Olympic Gold Medalist Sami Jo Small to coach aspiring young athletes
OTTAWA, Dec. 30, 2011 /CNW/ - Olympic gold medalist and elite Canadian athlete Sami Jo Small will hit the ice alongside talented female athletes to coach over 200 minor girl hockey players, ages 7-14, at the eighth annual Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest in Ottawa at Scotiabank Place on Saturday, January 7, 2012 for two half-day sessions from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
"Canada is the birthplace of truly remarkable female hockey stars. Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest is our way of helping support the young female players who are the future of the sport," said Emily Farrell, Scotiabank District Vice-President, Ottawa River District. "We are glad to provide the girls the opportunity to learn from Sami Jo, who is both a gifted athlete and a great role model."
Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest offers novice, atom, and peewee -level players the opportunity to go to Scotiabank Place, home of the NHL's Ottawa Senators, for a unique day of training. The free all-day event includes on and off-ice training, an arena tour, and a keynote address from the former Olympian on the importance of the hard work and perseverance that helped her reach her goals.
"It means a great deal to an athlete to be surrounded by people who share a passion for your sport. Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest offers young female athletes the rare chance to come together to learn about and celebrate hockey," said Sami Jo Small, two-time Olympic gold medalist and co-founder of the Canadian Women's Hockey League. "It is going to be a great day that will show the girls just what they are capable of with the right training and encouragement."
All on-ice skills sessions will be facilitated by players from the Carleton Ravens and the University of Ottawa Gee Gee's women's hockey teams.
"Canada is one of the leading countries in the world for women's hockey and that all starts with girls getting the training and support they need when they are developing their skills," said Ottawa Senators president Cyril Leeder. "The Senators and Scotiabank Place are pleased to help bring Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest to the community, where the girls can learn skills that they can carry with them throughout their lives, both on and off the ice."
To learn more, please visit www.scotiabankgirlshockeyfest.com.
About the coach
Sami Jo Small, a powerful force in women's hockey, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, five-time World Champion and two-time World Champion MVP. She co-founded the Canadian Women's Hockey League and is a proud member of the Toronto team in the CWHL.
About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is very proud to be Canada's Hockey Bank and is the Official Bank of the NHL®, NHLPA®, NHL Alumni™, CWHL, Winnipeg Jets®, Toronto Maple Leafs®, Calgary Flames® whose home arena is the Scotiabank Saddledome, and the Ottawa Senators® whose home arena is Scotiabank Place. The Bank also has a partnership with the Montreal Canadiens®. Scotiabank has a long tradition of supporting hockey in Canada from local teams and minor hockey associations to professional players and leagues. To find out more about Scotiabank's hockey programs, please visit www.scotiahockeyclub.com.
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, 'Bright Future'. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $44 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.
Diana Hart: Scotiabank Media Communications, 416-866-7238 or diana_hart@scotiacapital.com