Latest news with #Atwal
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Meet Edmonton's Arjun Atwal, the hockey star who walked away from a pro career to build a diverse future for South Asian and BIPOC players
Arjun Atwal (Image via Instagram) When most athletes get the call to go pro, they pack their bags and don't look back. But Edmonton's Arjun Atwal? He did the exact opposite and it's turning heads across the hockey world. Instead of heading to Europe to chase a professional hockey career, Atwal chose to build something even more powerful at home: a community where South Asian and BIPOC players could finally see themselves thrive in a game that hasn't always welcomed them. Now, the NHL is giving him his flowers as a finalist for the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award and it's easy to see why. Arjun Atwal turned down pro hockey dreams to uplift others instead Atwal isn't just a talented player, he's the real deal. Once crowned MVP in the Alberta Junior Hockey League and a standout for the University of Calgary, he had professional contract offers on the table from teams in Europe. But the 26-year-old Edmonton native saw something more important than personal stats or shiny trophies: representation. After spending years being one of the only non-white players in every locker room, he knew firsthand how isolating that could feel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Retirement Villages in Bangalore (Search Here For Results) Senior Living Communities Undo 'Usually going into teams or rooms and not really seeing anybody who looked like me,' Atwal told CTV. Instead of ignoring that, he decided to change it for the next generation. Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award 2025 Finalist: Arjun Atwal His AZ1 Hockey program is changing the game for South Asian and BIPOC athletes That's where AZ1 Hockey comes in. Founded by Atwal, the program isn't just about drills and ice time, it's about guidance, mentorship, and making sure no kid gets lost in the shuffle just because they don't fit the mold. AZ1 helps young South Asian and BIPOC players train and navigate hockey's often confusing (and expensive) system. It's a space where culture, confidence, and skill-building meet, something many kids have never had access to in the world of Canadian hockey. And it's growing fast. With AZ1 expanding across Canada, the vision is clear: hockey should belong to everyone, not just a select few. The NHL gives Atwal his flowers with Willie O'Ree Award finalist nod The NHL is recognizing what Atwal's been quietly building for years. He's one of the finalists for the prestigious Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award, which honors people using hockey to positively impact society. For Atwal, the nomination isn't about him. 'It's the kids that are making this happen… I'm just one part of the puzzle,' he said. But let's be real, that one piece is doing a whole lot of heavy lifting. The winner, announced in June, will receive $25,000 for a charity of their choice. Fans can vote daily on the NHL's official site. Arjun Atwal isn't chasing clout, he's creating change. In turning down pro hockey contracts to invest in his community, he's proving that leadership doesn't always come with a captain's 'C.' Sometimes, it looks like showing up for kids who never saw themselves on the ice before. Also read - Why Brad Marchand's Blizzard break is the chillest moment of the Panthers-Hurricanes series Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Vancouver Sun
15-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Award-winning Headwater has drawn a flurry of interest
Family-owned Apcon Group recently took home Best Multi-Family Townhouse Production and Best Multi-Family Kitchen at the Canadian Home Builders' Association ( CHBA ) of British Columbia's 33rd annual Georgie Awards Gala for Headwater. 'Headwater shines as an award-winning development, celebrated for its thoughtful design that harmoniously blends functionality, sustainability and esthetics,' says Tejvir Atwal, managing director, Apcon Group. 'Situated in Surrey's Fraser Heights area, the project complements the surrounding landscape with well-planned floorplans, a comforting colour palette, and environmentally conscious materials and practices.' Designed with young families in mind, Headwater is a collection of 39 three-level townhomes, offering three and four-bedroom plus den plans, ranging from 1,520 to 1,585 square feet. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Headwater has also been resonating with buyers, most notably for the neighbourhood — one that has proven itself to be quite attractive to young families. 'What makes Headwater unique is the location and design — Fraser Heights neighbourhood is a unique blend of suburban and urban living. Fraser Heights has a strong sense of community and we wanted to bring spacious homes to the area where families could come together through community initiatives, nearby schools and recreational activities,' says Atwal. 'With a high walkability score, and being closely connected to the arterial road network, Headwater further contributes to a well-rounded community.' Fraser Heights is its own distinct community, interwoven with 12 parks, wide streets, creeks and ponds, with river valley and magnificent mountain views. North Surrey also has a reputation for having excellent schools, including Pacific Academy, elementary and secondary private schools catering from kindergarten to Grade 12. Accessibility to Metro Vancouver has been yet another draw. 