Limited Tickets Available For PWHPA Game For Feb. 10

A limited number of tickets are now available for sale for the Peterborough Petes’ first-ever school day game featuring the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Feb. 10.

File Photo.

Puck drop is at 11 a.m. for a regular season Secret® Dream Gap Tour game between Team Scotiabank and Team Harvey’s, the first of four games in the PWHPA Showcase.

“The Petes are excited to open up tickets to the general public, who have the opportunity to join thousands of local school children, educators, and Season Ticket Members on February 10 to cheer on some of the best hockey players in the world,” said Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations.

Tickets are available in Gibson’s Finest Club Sections C6, C8 and C21, as well as The Sandbar and start at $24.99 (plus tax and fees).

The game features the top professional and Olympic women's hockey players such as Olympic and World champions Marie-Philip Poulin, Rebecca Johnston, Blayre Turnbull, Jessie Eldridge and more.

To purchase tickets, visit the PMC Grant Thornton Box Office online, in person, or call (705) 743-3561. 

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Peterborough Petes to Host PWHPA at First-Ever School Game

The Peterborough Petes is one of four OHL teams to host a Professional Women’s Hockey Player’s Association (PWHPA) game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Feb. 10 announced by the Ontario Hockey League on Wednesday.

Founded in 2019, the PWHPA features four teams comprised of 100 of the world’s best female hockey players and was formed with the goal of creating a sustainable league that provides equity, fairness, and opportunity in women’s professional hockey. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

This will be the first-ever school game hosted by the Petes. It will contain top professional and Olympic women's hockey players, including Olympic and world champion Marie-Philip Poulin, Rebecca Johnston, Blayre Turnbull, Jessie Eldridge and more. The game is a part of the PWHPA Secret Dream Gap Tour and will feature Team Harvey’s (Montreal) taking on Team Scotiabank (Calgary). 

“Last year the Petes were proud to be the first OHL team to partner with the PWHPA, and to see that initiative expand to three additional OHL markets this season is really special,” said Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations. “Women’s hockey is thriving and the Petes are fortunate to have the best players in the world coming to our city to play in front of thousands of Petes Season Ticket Members and local school children.” 

Petes season ticket members and suite holders are entitled to complimentary PWHPA school day game tickets up to the number of season tickets in their regular season package.

Other tickets to the game are being held for schools in the Peterborough area and will not go on sale to the general public. 

All local schools are invited to attend the PWHPA game with discounted group tickets. The following school group opportunities are available:

• Fundraising chuck-a-puck

• National Anthem Program

• Intermission games and activities

• School Skate (pre-game or post-game)

• PWHPA Autograph Sessions

• Interactive curriculum-based activities

• Women's and Girls' Hockey recognition

• And more…

To organize school tickets, email tickets@gopetesgo.com, or call (705) 743-3681 ext. 6000.

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City of Peterborough Receives $10,000 Grant For Canadian Women in Local Leadership

The City of Peterborough has received a grant of $10,000 from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Canadian Women in Local Leadership Fund for its project, ‘Faces of Leadership’ announced on Monday.

File photo.

Faces of Leadership is a collaboration between the City and the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough. It supports the development of a more diverse and inclusive understanding of leadership and will empower participants from equity-deserving groups with the knowledge, confidence, and opportunity to see themselves as leaders in our community according to the City of Peterborough.

This project focuses on women and gender-diverse individuals who experience barriers to leadership opportunities due to the intersectionality of race, gender, (dis)ability, class, and age, among other social factors as stated in the press release.

The first phase of this project from October to December 2022, identifies current leadership development models in marginalized communities and explores where leadership is learned and what is needed to cultivate leadership skills.

The project will also map the diverse journeys that are taken, particularly by Black, Indigenous, (and) People of Color (BIPOC) and members of equity-deserving groups, to arrive at leadership positions.

The second phase for January to June involves the design and delivery of a community-led Leadership Circle – a series of six interactive workshops that will be informed by the findings from the first phase of the project according to the press release.

