What was the initiative?

Giovanni’s (‘Gio’) Pathy initiative was an Inclusive Para (Sledge) Hockey program designed to give young athletes with and without disabilities the opportunity to play the sport of Sledge Hockey together, under the existing Antigonish Minor Hockey Association. The program emphasized an inclusive sports model that breaks down sociocultural barriers, and bridges the perceptual gap between individuals with and without disabilities.

What was the community connection?

Gio began his immersion in the local hockey community as a member of the Antigonish Bulldogs Junior B team, while completing his undergraduate degree at StFX. After two years playing for the local hockey team, he was presented with the opportunity to work with the Motor Activities with X (MAX) program. The MAX program offers individuals with and without disabilities the opportunity to engage in physical activity environments on-and-off campus, alongside StFX students. During his involvement with MAX, Gio was introduced to the sport of Sledge Hockey, and to the barriers that individuals with disabilities face within the world of sport. As hockey is woven within the fabric of Antigonish, Gio unsurprisingly learned that kids with disabilities and their families wanted access to barrier-free hockey, and all of the benefits that come with sport. After consulting with the kids and their families, Gio, a team of students, and Dr. Amanda Casey began developing the Bulldogs Inclusive Para (Sledge) Hockey model.

How was it innovative?

In rural communities across Canada, individuals with disabilities face significant barriers in achieving physical activity due to the lack of accessible programs in rural contexts. This is in part due to a lack of capacity in building robust programming that addresses the ‘wants’ and ‘needs’ of athletes with disabilities and their families. In developing this program, research supported an inclusive and universal design model, whereby athletes with and without disabilities play the game together. Through age-matched games reflective of the same sport progression in development leagues such as in minor hockey associations, athletes with and without disabilities were able to experience the benefits of sport, developing their physical, mental and social health. The program was established within the existing Minor Hockey Association, and has broadened the hockey landscape and community in Antigonish. The inclusive sport program has given people the opportunity to be hockey players, hockey parents and a hockey family in the Antigonish Community, where hockey is at the heart of its identity. The program has evoked a moto that has helped spread awareness about the new age of inclusion in Antigonish; “everyone deserves to be a bulldog and everyone deserves to play the game”. In 2021, the program was featured by Hockey Canada. Watch the video here. A second video was also produced by Gio and his team, which can be found here.

What is Giovanni doing now?

Since graduating from the Pathy Fellowship, Gio has continued to administer the Bulldogs Para (Sledge) Hockey program in Antigonish as head coach. In 2021, Gio presented at the North American Hockey Conference, sharing the successes of the Bulldogs Para (Sledge) Hockey model, and advocating for inclusion within the broader hockey community. In 2021, a resolution was passed in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, recognizing Gio’s commitment to inclusivity, sport, youth and the Antigonish Community. He has also worked at the Canadian Association for Community living, at a local clinic as a Kinesiologist, and in Respite Care. Gio is currently completing a Bachelor of Education at St. Francis Xavier University.