Empowering Women In Sport - Laura Pendli
Despite hockey being deemed Canada’s sport, the fact remains that women make up less than 20% of the players in Canada. When it comes to coaching, that number drops even farther. In 2019, of the 518 teams in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (in 2019), only four had a woman as head coach. The lack of representation in the GTHL is not specific to Toronto. Only about a quarter of all coaches in Canadian sports are women, and the number is much smaller in hockey. A Hockey Canada official said as few as 4% of registered hockey coaches are women. How does that affect players? According to a 2022 report, 80% agree that girls would stay in sport more if they had role models. One of the coaches of our GTA Klevr Young Kings teams, Laura Pendli, is hoping to be that role model for young players.
Like most of the coaches we featured this month, Laura also grew up in a family that loved sports. As a young girl, she was always watching her dad’s slo-pitch games and by 3yrs old, she had her own glove. Laura enjoyed being active and trying new sports, “My parents gave me the opportunity to play whatever sport I wanted”, Laura mentioned. During her years in elementary & secondary school, she was on every team. Volleyball, basketball, track, you name it, Laura was on it! “I loved being competitive and trying new things,” Laura said.
Her journey in hockey started when she was only 3yrs old with a learn to skate program. She transitioned into figure skating after that program but quickly realized it wasn’t for her. So, she decided to hang up the figure skates and grab a pair of hockey skates to try ringette. While playing ringette, girls hockey leagues in her area were beginning to develop and naturally Laura wanted to give it a try. She ended up playing with the Durham West Lightning for 5 years. After high school, she went back to the sport she played with her dad, softball, and accepted a scholarship to a division 1 program at Winthrop University in South Carolina.
“Sport was always available to me, so I always had an outlet or an avenue I could pursue.” Laura said. Did she have to join the boys team to play? Yes, but that didn’t stop her from participating. “I didn’t care if I was the only girl at a camp” Laura mentioned. However, one major barrier for Laura was having to ‘earn’ the respect of male peers, “After winning championships, making teams, receiving invites to tryouts and scholarship offers, it was always met with ‘well, it's easier for you because you're a girl' or 'there aren't as many girls teams as boys, so it's easier to win”, Laura said. The effort, skill, time and dedication that Laura, and many other young girls, put forth towards all the sports they played was never really recognized. “I always felt that I had to prove that my knowledge of sport and my achievements were something that warranted recognition” Laura noted.
Now, Laura is a coach of our Klevr Young Kings team in Oshawa and the League Administrator for our Klevr Super League. Her son also plays on one of the Young Kings teams. As the only female coach in the program, she appreciates that every coach has different ways to get through to the players, and I think that is what makes our team so successful. “At times, I have a different style of coaching to some of my male counterparts. My personality is very laid back, and that is reflected in my coaching style. I’m a teacher by profession, so I often bring some of my classroom experiences onto the ice ” Laura said. Many moms and other women within the program have approached Laura to say how amazing it is to have female representation on the coaching staff of a male team. “Honestly, if boys can see from a young age that males and females alike can contribute to development, that will help prevent and dismantle gender barriers. If young boys are able to just see you as a coach rather than a man or a woman, we will create so many more opportunities for both males and females in sport.” Lauren announced. As mentioned previously, it is imperative that young women observe other women in male dominated roles within all sports. Being able to see the female representation within team leadership will help push more young women to aspire for opportunities beyond just playing the game.
As we wrapped up our interview, we asked Laura about a piece of advice she would tell a young athlete that isn’t feeling confident about continuing with their sport. This is what she shared: “I would tell a young athlete who is thinking of dropping out of their sport that quitting is the easy way out. Fight for what you want and don't be silenced. If you get cut from a team or you're told you're not good enough, use that to fuel your motivation and prove others wrong. You control your future, no matter what anyone else thinks or says. I would specifically tell young female athletes to keep using their voice and pushing for what's fair and right. Don't be silenced by others. Be confident, speak your mind and earn the respect you deserve in your sport.”
Follow Lindsay on Instagram - @lpendli27
Check out our Klevr Super League website: https://www.klevrsuperleague.com/