The Montreal Victoire recently organized a youth hockey training clinic at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux Civic Centre in the western part of Montreal. Over 80 girls aged between eight and 15 participated in the four-day clinic to enhance their skills and gain insights from professional players.
Several young athletes shared their hockey ambitions and the significance of being coached by their idols with CBC. For the Victoire players, the clinic served as a nostalgic moment, reflecting on their own beginnings and expressing a desire for more opportunities like this to nurture the sport at the grassroots level.
Among the attendees was 11-year-old Navarana Gadbois, who began skating at the age of four in Kuujjuaq after being inspired by her father playing hockey. Navarana enthusiastically expressed her delight in participating in the training camp, highlighting the potential path to university and playing for teams like the Victoire or in the PWHL.
Another participant, 10-year-old Elizabeth Tousignante, shared her excitement about meeting the players and her dream of playing for the Montreal Victoire. She expressed a profound love for hockey and a desire to continue playing for as long as possible.
Alexandra Labelle, a forward for the Victoire, emphasized the importance of sharing her passion for the sport and serving as a role model for aspiring young players. Alexandra highlighted the progress made in providing exclusive hockey camps for girls, reflecting on her experience playing with boys until the age of 15.
Head coach Kori Cheverie, who hails from Nova Scotia where girls’ hockey and professional women’s teams were scarce during her youth, emphasized the evolving landscape of the game. Kori stressed the need for increased ice time availability and continued inclusivity across all genders in the sport.
Overall, there remains a collective effort to further enhance the hockey community and ensure equal opportunities for players of all backgrounds and genders.