Recent Brock graduate Heather Sorley, back centre, was one of three former Badgers hockey players who helped to coach a weeklong girls skills camp in Sweden earlier this month.For a trio of former Brock hockey players, a recent trip overseas was an opportunity to sharpen the skills of the next generation.
Heather Sorley, Erin McColm and Melissa Hurrell, who each graduated from Brock in June, spent a week in Karlstad, Sweden, where they hit the ice to coach the Färjestad BK Hockey Alliance Girl Power Camp.
For the past five years, the Brock women’s hockey team has sent three players or recent graduates annually to assist with the camp, which aims to improve on-ice skills while promoting personal development outside of the arena.
Nearly 100 hockey enthusiasts from the ages of eight to 16 participated in this year’s instalment from Aug. 10 to 14.
The Brock players ran four hour-long sessions during each camp day, running drills and playing games to help the young players develop their individual and team skills.
“This opportunity meant a lot to me,” said Sorley, who graduated with a Bachelor of Kinesiology in June. “It was important for me to give back to the sport that offered me so many life lessons and, more importantly, relationships that I will be forever grateful for.”
The 22-year-old Niagara Falls resident said the camp was a chance to share her passion for hockey with young girls who have a similar penchant for the sport.
Former Brock associate head coach Sara Bauer said the coaching staff works together to select three players for the camp each year.
“We choose attendees based on their commitment to Brock hockey through their time with the team, and their desire to travel and represent Brock by working with young female hockey players,” she said.
Sorley described the experience as “humbling.”
“I learned just as much from the girls as they did from me,” she said. “Their enthusiasm for the sport was very refreshing and reminded me why I started playing in the first place.”
She was hopeful the girls walked away with improved hockey skills, but also with life lessons offered up by the former Badgers.
“We taught them to never give up, and to enjoy their years playing hockey, because that’s when they will make relationships that will have a place in their life forever,” she said. “I also hope they learned to keep pushing themselves and each other, as that kind of support will push them and the sport forward.”
Recent Brock graduates and former Badgers hockey players Erin McColm, left, Heather Sorley, centre, and Melissa Hurrell, right, recently spent a week in Sweden coaching at the Färjestad BK Hockey Alliance Girl Power Camp.
