If you have a girl at home who might be interested in hockey a fantastic opportunity is being offered this Sunday (April 8).

ESSO Fun Day is coming back to Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre and provides those new to the sport of hockey or even skating an opportunity to hit the ice as well as attend a dryland training session.

David Soyka, Communications and Marketing Director for Cochrane Girls Hockey, shares although they won't turn anyone interested away, the day is geared for girls 9 and under. "Our goal is really about introducing the sport and getting as many people into the early years of our programs so we have a good robust group of girls growing up through hockey and a chance to field competitive teams later while offering them a female-centric program all the way through their playing years."

Experienced coaches and female players will be on the ice to help those with little or no experience. "This weekend is about getting those younger girls out who may be interested, thinking about hockey or never even thought about it but their friends are into it and showing them how much fun we have while giving them the comfort of getting on the ice and making it easy to try."

Offering ESSO Fun Day over the past few years has been beneficial in getting an all-girls league hockey off the ground in Cochrane. "This has been a big driver especially in the early years like the initiation and novice programs if you get a couple of girls in there having fun and they invite some of their friends it really helps us bolster those numbers. It really focuses on filling those early tiers in the program because we feel if we can get the initiation, novice and atom teams filled up that it will give us a good robust program for years to come."

The female program of the Cochrane Minor Hockey Association (CMHA) continues to see strong growth and this past year was the first year all divisions had girls only teams. "The program has been growing by leaps and bounds and our goal is to offer everybody the choice where they can fit best and have the best experience that suits them; whether that is for social or competitive or whatever they need to fulfil their hockey future."

ESSO has extended its commitment to premier partnership with Hockey Canada until 2024. With the company's commitment to Canada’s game through the 2023-24 season, Hockey Canada and Esso celebrate what will become a 40-year premier partnership in investing in Canadians through hockey from coast to coast to coast and part of their mandate is to recognize and support girls hockey programs across the country.

The free event runs from 2 to 7 p.m. and some loaner equipment will be available. If you would like to register a female to gear up and try out, you can register HERE.