Women are making history in Ice Hockey all around the world in 2024

In May the PWHL saw Boston and Minnesota play for the first Walter Cup, and Minnesota walked away with the victory. Read more about it here.

In July 2022, Jessica Campbell became the first female assistant coach in the AHL for the Coachella Valley Firebirds – read more here.

At the start of June 2024, news reported that Seattle Kraken are considering Jessica Campbell to join the coaching squad, making her the first full-time woman in men’s pro hockey.  You can read more here. In July the Kraken formally announced Campbell’s appointment to Assistant coach and quoted her sharing, “I believed I could do it….with that inner belief, whatever it is, in sport, in life, you can create whatever you believe in.”

Learn more about her appointment to the Seattle Kraken for the 2024-25 season here.

Australia Breaking Ground for Women in Ice Hockey

Meanwhile, here in Australia, Amelia Matheson is breaking down walls for our local women. Appointed to the role of Associate Coach on the Newcastle Northstars in 2020, Matheson made Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) history as the first woman appointed as a coach in the league.

For those that don’t know Amelia, she has been a part of the Newcastle Northstars organisation since she started playing ice hockey at 16, has played locally representing Newcastle, also playing for the Sydney Sirens in the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL). She has also represented NSW and Australia over the years.

Matheson’s coaching career now spans 16 years at every level on her journey to the AIHL.

In 2022 I spoke with her about her career, and you can see that article here.

In 2024, as women in sport are excelling, I spoke with Amelia, aka Mel, about what she’s learnt in the last 4 years and where she continues to aim moving forward.

“I always look for progression, so I will always be watching, listening, and learning and whether I’m coaching my own team or alongside someone, I will always be striving to be better,” Matheson told Hockey Hype Australia.

“Each year, we build with new systems, game focuses, and tactics to help improve from the previous season. This year, we’ve been focusing more on our faceoffs and the execution of them.”

“Working like this broadens the team’s horizons because there’s so much to the game. The game always changes; you must practice based on these changes to be ready for anything.

Reflecting on her own personal growth, Matheson shared, “I feel within myself I’ve grown as a coach and will implement what I’ve learnt going forward.”

Playing as a defender throughout her career, Matheson’s main role on the Northstars bench is with the defence, “It’s my safe place, where I feel confident most as I see and understand this area and believe I can make observations to help players within the game. I compliment where needed but can also provide constructive guidance to assist players in their game.”

Being a woman on the bench of a male-dominated sport, Matheson has found, “From my own team, and others within the league whether that be staff or players or our wonderful fans, everyone is welcoming and so supportive,”

With new players coming and going each season, she shares how “the imports over the last few seasons have been really engaging. They show interest in my career both playing and coaching, and I feel they have faith in the support I have to offer. “

Matheson is breaking ground in Australia, showing women that there is a place for them and to dream big. She shares what has helped her achieve success on her journey, “I think the biggest thing is the people around you that support you and it stems from the top. It’s team staff, general managers, team owners all being in your corner and from there you’re always going to believe in yourself.”

Matheson shares how the belief of those around you have a big impact. “It’s going to push you to be the person and the coach you need to be. I am always watching and learning from Kevin [Noble], and if Kevin was required to be absent, I would hope he knows the team would be in good hands with Dave [Ferarri] and myself as his associate coaches because we are on board with his systems and strategies.”  

“As long as you have people in your corner supporting you, you will build confidence and believe in yourself and opportunities will be endless for what someone can do, even as a woman in this sport.”.

Jessica Campbell has made waves worldwide after the announcement of being appointed Assistant Coach for the Seattle Kraken. Matheson shared how she found out and what she felt, “I had a friend from another team forward a link to me about Jessica Campbell saying, ‘You’re next’, and that’s huge for me coming from an opposition team member being someone who believes enough in me to say that. As soon as I saw the article about Campbell, my first thought was that they would be in good hands with her.”

“I would hope I make local Australian women feel they can do anything they dream of and stepping up and going for it.”

Beau Taylor of the Newcastle Northstars shared his thoughts of how Matheson impacts the team and what it’s like having her on the bench, “It’s been amazing because I have known how hard she’s worked over the years to be in this position and I know how much it means to her.”

Matheson’s role extends beyond managing the bench during the game, Taylor shares, “It doesn’t matter what it is, Mel is ready to be there for the guys and that’s what is nice. Her role is our Associate Coach but whether its putting the next line out, helping with injuries, bringing fruit in or tape or ice, helping load the bus, she’s bought into the team and happy to help us in any way possible.”

“It’s refreshing to have that kind of passion from the coaching staff,” Taylor continued, “she has a natural way of caring about people and she’s got a nice way of presenting information to you to help us improve without being pushy.”

Reflecting on all the milestones women in sports are accomplishing, Taylor shared his thoughts on Matheson’s accomplishments, “It’s nice to see because ever since I’ve been a part of the Northstars, I’ve seen Mel around the rink as a player, a coach and now making her way up the ranks.”

“She hasn’t had anything given to her,” continued Taylor, “she’s had to prove herself and earn her spot to be where she is. It’s nice to see her rewarded and in one of the best franchises in the AIHL.”

Women in sport is no longer a taboo topic. “The mentality around women in sport is changing,” began Matheson. ” From the PWHL being established, it’s not just ice hockey. There’s also been the Matilda surge, and the Knight’s and Jet’s women’s teams are having record-breaking crowds because people are realising women’s games are entertaining, too.”

The world view on women in sport has changed and Matheson reflected how “when I was younger it wasn’t really an option to go overseas to play hockey. You would have to work hard to find a place and be recognised as a decent player from Australia.  The girls coming through now have endless opportunities, in so many locations but it won’t come without hard work and good connections.”

Newest defenceman in the Northstars line up, Drew Robson shares the impact Matheson has had on the team, “She’s laying the groundwork for other coaches and it’s big for the sport. She’s at the forefront and has done so much for the décor here, running the bench, and she knows what she’s talking about.”

“She’s been playing hockey her whole life so she knows the right move, the right play and away from the game, she helps to get us into the right headspace,” Robson continued, “She’s not just a coach but she’s really good to talk to and good for the parts of the game that aren’t always about the on-ice side of hockey. She’s always saying the right things and knows what to say if you make a mistake in the right way so we improve, she’s unreal.”

Supporting the team beyond the bench comes naturally to Matheson, “It’s just a part of who I am to care like that. I am a people watcher. I can tell when someone isn’t in the right mindset, and I make sure they know im there to chat if needed. I don’t want someone to go into a game being frustrated or hard on themself. If I can switch up the thoughts and say something that makes them feel better, then I feel good knowing I’ve hopefully set them on the right track to have a good game.”

Wehebe Darge joined the Newcastle Northstars for the 2023 season and shared Matheson’s impact on the team, “She’s amazing. She is an unsung hero of the organisation. She’s amazing on ice, off ice and a bridge between the players and coaching staff which makes her awesome.”

“She has gone above and beyond for us, helping me personally with my recovery from my injury and has gotten us onto Ryan, who is our physio now. She really is a jack of all trades and doing it all for us, we’re very lucky to have her.”

An example of what Matheson has helped the team with includes reminding them that, “If you set your expectations of yourself too high, you could be setting yourself up for failure and frustrations, so take one step at a time, find success there and take the next step so it leads to that reaching the end goal.

“You don’t need to score on the first shot, aim to get a few quality shots on which will eventually lead to the result you want which is scoring. It’s a more measurable and realistic goal to aim for.”

Taking this into her own career, Matheson is set to continue achieving great things in ice hockey and we look forward to seeing all that she has ahead of her.