When the eighth Annual World Girls Hockey Weekend gets underway this week, Parksville will have one of its top female players help promote women’s hockey.
Ballenas Secondary grad Celine Tardif, who now captains the University of BC women’s hockey team, will lead the Thunderbirds in their U SPORT Canada West regular season home opener against University of Lethbridge Pronghorns at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre at 2 p.m. on Friday.
The Thunderbirds and Grindstone Award Foundation have teamed up to host the season opener to coincide with the World Girls Hockey Weekend, Oct. 5-7.
“Girls’ Hockey Weekend is an annual event to unite female hockey players and celebrate female hockey around the world,” said Dominique DiRocco, general manager of the Grindstone Award Foundation.
“We are proud to partner with the Thunderbirds, who are amazing ambassadors for the female game, as they help raise awareness of the Grindstone Award Foundation and assist with our goal to ensure no girl is left on the sidelines due to financial barriers.”
Bursaries provided by the foundation helped 30 female players, from across the country, stay in the game for the 2018-19 season.
Proceeds raised at the skills clinic will be donated by the Thunderbirds to the foundation.
— NEWS Staff/UBC report