Dieppe hockey coach launches girls-only teams

A Dieppe hockey and ringette coach is hoping to grow female hockey in the region with the creation of new, all-girl teams that will be able to play in both co-ed and female leagues.

Jean-Claude Gaudet is the driving force behind the new teams. He says more than 50 girls have already signed up and he hopes to draw as many as 100 between the ages of 5 and 18 to the sport by this time next year.

"We're going to have teams, all girls. They're still going to compete in co-ed or boys leagues here in the area but, when it comes to some tournaments we'll be able to play co-ed or all girls," he said.

"Plus, at the provincials, at the end of the year, we're going to be able to play all girls."

All-female hockey teams have been competing for years in New Brunswick. The Southern N.B. Female Hockey League includes teams from across the southern part of the province and Fredericton, in every level from initiation programs to midget.

Gaudet hopes the new Dieppe-based teams will encourage more girls to hit the ice. He said last year 740 boys registered for minor hockey in the area and only 20 girls.

Co-ed teams led to girls missing out

"In the past where girls wanted to play, they didn't have a choice but they played here in Dieppe on co-ed teams," said Gaudet.

"So basically, 14 boys and two girls."

He said he believes those girls were missing out on the social aspect of team sports, especially pre-game sessions in the locker room.

"My biggest motivation is those girls that I've coached over the years, missed out and they still stuck to it," he said.

"Those girls are real, real warriors and I can't wait to offer them the real experience, I think they're just going to be blown away."

The Panthères Dieppe-Memramcook hit the ice for the first time on Tuesday.