Local hockey hero Jenn Gardiner inspires next generation of PWHL players at JG12
Published 3:27 pm Friday, July 3, 2026
Excitement filled the air at the Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex on Friday, July 3, for the first day of a three-day hockey camp hosted by former Surrey resident and Vancouver Goldeneyes player Jenn Gardiner for girls aged 11 to 15.
Gardiner said some of the girls even showed up before the rink even opened.
“They’re all smiling, just having such a good time, and it means so much for me to be able to give back to the community, and continue to use my platform to inspire, and hopefully motivate these girls to follow their dreams one day too,” Gardiner said. “When I was growing up, there was very minimal girls’ hockey, and that wasn’t really a priority around here, so just doing what I can to give these girls this opportunity and build is everything to me.”
Running JG12, the name of the camp, has always been a “dream” of Gardiner’s. “To see these little girls wearing their hockey equipment and just seeing how far the game has come. It just puts a smile on my face,” she said.
Gardiner said she has had a lot of support from family, friends and the community in making JG12 possible. “It took a village to pull this off, and a ton of help from family and friends, so I’m really grateful for everybody that has supported me,” she said.
“It means a lot, and to see everything come to life is so special for me, and giving all the girls on the West Coast what they deserve, and helping pave the way to the future that they can have one day,” she said. “They’re all so excited, and there are so many fans of the PWHL, and specifically so many Goldeneyes fans, but they’re just so invested in what the future looks like for them.”
The all-female camp had three divisions: U11’s, U13’s, and U15’s and runs from July 3-5 at the Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex. Around 80 girls registered.
Coaches included Vancouver Goldeneyes Hannah Miller, Mannon McMahon, and Malia Schneider, Ottawa Charge’s Jenna Buglioni, Montreal Victoire’s Sandra Abstreiter and Matt Brown from Next Up Hockey.
The coaches ran a number of drills to practice a variety of skills including skating, puck control, passing, and shooting.
This rink has a lot of history for Gardiner, as it’s the one she grew up playing on and is only a short drive away from her home growing up.
As a former Surrey Falcon, Gardiner said it’s “so fun getting to work with these girls, and I was once in their shoes, not too long ago.
The Falcons even have one of her jerseys on display in the arena, which Gardiner said “was pretty special to see.”
This was the first year the camp was in Surrey, as it was in Richmond last year, but Gardiner said she hopes they will be back next year.
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke attended the first day of the camp to watch her granddaughter participate in the U13 division. This was particularly special for her, as one of her daughters coached Gardiner when she was a young girl, and now Gardiner is coaching one of Locke’s granddaughters.
Registration was $400 for players and $275 for goalies, with each participant taking home a Camp JG12 jersey, hoodie, hat and swag bag.
About the Author: Anna Burns
I cover breaking news, health care, court, Vancouver Rise FC, Vancouver Goldeneyes and social issues-related topics for the Surrey Now-Leader. anna.burns@surreynowleader.com Follow Anna on Twitter.