The University of New Brunswick has agreed to reinstate women’s varsity hockey starting in the 2018-2019 season, following a 10-year absence and a lengthy battle over human rights.
The university downgraded the team to a sports club in 2008, citing funding issues.
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Sylvia Dooley played on the varsity team and alleged that the decision to relegate the women’s team constituted discrimination on the basis of their sex.
In March of this year, the province’s Labour and Employment Board ordered the team reinstated and found that the university discriminated on the basis of sex when it downgraded the team.
The university sought a judicial review of that ruling, but then decided to begin talks on how to move forward.
George MacLean, UNB’s vice president, says the university will hire a full-time coach, provide resources and equipment, and begin recruiting players to ice a competitive team.