A New Waterford Minor Hockey Association on-ice official has been invited to attend the Officiating Program of Excellence Women's Atlantic Regional Camp in Moncton this week.

New Waterford's own Blaire MacKinnon has accepted the invite and will participate in the camp, which will run Friday to Monday. Her selection was based on a nomination.

The camp will consist of both on and off-ice development, fitness testing, and game assignments at the Atlantic Challenge Cup.

Following this camp, officials will be eligible for selection for Under-18 national events, including the Esso Cup, National Women's Championship, and Canada Winter Games in February in Prince Edward Island.

This camp is the first step in the OPOE pathway, which provides officials with the opportunity to succeed at the elite levels of the game.

Blaire has been part of New Waterford Minor Hockey officiating program for several years and is among a growing list of female officials within the industrial Cape Breton area, which also includes our own Claire Lamey as well, who began her officiating journey last year.

Last season, Blaire began working games at the Maritime Major Female Hockey League and Cape Breton High School Hockey League divisions. She was also among three New Waterford officials selected to work games at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship in Membertou last May.

Blaire's dedication to the officiating program and willingness to learn is a prime example of where opportunities can take officials.
There's lots of opportunities for female officials in the game to further their officiating careers and Blaire is on that path and we couldn't be prouder of her.

Congratulations to Blaire on this huge achievement. We know you'll do great this weekend and make the NWMHA and the officiating program proud.