Update on Decatur Fury: A women鈥檚 hockey team formed with inclusion in mind
DECATUR, Ill. — Many in Decatur are familiar with the Decatur Blaze hockey team, but did you know there is a new Women鈥檚 Team as well? During the 2019-2020 season, several of the Decatur Youth Hockey Association mothers expressed interest in starting a team for women, which is where the Decatur Fury was born.
The Fury team has grown to 30 players this season and consists mostly of beginners as well as former roller derby members. Last month marked a milestone as the Decatur Civic Center hosted their first ever women鈥檚 hockey game. Coach, Steve Mixell, aka 鈥淐oach Cheeseburger,鈥� says 鈥淚n the future I would like to see more games and tournaments. A goal of mine is to have enough support to join a Women鈥檚 league where we can have a set schedule.鈥�
Mixell also says that the team is made up of standout individuals, many of whom travel over an hour to play in Decatur. He says 鈥淥ur team consists of wives, mothers, single moms, career women, and many more categories. These women truly deserve high praise for unmatched courage and grit. Many our the ladies are new to ice hockey. Some have skating backgrounds, some have kids in hockey, but few have played themselves. These ladies don’t even know how brave they are to take on a new sport as an adult, especially one so involved as ice hockey. That is why every one of these women is a standout and a leader in their community.鈥�
One player on the team, Amanda Renshaw, is a high school teacher at Mt. Zion. She says 鈥淚 thought it would be interesting to try out because it’s something completely apart from being a mom, a coach, or a teacher.聽 It quickly turned into something that I very much look forward to every week.鈥� Another player, Sarah Matas, says 鈥淚’ve enjoyed getting to know women that I probably would not otherwise have met.聽 I love the way the team becomes a community, supporting each other on and off the ice.聽 As a mom of four, I strongly recommend finding yourself a good physical activity for some 鈥榤e鈥� time, as well as some adult social interaction!鈥�
While the Fury is new to Decatur, the team and its players deserve some love! When more games are scheduled, make sure to make it out to support these ladies on the ice! The Fury is always looking for new players; members of all levels are welcome! Be sure to check out their Facebook page at Decatur Women’s Hockey Association.
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