Comet Storm girls to represent province at Hockey on the Hill
In the essay that won the Saskatoon Comet Storm Pee Wee team a spot at the Hockey on the Hill tournament, the girls remarked on history showing that sport has long been an instrument to remove barriers between people.
“The world our girls are creating for themselves will be more inclusive and as a whole, we will all benefit. We can see no better opportunity for these young ladies than playing in this historic event helping them to create lifelong memories, together,” they wrote.
The Pee Wee Comets entered the short essay and 30-second video and learned on Nov. 23 that they were chosen to represent the province’s pee wee girls at the Bell Capital Cup on Dec. 28-30.
This year’s tournament is a celebration of Canada 150 and organizers called on eligible boys and girls pee wee teams to enter a contest for a chance to represent their province at the Bell Capital Cup. The Comet Storm will get to play at least one game on the outdoor rink in front of the Parliament building.
Head coach David Crowell said sport opens up the opportunity for kids to do things they haven’t before, such as travel.
“I think the other piece, too, is that there are girls teams in this category that have been selected from all over the country. The chance to play a team from Newfoundland and in the same tournament get a chance to play a team from Nunavut and you know, British Columbia. That’s not something we would ever get a chance to experience unless we played at a national level,” Crowell said.
The contest covers airfare, accommodations and ground transport for the players and five adults. The team is looking to raise $30,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to bring 10 additional adults and pay for the team’s meals and activities.
The team wants to give the every player a chance to take at least one family member with them to Ottawa.
“The girls are 11 and 12, some of them may not have been able to participate just based on not being ready to leave home and take part in an activity like that, completely on their own,” Crowell said.
Crowell said this trip is an opportunity to answer the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The team will represent Treaty 6 and some of its players are First Nations and Metis.
“Just having an opportunity to bring that message along with us as we come from Saskatchewan to the capital city, and you know, just to share that message and live that message as well.”