Canadian Blind Hockey is thrilled to end 2020 on a high note, as we proudly welcome Laura Mark to the newly created volunteer role of “Girls and Women’s Blind Hockey Coordinator.” Laura Mark becomes the first female member of the Canadian Blind Hockey management team and will help lead the development of the new Girls and Women’s Blind Hockey Development Program.
“Canadian Blind Hockey is committed to growing the parasport of Blind Hockey at all levels, and we recognize the need to devote resources to recruiting more girls and women into the game,” said Kelly Serbu, President of Canadian Blind Hockey. “Creating the new Girls and Women’s Blind Hockey Development Program is an important first step, and Laura Mark is the perfect person to serve as the program coordinator.”
The parasport of Blind Hockey is played by athletes who are blind or partially sighted using an adapted puck that makes noise and is larger than a traditional puck. The sport is currently co-ed featuring both female and male players competing together, however, it is estimated that only ten to fifteen percent of participants worldwide are girls and women.
“I am honoured to be named the first Girls and Women’s Blind Hockey Coordinator and looking forward to recruiting new female players into the sport I love,” said Laura Mark. “It’s an exciting time for women’s hockey in general, and especially with Natalie Spooner recently coming on board as the Canadian Blind Hockey’s first Ambassador, I think we can do great things to build up the girls and women’s side of the game.”
Laura Mark has been a pioneer for Women’s Blind Hockey since first competing as one of only six female players at the second-ever Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament in 2014. She has been a staple of the Canadian Blind Hockey community since that time regularly training at development camps, competing in regional and national tournaments, as well as some of the earliest Blind Hockey Tournaments in the United States.
Professionally Laura works for Canadian Blind Hockey’s national program partner CNIB Foundation as the Coordinator – Team Operations for CNIB North out of Sudbury, Ontario. Her hometown in Coldwater, Ontario, Canada is where she played her minor hockey.
To contact Laura Mark, Girls and Women’s Blind Hockey coordinator please email lauramark@blindicehockey.com
