Collingwood’s girls' hockey teams have seen exponential growth over the past five years and have reached what founders are calling a ‘pivotal point’ for many of their teams.
Ivy Leishman-Martin helped start the Collingwood Girls Hockey Association in 2017 with a group of volunteers.
Though her sport was gymnastics, she started playing hockey in her 30s, which prompted her young daughter to express an interest.
“My daughter wanted to play hockey because I was playing hockey and she had nowhere to go,” said Martin. “I wanted her and all her friends to have a place to do it.”
Now 15, Martin’s daughter is still playing the sport, and Martin remains part of the executive for the local club.
“It’s so much work, and I’m so exhausted and so is the rest of the executive … but when I look at all the girls that are on the ice and getting to play because we did this, I’m so proud and I don’t regret a minute of it,” said Martin.
There are about 120 girls from Meaford to Creemore who play hockey with the Collingwood association.
“We’ve seen tremendous growth in the last two years, even with COVID,” said Martin.
She attributes the growth to an increase in visibility of women in sport, including at the Olympics.
“I think exposure is the main reason we’re starting to see an increase in numbers,” she said. “There’s more access. Without seeing it, they can’t do it, they can’t be it.”
This season, Martin hopes the club will grow to a new level with enough players to have more than one team in most of the divisions.
“Our numbers are at a critical point right now where we have too many girls in each division for one team, and not quite enough for two teams, as well we are in need of girls that want to be goalies.”
This year, the club has started a U7 development division that does not require any travel, and offers more practice time than game time with a goal of developing the players on the ice.
In addition to the development programs, there are teams for players from three years old to under 18.
“Our teams take girls of all skill level,” said Martin. “Since our inception, it’s been our goal that any girl at any age has a team to start on. You don’t have to be a hockey player to join. We teach you.”
There is financial assistance available, and sponsorships offered to help girls get equipment where necessary.
Registration is open for the 2021/22 season, which runs from Sept. to March. You can sign up on the club’s website at collingwoodgirlshockey.com.
