Empowering Students Through Sport: The Impact of the Jays Care Program at St. Mary CES in Campbellford

Apr. 4, 2025

At St. Mary Catholic Elementary School in Campbellford, baseball isn’t just a sport—it’s an opportunity for students to learn, grow and build a sense of community. 

In its second year of being a Jays Care affiliate school, St. Mary CES offers students an inclusive and supportive environment to play baseball, regardless of their background or skill level.

Emily Begg, Special Education Resource Teacher, brought the program to the school last year.

She runs two programs per year: RBI (Rookie League) where any and all students learn about the sport of baseball and “Girls at Bat,” which is for girls who wish to learn the sport. 

“This is the first program of this type that we have brought to the school community that encourages all students to take part, share their knowledge and skill and support one another. A sport where students don’t have to try out or make a team,” Begg said.

Jays Care, run by the Toronto Blue Jays and Jays Care Foundation, provides all of the equipment to the school free of charge.

The program supplies gloves, balls, bats, helmets, T’s, bases, etc.

Students and coaches are all given a uniform as well that includes a Jays hat and t-shirt.

“Being an Affiliate school you get a banner, ribbons for the participant, an instructional manual with lessons to run eight weeks of sessions – Warm-up ‘Mindful Moments’, Warm-Up Games, Skills and Drills, Baseball Game, Cool Down,” Beggs added. 

This year, she applied for an All-Star Series Grant of $1,200 to run a special day to celebrate the students who participate in the program, which also allows the school to run a fun day with St. Paul CES in Lakefield and St. Joseph CES in Douro.

The fun day, which is still in its planning stages, will give the students a chance to take part in activities including throwing, catching, making banners, playing some games and lunch.

For more information on the Jays Care program, which is free for schools to join, go here: https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/community/jays-care/affiliate-school-program/en