Welcome to the premiere episode of “Our Girls Play Hockey,” a new series within the “Our Kids Play Hockey” podcast network. In this episode, hosts Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Sheri Hudspeth from the Vegas Golden Knights, dive into the intricacies of starting a girls’ youth hockey program. Our expert guest, Katelyn Parker, shares her invaluable insights and experiences.

Starting a Girls’ Hockey Program:

•Importance of having passionate leaders.

•Initial steps: Contacting district representatives and understanding rules and regulations.

•Grassroots approach: Building a sustainable program by starting at the lower levels and creating a strong pipeline.

Essential Components for a Successful Program:

•Importance of passionate leadership.

•Required resources: Ice time, uniforms, facilities, and coaches.

•Creative solutions: Utilizing different age groups and spaces to build a community and increase participation.

Challenges and Solutions:

•Overcoming hurdles in starting a new program.

•The importance of building mass numbers for a sustainable team.

•Balancing different age groups and creating inclusive environments.

Role Models and Representation:

•The impact of female coaches and role models on young players.

•Successful events and initiatives that promote girls’ hockey.

Creative Outreach and Marketing Strategies:

•Using social media and community events to spread the word.

•Collaborating with organizations like Girl Scouts and local schools.

•Hosting try hockey for free events and leveraging NHL resources.

Personal Insights and Experiences:

•Sheri and Katelyn’s experiences in growing girls’ hockey on the West Coast.

•Success stories and impactful moments from their careers.

Takeaways:

•Passion and leadership are critical in starting and sustaining a girls’ hockey program.

•Utilize available resources creatively to build a strong community.

•Promote inclusivity and create safe spaces for girls to thrive in hockey.

•Leverage social media and community events to increase visibility and participation.

If you have any questions or need further advice on starting a girls’ hockey program, feel free to reach out to the team at team@ourkidsplayhockey.com. Stay tuned for more episodes of “Our Girls Play Hockey,” where we will continue to explore and discuss various topics related to girls’ youth hockey.

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