West Kent Female Hockey Association Growing Girls’ Hockey Through Come Try Hockey Program
August 11, 2026
Girls’ hockey is growing across the country. Since 2022, Hockey Canada has seen significant growth in women’s and girls’ hockey, with more than 115,000 players registered in the 2024-2025 season. New Brunswick has also seen incredible growth, with the number of minor female players increasing by nearly 41% since 2022.
In southeastern New Brunswick, the West Kent Female Hockey Association (WKFHA) is experiencing this growth firsthand, thanks in large part to its low-barrier preseason Come Try Hockey program.
We sat down with volunteers from WKFHA to learn more about the association’s growth and the impact of the program. Read on to learn more!
History of the Program
The WKFHA preseason camp was created to introduce more girls to hockey in a fun, welcoming, and affordable environment. While providing extra ice time and skill development before the season was an important component, the program was also designed to spark a lasting interest in the sport and help grow grassroots participation.
The camp began in 2016 with approximately 25 participants. Over the years, it continued to grow, attracting more players across more age groups.
A major turning point came in 2019 when camp organizer Larry Cook secured funding through the Government of New Brunswick’s Sport and Recreation Branch. This support helped keep registration costs low, giving more girls an opportunity to discover whether the sport was right for them.
That year, participation grew to approximately 60 players across multiple age groups. Today, the camp welcomes more than 100 girls between the ages of 5 and 18. Participants are grouped according to age and skill level, and programming is adapted to match players’ skill levels.
Although the camp has evolved since its early days, its purpose remains the same: creating a supportive, affordable environment where girls can gain confidence, develop their skills, and build a lifelong love for the game.
Growth and Impact
The growth of the preseason camp has also driven growth of the association itself.
Since reopening as an active association in 2016, WKFHA’s registration has grown from approximately 15 players to 176 players today. Programs such as preseason skills camps, Come Try Hockey, and Bring-a-Friend initiatives have played an important role in introducing new girls to the sport and helping them feel welcome from day one.
For many participants, these programs provide their first opportunity to play in an all-girls hockey environment where teamwork, encouragement, and inclusion are at the forefront. Girls who have previously played in co-ed programs often discover a different experience on the ice, where teammates support one another and work together toward common goals. This positive environment helps participants build confidence, feel a greater sense of belonging, and develop a love for the sport.
Greater Awareness and Role Models
The rapid growth of girls’ and women’s hockey, particularly at the professional level, has also helped drive interest in the sport locally.
Less than a decade ago, girls had limited opportunities to play in all-girls environments, with many having to play on co-ed teams. Today, dedicated girls’ hockey associations such as WKFHA provide opportunities for girls to play together at every age level.
The increased visibility of women’s hockey has also made recruitment more organic than ever before. WKFHA has found that less direct recruitment is required, since more families see hockey as a viable option for girls. Girls can now envision a future beyond minor hockey, with opportunities to play at the high school, university, and professional levels.
More importantly, girls see themselves represented in the sport thanks to leagues like the PWHL. Having visible role models has inspired so many more girls to try hockey, remain involved in the sport, and set ambitious goals for their futures.
Looking Ahead
As the Come Try Hockey program continues to expand, WKFHA hopes to introduce even more girls to the game while ensuring girls’ hockey continues to thrive in the region.
The association’s goals include increasing participation at younger age levels, maintaining affordable entry points to the sport, and encouraging more girls to give back to the game as coaches and mentors.
“I hope participants see our program as a positive and supportive environment where dedicated coaches serve as strong role models and help players develop both their skills and confidence. Ultimately, I hope these girls choose to continue their hockey journey with our association, allowing us to build on our growth, strengthen our programs, and ensure that female hockey remains a thriving opportunity in our community for years to come. Having experienced the challenges of declining participation in the past, our goal is to continue growing so that the association never again faces the possibility of closing its doors.”
A special thank you to Larry Cook, GNB Regional Consultant Philippe Savoie-Vienneau, and the West Kent Female Hockey Association for making this story possible.
To learn more about the West Kent Female Hockey Association’s Come Try Hockey program, visit the association’s Facebook page or contact westkent@wkfha.com.
