Female hockey players in Cape Breton looking for equal ice time

Cape Breton Hockey Group is making it easier for girls and women to get on the ice.

In recent years, women’s hockey has experienced a surge in popularity and there is not enough ice time available to cater for this growing interest.

Christina Lamey, president of the Cape Breton Blizzard Female Hockey Association, says female teams on the island are often fighting their male counterparts for ice time.

“We get literally what is left after the other organisations take what they want first.” said Lamey. Lamey.

The association is working to raise the funds needed to convert the Canada Games Complex, located at Cape Breton University, to a rink exclusively for female players.

Lamey claims that the arena hasn’t been used for hockey in more than two decades. saidThe number of girls who play hockey in the CBRM has increased by twofold in that time period.

The number of teams in the region has increased from 3 to 20 since 2015. She said a rink devoted to women and girls would go a long way toward resolving the issues around equity.

Female players who are new to the sport say they have had limited practice and games due to boys teams having more access. Women and girls often have limited availability or are left without home ice.

“We had boys teams taking over team ice times. “We lost a lot more ice times.” saidMadelyn Williams is a U-18 player with the Blizzard.

Kaylee Primmer, Maggie Williams, and Kaylee Primmer are also Blizzard players. saidThey want as much ice as any other team.

Alyssa Burke is a Capers student hockey team member and a Capers student hockey player. said most of her practices were held in Membertou at times that weren’t always convenient. 

We practiced Monday night at 8:30, and I had a lab from 5:30 to 8:30. She said that she would always be late to practice and drive as fast as possible to get there. said. “It would make a great addition to our campus.”

Canada Games Complex was completed in 1986. The complex needs new ice making equipment and a Zamboni. In the two years since its construction, no ice was made. The facility serves primarily as a COVID-19 clinic and convocation space for CBU. 

Kruger paper giant has so far given $50,000 to the hockey association. Kruger runs a program that promotes inclusion in hockey. This money will be used for more women and girls to play hockey. 

Lamey said the team needs about $500,000 to get the arena up and running. 

Lamey also applied for a national title which could bring in $250,000 for upgrades to the arena. Lamey said the association will also make a formal ask to multiple levels of government for financial support.

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