What do Estevan, Weyburn and Swift Current all have in common?
They all have a female hockey program.
And as of Sunday, September 7, Yorkton Minor Hockey took its first step towards joining that group when they offered their first free 'Try Hockey' session for females wishing to take part in hockey.
A total of 12 girls attended Sunday's first session at the Kinsmen Arena, which, according to YMH vice president and head of the Female Try Hockey program Fred Schrader, was more than they had expected. "For the first session we really didn't have a sign-up sheet. It was really just a drop-in session so I was thinking that if we had five or six girls then I would be glad," offered Schrader. "Today, even though it's gorgeous outside, we had something like 12 girls out there from all ranges. Some who have never skated before, to some who are current female hockey players."
But why would YMH offer a free session? Why wouldn't they just start a girls' hockey program?
Schrader said it was simple, mentioning that they didn't want to rush people into the sport and have them commit large amounts of money on one sudden urge to play hockey; especially if it didn't work out. "There are a lot of girls that want to play hockey but haven't had any experience," suggested Schrader. "Their parents are nervous or tentative about buying the equipment first, while some are figure skaters and they're used to a different blade on the skate, which means they have to buy new skates."
Schrader also mentioned that, while the age of the girls who attended the first session was roughly between four and twelve, the 'Try Hockey' sessions are actually open to any female interested in hockey no matter how young, or old, they are. "It's never too late to start," said Schrader, continuing, "Amber Zaharia has a great program there with the girls and ladies (Yorkton Don Cherries female hockey team) who want to play, while my daughter didn't start playing until she was seven.
"There are even minor hockey boys that didn't start playing hockey until they were 11 or 12 years old."
The Female Try Hockey program continues next Sunday, September 14 from 12:00p.m. to 1:00p.m. with its second free drop-in session at the Yorkton Kinsmen Arena.
September 14th's session will be ran by coach Ashley Wilson (née Stoll), a former player on the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women's' hockey team and sister to two-time Stanley Cup winner Jarret Stoll, as well as former Yorkton Terrier Kelly Stoll.
