University to reinstate women’s hockey

• The University of New Brunswick is reinstating women’s varsity hockey following a 10-year absence and a lengthy battle over human rights.

“I’m very pleased and very proud that it has come this far,” said Sylvia Dooley, a former player who pushed for the change.

“What they have done is come up with a plan to move forward that they think will be successful.”

When the university downgraded the team to a sports club in 2008, citing funding issues, Dooley alleged the decision amounted to discrimination on the basis of sex. In March, the province’s Labour and Employment Board agreed, and it ordered the school to reverse its decision.

At first, the university responded by seeking a judicial review. But the university eventually changed course and appointed a task force to implement the board’s decision.

On Monday, UNB vicepresident George MacLean said the university will hire a full-time coach, provide resources and equipment, and begin recruiting players to create a competitive varsity team for the 2018-19 season.

“There were decisions made years ago (and) I wasn’t involved in those,” MacLean said. “But looking at the situation now, we felt that … looking to the future for varsity sport at UNB, this was the right way to do it.”

The labour board had originally ordered the university to have a team ready for the 2017-2018 season, but MacLean said they’ll need another year to ensure that it’s done right.

UNB has also agreed to produce a revised gender equity policy no later than September 2017.