Canada’s women’s hockey team contributed a gold medal to the nation’s tally at the 2010 Winter Olympics under the direction of Melody Davidson, native of Oyen, Alta.
This was Davidson’s third stint as head coach of the national team, but her first Olympics with the general manager tag beside her name as well.
Pretty good for a woman who got her start as Castor’s recreation director back in 1987 and one who is also credited with helping start the first girl’s hockey team in the region when a team was created out of Byemoor for the 1988-89 season.
“When I started, there really wasn’t anything that resembled women’s hockey in central Alberta,” said Davidson. “But a lot of people have worked very hard to get the game where it’s at in the area and now we (at Team Canada) and the community are reaping the benefits of that hard work,” she said of her efforts in the community. .
But Davidson has now decided to suspennd the Shooting Star Hockey School indefinitely after fifteen years in the community.
“We were at fifteen years and this was the first year we didn’t have it as I just couldn’t swing it.
“In August our team (Canada) was full time with our under 22 and 18 programs in Calgary. So it came down to time regrettably, which is really sad because it was huge for me and a great time to spend with my family who are locals in Delburne.”
Whether the school comes back in the near future under new guidance is unclear, but one thing for sure is that it won’t have coach Davidson.
“Bottom line is priorities change and I don’t feel right doing something I can’t sink my teeth into and do properly. I don’t think it’s right.”
So Stettler’s loss is Canada’s gain in the meantime. Either way, coach Davidson and her record is something we as Canadians can all be proud of.