American team visit created local women’s hockey history 83 years ago

The British Guiana Women Hockey Association team

Women’s hockey history was created 83 years ago on February 4, 1939, when the British Guiana Women Hockey Association (BGWHA) hosted the All-American Team.

The facts leading up to the visit of the Americans read like a romance in 1937. An invitation was received from the Philadelphia Association by the local hockey entity inviting a team to the United States. Despite some effort on our part, the invitation reluctantly had to be declined for financial reasons.

Undaunted by this set back, Isabel Mittelholzer, honorary secretary of the BGWHA, continued her correspondence with the American entity and eventually persuaded them that a visit of a team to our country would be instrumental in not only in cementing the bonds of our hockey friendship, but more firmly boost the game and provide the touring team with a really enviable experience.