For one group of talented young athletes, the road to Ireland didn’t begin on a rugby pitch-it began at Toronto Pearson International Airport, where WestJet and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities rolled out a celebration worthy of champions. Last week, WestJet celebrated the Iroquois Roots Junior sevens girl’s rugby team as they travelled to Ireland to compete against three clubs from Cork and Kilkenny, Ireland. With coaches, families and plenty of excitement in tow, the girls were greeted at their gate with cheers, prize bags from WestJet and a special send-off hosted in collaboration with Toronto Pearson. For two of the young athletes, Elaina and Hayden, WestJet flight WS34 was their first time ever boarding a plane. When asked which aspect of the flight she was most excited for, Elaina said that if she couldn’t sleep, she planned to do her schoolwork. For Hayden, when asked what she brought along with her to keep her entertained during the flight, her response was, “candy and a book.” “We want to sincerely thank our partners, WestJet and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, for supporting us on our journey to Ireland this year as our Junior Girls sevens team competes at the next level,” said Melanie Squire, Co-founder and President, Iroquois Roots Rugby. “These girls have been working tirelessly for the past several years to make their dream of playing rugby overseas a reality. This incredible opportunity represents a major milestone in the development of these young girls, both as athletes and as young adults.” A team breaking barriers Founded in 2017 by a mother-daughter duo, Iroquois Roots Rugby is an Indigenous women-led organization based in Six Nations of the Grand River. Their mission goes far beyond the game itself: they strive to empower youth, dismantle barriers to sport access and foster pride in culture and community. Another crucial component of the Iroquois Roots rugby program is to reclaim and revitalize Indigenous culture through stories, art and play. “A major cornerstone of our organization is our focus on connecting Indigenous youth to their culture and communities and we are excited to watch these girls learn and grow even further, both on and off the rugby field,” continued Squire. Since launching programming in 2018, Iroquois Roots has grown to reach more than 125 youth participants. The organization hosts introductory rugby camps for First Nations youth across Ontario, and 8-week mini rugby program within Six Nations as well as junior and senior rugby tournament teams. A partnership that makes dreams possible WestJet and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities teamed up to support the Iroquois Roots Rugby team on their recent journey to Ireland. Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities was founded 20 years ago with the goal of giving every child access to sports and the life-changing experiences it provides, both on and off the pitch. Sport is one of the most powerful tools we have to help young people build confidence, teamwork and lifeskills that go far beyond the playing field”, said Marco Di Buono, President of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “It’s very clear from the stories that the girls have shared already that this experience will have a lasting impact on their lives” After a successful tour, WestJet welcomed the girls onboard WS35 from Dublin to Toronto, ensuring they returned home to Six Nations with memories, pride and a strengthened connection to their culture and community. “I know it isn’t about winning or losing,” adds Squire. “I am proud to share they were undefeated; they played the best they’ve played all season.”