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The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
The 40 kid-friendly & free activities that you can do on EVERY day of the school holidays this summer – starting today!
THE school holiday season is upon us and we have six weeks to keep everyone in the house happy without going bonkers or broke. Never is the demand for snacks, activities and attention greater than in the UK summer break, and many parents find themselves juggling jobs and kids, while keeping their cool in the heat. Advertisement 9 Wheelgate theme park in Nottingham is a good choice for children under 12 Credit: Instagram 9 Park Run is a great way to get outdoors and stay active during the holidays Credit: Getty 9 Ruislip Lido is one of London's best-kept secrets, with a beach and huge play area. Credit: Alamy Coming up with new things to do every day can sometimes be as exhausting as the actual task of Luckily, there is so much going on over the holidays, you can take your pick of Advertisement To help give you some inspiration on how to keep the clan busy, here are 40 cheap and cheerful things to do with kids from toddler-age to teens in summer 2025. Fun things to do outdoors with kids 1. Something really fun to do in summer is take a picnic and some foldaway chairs and watch a movie on an outdoor big screen. There are open-air cinemas popping up all over the UK this year, and some of them are completely free. Screen on the Green in Newcastle, which is in Old Eldon Square, will be showing two or three films a day from 21 July to 31st August, as well as some key sporting events. If you're closer to Manchester, Screen on the Square in Deansgate has a similar vibe and will be showing old favourites like Back to the Future and Cool Runnings as well as kids films like Frozen and Sing. Open until 14 th September. 2. A cheap beach day is always a summer holiday go-to, but if you want to ensure no one gets bored relaxing on the sand, pick a beach where you can go Advertisement The best places in the UK to go fossil hunting are Lyme Regis and Charmouth on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, Compton Bay on the 3. If you don't want to travel too far, and live inland, there are still opportunities to get on the water. Look for lakes with natural or man-made beaches in your area, such as Cotswold Country Park, Loch Morlich in Scotland, Rutland Water in the Traveller has great money saving hack that also allows you to experience destinations better 4. For those who don't own their own paddleboard or kayak, you can rent one from Decathlon for £35 for the day and test your skills. Boards start from £99 to buy, so this is a great way to see if SUP (stand-up paddle) is for you without shelling out for your own. 5. If you're in London but you fancy a beach day, head to 6. As part of the Advertisement 7. At the 8. In Nottingham, the 9. There are three huge playgrounds, a small zoo, a water park and an indoor soft play. Tickets are cheaper when purchased in advance, with entry starting from £10.50 for the day and £6 for toddlers, seniors and children with additional needs. If you have a Gaby's Dollhouse fan in the house, she too will be visiting on August 5th 2025. 10. If you haven't booked a holiday this summer, you can still take the kids on a mini adventure with a Advertisement Plus, they often have free events and workshops for kids centred around the area, so you get even more than just a stay at a regular hotel 11. The Southport Air show on 9 The Gruffalo Trail in Essex is a fun way to explore your children's favourite stories. Credit: 9 Southport Airshow is always a spectacle and a great day our for families Credit: Alamy 12. Children's farms are a simple and wholesome day out, and many of the best ones are free. Advertisement 13. Go for a ride on an open-top tour bus in London with hop-on-hop-off stops around the city. You can go for a general sightseeing tour, which takes in all the major sights, and there is also a kids-themed one that cuts out all the 'boring' adult bits. Book online for up to 35% off tickets 14. Camel Creek in Cornwall is another fun, family theme park that has over 40 rides and an affordable ticket deal if you think you'll go more than once. Entry tickets, from £20, are valid for seven days' entry, meaning you can go back in as many times as you want to. But when you upgrade to the annual pass, you can visit all year for £35. If you want to make a full holiday out of your visit, check out the new glamping pods. 15. Ever taken out a family canoe? At Canoe Wild in Kent, you can take out an old-school canoe, big enough for the whole family and spot wildlife along the scenic River Stour for only £27. Plus, if you need a little 'me time', kids 8+ can join the every Wednesday for fun, games, and learning new paddling skills. This is a drop-off session, so grown-ups can relax or even enjoy a peaceful paddle of their own while their kids are safely looked after. 16. If you have kids that love fantasy stories, there is no greater legend than the Loch Ness Monster. If you are based in the north of England or in Scotland, head to the famous loch to hunt for 'sea creatures' on a little build-your-own adventure. Stop in at the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, visit Urquhart Castle and take on the Loch Ness 360 Trail for free while you are there. Advertisement Family festivals and outdoor events 17. Queens Park Arena in Glasgow has a full summer programme for 2025, including movie screenings, concerts and dance and fitness classes. Movie screenings, with favourites like Mean Girls, are perfect for teens, and until 1 st August, you can get two free tickets per person. 