Russian Women Conquer Ice Hockey

Russian women are breaking away from convention, taking active part in grassroots hockey in a country where the sport is often only practiced by men.



Cherepovets' women's hockey club trains 30 girls and women aged 6 to 45. Many of them started their hockey careers as cheerleaders for Severstal, the local KHL team.



The women of Cherepovets' club still turn out to every men's game, dreaming to trade in their pompoms for skates and sticks.



Some of them aspire to play for Russia's national ice hockey team. The team finished sixth on home ice at the Sochi Olympic Games last winter. The team's best Olympic record is its 5th place finish at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.



For now, they continue to practice at their local rink, awaiting the day when there will be enough female hockey players in Russia to give them some real rivals.



See our previous photo gallery:

Syrian Refugee Children Find Safe Haven in Moscow