With over 20 years of experience in various roles, Jacinda Davis is synonymous with Fort McMurray Minor Hockey.
“I’ve been in the association now for 22, almost 23 years,” Davis said. "I started out originally where I was just helping manage (her oldest son’s team). I was eased into management, then into a director role. I jumped right in and took my major role on the board that I have right now, which is the VP of Communications for Fort McMurray Minor Hockey.”
As the VP of Communications, Davis dedicates her time to the special events happening around the city.
“I work with everyone with their special events, help with our branding partners, I take care of all sponsorship, sponsors for programs, all of our volunteers … anything that has to do with our brand, those fall under my role,” she said.
What has kept Davis going throughout the years? The ability to be able to combine her two passions.
“I love the volunteering aspect of it. I truly love hockey,” Davis said. “What it has done for my kids and what I’ve seen for other kids is amazing. That’s why I put my heart and soul into it and have for many years. Even once my kids have graduated, I will continue to put many hours in to keep the programs up and going.”
One of those events that Davis was a key figure in, was Fort McMurray’s Female Hockey Day in January, an event that was very successful. It featured two days of events such as goal scoring and defensive skill sessions, as well as a try hockey event to introduce young girls to the game.
“It was a huge undertaking, because it happened right after our minor hockey week, so it was kind of one event to the other,” she said. “But it is a very passionate program with the females in it and seeing it grow. It was so worth putting in all those hours into the program to have a special event for all the girls and women.”
There has been a lot of growth in the female game across the province as well as the country. This is thanks in part to the tireless efforts of people like Davis who set up and run events such as Female Hockey Day.
“Just watching the growth, I really, truly believe it’s the power in numbers and those numbers are helping our program grow. Where we started was such a small number and now, we’ve grown to seven teams,” Davis said. “We have 132 girls in our program now, and just watching it grow … there are girls recruiting more girls. It’s a very special program for them to give them that feeling of togetherness.”
While she keeps busy around the rink, Davis said it’s also very important to ensure that she finds balance between work and personal life.
“Well, I originally started my job as my own business owner to be able to work my job around hockey hours,” Davis said. “So, I have continued doing that right up until today. I do put in a lot of hours, but I know that it’s going to come to an end (when her daughter graduates out next year) and I’m going to miss it when it’s gone. So, I’m going to take advantage of it while it’s still going.”
A hockey community is always looking for more volunteers to help the game run smoothly and grow successfully. Volunteers are part of the blueprint that helps the community bloom during hockey season. Davis believes that volunteering can be the most rewarding and enjoyable experience.
“It may seem big and overwhelming at first, but the scariness of it is not as bad as it looks or seems. What you get back is rewarding … when people are in awe or so thankful, you see the kids laughing and smiling, that’s what it’s all about,” Davis said. “All those hiccups that you think you’re going to have, or may have, nobody knows those weren’t supposed to happen. To the outside world, it’s flawless. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time volunteering and it’s been so worth it.”
