TomCats hockey program teaches adult women it's never too late to lace up your skates

When Ashley Crews was a child, she thought hockey was just for boys, so she never gave the sport a try.

Now she knows better — and she's lacing up her skates.

"I was told it was for men only," said Crews. "And to know that women can actually start at my age, or even older or younger is such a nice idea."

It's thanks to a free learn-to-play hockey program in St. John's offered by the TomCats, a rec league team that aims to get adult women onto the ice.

Over six training sessions, the program teaches women how to skate in hockey gear and hit the puck.

The goal is making sure that those who didn't have the chance to play hockey as children get to try it now.

Dena Kavanagh, a coach and member of the TomCats' executive team, says intimidation is a major barrier to hockey for many women.

"It's hard to get involved in something when you're older anyways, especially a team sport," said Kavanagh.

"Especially if it's the opposite gender and you're trying to break down that barrier, it feels like, on your own."

The TomCats, founded in 2011, is fully run and operated by women, including an all-female coaching staff.

The team also offers a gear-share program, so participants avoid buying costly new equipment to try out the sport.

Andrea Power, TomCats board member and coach, says offering the program for free is essential for many participants.

"Our program fills up within a couple of days. So the need is there," she said.

No prior skating or hockey experience in either hockey or skating is needed to take part in the program, said Power.

The main goal for Power and Kavanagh is to make the sport more accessible for women — and to set an example for children.

"A lot of women say that they never had the opportunity growing up, it was