SCWHL Connection To Goldeneyes

Given the overall growth of Women’s hockey in not just the lower mainland, the province and ironically world wide it’s interesting to know the overall connection with the Goldeneyes to the South Coast Women’s Hockey League in the lower mainland.

Unique – not really the connection actually goes back a few years – well actually more than a few given that Cara Gardner Morey has a connection to the above league.

For the past few years we have been working with Rick Kupchuk then the President of the SCWHL doing the live streaming for the semi-final and final Championship games most recently played at the Sardis Twin Rinks which you can still watch.

As many know my connection to Women’s Hockey in the area is due to the connection considering that my Daughter (Annette) has been playing Female hockey since a young age first starting playing with boy’s hockey for North Delta MHA which at first was rough as “girls don’t play boys hockey” which seemed to be an on-going discussion.

Fast forward to the growth of Women’s hockey it should be known and understood that Karen Wallace was the first – yes first Female Director for BC Amateur Hockey.

Karen took her advocacy to a new level in 1985 becoming the Director of Female Hockey for the  BC Amateur Hockey Association Female hockey traveling throughout BC organizing female camps and Jamborees while communicating to parents that hockey was a great choice for young girls. 

She wrote a manual on how to organize and grow the girl’s game that went on to be used by all Canadian provinces carrying on in 1989 to bring the Women’s National Championship to BC for the first time in history.

In 1990 her vision was taken to the national stage being elected as Chair of Hockey Canada’s Female Counsel representing female players eventually managing to get approval for girls’ hockey to be included in the 1991 Canada Winter Games. 

While many simply won’t know it was where 13-year-old Hayley Wickenheiser scored the game-winning goal in the gold medal game allowing Women’s hockey to increase registration which increased by 40% Canada-wide.

In addition her sights were set on the Olympic’s where her female counsel presented a case for the inclusion of female hockey in the Olympics noting that in 1992, Female hockey was included as a full medal sport. 

It should be known that the 90s saw major growth for female hockey, namely between 1990-1997 enrollment more than tripled as the Canadian Women’s National team won every major International competition  which included 3 world titles. 

A plaque was presented to Cara Gardner Morey GM Goldeneyes on behalf of the South Coast Women’s Hockey League which means a lot to the league not just due to the recognition, but because of everything behind it.

When they all met they naturally traded various stories knowing that the paths taken were somewhat different eventually leading back to the same place. 

It naturally had to be fun knowing that while the sport evolved some players have also played other sports over the past 20+ years knowing players such as Jen Price who also played ball hockey.

Naturally the conversations became a little deeper realizing how many versions of “the journey” exist from player to player knowing how they all connect everyone.

The environment at the Goldeneyes games is high energy and extremely positive and if you haven’t taken in a game – what’s taking you so long.

The South Coast Women’s Hockey League are extremely grateful to play a small but significant part of the journey of it and even more grateful for the next generation of players coming through.

Thanks to the new incoming president John Holyk for arranging the meet and greet to help grow the game for Women and young girls in the province.

It’s interesting to know that John and I have been in discussion about live streaming a “game of the week” starting next season to help grow the league and the Women’s game – we’ll keep you posted on this!!!!