18. Follow the 19. Nottingham Beach is returning to Old Market Square from Wednesday 16th July - Sunday 31st August. This pop-up festival has sand, rides, music, arcades and games on an 'urban beach' right in the heart of the city centre. Ideal for all ages 20. Take a seat on Bournemouth Beach or anywhere along the seafront and watch the Summer Fireworks light up the sky over Bournemouth Pier. Spend the day at the beach and then grab some fish and chips on the front and enjoy the free show, which takes place at 10pm on Fridays from 1 to 29 August 2025. 21. If you have an active clan, you can join one of hundreds of Junior Park Runs around the UK this summer. Shorter than the usual Park Run distance, families can run, walk or jog an official 2k route with lots of other children and grown-ups, usually on Saturday or Sunday mornings. Advertisement Events include Riverside junior parkrun in Ballymoney, Phear Park junior parkrun in Exmouth and Alyn Waters junior parkrun in Wrexham. 22. Another upbeat activity that is free to join is one of many Park Tennis events hosted by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Barclays Bank. You need an LTA membership, but it's free to join. Then, just search for an event near you, with extra sessions being added every day. 23. If you're not feeling sporty but still want to stay active and help the kids learn a new skill, Dobbies Garden Centres have a summer programme of Little Seedlings Children's workshops for children aged four to 10 years. These are free and teach - not just kids, but adults too - about growing plants, vegetables and other garden friends like insects and birds. There are also some additional, special events like a Prehistoric Plants and Summer Scents smell workshop, which can be booked online in advance. Kids also eat for £1 at Dobbies Gardening Centre cafes at breakfast and lunchtime, so you can spend a large part of the day hanging out there with lots to do and bargain grub. 24. Advertisement 25. They also offer orienteering sessions for adults and older children, which might be more suitable for the big kids 26. If you like Beatrix Potter, the 27. Summer is colourful at RHS Garden Bridgewater, where families can take on The Great Woodland Adventure—a programme of outdoor fun running from 23 July to 31 August. From den building challenges and tree climbing to storytelling adventures and woodland crafts, there's something for every young explorer. 28. The Bridgewater Forest School has thrilling hands-on experiences like fire lighting and tool mastery from £5. The 29. For a more extended experience, children can join Advertisement 30. The annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is a free event where you can marvel at 100 hot-air balloons floating in the sky above the outskirts of the city. This year, from 8-10 August, you can watch the balloons take off twice each day, at around 6am and 6pm. 9 The Sky Garden in London is free and has amazing views of London but you do need to book an entry time because it's very popular. Credit: Getty 9 A city bus tour is an easy way to hop on and hop off at the sights and kids love the open-top. Credit: Getty 31. Lavender fields are not only a social media dream - so, therefore perfect for teenage girls wanting to post pretty pics - butmost have more than just beautiful fields of flowers to admire and pick. Mayfield Lavender, famed for its organic Banstead lavender farm has a brand-new visitor experience this summer: the Secret Lavender Garden. There will be time sessions in the morning and afternoon for visitors to explore the fragrant lavender, an apple orchard, over 500 fruit trees and local wildlife. There is a tall tree-lined avenue that leads guests to a second hidden lavender field, which boasts amazing countryside views and even the skyline of London is visible. Advertisement 32. The Greenwich Fair, a much-loved south London festival, is reopening this year after a few years off where it was unable to run due to lack of budget. However, a crowdfunding effort has brought it back to life over the weekend of 23-24th August 2025. The free event in Greenwich Park has dancing, theatre, acrobatics and family games. Things to do indoors this summer 33. Between Friday 25 th July and Thursday 28 th August 2025, Cineworld are offering £1 cinema tickets for kids and adults on selected movies, including Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and A Minecraft Movie. Book online and pack a little movie picnic to have before the film to make a day of it. 34. Pets at Home offer free workshops for kids called My Pet Pals. Here, 35. In London, you can get a brilliant view of the city from many indoor rooftop observatories completely free. Both 36. The Liverpool Central Library is free to enter year-round and a great activity for families in the summer. There is lots to explore, but don't miss the beautiful Discovery Room, which is perfect for younger children to explore too. The rooftop terrace has amazing views across St George's Quarter . Advertisement 37. At the National Space Centre in Leicester, you can learn about rocket launches, space shuttles, the Earth and environment in a huge display of 'out-of-this-world' immersive displays. Tickets start at £18.95 but you can go back and visit as many times as you like in 12 months, so it works out great value for budding astronauts. 9 Paddleboarding is a fun family activity and you can rent boards for the day to see if you and the kids can tackle it. Credit: Getty 9 Beach days can be a cheap day out for families wanting to spend quality time together. Credit: Getty 38. Kids and adults can take on 'The Monster' , an enormous Families and young thrill-seekers aged 6+ can book daytime sessions, but if you are a big kid - go back in the evening where it is open to adults-only. Advertisement 39. David Attenborough has launched an immersive film about the evolution and future of humanity and the environment at the 40. One final way to not lose your 'marbles' this summer is a visit to the House of Marbles Museum between
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The 40 kid-friendly & free activities that you can do on EVERY day of the school holidays this summer – starting today!
