The Athabasca Jills know how to have fun in the winter.
The women’s hockey organization just completed its second year on the ice in Athabasca, and it was even more successful than the first.
“We started with 11 members last year, and now we have about 20. It has grown exponentially,” said Jill Calliou, team founder. “And there are lots asking about it for next year.”
The Jills provide an opportunity for local women to play the sport they love. They have weekly ice time at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex during the season, and they play a number of exhibition games as well against teams from Westlock, Lac La Biche, Slave Lake and other points.
Team members range in age from 17 to about 50.
The Jills also host two tournaments, one just for women in the spring, and a coed tournament in September, which serves as their only fundraiser.
Held two weekends ago, the spring tournament was a great success and gave Calliou reason to hope that the Jills could run two teams in the near future.
“It would be great if we had enough players for two teams,” she said. “It’s lots of fun.”
The Jills are a recreational team, but the competitive juices still get flowing in games and tournaments. Team members range in skill level. Some have played hockey for years and at high levels of competitiveness, while others are just learning to skate. But the team doesn’t turn anyone away.
Next year’s fees are yet to be determined. Ice fees for the full season were $350 this season, which the Jills are hoping to reduce via fundraising. This year’s coed tournament is slated for Sept. 23-25.
For more on the Jills or to sign up for the coed tournament contact Calliou at 780-675-4432 or Penny Smith at 780-675-8822.
