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Nova Scotia

Hockey Nova Scotia overhauls female hockey system by region

Hockey Nova Scotia is creating six regional zones for female hockey in an effort to double the numbers. Officials say the new zones will mean more local teams and less travel which could attract new players.

New regional system will reduce travel for families with players in A-level minor hockey

Pam Berman · CBC News ·
Hockey Nova Scotia is creating six regional zones for female hockey in an effort to double the numbers. Officials say the new zones will mean more local teams and less travel which could attract new players. (The Associated Press)

Hockey Nova Scotia is restructuring female hockey in the hopes of doubling registration over the next five years.  

As of June 15, there will be six zones and teams formed within regional areas instead of individual minor hockey associations.  

Across the province, 1,500 girls now play hockey. Officials say those numbers have been steady over the past few years. 

Darren Cossar says female hockey has been difficult to administer the same way as male minor hockey. (CBC)

In Nova Scotia, around 15,000 boys sign up for hockey teams each year.

"The biggest issue is we've been trying to administer the female game the same way we administer minor hockey," said Darren Cossar, the executive director of Hockey Nova Scotia. "The systems don't work the same."

The six zones being created are:  

  • Cape Breton
  • Fundy-Highland (Antigonish, Pictou, Colchester),
  • Dartmouth (Dartmouth, East Hants, Eastern Shore, Cole Harbour),
  • Halifax (Halifax, Sackville, Bedford & Tasa),
  • Nova (Clare, Digby, Western Valley, West Hants & Acadia)
  • Western (South Shore, Chester, Shelburne & Yarmouth).  

In these zones, there will be two tiers. The AA teams will include highly-skilled players that will continue to play across the province. The A teams will play within their zones, in an effort to reduce the amount families have to travel.

"What this will do is hopefully enable us to have competitive teams at both the AA and the A levels, so the girls will have a better experience," Cossar said.  

This type of restructuring is also being done in Prince Edward Island and Alberta.  

Hockey Nova Scotia also plans to design new programs aimed at specifically attracting young girls to the sport.  

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