THE school holiday season is upon us and we have six weeks to keep everyone in the house happy without going bonkers or broke. Never is the demand for snacks, activities and attention greater than in the UK summer break, and many parents find themselves juggling jobs and kids, while keeping their cool in the heat. 9 9 9 Coming up with new things to do every day can sometimes be as exhausting as the actual task of entertaining the family for the summer stretch. Luckily, there is so much going on over the holidays, you can take your pick of fun days out to enjoy as a family - with many on the list below less than a tenner for the whole family, or completely free. To help give you some inspiration on how to keep the clan busy, here are 40 cheap and cheerful things to do with kids from toddler-age to teens in summer 2025. Fun things to do outdoors with kids 1. Something really fun to do in summer is take a picnic and some foldaway chairs and watch a movie on an outdoor big screen. There are open-air cinemas popping up all over the UK this year, and some of them are completely free. Screen on the Green in Newcastle, which is in Old Eldon Square, will be showing two or three films a day from 21 July to 31st August, as well as some key sporting events. If you're closer to Manchester, Screen on the Square in Deansgate has a similar vibe and will be showing old favourites like Back to the Future and Cool Runnings as well as kids films like Frozen and Sing. Open until 14 th September. 2. A cheap beach day is always a summer holiday go-to, but if you want to ensure no one gets bored relaxing on the sand, pick a beach where you can go fossil hunting. Kids love searching for little mementoes from history, and it's educational too. The best places in the UK to go fossil hunting are Lyme Regis and Charmouth on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, Compton Bay on the Isle of Wight, and Whitby in North Yorkshire. 3. If you don't want to travel too far, and live inland, there are still opportunities to get on the water. Look for lakes with natural or man-made beaches in your area, such as Cotswold Country Park, Loch Morlich in Scotland, Rutland Water in the East Midlands and Gaddings Dam in Yorkshire. Traveller has great money saving hack that also allows you to experience destinations better 4. For those who don't own their own paddleboard or kayak, you can rent one from Decathlon for £35 for the day and test your skills. Boards start from £99 to buy, so this is a great way to see if SUP (stand-up paddle) is for you without shelling out for your own. 5. If you're in London but you fancy a beach day, head to Ruislip Lido. This lesser-known hangout has a huge beach with water sports, a pirate ship adventure playground and a miniature train ride, so it's ideal for families. There are a few cafes and facilities on site, so you can easily go for the whole day. There is also a forest area, with lots of shade if you want to get out of the sun. 6. As part of the National Rail 200 celebrations, marking 200 years of railways in the UK, Churnet Valley Railway are giving children FREE tickets on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire. On weekends and Wednesdays from until the end of September, you can go for a steam train adventure — and up to four children ride free with every full fare-paying adult. 7. At the Epping Ongar Railway in Essex, kids are only £1 to ride steam trains and diesel engines, and there is a calendar of special events throughout the holidays and beyond, including a visit from Paddington and Real Ale and Cider Festival (with plenty for kids to do too). 8. In Nottingham, the Victoria Embankment paddling pool has reopened for summer until the 1st September 2025. The much-loved sunshine spot has been here since 1938 and has just been given a huge makeover. Open from 10am and 6pm every day. So you can wear the kids out and have a jolly good time watching them 9. Wheelgate Theme Park in Nottinghamshire is a smaller, family-run amusement park which is ideal for children under 12. The rides are smaller than the major theme parks and many can be ridden without adults. There are three huge playgrounds, a small zoo, a water park and an indoor soft play. Tickets are cheaper when purchased in advance, with entry starting from £10.50 for the day and £6 for toddlers, seniors and children with additional needs. If you have a Gaby's Dollhouse fan in the house, she too will be visiting on August 5th 2025. 10. If you haven't booked a holiday this summer, you can still take the kids on a mini adventure with a cheap stay at a hostel. The Youth Hostel Association has budget accommodation at beauty spots, beaches and major cities across the UK and sometimes for less than £10 per person. Plus, they often have free events and workshops for kids centred around the area, so you get even more than just a stay at a regular hotel 11. The Southport Air show on Southport Seafront near Liverpool is always a family favourite with air displays, entertainment, stalls and music over the weekend of 30-31st August 2025. Go out on a high with free tickets for under-16s 9 9 12. Children's farms are a simple and wholesome day out, and many of the best ones are free. Bath City Farm has children's activities and workshops, such as a posy-making workshop, green wood carving and summer holiday clubs for eight –13 year olds from 18–22 August, 10am–3pm each day. These include animal feeding, farm jobs, games, and quizzes. 