A new partnership between a local realty agency and the Barrie Jr. Sharks women's hockey organization hopes to connect the community through a love of the sport while supporting programs for diversity and inclusion both on and off the ice.
The Shannon Murree Group/MovingSimcoe.com Team and the Barrie Jr. Sharks have announced the company will serve as the official team sponsor for a minimum five-year commitment. The partnership began late in the summer as a result of both groups having a strong connection to the community.
In a joint statement released by the organizations, Barrie Jr. Sharks head coach Ed Mauro said the club was thrilled to have the Shannon Murree Group on board.
“As we strive to push the envelope and make sure our players are seen, heard, and get equal recognition just as much as the boys, it was a no-brainer to align ourselves with such a strong community advocate for equality and diversity as Shannon,” said Mauro. “Our players, like her, are dedicated industry players and committed to giving back to the community while overcoming their own challenges and exuding strong leadership."
The partnership will highlight the many challenges women’s hockey faces and to effect positive change for the future leaders and players. It includes a financial commitment, philanthropic efforts supporting the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie as well as the Shoebox Project for Women (Simcoe County and Grey chapter), contests, fundraising, community events, as well as game and player highlights included in Murree’s social media channels and other means that help support the Barrie Jr. Sharks.
Murree says she was excited to have been asked to be part of the initiative and called the inequalities women’s hockey faces “quite alarming.”
“With all the progress people say they make in terms of gender equality in communities, it is not enough. It’s really time for change and not rely on what’s been done in the past. It’s important to walk the walk, in addition to talking the talk,” Murree said in the release. “This isn’t intended to offend or upset anyone, or perhaps that’s what is needed to effect change.
"The intention really is just to level the playing field in competitive hockey and potentially their careers.”
Murree hopes that many will see the success of Team Canada IIHF Women's World Championship as a reason to get involved at the grassroots level of the sport, with more media coverage, more companies sponsoring and higher attendance at games.
The team’s home opener is today (Oct. 31) at 2:30 p.m. at East Bayfield Community Centre (Green Arena).
The Barrie Jr. Sharks are an elite U22-level women’s hockey team that compete in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League and aims to assist players realize their goals of playing hockey at the collegiate level.
