Hi, my name is Jessica O’Brien and I would like to talk to you about Girls Hockey. It seems that there is no limit to how big women’s hockey can become in Canada.  It is estimated that today there are over 50,000 girls and women playing hockey across the country.  This is more than two times the number of female hockey players in Canada just 3 years ago.

The success of the Canadian women’s national team has had much to do with the growth of the sport.  So far, there have been 5 world championships and Team Canada has won all five with an unbelievable record of 25 wins and no losses in the 5 world tournaments.  The sixth world championship will be held in April with most of the games being played in Mississauga although one game will be held in Oshawa featuring Russia and Germany - so get your tickets to see some great hockey!

I started playing hockey four years ago in Oshawa.  In 1997/98, Whitby started its own girls hockey program and I have been playing for the Whitby Wolves for the past 2 seasons.  The Whitby Girls Hockey Association started off with just 173 girls in its first season.  Two years have passed, and over 400 girls are now playing hockey in Whitby.  In my experience, girls hockey is a great way to meet new people, get a lot of exercise, and have fun.

In my second year playing hockey, I tried out for a rep team and made it.  There is quite a difference between rep and house league hockey.  In rep hockey, the games are more serious, more competitive and also more physical.  Even though there is no intentional body checking allowed in girls hockey, some teams can be pretty rough, which is why so much equipment is required.  Rep hockey gives you the chance to play against stronger competition which is a good way to improve your own play.

Rep teams are sometimes also called ‘travel teams’.  They represent their city or town and play against teams from other parts of the province.  The team I am playing for this year plays in the Central East Girls Hockey League against teams from Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg, Port Hope, Clarington and Cold Creek.  In addition, we also play in a number of tournaments.  So far this year we have played in 3 tournaments in Belleville, Whitby and Cobourg.  We won the B championship in the Belleville tournament and came second in Whitby losing the championship game 1 - 0 against a team from Little Current.  Later this month we will be playing in the Silver Stick Tournament in Cold Creek.

Nathalie Rivard is my favourite hockey player.  She plays for Canada’s national team and also for the Mississauga Chiefs of the NWHL, which stands for the National Women’s Hockey League.  My uncle, Rick Osborne, coaches the Mississauga Chiefs.  The reason why Nathalie Rivard is my favourite hockey player is because she has an amazing shot, and a great attitude!  Also, Nathalie plays left defense - just like I do on my rep team!  I think that Nathalie Rivard demonstrates good leadership and she shows that if you set high goals it is possible to achieve them.  On Friday, I went to see Team Canada and Team USA play at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.  Nathalie had a great game killing penalties, and playing hard on the power plays.

I hope that you have learned something about girls hockey from what I have told you today.  I also hope that you will soon have an opportunity to enjoy a game and see for yourself what a great game girls hockey is.
 

Jessica O'Brien
Public Speaking Contest
02/08/00