13. Go for a ride on an open-top tour bus in London with hop-on-hop-off stops around the city. You can go for a general sightseeing tour, which takes in all the major sights, and there is also a kids-themed one that cuts out all the 'boring' adult bits. Book online for up to 35% off tickets 14. Camel Creek in Cornwall is another fun, family theme park that has over 40 rides and an affordable ticket deal if you think you'll go more than once. Entry tickets, from £20, are valid for seven days' entry, meaning you can go back in as many times as you want to. But when you upgrade to the annual pass, you can visit all year for £35. If you want to make a full holiday out of your visit, check out the new glamping pods. 15. Ever taken out a family canoe? At Canoe Wild in Kent, you can take out an old-school canoe, big enough for the whole family and spot wildlife along the scenic River Stour for only £27. Plus, if you need a little 'me time', kids 8+ can join the Young Paddlers Club every Wednesday for fun, games, and learning new paddling skills. This is a drop-off session, so grown-ups can relax or even enjoy a peaceful paddle of their own while their kids are safely looked after. 16. If you have kids that love fantasy stories, there is no greater legend than the Loch Ness Monster. If you are based in the north of England or in Scotland, head to the famous loch to hunt for 'sea creatures' on a little build-your-own adventure. Stop in at the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, visit Urquhart Castle and take on the Loch Ness 360 Trail for free while you are there. Family festivals and outdoor events 17. Queens Park Arena in Glasgow has a full summer programme for 2025, including movie screenings, concerts and dance and fitness classes. Movie screenings, with favourites like Mean Girls, are perfect for teens, and until 1 st August, you can get two free tickets per person. 18. Follow the Adventure Trail at Eldon Square in Newcastle and you could win tickets to see Disney on Ice. Families can pick up a magical map from the booth outside Fenwick and collect stickers from a selection of treasure spots by following clues. Find every letter and take it back to the booth at the end for a sweet treat and the chance to win Disney tickets. It's free to play, but the organisers are suggesting a £2 donation to to support the charity. 19. Nottingham Beach is returning to Old Market Square from Wednesday 16th July - Sunday 31st August. This pop-up festival has sand, rides, music, arcades and games on an 'urban beach' right in the heart of the city centre. Ideal for all ages 20. Take a seat on Bournemouth Beach or anywhere along the seafront and watch the Summer Fireworks light up the sky over Bournemouth Pier. Spend the day at the beach and then grab some fish and chips on the front and enjoy the free show, which takes place at 10pm on Fridays from 1 to 29 August 2025. 21. If you have an active clan, you can join one of hundreds of Junior Park Runs around the UK this summer. Shorter than the usual Park Run distance, families can run, walk or jog an official 2k route with lots of other children and grown-ups, usually on Saturday or Sunday mornings. Events include Riverside junior parkrun in Ballymoney, Phear Park junior parkrun in Exmouth and Alyn Waters junior parkrun in Wrexham. 22. Another upbeat activity that is free to join is one of many Park Tennis events hosted by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Barclays Bank. You need an LTA membership, but it's free to join. Then, just search for an event near you, with extra sessions being added every day. 23. If you're not feeling sporty but still want to stay active and help the kids learn a new skill, Dobbies Garden Centres have a summer programme of Little Seedlings Children's workshops for children aged four to 10 years. These are free and teach - not just kids, but adults too - about growing plants, vegetables and other garden friends like insects and birds. There are also some additional, special events like a Prehistoric Plants and Summer Scents smell workshop, which can be booked online in advance. Kids also eat for £1 at Dobbies Gardening Centre cafes at breakfast and lunchtime, so you can spend a large part of the day hanging out there with lots to do and bargain grub. 24. Forestry England celebrates the story of the Gruffalo with free Gruffalo trails in locations around the UK. Have fun in the forest and gain useful skills with a Gruffalo-themed challenge. Pick up a map for £1.50 and find the twelve Gruffalo markers hidden in the deep, dark wood and answer questions along the way to get a certificate at the end. 25. They also offer orienteering sessions for adults and older children, which might be more suitable for the big kids 26. If you like Beatrix Potter, the Essex Wildlife Trust has a Peter Rabbit Woodland Trail in Langdon. The hard surface paths make the trail suitable for everyone, including buggies and wheelchairs. Visiting the reserve and car parking is free, the activity map is £1.50 ,and donations to the charity are always welcome. 