Girls and young women aged five to 20 now have even more reason -- to get their game face on.
For the first time in four decades, an all-female hockey association has been created in the CRD.
Hockey BC has approved the creation of the Capital Region Female Minor Hockey Association. The newly-minted CRFMHA will oversee both recreational and competitive teams.
Board Member Lisa Parkes says there is an all-female association on the Mainland, but on the Island it's different.
"There hasn't been a female association here for some time," Parkes says. "The female game is attached to a larger male association, so the focus - naturally - is on the male game. Right now there aren't a ton of girls playing hockey in each division. So as the girls move up, some quit and some age out, and any young women who want to continue to play hockey might go to a boys team, or travel to another association. This new association brings all the young women under one umbrella. Hopefully it will attract younger players and boost enrolment."
She says there are about 260 young women currently involved in hockey.
Parkes says the CRFMHA has lots of goals.
"One of the goals for the association is not only to provide opportunity for girls to play hockey, but also for girls to learn mentorship skills, to go on and coach hockey, they really want to have female coaches involved. And also female referees, there's a real focus on developing and giving female referees higher level opportunities as well."
She says there are a few female referees, but they want to provide more opportunities for them to develop and move on to higher levels, as well as inspire young women to become involved in officiating.
Parkes says they are speaking with all the ice rinks, but believes that all the communities will want to provide them with ice time like they do for the boys association.
She adds that they will also be hosting development opportunities for girls of all abilities this spring and summer, with registration for the upcoming September season opening in April.