Grand Forks Public Schools is poised to launch a girls junior varsity hockey team for the upcoming fall season, a move that would add one of only two such programs in North Dakota.
The initiative is designed to be cost neutral, with new athletic fee structures and a reduced game schedule covering the expenses of two new coaches at $5,600 each, while travel costs remain minimal as the JV squad travels with the varsity team.
Bridging a cultural gap
A lack of a junior varsity offering has created a divide between the district’s varsity squad and the Parks District’s 15U teams. The proposed JV program would absorb those 15U players, giving developing athletes a clear pathway toward varsity spots throughout the season.
Varsity athletes would be allowed to compete in up to five periods per day, enabling them to dual‑participate on both varsity and JV teams, thereby enriching the overall competitive environment.
If the School Board approves the measure at its August 10 meeting, the team could begin play in November alongside the varsity schedule, with a tentative roster, coaching staff and ice‑time already identified.
District officials hope the model will encourage other North Dakota schools to expand their girls hockey programs, fostering broader growth of the sport across the state.