27. Summer is colourful at RHS Garden Bridgewater, where families can take on The Great Woodland Adventure—a programme of outdoor fun running from 23 July to 31 August. From den building challenges and tree climbing to storytelling adventures and woodland crafts, there's something for every young explorer. 28. The Bridgewater Forest School has thrilling hands-on experiences like fire lighting and tool mastery from £5. The Big Den Build special event is £10 per child and £5 and should be booked in advance. 29. For a more extended experience, children can join The Woodland Tribe camp from 7-9 August for three days of hands-on building to create an epic woodland castle with The Big Den build. Little ones can also join Wild Wings to come face to face with owls and birds of prey, join a 'tree-ific' trail and wildlife-spotting walks and get hands-on with seed planting. 30. The annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is a free event where you can marvel at 100 hot-air balloons floating in the sky above the outskirts of the city. This year, from 8-10 August, you can watch the balloons take off twice each day, at around 6am and 6pm. 9 31. Lavender fields are not only a social media dream - so, therefore perfect for teenage girls wanting to post pretty pics - butmost have more than just beautiful fields of flowers to admire and pick. Mayfield Lavender, famed for its organic Banstead lavender farm has a brand-new visitor experience this summer: the Secret Lavender Garden. There will be time sessions in the morning and afternoon for visitors to explore the fragrant lavender, an apple orchard, over 500 fruit trees and local wildlife. There is a tall tree-lined avenue that leads guests to a second hidden lavender field, which boasts amazing countryside views and even the skyline of London is visible. 32. The Greenwich Fair, a much-loved south London festival, is reopening this year after a few years off where it was unable to run due to lack of budget. However, a crowdfunding effort has brought it back to life over the weekend of 23-24th August 2025. The free event in Greenwich Park has dancing, theatre, acrobatics and family games. Things to do indoors this summer 33. Between Friday 25 th July and Thursday 28 th August 2025, Cineworld are offering £1 cinema tickets for kids and adults on selected movies, including Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and A Minecraft Movie. Book online and pack a little movie picnic to have before the film to make a day of it. 34. Pets at Home offer free workshops for kids called My Pet Pals. Here, kids over the age of four can pet some of the animals and learn about how to look after their own pets. At the end, they get a special certificate. On from Saturday 5th July to Sunday 17th August in Scotland and NI, and from Saturday 19th July to Sunday 31st August in England and Wales. 35. In London, you can get a brilliant view of the city from many indoor rooftop observatories completely free. Both Sky Garden and Horizon 22 have almost 360-degree vistas of the capital and cafes with a grand view. Entry doesn't cost anything but tickets do need to be booked in advance, and the time slots do fill up, so check the website in advance. 36. The Liverpool Central Library is free to enter year-round and a great activity for families in the summer. There is lots to explore, but don't miss the beautiful Picton Reading room, which looks like it's straight from the set of Harry Potter. There is an interactive Discovery Room, which is perfect for younger children to explore too. The rooftop terrace has amazing views across St George's Quarter. 37. At the National Space Centre in Leicester, you can learn about rocket launches, space shuttles, the Earth and environment in a huge display of 'out-of-this-world' immersive displays. Tickets start at £18.95 but you can go back and visit as many times as you like in 12 months, so it works out great value for budding astronauts. 9 9 38. Kids and adults can take on 'The Monster', an enormous inflatable assault course in Braintree Village, Essex, from 19th July – 31st August. Packed with more than 40 obstacles to conquer, including the 18-metre Mega Slide, chaotic Exterminator and epic House of Hell, The Monster is the largest inflatable course in the UK. Families and young thrill-seekers aged 6+ can book daytime sessions, but if you are a big kid - go back in the evening where it is open to adults-only. 39. David Attenborough has launched an immersive film about the evolution and future of humanity and the environment at the Natural History Museum. Entry to the museum itself is completely free, but booking is recommended to avoid long lines. If you want to watch the special film, tickets start from £10 and a designated time should be booked in advance to guarantee a seat. 40. One final way to not lose your 'marbles' this summer is a visit to the House of Marbles Museum between Exeter and Plymouth, Devon. In this unusual and surprisngly interesting museum, you can see marbles and glass being made, with fascinating handmade glass marbles and trinkets on display. Kids, especially, will love the interactive marble runs, including the largest in the UK. houseofm a
