Young girls interested in what it would be like to play with an all-female hockey team can experience it at female hockey night.

Kelsey Brockway, the sponsor for the female hockey night, is excited for younger girls to learn, play, and hopefully join the all-female hockey team. 

“In an all-female stream, we're finding a lot of girls aren't sure what to expect. They don't switch over from playing mixed since they are unsure of how it'll be to play. We're hoping this would be a fun, free event for them to come out and see the group of amazing hockey players that we have right now.” 

Brockway says this event is so important right now for younger girls to get the confidence to play. 

“We need to foster these younger kids and grow the program to keep it growing bigger and stronger. These young girls truly are the future of female hockey.” 

All-female hockey programs here and around Airdrie are not very common, so Brockway thinks that events like this should boost popularity. 

“We have one team in all of the divisions for AMHA (Airdrie Minor Hockey Association). This is the first year that we had a U9 female team and we're hoping next year we can grow from that and have more than one and also have a U7 team.” 

Brockway plans to organize more events like this, to inspire the female hockey world. 

“We want to grow it to a level where these girls are more competitive and they can play a higher level of hockey because what they learn now will help them grow in the future.” 

Hockey is a male-dominated sport and Brockway believes that more things need to be done so female hockey can become more widely recognized. 

“I think we need to get more people involved. We need a louder voice. We've really been trying this year but years past have been kind of quiet. I think the louder we get the more kids will get involved with it.” 

Brockway says the girls in the program now are so inspired by the Premier Hockey Federation and women playing in the Olympics. Specifically, Team Canada’s win for the women’s hockey tournament. 

“I guarantee most of the girls were staying up late last night to watch these girls win because these are their idols. These are the girls that they look up to and who they want to be one day.” She adds the girls “even have heroes here in Airdrie. The Bantam AA and Midget AA teams are some of their favourites to go out and watch.” 

hockey_huddle(Photo provided by Kelsey Brockway) pictured, Airdrie Lightning

She says that she wants younger girls to be advocates for themselves and to take a stand for what they love to do. 

“We tell them to be confident, and to stand on their own, that's one of the big things we really push for them. We tell them not to be pushed to the side. And you know what, they're just as good, sometimes if not better, than these boys. They just need to remember that and just work hard. We really push working hard and practicing and being part of the team and working together.” 

Brockway suggests parents listen to what their girls want, and if they want to play hockey, then get them out there playing as soon as possible. 

“Start these girls off young and get them on those skates, get them into hockey programs. Not just with AMHA, there are other hockey programs in Airdrie where they will grow these young players. I would tell these girls to just stick with it. You know, sometimes it's hard at the beginning, but just get them out to watch these older girls play and they’ll see all the potential they have.” 

The Female Hockey Night is set for March 16 at the Ron Ebbesen Arena Gold. Mark your calendars and get those young hockey stars out on the rink for a night full of fun.

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