For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Kearsarge High Students Join Girls Hockey Co-Op Team

NEW LONDON – Superintendent Winfried Feneberg is pleased to announce that, for the first time, young women at Kearsarge Regional High School have the opportunity to join a girls hockey team. 

Four Kearsarge students have joined a girls hockey team co-op this winter, which includes students from Lebanon High School in Lebanon and Stevens High School in Claremont.

After students expressed interest in joining a regional girls hockey team in spring 2018, representatives of Kearsarge Regional School District attended several meetings at the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) in Concord to gain approval for the district to join an already existing co-op between Lebanon and Stevens High Schools.

Before students had the opportunity to join the Lebanon-Stevens-Kearsarge team, young women at Kearsarge who wanted to play hockey joined the boy’s team at their school.

“We are very excited that Varsity Girls Hockey at Kearsarge came to fruition this winter for the first time in school history,” said Kearsarge Regional High School Athletic Director Scott Fitzgerald. “We are fortunate to have a supportive administration at the high school, SAU, as well as on the Board level which afforded us the opportunity to explore this once an interest was brought to our attention. Lebanon and Stevens have been great partners to work with, and we look forward to the future of this sport at Kearsarge.”

The lead school for the team is Lebanon High, and practices are held at Campion Rink in West Lebanon. There are 17 students on the team, and they are coached by Brad Shaw.

“I’m really glad that the co-op with Lebanon worked out,” said Kate Cochran, a freshman. “I really appreciate how hard Mr. Fitzgerald worked to help make it happen. I was nervous about having to play with boys, but I didn’t need to.”

“Although our team isn’t the best out there, I think our effort and attitudes really add up,” she added. “All of my teammates are very encouraging and we all love the game. I’m very happy about the girls hockey program and I hope more girls start playing too.”

The season started on Nov. 19, 2018, and the last regular season game is scheduled for Feb. 23.

“I was new to the team this year but also new to hockey in general,” said Rainey Smith, a freshman. “I’ve never played before and the girls on the team have been so nice and welcoming. I’m thankful to have such good coaches and an amazing team.”

Including the girls hockey co-op team, there are now 30 varsity sports offered at Kearsarge Regional High.

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