Miami Herald
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Phi Beta Sigma welcomes celebrities as honorary members
During its 2025 International Conclave in Tampa, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. honored eight distinguished leaders with honorary membership, including rapper Special Ed, Gospel artist Fred Hammond, and actor Leon Robinson. Each inductee was recognized for their impactful contributions to their fields and their commitment to community uplift. The 2025 Honorary Inductees Are: Dr. Howard Fuller – Civil rights activist and education reform advocateEdward K. Archer – Hip-hop artist best known as Special EdLeon Robinson – Acclaimed actor (The Five Heartbeats, Cool Runnings)Dr. George Koonce – Former NFL player and university executiveFred Hammond – Grammy-winning gospel music iconDr. John K. Pierre – Chancellor of Southern University Dave Huie – Fashion entrepreneur and cultural marketing visionaryDr. DeForest Soaries – Former Secretary of State for New Jersey According to Phi Beta Sigma's official announcement, these distinguished men were extended membership not simply for their stature, but because their lives and legacies reflect the very ideals the fraternity holds sacred-Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service. Through their impactful works and unwavering commitment to uplifting communities, they exemplify what it means to be a Sigma Man. Founded in 1914 at Howard University, Phi Beta Sigma champions the motto "Culture for Service and Service for Humanity." The fraternity's honorary membership tradition continues to highlight individuals whose achievements and leadership inspire excellence in education, music, public service, and the arts. This year's class showcases the fraternity's ongoing mission to celebrate those who serve, lead, and uplift others with integrity and purpose. The post Phi Beta Sigma welcomes celebrities as honorary members appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Montreal Gazette
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Jamaican men's hockey team pushing for more Black representation in hockey
Hockey By Most have heard of the Jamaican bobsled team that stunned the world by making it to the Calgary winter Olympics in 1988, an unlikely tale that inspired the hit Hollywood comedy Cool Runnings. The next improbable Jamaican winter-sports success story might just be their hockey team. Jamaica's senior men's national ice-hockey team is in Montreal this week participating in the Challenger Series, playing games against teams from three other countries: Greece, Puerto Rico and Lebanon. That's right, we are not talking natural hockey hotbeds here. The tournament takes place through the weekend at the Sportplexe Pierrefonds. Don Anderson, president of the Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Federation, says Jamaicans knows a thing or two about dreaming big, and if the Caribbean island nation could send a bobsled team to the Olympics, he doesn't see any reason why they couldn't do the same thing in hockey. But even he admits that possibility is still a long way off. The team was only founded at the end of 2010 and it still doesn't meet the stringent requirements to compete at the Olympics. So international hockey powerhouses like Canada and the U.S.A. don't need to worry about Jamaica for the moment. The players are mostly Jamaican-Canadians, the majority from the Toronto area, and they are one of the only all-Black national hockey teams in the world. Avery Grant, a 19-year-old defenceman with the team who hails from Oshawa, is proud to be wearing the Jamaican colours of black, green and gold on the ice. 'It's amazing to have players of Jamaican descent come together to play the game that we love, it's just a great feeling to have for all of us,' said Grant, in an interview Thursday morning shortly after the team's practice. 'It's definitely not something you see every day, when you see an all-Black hockey team thriving in a sport that isn't really known on the island. It's definitely a good experience for all of us. With hockey, you don't think of Black players or minority players being its strong suit. You'd think more of soccer, track and field, basketball, stuff like that. So just to have us be as good as we are and play at this level definitely means something not only for us but for future generations to come.' Anderson has been a key figure in Jamaican international sports for decades. He was a vice-president of the Jamaican Olympic Association for over 30 years before moving over to the hockey federation. In fact, he was at the very first meeting back in the '80s when the notion of a Jamaican bobsled team was discussed. 