Empowering Women In Sport - Lindsay Tilley
Hockey is still a predominantly male sport where very few women coach at the professional level. Less than a year ago in June of 2022, the the first full-time female coach in the NHL, Emily Engel-Natzke, was hired as a video coordinator for the Washington Capitals. The key factor for women's hockey players who aspire to one day be in coaching or leadership positions is to witness other women occupying these roles. Otherwise, it may appear unattainable or not a realistic career path.
Lindsay Tilley, a Klevr Coach, aims to enhance the presence of female coaches in amateur hockey. We conducted an interview with Lindsay, who established Hockey Edge Agility Training (HEAT), discussing her journey from figure skating to hockey, the obstacles she encountered as a female coach, and her recommendations to aspiring athletes.
Despite not originating from a sports-oriented family, Lindsay received encouragement to explore multiple athletic avenues before ultimately settling on figure skating.“I didn’t play hockey as a young girl but instead fell in love with figure skating because it was the perfect combination of artistry and athleticism.” Lindsay announced. While that seems like it would be an easier sport to participate in as a female, “it certainly came with its own set of challenges,” Lindsay said.
Figure skating, like many other artistic sports, have lots of opportunities for young female involvement. “The biggest challenge was just earning the respect of being an athlete who didn’t participate in a traditional school sponsored sport like soccer or field hockey.” Lindsay said. She wasn’t given the same amount of leeway as other traditional athletes when it came to missing school or special accommodations for training. “Now that I am on the coaching side of hockey, I see the struggles and challenges these girls face constantly.” Lindsay mentioned. While the sport of hockey continues to grow leaps and bounds every year, there are still obstacles females have to overcome. “Gaining the respect as an athlete just as much as the boys is probably the biggest issue. I think it all boils down to that!” Lindsay said.
In 2018, Lindsay started HEAT - Hockey Edge Agility Training because the General Manager of a rink wouldn’t sell her a slot of ice to run a skating clinic. “I have to believe that part of the reason for this was that I was a female, since I had just witnessed a hockey dad buy ice for his son’s birthday! But the reason given to me was because I wasn’t a legit business and that it would ultimately fail.” Lindsay explained. More determined than ever, she went home that night and decided to form an LLC and HEAT was born. The next week, she was able to provide my LLC, business name, and check for an ice slot to purchase. With her years of figure skating technique training, Lindsay has developed the essential breakdown for efficient power skating, making every stride count. Lindsay teaches players that the key to power on the ice is a combination of proper body alignment for balance and a command of all edges, forward and backwards. For those seasoned skaters, Lindsay offers quickness training to improve overall body strength and endurance.
“I knew that if I was going to run a successful business, I wanted to surround myself with like-minded passionate coaches, who knew parts of the game where I lacked.” Lindsay said. She runs HEAT with two other female coaches, Emily and Kristen. Both are former professional players of the Professional Hockey Federation. Lindsay met Emily Janiga initially at a skills session and instantly knew that I wanted to work with her and then hired Kristen Barbara after my season of working with the Metropolitan Riveters as their skating coach. “I think our girl clientele particularly appreciates the all female staff. We are able to provide a completely unique and safe training environment for our clients, which includes both male and female players.” Lindsay said. Through HEAT, Lindsay and her fellow female coaches provide private lessons, team training and power skating clinics for new and experienced hockey players.
On a parting note, we asked Lindsay what advice she would give to young female athletes, or her younger self. Here’s what she said: “I think today’s athletes are so inundated with other people's successes, accomplishments, or unrealistic visuals on social media. It’s in our faces everyday, all day long. My advice would be to tone out the criticism and doubt, whether it’s external or internal. Today’s young athlete needs to be reminded that this is THEIR journey and no one else’s. Continue to find the joy of why you play even if it means taking a different path. My advice - You ARE enough!”
Follow Lindsay on Instagram and Klevr - @skatewithheat