By George Da Silva – NT of Ice Hockey
The Executive Committee of the Ukraine Ice Hockey Federation have adopted a decision to establish the national women’s team of Ukraine this season and will debut in the World Championships.
In the early 90-ies, there had been an attempt to create a women’s team at the Kharkov and Kiev institutes of physical education. But the project was short-lived and due to financial reasons and in connection with the reorganization of the women’s competitions under the auspices of the International ice hockey Federation was suspended. The team has already taken part in two European Championships
1993 and 1995.
The women’s team will begin its international play at 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship
Division II Group B Qualification, which will take place in January of 2019 in South Africa. The participating teams will Bulgaria, Hong Kong, South Africa and Belgium. The competition will be held from 16 to 23 of January in Cape town.
The Ukraine have set ambitious plans for the future. To developed a comprehensive program for the development of the national women’s team for five years. In the near future this program will be presented to the public. Also coming soon will be announced of the coaching staff for national team and training plans.
At the end of the season 2017/18 in Ukraine there are 128 hockey players aged 15 years. And 65 girls who are playing ice hockey in DYUSSH groups together with the guys.
In the women’s championship of Ukraine five teams compete, Panther” (Kharkiv), “Queen of Dnipro” (Dnipro), “Ukrainian” (Kiev), “Proteins Dnipro” (Dnipro river) and “Lavina” (Kremenchug).