Carlyle, Ontario.
The dressing room and team membership are now closed to minor league player Georgia Wesk. After playing defense with the Carlyle Cougars for the past 2 years team members were informed that ‘George’ is actually a girl. Coach Graham found himself in a ‘tough place’ when he had to follow league directives that state that single gender teams may only participate in tournaments. He described her skills on the ice as equal to any boy he has worked with in his 8 year coaching career.
Georgia, the youngest and only female sibling in a family of 5 has always loved hockey. She was on skates with a stick in hand from the age of 3. Her brothers are all huge fans and play with local teams. Says hockey Dad, Stewart, “She is just like one of the guys… She has always preferred hockey over dolls and dress-up.’’
When asked how she felt about the recent decision Georgia angrily replied that it wasn’t fair that she couldn’t play and that she was better than many boys on the team. “Maybe it is time for rules to be broken for me” said Georgia. “ I want the same opportunities as boys…”
