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Thursday, November 27, 2008

Warning: Don't get in the way of chicks with sticks

posted by BOFarrell at 6h53

Bill Campbell, the coach of the John Abbott Lady Islanders hockey team said it without hesitating: “Girls are sometimes at the end of the totem pole when it comes to getting ice time."

When I was at the arena in Huntingdon last weekend, parents of the girls' peewee team were complaining about it. Their daughters, who now have to play out of Valleyfield, have regularly scheduled practices on Monday evenings. The problem is, all their games are Monday evenings, too. So instead of being on the ice twice a week, once for a practice and once for a game, they only get out there once a week. Yet, they still have to pay just as much as everyone else.

The parents wanted to know who the geniuses were who did the scheduling.

I’m sure there are other examples all over the place of how girls' hockey teams are not a priority when it comes to assigning ice time.

Sure, I’ll be the first to admit, change takes time. A generation ago, there were no girls' hockey teams. Now, they are cropping up everywhere. And you should see these girls play. They’re amazing. I watch them, and I am truly jealous. I wish I had the opportunity to play like they have.

Which is why the league officials across the province better get their act together. Don’t think that you are fooling anyone.
It’s just a game. And the boys are not any more important than the girls. And no, it’s not about every little boy’s dream of making it to the NHL. Those dreams will always live in the hearts and minds of every player who dares.

But maybe it’s about the parents who get involved in the politics of the leagues. Maybe it’s time for them to let go of their dreams of hockey greatness and just let the kids play. Kids have enough imagination and talent to develop their own aspirations and love of the game. League officials just don’t have to deny the girls decent ice time in the process.
Brenda O’Farrell