In 2012, Gus Ascroft, his wife Wendy, and their daughter Georgia embarked on a mission to make hockey more accessible for persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities in Greater Victoria.
They founded the South Island Ravens program to offer individuals, who might not have had a chance to join traditional hockey leagues, the opportunity to learn and play organized hockey.
“Having these kids at the rink gives them a chance to create common ground with other kids from around the community,” said Ascroft. “It makes it easier for them to connect if they run into each other at school or in town.”
Gus’s pride in the program is evident when he talks about how it’s allowed kids to form lasting friendships – bonds that wouldn't have been possible without the team.
"It means so much to the kids. They don’t normally get the chance to do things like this," said Ascroft.
The Ascrofts' dream was to help kids who didn’t quite fit in with mainstream hockey programs have a space where they could develop their skills and make friends – something that many of these kids had never experienced before.
Since its inception, the Ravens program has offered a variety of opportunities for participants, ranging from learning basic skating to mastering stick-handling techniques, with a focus on skill-building and fun.
The program runs from September through March each year, split into two categories: the Under-18 team and the Over-18 team. With more than 30 players across both categories, the program has become an essential part of the hockey community.
Along the way, they’ve had the chance to face off against teams like the Saanich firefighters, the West Shore RCMP, and players from the Hockey 101 program.
On March 29, the South Island Ravens will host a major milestone event – the Hockey on the Rock 2025 tournament.
The tournament, will see the Ravens team up with 13 other squads from across British Columbia. The event will be hosted at two rinks – the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre and the Q Centre – where each team will play two or three games throughout the day.
Running the program costs around $10,000 each year, and hosting the tournament costs an additional $20,000. But for Gus and Wendy, the support they’ve received since day one from community partners has made it all possible.
The Ravens have had the privilege of competing in various tournaments since 2012, including memorable trips to Kamloops, Kelowna, Chilliwack, and Vancouver.
His daughter Georgia, now older, proudly displays her trophies and team photos on her shelf – a symbol of her years spent on the ice and the friendships she’s made.
For parents like Scott Hilderley, whose son plays on the Ravens, the program has become a source of national pride.
'Were it not for this team, most of these kids would never have the opportunity to know what it is to partake in the sport that historically, and more emphatically in recent weeks, has come to represent national pride," said Hilderley. "My son is one of these kids, and I am eternally grateful to this team, and to those who are committed to ensuring that they get the chance to play."
Others parents such as Jodie Nicholson, emphasized the community aspect for not just the kids, but the whole family.
"It has been an absolutely amazing experience for our family. It is probably the best community setting I've been a part of, it's so welcoming," said Nicholson. "Our son, Ayden, has always been a huge sports buff, but we hadn't put him into it because we didn't know about an option that could cater to his needs. When we found the Ravens, his face lit up, and he has been smiling about it ever since."
Hockey on the Rock represents not just a milestone for the Ravens but for the entire community. It’s a reminder of how far they’ve come since 2012, and a celebration of the spirit of inclusion, friendship, and opportunity that has become the heartbeat of the Ravens program.
For more information on the South Island Ravens and the Hockey on the Rock, visit southislandravens.ca.
