Members of the U18 AAA Sharks on hand to receive the sponsorship cheque presentation in support of their local program. (Submitted photo/Battlefords Sharks)

By Martin Martinson

Team and Community

Local business supporting female hockey with Sharks sponsorship

Oct 27, 2022 | 10:14 AM

North Battleford’s Home Hardware is showing its support for female hockey in the community, as the business recently announced its sponsorship of the Battlefords Sharks’ AA and AAA hockey programs.

Earle Toews is the general manager and co-owner of the local Home Hardware, along with his wife, Maegan. He said it was important to them to support the girls’ program, as they know full well the value of female sports.

“We wanted to align ourselves with a community-based organization with the same core values we enjoy,” Toews said. “We are a small business, a locally-owned, family-run, and operated business, and we have a daughter who participates in sports.

“We know hockey is expensive, boys hockey has been traditionally very strongly pushed, and we just thought the girls would be a really great thing for us to align ourselves with. They deserve the support too and we’re happy to be part of that.”

Members of the U15 AA Sharks on hand to receive the sponsorship cheque presentation in support of their local program. (Submitted photo/Battlefords Sharks)

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Toews said whether it helps give kids the potential for education through scholarship opportunities, or just helps the next generation of young female athletes play the game they enjoy, it’s an important investment in the community’s youth.

“Our goal is just to be able to help these girls to participate in the sport that they love,” he said. “They get to have a chance at scholarships and furthering their education, and it’s a big deal for these kids. I think it’s great for their development physically and mentally.”

Members of the U13 AA Sharks on hand to receive the sponsorship cheque presentation in support of their local program. (Submitted photo/Battlefords Sharks)

Director and treasurer with the AAA Sharks Jeanne Gilchrist said the sponsorship goes a long way for the female game in general in the community, as the girls’ teams have to compete for sponsorships each year with a number of local male teams, including the North Stars SJHL team, the U18 AAA Stars club, and AA NorthWest Stars program.

“We’re really excited Home Hardware stepped up and said they want to do some work and sponsorship with female hockey,” Gilchrist said. “To have that partnership that says they’re going to do what they can to support female hockey in the community is just awesome.

“Anything we can do to minimize barriers and help girls play hockey is huge,” added Gilchrist, “and it’s very valuable to have someone say they believe in female hockey and that’s where they’re going to put their advertising budget.”

A number of the local female hockey players from the AAA and AA Sharks teams were on-hand at Home Hardware this week for the cheque presentations, as a show of appreciation for the sponsorship.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1