Danielle Goyette became the first female in history to obtain a coaching position in the East Coast Hockey League, ECHL.
Goyette is stepping in for head coach Eric Wellwood after he tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week. She will be assisting Nathan McIver in coaching the Newfoundland Growlers as the first female assistant coach in ECHL history.
The Newfoundland Growler’s new assistant coach has an extensive list of accomplishments. In 1991 she joined the Canadian women’s national hockey team, taking home two gold medals during the 1992 and 1994 World Championships. Her success continued, winning gold medals in the 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, and 2007 World Championships. Goyette then set off to become an Olympic gold medalist in the 2002 Winter Olympics. She won her second Olympic gold medal when the Canadian team defeated Sweden 4-1 during the 2006 Turin Olympics. Her successful track record won her a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017, becoming the third Canadian woman to be inducted. Recently, Goyette joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in May as director of player development.
Goyette’s recent success and record-breaking accomplishments shines light on the importance of female representation in sports media. Her story shows the significance of gender equality depiction and the gravity of countering male dominated fields of work. Researchers found that women in coaching positions are more likely to experience microaggressions in the workplace than men. Often being left out of important conversations, opportunities and assumed to be an emotional leader. To make progress in social development, we must implement and encourage gender equity in sports media representation. Stories like Goyette’s start that conversation, while inspiring others to work hard and break records.
KendraD
Sport, Not Games ⚽ 