Alexander Sun is a 15-year-old International Bachelorette student who has played competitive hockey for most of his childhood. He says the sport has taught him very valuable life lessons throughout his time playing — lessons that still help him navigate the world today.
Sun wants to share the benefits that hockey has given him with others, especially with students who have trouble with the social and regimented aspects of team-based sports.
“Hockey has been a really important part of my sport and personal journey because hockey teaches you a lot of things. It teaches you about teamwork, it teaches you about discipline, and most importantly, for me, it teaches communication,” Sun said.
Last summer, Sun participated in a research program that observed how ice-skating impacts neurodivergent youth with the intent to understand the connection between autism and beneficially engaging in sports like hockey.
“As I volunteered, I sort of realized that these kids were not getting enough time to be on the ice to actually make an impact, but they thoroughly enjoyed it,” Sun said.
Creating the Beyond Blades ASD Foundation
This realization prompted Sun to help create the Beyond Blades ASD Foundation, where he sits as the president of the non-profit organization.
The organization aims to help young people on the autism spectrum find connectivity, support and passion through participating in sports like hockey, hiking, badminton in addition to other hands-on activities like robotics workshops that also fall into sensory-aware spaces.
Sun has worked with over 200 participants and more than 40 volunteers across three venues to provide a meaningful experience through connecting participants with caring staff.
“To a lot of these kids, skating is a new experience,” Sun said. “We try to encourage these kids to form new bonds and relationships with our volunteers.”
These bonds are highlighted in a recent journal from the National Library of Medicine which claims group sports show a noticeable reduction in loneliness and bolster healthy social interactions through physical activity.
Sun says his main priority is to help neurodivergent students find a successful and fruitful life after graduating from their school programs by using skills they seek to acquire through group sports, positive social interaction and camaraderie.
“Some neurodivergent students lack the ability to interact with other students and their communication is limited. My plan is that we hope to prepare them for adulthood, help them with independence and socializing with their peers, which could first help them feel more comfortable in school and onwards.”
Leading up to Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month in April 2027, Sun wants to raise awareness for his organization and help spread the message about the social and psychological benefits team sports can have on neurodivergent kids,
