The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes — a complete guide

Quick summary: The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes is a Canada-focused award honoring the memory of former NHLer Rick Blight. It recognizes young athletes who demonstrate leadership in sport and a commitment to mental wellness — for themselves, their teams, or their communities. The scholarship is administered via the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation and partner organizations and awards multiple cash scholarships each year to eligible student-athletes. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation+1

Why this scholarship matters

The scholarship was created to honor the life and values of Rick Blight — a talented hockey player from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, who played for the Vancouver Canucks after being selected 10th overall in the 1975 NHL Entry Draft. The program focuses not only on athletic dedication but also on leadership that advances mental wellness — an important, sometimes overlooked area for athletes. By supporting students who model mental health advocacy, the scholarship helps keep Rick Blight’s legacy alive while investing in healthier team cultures across Canada. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

Origin & background (brief)

• Who was Rick Blight? Rick Blight (born 1955) was a high-level junior and NHL hockey player who played several seasons with the Vancouver Canucks and was a prominent athlete from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. His life and struggles inspired family and community efforts to promote mental wellness among athletes.

• How the scholarship began: The scholarship was established by Rick’s family and community partners to celebrate leadership and mental-health advocacy among young Canadian athletes. Over the years it has been run in partnership with organizations such as the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation and alumni groups. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation+1

What the scholarship awards and who funds it

• Award amounts: Recent postings indicate the program typically awards three scholarships of approximately CAD $2,000 and one of CAD $1,000 in a given year (award sizes have been listed as $2,000 and $1,000 in multiple sources). Exact amounts and the number of awards can vary by year — always check the official application page for the current year’s values. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation+1

• Sponsors/partners: The scholarship is administered with support from the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation and partners such as the Vancouver Canucks Alumni Association and corporate donors. These partnerships help fund the awards and promote the initiative. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation+1

Eligibility — who can apply

While exact criteria may change slightly by year, the consistent eligibility requirements reported across official and scholarship directory pages are:

1. Nationality / residency: Canadian students (citizens or permanent residents), or those studying in Canada — check the current online posting for verbiage. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation+1

2. Age: Typically targeted at students aged roughly 16–21 (often high-school-aged applicants or those entering post-secondary programs). Canadian Men’s Health Foundation+1

3. Athletic involvement: Demonstrated dedication to sport and athleticism (school, club, or community sport involvement). Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

4. Leadership + mental wellness: A central requirement is showing leadership in promoting mental wellness — this might be through personal care, peer support, anti-stigma work, community mental-health activities, or team advocacy. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation+1

Tip: If you’re uncertain whether you qualify, read the current year’s FAQ or contact the scholarship administrator directly before applying.

Typical application components

Recent descriptions and the official application checklist show the scholarship asks applicants to submit a combination of the following:

• Completed application/questionnaire — often downloadable from the scholarship page. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

• Academic transcript(s) — high school transcript or latest post-secondary transcripts (where applicable). Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

• Reference letter(s) — usually from a teacher, coach, or community leader who can attest to your leadership and commitment to mental wellbeing. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

• Short video or audio submission — many recent calls for applications ask for a 3–5 minute recording (video or audio) describing your involvement in sports and how you’ve promoted mental wellness for yourself, your team, or your community. The link to that recording is included in the application. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

The scholarship site provides more detailed instructions and specific formatting requirements (length of video, how to cite references, submission portals). Follow those rules exactly — committees often use a checklist to disqualify incomplete submissions.

Deadlines & timeline

• Common deadline: Historically the application window has run through late summer, with many sources listing a September 1 deadline for recent years. However, deadlines can change, so always confirm on the official scholarship page for the applicable year. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation+1

How recipients are selected

Selection committees look for a blend of:

• Clear leadership in sport (captaincy, peer mentorship, organizing team activities, etc.).

• Concrete examples of mental-health advocacy or wellness practices — not just good intentions but actions and impact (events organized, teammates helped, awareness activities).

• Academic standing and the likelihood the award will support continuing education in college or university.

• Quality of references and the personal statement/video (clarity, authenticity, evidence of sustained commitment). Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

Pro tip for applicants: Use the video to tell one or two vivid stories showing how you made a positive difference — committees remember stories more than lists.

Writing a competitive application — step-by-step tips

1) Lead with a clear narrative

Open your written answers and video with a concise statement of what you did and why it mattered (e.g., “I started a peer-led check-in program on my team after noticing several teammates struggling with pressure during playoffs…”).