The Leadership Circle supports participants in confidence-building and leadership skills and connecting with existing and emerging leaders in the community. Participants will be provided with opportunities to intern with a City committee, shadow a local leader, and engage with City staff. An artist rendition of the participants’ experiences and their “faces” of leadership will be revealed at an end-of-project celebration at City Hall.

“Being involved as a leader in the community can be a stepping stone on the path to municipal leadership,” Reem Ali, city diversity, equity and inclusion officer. “We know that this was indeed the case for many of our female municipal, provincial, and federal leaders. This project intends to help participants become more confident in seeing themselves as leaders in our community – in envisioning the feasibility of holding a municipal leadership position as a goal that is achievable and in getting them started on this journey.”

“A large number of women and gender-diverse individuals work in the charitable sector, and yet we see a lack in bodies that support and strengthen leadership for this group, whether at the national or local levels,” Jennifer DeBues, executive director, Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough. We seem to also be missing a clear theory of change that speaks to growing this type of leadership. Our project can help reveal some strategies for incorporating such theories and supports at the organizational and community levels. Growing this capacity means growing the path for leadership for people who not only work at these organizations but for those who are also supported by them.”

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Peterborough Senior Ladies Slo Pitch Returns With Full Season Schedule

There are no shortened seasons this year for the Peterborough Senior Ladies Slo Pitch League as their 21st season is back to its full schedule this year on their opening day at George (Red) Sullivan East City Bowl on Wednesday.

The Archies (pictured) were defeated by Southcrest Farms 20-9 in their opening game of the 2022 season. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The league operated on an abridged schedule with 12 regular-season games (from May 11 to June 24) and playoffs last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They postponed their 2020 season.

"A lot of ladies didn't come out last year because of Covid so it's nice to almost have a full slate again which is absolutely marvellous," said Darlene Charlton, league president.

The league is back to its 16-game schedule that runs from May 11 to Aug. 24 with games every Wednesday.

This year is operating with no Covid restrictions according to Charlton which helps with the bonding process the ladies share on and off the field. Any woman 50 or older can enjoy playing the game as it was designed as an inclusive, fun yet competitive atmosphere.

"I've only been doing this for six years and I've met some great friends and everybody just has fun," said Charlton. "Every year, you meet somebody new and it's great."

Outside of baseball, the ladies often join each other in golf tournaments, euchre tournaments, picnics, casino days and theatre visits.

The following are the eight teams in this year’s league:

• Crossman Excavating

• The Wellness Chef

• Crook & Coffer

• Trentview

• Archies

• Southcrest Farms

• Jack’s Restaurant

• Kristine Laufer

Charlton took over as the league’s president after Kathryn Woodbeck stepped down from a decade of service. Woodbeck still remains involved with the league as a player and volunteer.

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Peterborough Kinsmen Raise $20,000 For YWCA Crossroads Emergency Shelter For Gender-Based Violence

The Kinsmen Club of Peterborough donated $20,000 in support of Safe Nights at YWCA Crossroads Shelter this month announced on Thursday.

Barry Craft, Kinsmen Club of Peterborough president (left) and Kim Dolan, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Executive Director (right).

The emergency shelter is for women and children experiencing gender-based violence.

"The Kinsmen Club of Peterborough is very fortunate to be in a position to provide financial assistance to the YWCA Crossroads Safe Nights program,” said Barry Craft, Kinsmen Club of Peterborough president, “This donation is a result of the tremendous community support we have experienced with the Kinsmen Super TV Bingo recently.”

YWCA Crossroads Shelter has remained open throughout the pandemic.

The need for violence against women services has risen by approximately 30 per cent since the onset of the COVID-19 according to the YWCA.

“This wonderful demonstration of support will provide just over 300 Safe Nights for women and children in our community who have no safe place to turn,” said Kim Dolan, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Executive Director. “We’re immensely grateful for the Kinsmen’s support and continued dedication to our local community.”

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Local Reporter Makes All-Female Broadcast Team For Women's Hockey Game

Global News reporter and anchor Katrina Squazzin is going from the newsroom to the broadcast booth for a night on an all-women’s commentary team announced Tuesday.

Squazzin (pictured) joined Global News Peterborough in 2019 is from the Chatham area. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Peterborough Petes announced Squazzin as the colour commentator for the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) regional game between Team Sonnet and Team Harvey held on March 26, at 7:05 p.m.

