Viper Girls

This year a unique opportunity presented itself when 12 girls were placed across 8 Major Bantam boys house league teams. Early in the season, it was obvious these young ladies were holding their own when playing with the boys and so the Executive Administrator of the League, Dale Bellaire, put together a plan to offer the girls an opportunity to play together as a team and participate in "A" division rep play. The girls started practicing in early January and were given the opportunity to wear the Viper rep jerseys - becoming the first ever Viper Girls Team.

"I think it is a marvelous idea to pull together the girls for a team. I hope it encourages them to stay in the sport, enjoy the competition and build their skills, including both team work and good sportsmanship," said local Referee Melba Amos who came out to a practice to go over the rules of the game at the rep level, which are different than at house league. The girls had their first taste of playing together as a team when they were invited to play in the Wildhawk Tournament earlier this month at RIM. They were given a real treat when their warm-up shirts were sponsored by Fiddleheads, a local health food store.

"The greatest excitement has come from the incredible increase in confidence levels, and the trust the girls have built as a team in such a short amount of time" said Head Coach, Dale Bellaire. She, and Assistant Coach, Kevin Panchaud, will lead the girls through one more practice before the girl's season culminates at the Hamilton Wildcats "A" Major Bantam Girls Tournament later this month.

Full articles will be published in the March/April Edition of SportXtreme Magazine.

Last Updated:  March 8, 2010