One-of-a-kind girls-only hockey program at an Edmonton high school kicks off

A total of 19 girls make up the St. Francis Xavier Midget AAA Female Hockey Academy, and took part in their first practice Wednesday, September 4.

It’s a unique program for Alberta’s capital city, and has attracted elite female hockey players to the area from communities throughout the province – and those players are eager to get started.

On Wednesday, 19 girls took to the ice to practice as a team for the first time – they make up the first female hockey team who will represent St. Francis Xavier High School in the Midget AAA Female Hockey Academy, the first competitive program of this nature in the Edmonton area.

Tryouts were held in May, officials said they had enough interest to make two teams.

All of the players paid $15,500 for the year, about half of the cost of attending a similar sports academy in Calgary – that’s because the Edmonton Catholic School District helps cover the costs for the team, and the players don’t pay tuition.

“They still kind of get that normal high school experience, that some people lose when they go to private school or more sport oriented schools,” Coach Leah Copeland said.

It’s an experience 17-year-old Fort McMurray forward Hayley Runnalls is enjoying so far, as she and her teammates settle into their routines.

“I’m going to this school, I’m a senior, it’s a really competitive league and [there are] lots of chances for scholarships and to be seen,” Runnalls said.

As part of the program, SFX will travel once a month to a number of destinations in North America, increasing their exposure to post-secondary scouts.

“The Toronto area carries massive tournaments multiple times a year, and schools and teams can scout that at less of a cost to their program,” Copeland said. “So our objective is to get them out there.”

For other players, it’s a chance to play with and against other players their size.

“I was playing boys last year, and it’s kind of hard moving up to midget and the guys get really big and strong,” Grade 10 student Danielle Cox said. “I’m not as physically built as guys are, so it’s a really good opportunity.”

The morning skate marked the end of a long process to get the specialized program going – Coach Leah Copeland told CTV News it took years of work, with final approval in January.

As the program’s first year begins, the players said they’re honoured to be part of it.

“It’s all of my best friends on one team, travelling, playing hockey, going to school together, you can’t ask for anything better,” Runnalls said.

With files from Veronica Jubinville