It’s hard to believe just a few years back, a tournament for budding female hockey players wouldn’t have been possible.

Yet now well into the explosive growth of the female program of Cochrane Minor Hockey, nine teams participated in the rebranded Candy Cup in mid-March, including Cochrane novice and atom teams.

The well-organized tournament is actually in its second year and attracted eight teams in the novice (ages 8-9) and atoms (10-11) divisions the first time around. This year it grew to nine and has become the Candy Cup.

It even included a basket of sweets shaped somewhat like a cup and the Cochrane Atoms Rockies were thrilled to be the recipient after a close final against Calgary's Jr. Infernos.

Teams largely came from the Calgary area, but there were also those who journeyed from Grande Prairie, Jasper and Sherwood Park.

Melodie Hanratty, one of the organizers, says they hope to build upon its success.

“We’re hoping to continue this little tournament year-after-year and bring all these girls together,” she says. “It’s quite a group of girls. It’s very challenging for some and a good experience all-around.”

Looking at their schedule and promotional material, it’s receiving wide support from sponsors.

There was a raffle table, silent auction and 50-50 draws to help raise money to continue to support female hockey. Some of the profit goes to the teams but it’s also to help support female hockey development, explains Melodie.

“Cochrane has just ballooned its program for the younger ages. It always had the older ages, but the last couple of years they’ve had teams starting at the Tim Bits level. Now they’re actually a female team on all level for girls and sometimes even two."

The Esso Fun Day for girl hockey players, being held today (Apr. 8), is a prime builder of the girls' program. It has been organized now for a few years now and offers a chance for girls to try hockey free of charge. 

It's being followed a Bring A Friend Day on Apr. 28.

“They’re both designed for any female to come out and try hockey. It’s a little extra ice for some and a chance to get it out that female hockey is an option available here.”

“There’s lots of fun stuff. They get a little bit of coaching and skill session and they get some play just to feel it out."

Hanratty believes these special days are a strong way to encourage skill development.

“The skill development when it’s all-female seems to soar because they’re confident as a group of females alone. They just seem to get more confident and get more touches on the puck and learn more.”

There’s also a great social aspect.

“For females, a huge component of a team sport is social and comradery is huge for them in all their social events.”