‘Huge honour’: Alberta referee to officiate women’s hockey at Beijing Winter Olympics
Posted January 18, 2022 6:00 pm.
Last Updated January 18, 2022 6:46 pm.
An Alberta woman is off to Beijing next month to officiate women’s hockey at the Winter Olympics.
Lacey Senuk, from St. Albert, Alta., is one of five Canadian women chosen to make their way across the world and referee the Olympic sport.
“It’s the pinnacle of officiating, especially on the female side, so it’s a huge honour,” said Senuk.
Senuk began her officiating career in 2008 with the St. Albert Minor Hockey Association (SAMHA). From there, she’s called penalties all over the northern hemisphere.
“She has represented Canada as an official in many countries over the years, and for us, this is the icing on the cake,” said Joe Becigneul, referee in chief at SAMHA.
Lacey Senuk, Canadian hockey official, will referee at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. (Photo provided by Lacey Senuk)
Hockey and refereeing are both male-dominated. But the International Ice Hockey Federation says it has seen a 19 per cent rise in popularity in women’s hockey between 2011 and 2019.
“We’ve done a lot to promote female officials, especially in Canada, and I think that’s going to help put more girls in the game and join the officiating side of it,” Senuk said.
Added Becigneul: “We see it now in the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, so I think it’s only a matter of time before we see women in the National Hockey League.”
The women’s hockey tournament kicks off in Beijing on Feb. 3.
Lacey Senuk, Canadian hockey official, will referee at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. (Photo provided by Lacey Senuk)
