Charmaine Stevens, manager for the team, says that the Queens Minor Hockey Association is trying to grow girls hockey in Queens.
“It’s one of the fastest growing sports in Canada and the South Shore didn’t really have an all-female team,” says Stevens.
To get that ball in motion, a shinny team was started to introduce girls to the sport.
“Anyone can come, even if they’ve never played hockey before,” says Stevens.
The girls play on Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and it’s for ages nine through 15. Leslie Robart is the coach.
Some of the girls who play on Thursday nights are experienced players who already play on minor hockey teams and a couple of the older girls play for the women’s team, The Cougars.
“It’s about getting them together and being active, it’s about getting new girls introduced to hockey in a way that is really no pressure,” says Stevens. “It’s a really fun environment.”
The games are all in house and the team is not in a league so there won’t be any travel involved. The games are meant to be skill building scrimmages.
Stevens says that other communities, including Chester, have started similar initiatives and have built up enough players to start league teams at various levels.
“Chester now has a peewee league and Bridgewater has a peewee league as well,” says Stevens. “So it really is growing on the South Shore, we knew it was something we needed to offer in Queens County.”
The group has played twice at Queens Place Emera Centre and both practices were well attended. Stevens says they have some girls who are traveling from Shelburne to be a part of the group as well.
“It’s definitely not too late to join up,” says Stevens. “They can come any time.”
Stevens wants girls to know that they don’t have to be nervous coming out. There are lots of people at the practices to help out.
“We had one girl come out, it was her first time playing hockey and she had a fabulous time,” says Stevens. “The coaches will teach them the skills they need.”
For those that are unsure if they want to commit, the group also tries to round up used gear for girls to try out in.
“They just need to let me know in advance,” says Stevens.
Registration is $52.50 for the year. The group is applying for a grant to pay for ice time, but, if unsuccessful, ice time costs will be split amongst players depending how many attend.
“It will be minimal, we’re hoping to keep the cost as low as possible,” says Stevens.
Anyone who wants to join the group should contact Stevens at [email protected]
Charmaine Stevens, manager for the team, says that the Queens Minor Hockey Association is trying to grow girls hockey in Queens.
“It’s one of the fastest growing sports in Canada and the South Shore didn’t really have an all-female team,” says Stevens.
To get that ball in motion, a shinny team was started to introduce girls to the sport.
“Anyone can come, even if they’ve never played hockey before,” says Stevens.
The girls play on Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and it’s for ages nine through 15. Leslie Robart is the coach.
Some of the girls who play on Thursday nights are experienced players who already play on minor hockey teams and a couple of the older girls play for the women’s team, The Cougars.
“It’s about getting them together and being active, it’s about getting new girls introduced to hockey in a way that is really no pressure,” says Stevens. “It’s a really fun environment.”
The games are all in house and the team is not in a league so there won’t be any travel involved. The games are meant to be skill building scrimmages.
Stevens says that other communities, including Chester, have started similar initiatives and have built up enough players to start league teams at various levels.
“Chester now has a peewee league and Bridgewater has a peewee league as well,” says Stevens. “So it really is growing on the South Shore, we knew it was something we needed to offer in Queens County.”
The group has played twice at Queens Place Emera Centre and both practices were well attended. Stevens says they have some girls who are traveling from Shelburne to be a part of the group as well.
“It’s definitely not too late to join up,” says Stevens. “They can come any time.”
Stevens wants girls to know that they don’t have to be nervous coming out. There are lots of people at the practices to help out.
“We had one girl come out, it was her first time playing hockey and she had a fabulous time,” says Stevens. “The coaches will teach them the skills they need.”
For those that are unsure if they want to commit, the group also tries to round up used gear for girls to try out in.
“They just need to let me know in advance,” says Stevens.
Registration is $52.50 for the year. The group is applying for a grant to pay for ice time, but, if unsuccessful, ice time costs will be split amongst players depending how many attend.
“It will be minimal, we’re hoping to keep the cost as low as possible,” says Stevens.
Anyone who wants to join the group should contact Stevens at [email protected]
