From left: SCFHA President Donald Sorley, Brianne Veale, two SCFHA minor hockey players, Katie Howlett and Brock head coach Jim Denham

Brock University Athletics is partnering with the St. Catharines Female Hockey Association (SCFHA) on a long-term mutual agreement that will benefit both organizations in terms of training, promotions and shared resources.

Thanks to the partnership, SCFHA competitive/travel rep teams will now be known as the Brock Jr. Badgers. They will wear the Brock Athletics colours of navy, red and white, and sport the Brock “Badger” logo on their home and away jerseys. The SCFHA house league teams will also wear a new “Jr. Badger” logo on their jerseys.

Additionally, the agreement will see the Brock women’s team host clinics and practices for SCFHA players and coaches. Players registered with SCFHA will also be eligible for preferred rates on the girl’s hockey schools offered by Brock Athletics.

“This is a great community partnership, and this is good news for female hockey in Niagara,” says Brock Director of Athletics Robert Hilson. “Our student-athletes are great role models for youth in the region and many young players have a dream of becoming a university player in the future. So this partnership is a good fit.”

Brock’s women’s hockey team began varsity play in 2000. In their 13-year history, the Badgers have produced many great players, including Athletes of the Year Sarah Brooks (2000-01), Kate Allgood (2005-06), Beth Clause (2010-11) and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) First Team All-Canadian Kelly Walker.

“Our players will gain valuable hands on experience teaching young female athletes in the SCFHA,” says Brock women’s hockey head coach Jim Denham. “The ‘Brock’ brand will receive a significant increase in exposure throughout Niagara and the partnership should boost attendance at both our home games and our hockey schools.”

The SCFHA is the largest female hockey association in Niagara with almost 400 players. In 2012-13 the association iced 16 house league teams, 10 rep teams and a development program for pre-novice age girls.

“We are excited to enter into this partnership with Brock’s women’s hockey team,” says SCFHA President Donald Sorley. “Since the Badgers are the pinnacle of women’s hockey in the area, our players will gain valuable experience learning and working alongside their players. They will get to hear first-hand from Brock’s student-athletes about the dedication and effort required to play hockey at the post-secondary level.”