When Hayley Schaefer was two and a half years old she hiked the Diamond head trail in Hawaii, stubbornly refusing any help from her parents. So they werenB次元官网网址檛 much surprised when her friend Marlene invited her to a Lace Em Up session at the Panorama Ice Rink and she came off the ice saying, B次元官网网址淚 want to do this!B次元官网网址�
Like many girls, Schaefer found limited opportunities on the Island hockey scene so decided to rise to the challenge of playing her way onto boys teams.
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Schaefer, who plays centre, said that her skills did the talking and any misgivings from her new team-mates quickly turned to respect.
B次元官网网址淟uckily I knew the guys from school so it wasnB次元官网网址檛 too awkward and the guys accepted me, which was pretty neat,B次元官网网址� she says.
She started as the only girl on the Peninsula Eagles boysB次元官网网址� Novice team and played for them through Atom, Peewee and Bantam levels. At Atom level, she also joined a newly formed girls team, which swept almost all the competition giving Schaefer a taste for winning banners and tournaments.
When it was time to join the Bantam division, Schaefer realized she would have to also try out for the rough and tumble boysB次元官网网址� Rep team if she was to continue her development. She was placed on the C Major team before progressing to the Rep B team in her second year. Shaefer says she grew in confidence and, as the only girl, enjoyed winning spots on the teams ahead of other competitive boys.
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After playing in hard-hitting Rep boys hockey for two years, she discovered Spring Hockey and was selected for the South Island Royals A team. In her three years with the Royals, the team achieved great runs in the provincial championships, coming away with gold and silver medals. Another successful tournament run was at B次元官网网址淲ickFestB次元官网网址�, winning a silver medal at the Hayley Wickenheiser World Female Hockey Festival.
Schaefer says she just loves hockey and would play it any time she could, often hitting the ice six times a week.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 a super energetic person, I love skating as itB次元官网网址檚 an enclosed area to get out all your energy and when youB次元官网网址檙e skating down the ice with the puck on your stick itB次元官网网址檚 such a rush,B次元官网网址� she says.
While at the Parkland hockey academy, her coach helped her secure a $1,500 bursary from the Sidney Retreads old-timer hockey team in recognition of her commitment to the sport.
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Schaefer has now aged out of the Royals but leaves behind a legacy for other girls to follow. She hopes that opportunities for girls will increase in the next few years.
B次元官网网址淚 know there are some girls who donB次元官网网址檛 feel comfortable playing with the guys, so for their sake it would be super nice to have more options, rather than just the house team and the really competitive team. There should really be an in between for those girls who donB次元官网网址檛 want to be super super competitive but still want to play up a level.B次元官网网址�
For now, Schaefer plans to explore her love of climbing and outdoor pursuits. One thingB次元官网网址檚 for sure though, she says laughing, hockey will always remain a part of her life.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l definitely go back to hockey in the future. Drop hockey after this year? No, I donB次元官网网址檛 think I could ever do that.B次元官网网址�
nick.murray@peninsulanewsreview.com
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