JR. SHARKS INTRODUCE NEW MANAGMENT COMMITEE FOR 2023-24 SEASON

The Barrie Women's Hockey Association has introduce a new management committee, and new team leadership, for the Barrie Jr. Sharks team.

Hockey operations will be led by Head Coach Duane Eldridge.  Coach Eldridge has over 20 years of coaching and player development experience, that has included positions at the AA level of every age group. Duane previously led our Barrie Jr. Sharks (Intermediate AA) team from 2014 through 2018, during which time he helped over 20 players achieve their goal of moving on to play competitive USPORTS/NCAA hockey in Canada and the United States.

Team administration will be led by Team Manager Rob Hardy, who brings a wealth of management experience to the role. Rob Hardy has over a decade experience supporting hockey teams as a manager and a former BWHA Board member. In his professional life, Rob is a Senior Project and Delivery Manager with multiple project management certifications and 20+ years of experience managing multi-million-dollar business, IT, Security and Infrastructure projects.

Appointed by the BWHA Board of Directors, and Chaired by the BWHA President, a new Jr. Sharks Management Committee will develop the strategic and operational plans that will guide the Jr. Sharks towards the next level of their vision. The Jr. Sharks Management Committee will include:

Rob Emerson

• President of the Barrie Women’s Hockey Association
• 10+ years experience supporting and managing hockey teams
• 6+ years as a member of the BWHA Board of Directors
• Senior IT Manager with over 20+ years experience leading teams that implement transformational change.

Jason McKenna

• nearly 20 years experience coaching and other volunteer roles
• Member of the BWHA Board of Directors since 2018
• Supply chain Executive with a Fortune 50 company

Shannon Murree

• Activist, philanthropist, community builder, advocate, and entrepreneur
• Recognized for her community building work by the Ontario Provincial Parliament, and the City of Barrie which presented her with the city’s highest honour, the Spirit Catcher Award, in 2013.
• 20+ years as an entrepreneur, founding and leading many successful businesses and programs including one of Simcoe County’s leading real estate teams.

Rob Whitehead

• Past President of the Barrie Women’s Hockey Association (2018-2022).
• 20 years experience coaching and managing hockey teams
• 10 years as a member of the BWHA Board of Directors
• Director of Sales & National Accounts for an international manufacturing company, with other 20 years experience in managing sales and operations teams.

The Jr. Sharks are Central Ontario’s premiere amateur women’s hockey team, and the U22 Elite League is widely regarded as the best amateur women’s hockey league in the world. “Our team and our league have seen amazing growth in recent years, both in the quality of hockey played on the ice, and in the size and scope of our program,” explained president Rob Emerson. “We're fortune to have some an energetic and committed group of individuals to guide our program, both on our management committee, and in our Head Coach and Team Manager. I’m excited for how this group help the Jr. Sharks to improve and expand on all of the things our players need to play at the highest level.”