2) Show measurable or observable impact

Numbers and concrete outcomes help: how many teammates were reached, how many events you ran, feedback you collected, or a team culture change you helped create.

3) Be honest about your own journey

Mental-health work is often personal. If you’ve sought help, participated in therapy, or used school resources, naming that (without oversharing private medical details) shows leadership by example.

4) Choose references strategically

Select a referee who can speak to both your athletic commitment and your leadership in mental wellness — a coach who observed you mentor teammates, or a teacher who coordinated your mental-health event, for example.

5) Make the video count

• Keep it within the requested length (usually 3–5 minutes).

• Script the opening, but speak naturally.

• Use examples and keep the camera steady; clear audio is essential.

• Close with a short line on what this scholarship will enable you to do next.

6) Proofread and follow submission rules

Missing or incorrectly formatted materials are the most common reasons for disqualification. Double-check transcripts, signatures, and attachment limits.

(These recommendations are based on the application components and selection priorities published by the scholarship administrators.) Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

Examples of activities that demonstrate leadership in mental wellness

• Organizing team mental-health workshops or bringing in a speaker.

• Setting up a peer support/check-in system during intense seasons.

• Creating or running anti-stigma campaigns at school or in sport clubs.

• Volunteering with local mental-health organizations or helplines.

• Leading fundraising or awareness events for mental-health charities. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

Impact stories & community benefit

The scholarship does more than provide financial support — it publicly recognizes athletes who make mental wellness a priority, which can ripple across teams and schools. Past recipients have been highlighted on foundation pages and social posts; those profiles help spread ideas and encourage peers to take mental-health leadership seriously. (See the foundation’s announcements for past recipient stories.) Facebook+1

Broader context: athletes and mental health

Athletes — especially young athletes — face unique mental-health pressures: performance anxiety, identity tied to sport, overtraining, injuries, and transitions (e.g., graduating to higher levels or leaving sport). Scholarships like the Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship intentionally connect athletic leadership with mental-health advocacy to normalize help-seeking and peer support in sports environments. If you’re applying, framing your sports leadership within this context helps the committee see the social value of your work. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

Where to find the official application & how to verify details

• Primary source: The scholarship’s official page on the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation website is the authoritative resource for application forms, deadlines, and exact eligibility guidelines. Always use that page as your source of truth when preparing materials. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

• Secondary directories: Scholarship aggregators (Scholarship Canada, ScholarshipCA, BCScholarships and others) often repost details. These are helpful for reminders but should be cross-checked with the foundation’s site. Scholarships Canada+1

FAQ (quick answers)

Q — Is it only for hockey players?
No — the award is for student-athletes across sports who show leadership in athletic and mental-health arenas. The namesake’s hockey background is historical, but applicants from any sport are eligible. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

Q — Can alumni or current university students apply?
The program typically targets ages 16–21 and students entering or currently enrolled in post-secondary programs; read the current year’s eligibility rules for specifics. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

Q — Do I have to disclose my mental-health diagnosis?
No. You should describe your leadership and actions to promote mental wellness. Sharing personal mental-health experiences is optional and only to the extent you’re comfortable. Committees value authenticity and concrete action. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

If you or someone is in crisis

This article mentions suicide and mental-health struggles. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or thinking about harming themselves, please contact local emergency services right away. In Canada, you can call emergency services or access local crisis lines — many regions also support the 988 number for suicide crisis support. If you’re outside Canada, please contact your local emergency number or a trusted local crisis resource. Reaching out to a trusted adult, coach, or school counsellor is also strongly advised.

Final checklist before you submit

• Review the official foundation page for the current year’s deadline and grant sizes. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

• Complete and proofread the questionnaire. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

• Attach transcripts and confirm official formatting. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

• Obtain a signed reference letter from someone who directly observed your leadership. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

• Upload or link the requested short video/audio (3–5 minutes) and verify playback links. Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

• Keep a copy of everything you submit in case follow-up is needed.

Sources and further reading

• Official Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship page (Canadian Men’s Health Foundation). Canadian Men’s Health Foundation

• Scholarship directories summarizing the award (ScholarshipCanada, ScholarshipCA, MastersPortal). Scholarships Canada+2ScholarshipCa+2

• Rick Blight profile and hockey career overview (hockeydb).