The Montreal Victoire recently organized a youth hockey training clinic spanning four days at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux Civic Centre, located to the west of Montreal. Close to 90 girls aged between eight and 15 hit the ice to enhance their skills and gain insights from experienced professionals.
Several young athletes shared their hockey aspirations and the significance of being coached by their hockey idols with CBC. The camp was a nostalgic experience for the Victoire players, as they reminisced about their own beginnings in the sport and expressed a wish for similar developmental opportunities for the younger generation, emphasizing the importance of nurturing the game at the grassroots level.
Among the participants was Navarana Gadbois, an 11-year-old who began skating at the age of four in Kuujjuaq, inspired by her father’s involvement in hockey. Expressing her enthusiasm for the training camp, Navarana highlighted the joy of improvement and her aspirations to potentially play at higher levels in the future.
Elizabeth Tousignante, a 10-year-old attendee, radiated excitement about meeting the players and expressed her ambition to play for the Montreal Victoire team. Her passion for hockey shone through as she shared her desire to continue playing the sport indefinitely.
Victoire forward Alexandra Labelle emphasized the importance of sharing her passion for hockey with the younger generation, viewing herself as a role model and mentor. Having grown up in a region without girls’ hockey until a later age, Alexandra acknowledged the progress made in providing dedicated camps for girls, highlighting the evolving culture of the sport.
Kori Cheverie, the head coach of Victoire, emphasized the need for inclusivity in hockey, advocating for increased ice time availability and a welcoming environment for all genders within the sport. Reflecting on her own experiences growing up without professional women’s hockey, Kori emphasized the ongoing evolution of the game and the necessity to ensure equal opportunities for all players.
The article highlighted the enriching experiences shared by the young participants and the Victoire members during the hockey clinic, underscoring the collective efforts to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for aspiring hockey players.
[Link to source article](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/victoire-camp-youth-girls-ddo-9.7313547)