When Lindsay Blight laced up her skates as a kid, she was playing on boys’ teams because that’s all that was available. Now, she’s helping change the game for the next generation of girls with an all-female summer hockey camp designed to build confidence, sharpen skills, and foster friendships on and off the ice.
Open to girls ages 9 to 17 of all experience levels, the one-day camp is set for August 16th at Stride Place in Portage la Prairie. Participants will receive two ice sessions, a jersey to keep, and take part in a midday panel discussion with female players and coaches who have competed and coached at the highest levels of hockey in Canada.
Blight, a former University of Manitoba Bisons player and long-time local coach, grew up playing minor hockey in Portage and was a member of the first-ever Central Plains Capitals female team, a trailblazing program made possible in large part by community champions like Ferdi Nelisson and Blight’s father.
This summer, Blight is taking that legacy a step further.
“I wanted to do my part and give back to the game that gave so much to me,” says Blight, who is organizing and running the camp. “The rink has always been where I felt most comfortable, and I want these girls to experience that same sense of belonging and confidence.”
The idea for the camp came when Blight saw a summer hockey ad, but noticed it was co-ed, with no girls-only option. That sparked the idea to create a space just for girls. She reached out to former university teammates and quickly assembled a team of coaches.
"They're all former high-level female hockey players, and now they are all high-level coaches," she says. "They're a fun group, super experienced, and they're going to bring a ton of knowledge and energy to the day."
The day will be split into three age groups, U11, U13, and a combined U15/U18, with each group receiving two one-hour ice times. The panel session, open to both players and parents, will highlight opportunities in women’s hockey and the broader benefits of sport participation for girls.
“By playing sports, girls gain confidence, self-esteem, teamwork, and leadership skills that translate to every part of their lives, whether it be school, applying for jobs, or relationships,” Blight explains. “Those skills will stick with them.”
The not-for-profit camp is priced at $80 to cover ice time and other costs, and registration remains open until August 1st, with late entries accepted if space allows. While girls should be comfortable skating, Blight says no prior hockey experience is required. The camp is meant to be welcoming for everyone, whether they’ve been playing for years or are brand new to the game.
“I remember growing up and going to summer hockey camps in town. It was mostly boys, and it can be intimidating if you're not used to that. I thought I would create an all-female opportunity for those who just want to play with the girls," she continues.
Blight knows firsthand how powerful that experience can be. She recalls one player she coached last season who had never played hockey before.
“She was quiet at the start, but throughout the year, she became so much more outgoing,” Blight says. “At the end of the season, her mother told me how much happier and more confident she was. That’s when it hit home for me, this is more than just playing a sport.”
In the fall, Blight will also be behind the bench as head coach of the first-ever U13 AA female Capitals team, a major step in expanding competitive opportunities for girls in the area.
“My parents were the reason I was able to play hockey growing up. They dedicated their whole lives so that my brother and I could play, and they continue to support me with coaching and now with this project.”
If this year’s camp goes well, Blight hopes it’s just the beginning. She’s already dreaming about expanding it into a multi-day camp next summer, or even a full-week program down the line.
"I'm super excited. It's just one day, but I hope the girls take something away from it, even if it's just feeling a little more confident and making new friends. All-female environments aren't super common. It's getting better, I've seen improvements, but we still have a long way to go."
For more information or to register, families can reach out to Blight by email at lindsayblight47@icloud.com.
Whether girls are lacing up for the first time or chasing their hockey dreams, August 16th promises to be a day to remember.
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