The NOVA Girls Ice Hockey Pickup League has begun its inaugural season in Haymarket, Virginia, providing an all‑girls environment for players between ten and fourteen years old. Sessions take place at the Haymarket Iceplex, a community rink that has become the league’s home base.
Dr. Christopher Chang, a physician from nearby Warrenton, and Kara Given, a seasoned coach with A and K On Ice Coaching, founded the league to address a persistent drop‑off in girls’ hockey participation. Their goal is to create a supportive space where beginners, intermediate players, and advanced skaters can all find ice time that matches their skill level.
Structure and Safety on the Ice
Each game follows full‑regulation rules and is overseen by certified referees. Participants must wear complete hockey gear, and prior experience on a recreational team is required to ensure a baseline of competence. Teams are assembled through a skill‑balancing process that prevents any group from being consistently outmatched.
To keep costs accessible, the league offers two payment models: a prepaid package of five games for seventy‑five dollars, or a drop‑in rate of twenty‑five dollars per session. This flexibility aims to lower barriers for families while still covering operational expenses such as ice rental and officiating.
Community Impact and Future Growth
Organizers highlight the importance of female role models, employing volunteer female coaches who serve as mentors for the young athletes. One participant, thirteen‑year‑old goalie Eleanor Craig, brings six years of experience from coed teams and exemplifies the league’s blend of competitiveness and camaraderie.
Looking ahead, the league’s leadership plans to expand into a high school division and to add age groups beyond the current fourteen‑year limit, responding to growing demand from families across Northern Virginia. Registration details are available on novagirlshockey.com and through the league’s social media channels, with sessions running through the spring and summer months.