'Residents who work in Metro Vancouver in particular are drawn to the proximity to the highway (for work commute mainly), so they get to experience suburban living without shifting their entire lives,' says Atwal. Janet Hardy, an interior designer at Creative Spaces, was tasked with designing the two show homes. Her first assignment was choosing the finishes. 'The cabinets have plywood boxes, soft close doors and drawers, the countertops are Quartz with undermount sinks, and the blinds are roller shades, so there are no edges to catch any dust,' says Hardy. 'We wanted the homes to be timeless for years to come, but also durable so that the home looks the same as the first day buyers moved in.' The two show homes were designed so that prospective buyers could easily imagine how their whole family could live in the spaces. Family friendly spaces feature open concept living, designer finishes and views of the mountain range and Fraser River. The efficient floorplans offer two-and-a-half bathrooms and plenty of practical space, including large dens with natural light for working remotely and expansive deck space for those looking for extra entertainment room. Another selling point is just how functional the townhomes are for young families. 'Every entrance has a coat closet, and all the main floors have a powder room and ample closet space that you can use as an extra coat closet or more pantry space,' says Hardy. 'Another benefit for families is that most of the homes feature side by side washers and driers with a countertop across and shelving above.' In the kitchen, a stainless-steel appliance package includes a full-sized French-door refrigerator, a slide-in gas range stove and built-in microwave in the pantry. Many of the islands are over six feet long — all with an overhang for stools. 'We have elevated our finishes to include champagne bronze fixtures to our kitchens,' says Hardy. Each home comes with an attached garage equipped with charging capabilities for electric vehicles and spacious enough to accommodate cars and also recreational toys. Amenities incorporate a multi-level indoor lounge and a furnished outdoor picnic area with bistro tables — adding to a sense of community. Headwater homeowners will appreciate the convenience of living in an emerging community, where shopping, schools, playgrounds and amenities are already complete. Located 10 minutes from Guildford Town Centre, with its over 200 shops and restaurants, as well as movie theatres, and a wide variety of restaurants, cafés, bars and entertainment options. It is also a short distance from Highway 1 to the south and Highway 15 to the east. Fraser Heights offers residents the opportunity to be close to both nature and big city amenities. Project: Headwater Project address: 17458 100 Ave., Surrey B.C. Developer: Apcon Group Architect: Flat Architecture Interior designer: Janet Hardy Project size: 39 townhomes move-in ready Number of bedrooms: 3 and 4 bedrooms Price: Starting from $949,900 Sales centre: On site Centre hours: By appointment Phone: 604-354-7025 Website:
BBC News
27-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Inside Guru Nanak FC - the Kent club breaking down barriers
A Kent football club which started with a small group of Punjabi students kicking a ball around in a local park is celebrating its 60th anniversary this Nanak FC first formed in 1965 and the club now boasts around 160 players from across its youth and senior after the founder of Sikhism, the club's home ground is next door to the largest gurdwara in Europe, the Guru Nanak Darbar in Chattha, club chairman, said: "I think we're quite fortunate that we get kids turn up, players turn up from all ethnicities - the whole community flocks to this area." 'We fought against it' Nicknamed the Gurus, the club was one of the first to run and host tournaments for Asian clubs and players in the Atwal, who played for the club from the age of 19 and now coaches and volunteers, said the club faced a lot of racism in the 1980s and 1990s but they "fought against it".He added: "No-one wanted to play for us because we were all Indians and we always used to get called names and everything."But as time went past and they found out that we weren't so bad, we're all the same under the skin, and it sort of changed their minds about us."The same people are now our friends – we fought against it." The Gurus hit the headlines in 1998 when King Charles, then Prince of Wales, visited around the time of the World Cup in France that club now attracts a diverse range of players, fielding youth teams, senior sides and girls' and women's them all organised falls onto the shoulders of volunteers such as Jessica McQueen, club secretary for the senior teams. She said: "I love football and I hate it at the same time because it drives me crazy."It can be frustrating - but 60 people playing football every week can't be bad."Guru Nanak FC are planning a big celebration of their 60th anniversary in October, the club says, which will recognise its multi-culturalism, inclusivity and Shergill, who plays for the Guru Nanak Sunday Reserves, said: "This club symbolises courage, inclusivity and diversity."Everyone is welcome to play, anyone can come for a training session, sign up to play for a team, play in the league, play for tournaments and altogether its just a good vibe and good atmosphere week in week out."
