Hanover Minor Hockey Denied Girls Hockey By OWHA
Submitted By s.fitzsimmons on Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Hanover Minor Hockey has been turned down in their bid to start a girls hockey program in Hanover. The Ontario Women’s Hockey Association ruled that Hanover’s inclusion would “ Negatively impact those female programs currently operating in this area,” as stated in a letter given to Hanover Minor Hockey late last night.
Hanover Minor Hockey President Steve Fitzsimmons is very disappointed in the approach of the OWHA. “ We were denied the right to host girls hockey, because essentially we are deemed to have such a strong boys program, that if we had a girls program, they seem to feel that girls playing elsewhere would want to exercise their right to play where they want and come to Hanover.
Girls can choose to play wherever they want, unlike boys who are guided by territorial boundaries.”
“ The other aspect is that there are currently Hanover girls playing elsewhere, who would ultimately prefer to play in Hanover if given a choice. It would seem that some of our neighbouring hockey centres that currently host girls hockey would like to keep their monopoly on having Hanover girls available for their organizations. I find that to be very short sighted thinking on their part."
“ We made it very clear to the OWHA that we would start two Atom LL teams to begin with and were not looking to take existing players from other centres. This is about creating opportunities for girls in the town of Hanover, to play at home. For an organization supposedly trying to grow girls hockey, this decision by the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association is very surprising. I feel like it’s saying let’s exclude a great hockey centre because they would be too much of a draw for girls.” Said Fitzsimmons
The application by Hanover included letters of support from the Town of Hanover, The Owen Sound Attack hockey team and several parents who wish their daughters to play in Hanover.
As part of the new membership application, area centres that have girls hockey were asked for their feedback on Hanover’s application, which was taken into consideration by the OWHA.
Hanover Minor Hockey is looking into whether there is any appeals process, but has not heard back as of yet.