We are proud to announce that Valley Wild coach and volunteer Adrienne Bekkers is the recipient of the 2025 Troy Ryan Female Council Award of Merit.

Formerly known as the Female Council Award of Merit, the award was renamed this season in honour of Troy Ryan, who has made a lasting impact on women’s hockey both provincially and nationally. A native of Spryfield, N.S., Ryan currently serves as head coach of the PWHL’s Toronto Sceptres PWHL team and the Canadian National Women’s Team. He also led Team Nova Scotia at the 2015 Canada Winter Games.

The award is presented annually to an individual who has made a meaningful contribution to the development and promotion of female hockey in Nova Scotia. The award recognizes dedication, leadership, and a commitment to creating positive experiences in the female game.

Since joining the Valley Wild organization in the fall of 2024, Adrienne Bekkers has quickly emerged as a passionate coach and volunteer. From organizing development sessions for the U18 team to leading fair and consistent evaluations during U13 and U15 tryouts, Adrienne’s attention to detail and player-first approach have left a lasting impact across multiple age groups.

Her well-structured, skill-focused practices have also quietly influenced other coaches in the association, and her willingness to share ideas has fostered a spirit of collaboration. Whether she’s working with younger players on fundamental skills or older players on tactics and team play, Adrienne’s coaching always reflects the core values of Hockey Canada’s Long-Term Player Development model.

Respectful, professional, and positive, Adrienne has made an impact on the game in a short time.

On behalf of everyone at Hockey Nova Scotia, we would like to congratulate Adrienne Bekkers on receiving this year’s award and thank her for her commitment to the game.