Woolwich Wild event offers young girls a chance to give hockey a try

THE WOOLWICH WILD WANTS to see more young girls lace up their skates and take to the ice to try Canada’s favourite sport.

With the Come and Try Girls’ Hockey event, the girls’ minor hockey association is giving girls age 4 to 12 the chance to test out the game without having to sign up for a team.

Woolwich Wild scheduler Jacinta Faries, who has a daughter playing in the local league, says starting any sport can be a big investment. The event, which runs on Apr. 2 at the Woolwich Memorial Centre, is designed to give families a chance to test out the game before going out to buy equipment and pay team fees.

“It is nice to be able to go and see what your child thinks of the sport rather than just signing up, paying your fees and finding out that your child doesn’t really enjoy it,” she said. “This way, there is a chance for them to try it out and talk to some of the other girls that already play to see what it’s like.”

The afternoon event will start with a warm up. Experienced players will be running drills like they do in a normal practice to get skaters comfortable on the ice before splitting the group for a scrimmage.

“We will be doing some skating drills and working with the stick and the puck,” she said. “For the last part of the hour, there is the scrimmage. The game part is the fun part that all the girls want to get to.”

Faries’ daughter has played with the Woolwich Wild since she was seven-years-old, and she says it has been a great experience.

“My daughter has played hockey since she was novice age and it is fun and it is beneficial both on and off the ice. The girls have a lot of fun in the change rooms chatting to each other, they get to know each other, grow up playing with each other over several years,” she said. “So, it is great in that aspect, but also in a physical way. It keeps kids active and involved in some activity.”

The Woolwich Wild isn’t actively trying to recruit new players, young hockey players are always welcome to sign up for the association’s teams. They get a bunch of new players showing interest every year.

“More and more girls are getting interested in hockey,” said Faries. “Our numbers are constantly growing, so the more you can give them a chance to come out and try it, the better.”

To participate, families are asked to make sure their daughters come equipped with a CSA-approved helmet with face mask, a hockey stick, hockey gloves and hockey skates. For those that don’t have those items available, Faries and event organizers will have some available.

“We would need to know in advance if they need equipment, then we can make sure that we have got what they need whether it is a helmet, gloves or whatever,” she said.

The event starts at 1 p.m. on Apr. 2, but Faries asks that all skaters be at the rink by 12:30 p.m. to leave time for registration and getting dressed for the ice.

To have missing equipment waiting, contact Faries at 519-669-8625 or email her at jfaries@rogers.com.