'I was the first member of the Olympic executive to even open the door literally to the creation of the bobsled movement,' said Anderson. 'There was a gentleman from the American embassy who kept sending us letters to set up a bobsled federation and we laughed at them. We said – 'Is this something you play on ice?' We thought it was a joke. We said, we can't get money for track and field, much less something on ice, that's totally foreign to us. We just threw the letters away. Then he said, what if you guys don't have to raise the money?' The Jamaican Olympic Association finally agreed to set up a meeting and there were 54 people there, 'and the rest is history,' said Anderson. 'Then he did it again with the ice hockey team,' said Ed Phillipps, who is vice-president of the Jamaican Olympic Ice Federation. When the Jamaican minister of sport asked Anderson to represent the Olympic association at a meeting in Kingston with the delegation of Jamaican-Canadian and American hockey players back in 2010, Anderson agreed to do it. Willie O'Ree, former Boston Bruins winger and the first Black player to make it to the National Hockey League, was a member of that delegation. 'But I'd never heard about ice hockey,' said Anderson. There still isn't a single rink in all of Jamaica. 'Ice hockey was easier because bobsledding paved the way,' said Anderson. 'When the ice hockey thing came to the fore, there were naysayers and I said: 'If we did it in bobsledding, we can do it in ice hockey'.' And it's starting to come together, say Anderson and Phillipps. The team is having more success in international tournaments and now it's easier to watch NHL games on TV in Jamaica, so the awareness of the sport is increasing. They're doing all this for Jamaican sports, but both are also aware that it's a great way to boost the profile of Black players in hockey everywhere. They say they're seeing more Black players on other national teams since they began competing internationally. They're literally breaking the ice for more visible representation in hockey. 'We're spearheading Black representation within international ice hockey,' said Phillipps.
Ottawa Citizen
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Jamaican men's hockey team pushing for more Black representation in hockey
Most have heard of the Jamaican bobsled team that stunned the world by making it to the Calgary winter Olympics in 1988, an unlikely tale that inspired the hit Hollywood comedy Cool Runnings. Article content The next improbable Jamaican winter-sports success story might just be their hockey team. Jamaica's senior men's national ice-hockey team is in Montreal this week participating in the Challenger Series, playing games against teams from three other countries: Greece, Puerto Rico and Lebanon. That's right, we are not talking natural hockey hotbeds here. The tournament takes place through the weekend at the Sportplexe Pierrefonds. Article content Article content Don Anderson, president of the Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Federation, says Jamaicans knows a thing or two about dreaming big, and if the Caribbean island nation could send a bobsled team to the Olympics, he doesn't see any reason why they couldn't do the same thing in hockey. But even he admits that possibility is still a long way off. Article content The team was only founded at the end of 2010 and it still doesn't meet the stringent requirements to compete at the Olympics. So international hockey powerhouses like Canada and the U.S.A. don't need to worry about Jamaica for the moment. Article content Article content The players are mostly Jamaican-Canadians, the majority from the Toronto area, and they are one of the only all-Black national hockey teams in the world. Article content Avery Grant, a 19-year-old defenceman with the team who hails from Oshawa, is proud to be wearing the Jamaican colours of black, green and gold on the ice. Article content Article content 'It's amazing to have players of Jamaican descent come together to play the game that we love, it's just a great feeling to have for all of us,' said Grant, in an interview Thursday morning shortly after the team's practice. 'It's definitely not something you see every day, when you see an all-Black hockey team thriving in a sport that isn't really known on the island. It's definitely a good experience for all of us. With hockey, you don't think of Black players or minority players being its strong suit. You'd think more of soccer, track and field, basketball, stuff like that. So just to have us be as good as we are and play at this level definitely means something not only for us but for future generations to come.' Article content Anderson has been a key figure in Jamaican international sports for decades. He was a vice-president of the Jamaican Olympic Association for over 30 years before moving over to the hockey federation. In fact, he was at the very first meeting back in the '80s when the notion of a Jamaican bobsled team was discussed.
