Résumé
The Kehoe Forum, known as the first Canadian ‘Home of Women’s Hockey’ is housed on the Cape Breton University campus in Nova Scotia. Research on its foundation prompted recommendations for commemorative walls of women hockey players to promote the game for girls and women and celebrate women’s place in the sport. However, there is a dearth of information on the history of women’s hockey on Cape Breton Island. The purpose of this project was to uncover the hidden history of women’s hockey to unveil psychosocial considerations that can support women’s hockey now. Document retrieval and analysis of over 100 articles and memorabilia collected from 110 people involved in women’s hockey in Cape Breton over 75 years produced six key moments in time that identify meaningful psychosocial developments in women’s hockey on the island. These include planting the seeds of the game’s future: 1) the early formation of women’s identities as players after the influence of War World II, and 2) the struggles for inclusion in national competitions. The explosive growth of women’s hockey includes: 3) female minor hockey teams that created belonging, and 4) confidence in hosting National championships. Finally, in forging pathways in women’s hockey: 5) the formation of high-performance hockey inspired younger players, which led to 6) the formation of a robust female hockey association. These key moments led to the present day opening of the first Canadian ‘Home of Women’s Hockey’. The history reveals the struggles for identity, belonging, and vision of women’s hockey in rural Canada.
