In this episode we welcome Ronja Jenike, Development Coach for the DEBwomen's team, and the new U18 women's national coach Sebastian Jones. Sebastian, who had to end his playing career early due to an injury at the age of 28, has found his way as a coach despite this challenge and is now dedicated to the promotion and development of U18 women's ice hockey. Ronja explains her current tasks at DEB, where she acts as the contact person for the national women's coaches and works closely with the national players. Her focus is, among other things, on optimizing training courses and improving the league structure in women's ice hockey.
At the beginning of the conversation, the two guests dispel myths about women's ice hockey. A common misconception is that it is not physical, unlike men's hockey. They shed light on the actual differences and similarities between the sexes in ice hockey.
Another key topic is the image of ice hockey and the potential hurdles that exist for girls starting the sport. The myth that ice hockey is a particularly tough and dangerous sport may deter many girls from taking up the sport. The discussion continues with the question of whether the drop-out rate after running school is high or whether withdrawal from the sport tends to occur during puberty. Various reasons are explained that could lead to a potential drop-out. Karl asks whether girls can keep up in terms of performance in the U17 division, whether this subsequent use is one of the biggest hurdles and what status girls generally have with coaches.
Karl, Ronja and Sebastian also take a look at the German Women's Ice Hockey League (DFEL) and discuss the direction in which the league is developing. They particularly emphasize the need to further professionalize the structures and make the league more attractive in order to raise the level of women's ice hockey in Germany. They also talk about the training of female coaches and referees, their role model function and key role for the league.
In conclusion, it can be said that German women's ice hockey is on an exciting path, marked by challenges but also by many opportunities. With targeted support, the right strategy and a stronger involvement of women in leadership roles, the future of this sport can be shaped and developed sustainably.
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