Female ringette coach charged with sexually assaulting young player

CALGARY – A female ringette coach has been charged with sexually assaulting one of her young players.

On Sunday, April 10th, police received a complaint from the parents of the 13-year-old female victim that there were two separate incidents of sexual assault.

An investigation into the allegations led police to charge 22-year-old Kelsea Joy Hepburn of Calgary.

According to Ringette Calgary, Hepburn has been coaching in Calgary for five to six years.

“Ringette Calgary is devastated by these allegations and the thoughts and prayers of the entire ringette community are with the athlete and her family,” says Paul Geddes, President of Ringette Calgary.

Hepburn is charged with two counts of sexual exploitation and one count each of sexual assault, sexual interference with a person under the age of 16 and invitation to sexual touching.

The victim was one of the players on Hepburn’s team this past season, which ended in March.

Ringette Calgary says all coaches are screened with criminal record checks, including Hepburn.

Police say Hepburn was not previously known to them.

Ringette Calgary will says it will now be reviewing it’s screening process given the allegations.

Hepburn is out on bail and will appear in court May 4th.

She has a list of conditions to follow, including no participating in team sports where players are under the age of 18 and she cannot be alone with anyone under the age of 18.