From left to right: Vince Bierworth (GPHSF) and Lara Cottam. Photo credit Susan Owen
H.O.P.E Bursary In Honour of Steve Montador Recipient Announced.
(May 29th 2025) H.O.P.E (Helping Others Participate Equally) and GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation, are proud to announce our 2025 Steve Montador Bursary Recipient; Lara Cottam.
The H.O.P.E. Bursary in honour of Steve Montador was established to support students transitioning from high school to college/university that are suffering the long-term effects of a sports-related concussion and require a reduced academic course load as result of injury.
“Having first sustained a serious concussion in elementary school, Lara has consistently had to battle the lasting symptoms and reaggravation of the injury while balancing the demands of being a high performing student, athlete and community member” said Mr. Nick Beamish, Chair of Physical Education and Athletic Director at St. Peters Secondary School, in a reference letter for Lara. He went on to say that “As a student athlete she has been a role model and leader for others. Her peers look up to and respect her, as she is always one of the most dedicated athletes on all of her teams.”
H.O.P.E. and GPHSF are proud to be able to offer Lara Cottam the 2025 Steve Montador Bursary. We wish Lara all the best in her recovery and future academic pursuits, as she will be attending Queens University in the Fall.
Note that the submission for the 2026 Steve Montador Bursary will be open in March of 2026.
About Steve Montador
This bursary is named after Steve Montador in honour of a friend and teammate. Steve was an NHL defenseman, Peterborough Pete, and a H.O.P.E. board member and supporter. Steve suffered concussions playing hockey, with his last occurring while playing in the NHL for Chicago, effectively ending his career. He was very vocal about his struggles and depression following his concussion and vowed to be a voice and advocate. After suddenly passing away at the age of 35 at his home in Mississauga, his friends and fellow board members in H.O.P.E. established this bursary to support student athletes who are suffering the long-term effects of concussion related injury while trying to transition to College or University.
Steve Montador’s story is also the subject of the 2017 book by Ken Dryden titled “Game Change: The life and death of Steve Montador and the future of hockey”.
READ ABOUT OUR 2024 RECIPIENT
JACK CRAWFORD
(For Immediate Release May 20th 2024) H.O.P.E (Helping Others Participate Equally) and GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation, are proud to announce our 2024 Steve Montador Bursary Recipient; Jack Crawford.
The H.O.P.E. Bursary in honour of Steve Montador was established to support students transitioning from high school to college/university that are suffering the long-term effects of a sports-related concussion and require a reduced academic course load as result of injury.
Although Jack is suffering long term ramifications of concussion, he has remained a positive influence in his community. He is described by his coach Scott Hartwick as someone who “was always willing to help when asked and who tried his best with everything he did. He is an extremely dependable and trustworthy individual and was made assistant captain of the team (Peterborough Petes AA) on numerous occasions.”
Jack graduates from St. Peters Catholic Secondary School this year and has been accepted to attend the University of Guelph in the Fall.
H.O.P.E. and GPHSF are proud to be able to offer Jack Crawford the 2024 Steve Montador Bursary. We wish Jack all the best in her recovery and future academic pursuits.
Note that the submission for the 2025 Steve Montador Bursary will be open in March 0f 2025. Visit www.GPHSF.ca for more details.
In the photo from left to right: Vince Bierworth (GPHSF), Amanda McInnes (St. Peters Secondary), Laura Kennedy (H.O.P.E.) Jack Crawford and Dave Crawford. Photo: Susan Owen
Congratulations to our 2022 Bursary winner Eliza Graham. In the photo, left to right are: Mike Martone (H.O.P.E.), David Graham (Eliza’s Father), Eliza and Chad Cavanagh (H.O.P.E.). Photo by Vince Bierworth