In Our Own Backyard
Meet The Cambridge Turbos
Between their studies and jobs and their regular practices and tournaments, you might think the players on the current World Club Champion ringette team, the Cambridge Turbos, have more than enough on their plates. But these girls are unstoppable. Together they have created two dynamic fund-raising events, raising a total of $1,395 to help women and girls across the world. They are the ones. Because they are girls.
Team member, Christina Mascherin, had visited Zambia in 2007 as a volunteer on a home-building project, where she says she saw first-hand the education challenges for girls in under-developed countries. "Many families simply can't afford to send the kids to school. It's very difficult for them."
When she heard an ad for the Because I Am A Girl campaign, Christina's ears perked up. She went to her teammates and asked if they would be interested in developing a fundraiser to help girls in under- developed countries. Her teammates' response was loud and clear: "YES!"
"We're an all-girls team playing what's primarily an all-girls sport," team members explain. "We love what the Because I Am A Girl campaign represents and how it empowers girls around the world. Girls supporting girls, it's cool."
The team decided to hold a Bake Sale at the rink and sell tickets for one of their games, with all proceeds going to the Because I Am A Girl fund. They set a goal of $500. Together they ultimately raised $1060, with the final $20 coming in after this photo was taken.
In January 2010, the teammates again donated their time and efforts, setting up a ringette clinic for girls aged between 9 and 14, with a minimum $5 registration fee. Over 60 girls registered, bringing in an additional $335 for Because I Am A Girl.
Ringette is a fast-paced team sport on ice, in which players use a straight stick to score goals with a rubber ring. Several Turbos players, including Christina, have been named to the Team Canada squad for the 2010 World Championship.
Twenty-five year old Christina has been playing ringette since she was seven. "I really encourage girls to get involved in sport or other extra-curricula activities," she says. "It balances you and motivates you and it's a great way to get out and meet people. We have so many opportunities as girls here in Canada, unlike girls in so many other countries."
The teammates plan to continue with annual fundraising efforts for the campaign. "We think our sport is a great way to not only raise funds for girls around the world," says Christina, "but also to raise awareness about the movement amongst young girls here. Girls can do so much together!"
When they're on the ice, the Turbo players have a rallying cry which they say empowers spirit and dedication. They laugh as they yell together: "Turbo CHARGE!"
It's certainly charged up these girls to help change the world for other girls and women. The Cambridge Turbos are the ones. Because they are girls.
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