In 1981, Justine Blainey earned a spot on a boys’ team in the Metro Toronto Hockey League (MTHL) but was denied the right to play.
From the age of 12 and throughout her teenage years, she pursued an arduous legal battle of five different court cases, culminating in a hearing with the Supreme Court of Canada in 1987.
Now, more than 30 years on, Blainey, 50, and those closest to her tell their stories in Frozen Out - a three-part podcast series for BBC World Service’s Amazing Sport Stories.
It is spring 1985 and 12-year-old Justine is at home in Toronto, writing a letter.
“I can play, but may I? MTHL tryout time starts today and I’m going to hear the same words again: ‘Yes, you’re good enough. We wish we could take you. But you’re a girl.’”
Justine spells out her reasons for wanting to play with the boys. Girls’ hockey offers just two levels, and only half the number of games a top MTHL boys’ team will play.
Can’t hurt those precious and sensitive hockey boys with the knowledge that there is a gasp a girl is a s good as them or maybe even better…
Amazing story. I can’t believe she’s only 50…not that long ago. Plenty of those dinosaurs booing her from the stands are still probably flooding facebook comment sections.
