History of CIGHA
The Central Illinois Girls Hockey Association (CIGHA) has a significant history rooted in a dedicated effort to promote and facilitate recreational all-girls hockey in the region.
Founding and Early Challenges (2016)
The CIGHA was officially formed in January 2016. The decision to name their teams "Revolution" was symbolic of the challenging landscape for girls' hockey at the time. The organization was formed because regional options were highly limited, and there was considerable resistance to the idea of girls playing on their own teams. Many believed that girls should continue to play with boys, expressing doubts about whether separate girls' teams would foster proper development or competitive play. Despite these initial hurdles and skepticism, the association persevered, driven by the belief that girls deserved the opportunity to play hockey with their peers.
Growth and Development
It took approximately seven years for the CIGHA to gain widespread acceptance and "buy-in" from other youth hockey organizations in Central Illinois. This patient persistence led to significant growth. The association has seen an "explosive growth" in participation, with nearly 70 girls of all ages now playing on Revolution teams. The CIGHA has successfully forged affiliations with seven youth hockey organizations across Central Illinois, drawing team members from various areas including Pekin, Danville, and Champaign-Urbana. This expansion has solidified its presence and impact within the local hockey community.
Mission, Structure, and Financial Commitment
The Central Illinois Girls Hockey Association Inc. is organized and operated as a Non-Profit Organization (NFP), a status it achieved in May 2016. Its core mission is to promote teamwork, physical fitness, leadership, and education among female student-athletes through hockey. The organization is committed to educating the community about the rewards, benefits, and life lessons that playing hockey can provide, from an early age through adulthood. To further the advancement of women's hockey, CIGHA provides financial support, educational initiatives, and organizes events. Notably, all coaches, staff, and members of the Board of Directors, are unpaid volunteers. The organization also prioritizes affordability, with membership rates being a "fraction" of many other clubs in the area. Each year, several thousand dollars in financial assistance are provided to families, with a minimum goal of $3,000, and some years seeing this figure reach around $6,000. This financial commitment ensures that more girls have access to the sport, regardless of economic barriers.
Affiliations and Programs
CIGHA is affiliated with the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL), which stands as the second-largest youth hockey league in the U.S. and the largest in the Midwest. The association's programs cater to various age groups and skill levels:
- Travel Teams (10U, 12U, 14U, 19U - NIHL): These teams typically practice twice a week, play half their games at home rinks (Bloomington, Pekin, Peoria), and the other half in the Chicagoland area. They participate in multiple tournaments, including the annual March Meltdown, which is a significant home tournament for the CIGHA, and the Ponytail Classic in Wisconsin Dells in early December.
- Exhibition Teams (12U/10U/8U): Designed for lower time commitment and focused on development, these teams practice once a week in local rinks (like Springfield and Peoria) and play about 10 games against local youth hockey teams in Central Illinois.
- Jamboree Teams (8U and under): These teams participate in local jamborees (half-ice or cross-ice 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 games) in locations such as Bloomington, Pekin, Peoria, Decatur, Revolution, and Danville.
Milestones and Achievements
Within eight years of its establishment, the Central Illinois Girls Hockey Association has already achieved notable milestones, including:
- Securing State Championships.
- Having players commit to NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) programs.
- Having players commit to ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association) programs.
The organization's ability to send players to collegiate-level play underscores its success in fostering talent and providing a pathway for aspiring female hockey players.
The Central Illinois Girls Hockey Association (CIGHA), founded in 2016 by passionate volunteers, has revolutionized girls' hockey in the region by overcoming initial skepticism to establish a thriving, all-girls program. Operating as a non-profit, CIGHA is dedicated to fostering teamwork, fitness, leadership, and education among female athletes, offering diverse programs from competitive travel teams affiliated with the NIHL to developmental exhibition and jamboree teams, all while providing significant financial assistance to ensure accessibility. Through their unwavering commitment and the "Revolution" spirit, CIGHA has not only achieved State Championships and sent players to NCAA and ACHA collegiate programs but has also cultivated a robust and supportive community that empowers young women on and off the ice.
Explosive growth': Girls hockey, once rare, is on the uptick in central Illinois