Inclusivity in Hockey: Women's Programs at Palm Beach Skate Zone

Like the NHL, the Florida Panthers believe that hockey is for everyone.
Throughout South Florida, there are numerous people that make sure that statement rings true each and every day. From administrators to coaches, no matter what rink you're at in tri-county area, the goal is to make everyone that puts on a pair of skates feel like they belong on the ice.

With National Women's Month being celebrated both within and outside the hockey world this March, we here at the Panthers thought this would be a perfect time to shine a spotlight on a just a few inspiring people in particular that are making an impact in this area of inclusivity, and especially in women's hockey.
Working primarily out of Palm Beach Skate Zone in Lake Worth, Fla., Kerry Togneri, Valerie Mathieu and Debbie Freitas are all utilizing the women's hockey space to expand hockey's reach. And although they each do something different at the rink, all three women are contributing to the growth of the game.
As a coach of the
Palm Beach Hawks
, a travel hockey team that includes groups from U8 to U18, Togneri has turned her childhood love of figure skating into an impressive teaching tool.
"It drove my mother a little crazy that I would race the boys and my brothers in my figure skates," Togneri told FloridaPanthers.com when asked how she got into coaching. "She used to get after me and say things like, 'You should teach hockey players how to skate!'"
Taking her mother's advice to heart, Togneri aims to not only help her players improve their skating, but also become "amazing, well-round human beings." As the game continues to grow, she hopes to see even more girls give the sport a try, adding that they should just "go for it!"
"Do not let anyone tell you it is not possible to play hockey," Togneri said. "There are amazing opportunities for girls in hockey, and with it growing fast down here in Florida it's a perfect time to jump in and try it out."
Togneri gives a lot of credit to Carlos and Debbie Freitas, who manage Skate Zone, for giving her the space to create an environment for everyone to enjoy the game. With the support of management, Togneri helped cultivate adult and women's clinics.
"My success at Palm Beach Skate Zone is [because of] the endless support of Carlos and Debbie Freitas," Togneri explained. "They know I work 'outside the box.' They have given me every opportunity to develop athletes and encouraged the development of our Womens'/Girls' clinic on Sundays!"
Falling in love with the game of hockey after her son, Nick, took up the sport when he was 10 years old, Debbie now serves as the rink's general manager.
In 2003, Debbie and her husband, Carlos, took their love of hockey to the next level when they started helping the Skate Zone's travel and hockey programs. From 2003-2007, they rank the Ice Hawks travel program and also the ice side of the facility before moving to North Carolina.
Unable to stay away, the couple returned to Skate Zone in 2012 to manage the facility.
"We, along with an amazing staff and owner, brought Skate Zone and all of its programs back to the top of its game," Debbie said proudly. "Palm Beach Skate Zone is inclusive of all minorities, abilities, and genders. We tailor our programs to fit each situation."
Among those special programs are the adult hockey clinics, the Tiger Sharks sled hockey team and Mathieu's Chariots on Ice events. Receiving a Community Champions Grant from the Panthers in 2019, Chariots on Ice brings people from all walks of life together at Skate Zone to learn more about sled hockey.
With their grant, the organization was able to host its first-ever

As the founder and President of Chariots on Ice, Mathieu has dedicated her life's work to supporting inclusivity in hockey and growing the game at every level. She provides participants with all the essential gear they need to have fun on the ice - from skates to helmets - with the help of donations from generous individuals or larger organizations such as the Panthers.
"It's the ideal sport," Mathieu said. "It's so cool and refreshing. The ice is always fresh, it's always the same. It's indoors and year-round. I absolutely love it."
Whether you're young or young at heart, Mathieu invites everyone to enjoy sled hockey with Chariots on Ice. In fact, no experience is needed. With having a good time mattering more than wins or losses, classes often consist of brand-new skaters mixed in with more veteran players.
"Everyone just enjoys watching every age and every dynamic in the community be involved," Mathieu said. "It's just really special."
With the help of Skate Zone, Mathieu believes "Chariots on Ice" has been able to flourish.
"I just feel a connection with Palm Beach Skate Zone and their involvement," Mathieu said. The venue has provided the charity with ice time and other contributions to benefit the cause. "Debbie and Carlos have been fantastic. I just feel a connection - they're not just a local business, they're part of the community."
Mathieu herself even plays hockey at the rink. An avid hockey fan, she skates with other women on Sunday nights in the adult clinic. "We're obviously quite a minority as women], and it can be unexpected but we're very welcome," she said of the hockey clinic at Palm Beach Skate Zone. "The hockey community has very open arms to anyone who's interested in the sport regardless of your level of play. If you play hockey it's like 'Awesome, you're one of us!'"
"You don't need any experience," she said. "We have very, very introductory skaters coming out and more experienced players. We all play together. It's really wonderful to have the opportunity to skate with my peers. It's not often that us women get together as a group to skate, so it's great!"
The clinic, which has gone on for several years, currently runs from 11:20am-12:20pm every Sunday. Those interested can register through the Skate Zone's website **[HERE**.