Tanya Kwochka began helping with Weyburn Minor Hockey in 2001 when she helped Craig Mack with the under-four program. Now she is the only female coach in the minor hockey league system to coach boys' hockey.

She decided to get involved with minor hockey because her children, son Tyler and daughter Jami, were both getting involved in the sport. Kwochka is no stranger to the rink either. She played ringette for 11 years and played one year of girls hockey, plus her mother has run the concession for 24 years.

In order to coach Kwochka had to take a course to get her 7-level coaching certificate. Even though she was the only woman at the course, she said that she was never excluded or treated unfairly.

"I got accepted very well and we mixed together quite well," she said.

Kwochka really didn't know how she was going to be received as a female coach once she got behind the bench of a boys' hockey team. She was surprised to find, however, that she had very few problems.

"Overall, I have received a lot of respect," Kwochka said. "There are still a few that say 'oh, it's just a woman'."

Kwochka started coaching in the initiation division and made her way through novice and, this past season, she coached her son's AM 1190 Blues Atom team.

"It is interesting, but at times it can also be challenging," she said.

She added that she has never had a problem with players not wanting to play for a female coach, and teams outside of the city have shown her respect.

"I have been welcomed with open arms," said Kwochka.

As for the progress of women coaches in boys' hockey, Kwochka says there are very few from other organizations that she has seen.

"I would like to see more female coaches. I think that we bring a different take and different ideas to the game," Kwochka said.

In the Weyburn system, Kwochka has been approached by other women who were interested in starting to coach, but nothing has gotten off the ground yet. Currently, there is only one other female coach in Weyburn Minor Hockey in the female division.

What keeps her going is her love of the game, and the reward of coaching the boys and making a difference in their lives.

Although she has not won any games at the provincial level, her greatest accomplishment took place a couple of years ago when her team reached the second round of the playoffs after defeating a team that had their number all year.

"That was a big accomplishment for myself and the team," she said.

Eventually, her goal is to coach her daughter in the female division and coach at the provincial level.

As for advice for aspiring women coaches, Kwochka recommends they just come down to the rink and get involved, because it is a rewarding job and there isn't as much discrimination as one would think.

"It is a great reward and this is my biggest enjoyment," she said.