Essex County searching for ‘yin and yang’ coaching

by Jolene Perron

Female coaches are scarce in Essex County, according to the Southpoint Minor Hockey president.
Greg Dries said in his league the majority of the coaches are male. He has seven all girls teams in his league with 21 coaches and assistant coaches in total. Three of those coaches are female.
Most teams have to include a female trainer with their teams. Trainers are equipped with knowledge in skill development and injuries. Female trainers also have the role of giving the male coach a heads up before heading in to the changing rooms.
“I prefer to get as many female coaches as I can but sometimes they are hard to get,” said Dries. “I truly believe that women on coaching staffs for girls’ hockey has many positives on and off ice.”
To become an Ontario Women’s Hockey Association registered coach, applications can be found on the OWHA website. According to the website, in 1995 there was an increase of 411 coaches since 1992.
Tally Holzel, 18, has played hockey in the county for 10 years. She said this is the first year she has had a female coach.
“I think there should be more female coaches because males expect too much out of girls,” said Holzel. “Girls are at a slower pace than boys and they all expect us to be at their speed and athletic level.”
A significant increase in female hockey has been seen in Southpoint according to Kelly Dries. Kelly said she “wears a lot of hats,” playing many roles with the girls in her region. She is a trainer with Southpoint Stars Intermediate Girls Hockey, Southpoint Stars Tournament co-chair, and receiver of the Southpoint Minor Hockey’s Mrs. Pep award.
“We have seen girls’ hockey grow to beautiful lengths in our region,” said Kelly. “I think with the rise of girls playing hockey, you will see an increase in female coaches.”
Even some male teams have female trainers. Linda York is a trainer for boy’s peewee hockey in Leamington. She said she is the only female trainer in Leamington that she knows of, but supports any woman who wants to get into the league.
York said she believes the presence of male and female hockey coaches gives the sport balance on and off the ice.