She is joined by fellow Global colleague and sideline reporter Meaghan Roy and play-by-play commentator Julia Tocheri of TSN.

"The fact that we're able to bring a PWHPA game here to Peterborough as someone who grew up playing hockey most of my life, I think of how excited young Katrina would have been to be able to come and see a game in her hometown so I'm just so happy to be a part of it,” said Squazzin.

Squazzin became the first female colour commentator in Petes' history with Freq 90.5 on Feb. 10.

"It's definitely been a step outside of my comfort zone but I'm very thankful for the Petes for giving me the opportunity to call the Petes games and have another opportunity to grow and continue to develop this new skill," she said.

Squazzin previously did colour commentary for basketball with Mustangs TV shortly after graduating from Carleton University (majoring in journalism and law). She has worked several sports gigs such as Homestand Sports, TSN 1150 and CFL.ca both behind the scenes and as an on-camera personality.

The PWHPA broadcast will include a 30-minute pre-show featuring interviews with players, additional sports media figures, PWHPA general managers and hockey influencers from the Peterborough area.

Fans can tune into YourTV Channel 700 to catch the pre-show and entire in-game broadcast on March 26.

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Peterborough Petes Make History With First Woman Zamboni Driver

Evelyn Johns becomes the first woman in history to drive a Zamboni during a Peterborough Petes game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) last Monday.

Evelyn Johns has driven Zambonis at several Peterborough ice rinks such as the Healthy Planet Arena, Kinsmen Arena and the now-demolished Northcrest Arena. Photo courtesy of Ken Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Johns drove the Zamboni during the Family Day game last Monday where the Petes defeated the visiting Barrie Colts 3-2.

“I was nervous, super nervous,” said Johns. “I’ve done lots of games at the Healthy Planet Arena but it’s a lot different at the Memorial Centre. My heart started pounding with all those people watching me.”

The Petes would like to welcome Evelyn Johns to the mighty maroon and white! Evelyn joins the @PtboMemCentre building operations crew, becoming the first woman to drive a zamboni for a Petes game!#GoPetesGo pic.twitter.com/z1L3HGpP3J

— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) February 21, 2022

Johns got the gig when there was an opening through Public Works. She had been working there for the past six years when a colleague recommended that she take the job.

She was familiar with being on the ice since she played ringette for many years and intermural hockey in college but being on the PMC’s Zamboni was a different feeling for her.

“It was cool. The lights were off and I could see all the cameras flashing,” said Johns. “I told my mom and dad and they were proud of me.”

She will continue to be part of a rotation of Zamboni drivers for the duration of the season.

Johns moved to Peterborough 11 years ago as a student in biotechnology and forensics at Fleming College.

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Over $200,000 in Funding Goes to YWCA Peterborough-Haliburton and Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton and the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre will receive a combined total of over $200,000 in funding from the Ontario Government announced on Thursday.

Kim Dolan (pictured) YWCA Peterborough Haliburton executive director has held her position since Feb. 2020, one month before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Screenshot.

Tee YWCA is receiving $142,949 to support the Haliburton Emergency SafeSpace (HERS) program along with an additional $8,272 for training initiatives.

The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre will be given $55,088 to deliver crucial services and supports to survivors of human trafficking and women who experienced violence.

“The YWCA Peterborough Haliburton and Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre provide services to the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “This funding will help ensure they can continue to deliver supports and operate local shelters during the pandemic, especially for those who are in rural and remote areas and face transportation barriers.”

The additional investment will provide agencies with more resources, strengthen culturally responsive supports for Indigenous women and reduce geographic and transportation barriers which will significantly improve access to quality care and services to victims in rural and remote communities.

Kim Dolan, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton executive director believes the pandemic has played a huge role in the growing need for women’s services in the past few years.

“I think that the uncertainty that people have been living with, are they going to be able to keep their jobs, it’s exacerbating in rural and geographical services and connecting with the community is minimized,” she said. “So all of the factors have magnified the reality of gender-based violence.”

