport?
At the moment, my favourite sport to play is volleyball and my favourite sport to watch is basketball. Hockey is certainly my favourite sport in general simply because of my involvement in the sport years ago. My favourite sports teams are the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Raptors, but I always wrote “#8 Ovechkin” on my wooden street hockey sticks as a child.
Achievements/Memorable Moments
The 2023 North American Indigenous Games Opening Ceremonies was arguably my most memorable working experience so far in my career. To recount the event, I was already ecstatic to be in Halifax, Nova Scotia for the first time in my life as I love to travel and enjoy new experiences. My role throughout this event was to capture and disseminate social media content with the goal of archiving content, posting to social media channels, and creating a newsletter for the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council and Team Manitoba. As such, it was my job to follow Team Manitoba throughout the street parade and into Scotiabank Centre. I can vividly remember entering the loud arena through the side door to get ahead of our athletes with the goal of recording them walking into the venue. Ironically and selfishly, I missed the first few athletes as I took a few seconds to soak in the experience; the music, the cheering, the atmosphere, the smiles on everyone’s face, the thousands of spectators already filling up and seated within the massive arena, being in a new city and province, the week I was about to have – I was thinking about all of these things over the span of just a few seconds, and I’m thankful it seemed to last so much longer. My immense effort, urgency to push myself beyond my comfort zone, desire to be excellent and stand out, and ability to adapt and excel in any task thrown my way had led me to that specific moment. As a culmination of all of my personal and professional qualities and drive, finding myself in that moment reflects as an achievement in and of itself. I’m incredibly proud and grateful for that moment as it most memorably presented me with the opportunity to reflect on why I work so hard, what’s important to me, and where I hope to take my career.
Future Plans
I hope to find myself working more closely within the sport event space, though I can truly see myself working in any role or department. I plan to return to Brock University in 2025 to study the intersection of Indigenous sport and sport events by researching the practices, execution, broader impact, and cultural significance of prominent Indigenous sporting events such as the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, North American Indigenous Games, and National Indigenous Junior Hockey Championships. Ultimately, my personal goal is to continue pushing myself outside of my comfort zone to learn new skills, theory, and ultimately to have new experiences as a result.
Background
My passion and joy for sport and recreation was established at a very young age. Sport has been a constant that has not only driven foreword in life but also connected my family together for as long as I can remember. Participating in sports like soccer, basketball, and volleyball fueled the passion I have for this industry, and the opportunity to play five years of 
Hi! My name is Taela Ritchie. I am a fourth-year student in 
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