Coach: Brandon Luckovitch, 2nd Row: Isabelle Luckovitch, Mackenzie Matcheskie, Front row: Kinley Mayhew & Juniper Dombrowski (Barry's Bay and Area Minor Hockey Association Photo)
A new pilot project could mark the start of more ways for young girls in the Ottawa Valley to play hockey.
Barry’s Bay and Area Minor Hockey Association President Stephanie Plebon says a survey being floated among the combined minor hockey programs across Renfrew County and the Ottawa Valley District Girls Thunder shows a growing interest in a new girls’ house league starting next season.
The survey, now being circulated through the many local youth sports leagues in the area, comes following the success of a girls’ Under-9 team that the Barry’s Bay association began last year with the blessings of Hockey Eastern Ontario and the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association.
Plebon says the team drew overwhelmingly positive reviews from involved parents, who are now very eager to learn what’s next for the concept.
In a perfect world, the house league will be very similar to the current HEO District 5 loop, featuring teams at each age level playing and practicing out of Pembroke, Petawawa, Arnprior, Renfrew, the Muskrat area, Barry’s Bay, Eganville, and Deep River.
However, that vision is dependent on getting enough families interested in being part of the new league, and Plebon says smaller configurations are also being planned out as they wait to see just how many young girls commit to signing up.
The survey will remain open until March 27th, as its supporters will need enough time to present the data to the local governing bodies for approval before turning their attention to the start of registration this summer.
The associations are still pushing to get as many respondents as possible, but the early turnout has been promising.
Plebon has asked representatives from each of the local associations within District 5 to meet next month to build a plan for which teams and age groups would be possible for next season.
(written by Kasey Egan)
From left: Lilyanna Wojtowicz, Rylee Mayhew, Hudsen Jessup and Natalie Schutt (Barry’s Bay and Area Minor Hockey Association photo)
Plebon: (PLEH-bon)
