Queer Hockey Hamilton hosts its 1st hockey tournament

A sports organization in Hamilton is making hockey more inclusive for the LGBTQ community.

Queer Hockey Hamilton held its first-ever hockey tournament on Saturday.

Players from across Ontario headed down to the Wentworth Sports Complex for day one of a two day tournament, which hosts four teams for a total of 64 players.

“We have a lot of players that fall into gaps [and] that don’t really fit into organized teams, which are usually divided by gender,” Katie Campanella, one of the event organizers, said.

“So we have our trans players, queer, gay, lesbian players, and this became a safe place for them to come and have fun.”

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“I haven’t had a safe space to play hockey for 10 years,” said Hailey Costie, a player in the league.

“I quit after I finished high school because after then, like, you don’t know where tog o, where you feel safe and where you have enough friends and people to rely on.”

She said that this league has come together to do exactly that.

The organizers hope to make the tournament an annual event following the community’s positive feedback.

Currently, all skill levels are welcome and encouraged to join the league. Their bi-weekly shinnies run at $15 per player and they play twice per month.

It also hosts special events and on an irregular schedule, as well as practice sessions. For more information, visit their Instagram page.