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Peterborough Petes Become First OHL Team To Host Pro Women's Hockey Game

The Peterborough Petes will be the first OHL team to host a Professional Women’s Hockey Player’s Association (PWHPA) game at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) announced Tuesday.

Kassidy Sauvé (left), Team Sonnet goaltender of PWHPA (left) and Molly Farace (right) of the PGHA U15 AA Ice Kats were the two active women’s hockey representatives at the Petes press conference on Tuesday morning. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Team Sonnet, PWHPA’s Toronto hub and Team Harvey’s, PWHPA’s Montreal hub, will compete against each other on Feb 19. The game will occur only days after the 2022 Olympic Women's Hockey Gold Medal Game in Beijing. 

“It’s an absolute honour to host these elite athletes at the PMC in the new year,” said Shelbi Kilcollins, Petes’ director of marketing and growth. “The opportunity to collaborate alongside the PWHPA is a long-time dream for the Peterborough Petes.”

“This is equivalent to an NHL game with the ladies. These are the best women hockey players in the world that are going to be here at the Memorial Centre,” said Dave Pogue, Petes president. “It's going to be a treat for certainly the young girl hockey players that are going to be able to get their teams in here to watch the game but really anybody that hasn't seen an event like this has to come down.”

Jayna Hefford, Hockey Hall of Inductee, Olympic gold medalist and PWHPA Chairperson virtually appeared at the conference. Attendees included David Branch, OHL Commissioner; Michael Oke, Petes general manager; Dave Pogue, Petes president; Diane Therrien, Peterborough Mayor; Kassidy Sauvé, Team Sonnet goaltender and Molly Farace, U15 AA Peterborough Ice Kats forward.

"The fact that the Petes have partnered with the PWHPA says a lot about their organization,” said Sauvé. “The fact that they are committed to not only growing the game on the men's side but also the women's side.”

“It's part of our mandate to grow the future of hockey and not just boys hockey but girls hockey and it's a tremendous honour to have it here in Peterborough,” said Pogue.

Pre-sale tickets are available on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. through the Grant Thornton Box Office.

Kilcollins is an assistant coach for Farace and the U15 AA Ice Kats. The team won its third tournament of the season at the Brampton Two Nations Cup on Dec. 5. Farace tallied the championship assist in a 1-0 victory over the North York Storm.

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YWCA Raising the Flag to End Gender-Based Violence Across Ontario

UPDATE (2:40 p.m., Nov. 19, 2021): The flag-raising event has been changed from 1:00 p.m. to noon.

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton is going to new heights for Women Abuse Prevention Month in a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall announced on Thursday.

Photo Courtesy of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.

The ceremony will occur at City Hall on Thursday at noon The event is meant to help raise awareness and to end gender-based violence according to the YWCA.

“International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women” and the first day of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a Wrapped in Courage” flag will be raised in our community at Peterborough City Hall and a Proclamation will be declared by Mayor Diane Therrien as stated in the press release.

This Proclamation and flag-raising signal a commitment to ending gender-based violence in our community and to ensuring survivors know they are not alone. 

For the ninth year, the “Wrapped in Courage” campaign is mobilizing Violence Against Women (VAW) shelters across Ontario since violence continues to be the greatest gender inequality rights issue for women and girls according to the press release.

The YWCA is requesting that purple scarves be worn to show support for gender-based violence survivors who suffered from their homes, communities and workplaces. The purple scarf is a symbol of the courage it takes to seek support and safety from violence.

Suggested ways to address gender-based violence in a meaningful way by the YWCA:

• Talking with those close to you about how shelters in your communities play an essential role for survivor safety through their programs and services and continue to have services available throughout the pandemic.

• Contact your municipal, provincial and federal politicians to let them know you want them to take action to end gender-based violence through commitments and planning at all levels of government. 

• Visiting ywcapeterborough.org or calling 705-743-3526 to learn more about how you can support local services for women experiencing gender-based violence and their children.

• Posting and sharing photos and videos of Wrapped in Courage flags across Ontario.

• Wearing or displaying a Purple Scarf in Support of Survivors of Gender-Based Violence and post with the hashtag #WrappedinCourage to your social media accounts.

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