INNISFAIL – There’s more girls playing hockey than ever before.
Here in Innisfail that’s due in part to the work of the Innisfail Minor Hockey Association and the annual girls hockey camp.
“This is the fourth year for the camp and every year we’ve done it a little differently,” said Sara Howell, organizer and female peewee coach with the association.
The one-day hockey camp at the Innisfail Arena was held on March 15 and was open to girls of all ages.
“Any girl can come out. We have girls ages seven to 15 but we have one girl that is six years old,” said Howell. “They don’t have to be a part of minor hockey, it’s just for them to come out and try it.”
Several members with the association, including coaches, players and other volunteers helped out with the event, she noted.
“We do have a few of our Innisfail minor hockey girls out here helping and minor hockey coaches,” said Howell, noting the increase in interest in the camp. “This is the biggest it’s ever been.”
A total of 22 girls pre-registered for the hockey camp with a few others signing up at the door, noted Howell. “We might end up with around 25 (participants).
“This year we really wanted to target girls that had never played before. The ones that wanted to give it a try,” she added.
Previously held in the fall, this year the girls hockey camp was moved up to the spring. Howell noted that with the minor hockey season just wrapping up, it is a good time to hold the camp.
The event provides girls with an introduction to the sport and several skills.
"They’re doing some basic skating drills, passing, shooting and getting comfortable on the ice,” said Howell, pointing to the positive feedback for both the camp and the female minor hockey program in Innisfail.
“Our female hockey program with Innisfail minor hockey has grown each year,” she said. “We had three girls' teams this season – atom, peewee and a midget-bantam combined team. Each of our teams were really successful this year too.”
All of the female teams with Innisfail Minor Hockey Association play in the Rocky Mountain Female Hockey League and made the playoffs this season.
“It was a very good season,” Howell concluded.
For more information on the female hockey program or the girls hockey camp, visit Innisfail Minor Hockey Association at www.innisfailminorhockey.com
