Canadians will do anything for hockey, even if it means ducking out of work during lunch hour to play some shinny.
The City of Orillia resumed its popular annual drop-in women’s hockey program earlier this month. The program features an hour of pick-up during the noon hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays on the fresh ice at Orillia's Rotary Place for ladies 18 years of age and up.
Carol Walker joined the program four years ago at a time when she was searching for a new perspective on the game of hockey.
“I used to play ball hockey, but it was getting way too competitive,” Walker says.
“I said to myself, 'You know what. I’ve had enough of paying $130-$150 for 12 games and worrying about my health and if I’ll be able to go to work the next day,'” Walker explained.
“it just wasn’t worth it.”
Walker caught wind of the women’s drop-in program that had been going on for about 15 years from a friend.
Her experience on the ice has been the polar opposite to her experience with the competitive and, at times, dangerous ball hockey she had been playing.
“This isn’t about winning or losing, it’s not physically demanding, and we have a hay day,” Walker said.
“We keep everything loose on the ice. We have lots of laughs and it's so much fun.”
Despite the many different skill levels exhibited by players within the program, the hour of fun has no scorekeeper or referee and the ladies have their own set of rules to keep everyone included.
One of those rules is you must pass once inside the opposition blue line before you can score.
“There is different skill levels yes, but there is no puck hogging. Everyone passes and everyone is included,” Walker said.
The drop-in program is a hit; ladies come from as far as Barrie and Midland to enjoy an hour of Canada’s national winter sport.
And it appeals to a wide demographic; there are players ranging in age from 18 to 60.
Walker, an elementary school bus driver, said she makes time for hockey in between her bus routes.
“It works out perfect for me. I have some time in between the morning route and the (afternoon) route,” Walker explains.
"I usually go straight from the rink to go pick up the kids in the (afternoon), so I end up bringing the school bus to the rink…anything for hockey,” Walker says with a laugh.
To take part in the women’s drop-in hockey program you can purchase a card for $80 to play throughout the full season, which consists of 12 sessions over a six-week period, or you can pay $8 at the Rotary Place snack bar for each individual session.
More information is available on the city's website.
