As Vernon, B.C., looks towards hosting the 2024 Esso Cup, several of the Thompson-Okanagan Lakers are helping to grow the women’s game as coaches
Two years ago, the Greater Vernon Minor Hockey Association (GVMHA) decided
to make growing women’s hockey a priority. Thanks to initiatives like Esso
Fun Days and coaching programs, the growth has been significant.
Let’s put that growth into perspective: Last year, Vernon had U9, U11 and
U15 girls’ teams. This year, the association has girls’ teams in every
division except U18, which will be operating next year once the U15 players
graduate—an estimated growth of 100 more girls lacing up their skates in the
region.
“It’s getting to a point now that the volume of girls really supports an
elite stream of hockey development, which for us is really the first time
we’ve had it,” says Kevin Bathurst, director of hockey operations for the
GVMHA and co-chair of the…
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