REDS To Host Skills Sessions For First Nations Youth
(FREDERICTON, NB) A series of learn to play hockey sessions for First Nations girls between the ages of 6-10, hosted by the UNB REDS women’s hockey team and other partners, will be held every Sunday from Oct. 17 to Nov. 21 at the Aitken Centre, home of the REDS.
“This initiative aims to help provide young Indigenous girls with a safe and accessible space in which to learn to play hockey,” said Jana Headrick, a member of the REDS women’s team.
“It is meant to create opportunities for Indigenous peoples to occupy spaces that aren’t always inclusive and diverse. Obviously, this is a very small piece of the puzzle.”
Headrick, from Garden River First Nation, in Ontario, is one of two Indigenous women playing for the REDS this season. Lily George, from Garden Village First Nation, is a forward entering her fourth season at UNB.
Headrick is a veteran defender having played four seasons with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. She is playing her fifth and final season of U SPORTS eligibility with the REDS in 2021-22.
“Hockey is a very expensive sport that lacks diversity,” said Headrick. “It’s not an accessible sport for children from many different backgrounds and demographics, First Nations included. Initiatives such as this are helping change the face of hockey.”
Along with running the sessions, the REDS assisted in an equipment drive to help provide gear for the participants.
“Speaking with Jana last year, I knew she wanted to find a way to impact the First Nations communities in the Fredericton region,” said Sarah Hilworth, head coach of the REDS.
“Jana’s had some great role models throughout her hockey career and she wanted to pay that forward to inspire other Indigenous girls who might be looking to start their own hockey careers.”
“With this program, we are acknowledging that there is a problem in the current world of sport related to accessibility and are working towards trying to fix that problem,” Headrick said.
“We believe hockey is for everyone and this is one of the ways we want to walk that walk,” said Hilworth. “Jana has created an opportunity for our team to give back and inspire more young women to hopefully play hockey.”
Among the highlights of Headrick’s university hockey career was an Ontario University Athletics conference championship with the Varsity Blues.
Goals and wins aside, Headrick, who is completing her Masters in Recreation and Sport Studies, believes there is another highlight if even one young Indigenous girl sees her on the ice.
“Seeing me, they might realize they can use something they love as a vehicle to a higher education,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be sport. It could be writing; the arts; whatever passion they have. I played four years at the University of Toronto while getting my undergraduate degree, and now I’m here at UNB during my final year of eligibility and working towards my Masters. I’m not saying that would be unachievable without sport, but sport did help.”
“Seeing someone that looks like you excelling at something they love can be empowering,” she said. “So having representation of minorities, including First Nations, in these spaces is so important.”
New Brunswick’s Central Female Hockey Association, Fredericton’s Brendan Oreto Foundation, and Total Speed Hockey are partnering with the REDS in this initiative.
PHOTO: James West/for UNB Athletics