Key Takeaways:
- Hockey Canada aims to increase female hockey registration to 170,000 by 2030, with current registration at 115,000.
- The organization has released a blueprint entitled "Rise As One" with 14 recommendations to amplify and guide growth for women and girls in hockey.
- Recommendations include having a salaried employee devoted to women and girls hockey in each provincial and territorial association, more equitable access to ice and facilities, and increasing leadership and coaching positions for women.
- Hockey Canada wants to accelerate elements such as enhancing leadership and coaching positions for women and driving the visibility of women’s hockey in the next one to two years.
- The organization plans to increase revenue from events such as the 2027 women’s world championship in Quebec City to help pay for more women and girls programming.
Introduction to the Initiative
Hockey Canada has launched an initiative to increase female participation in hockey, with the goal of reaching 170,000 registered players by 2030. Currently, female registration stands at 115,000, which represents less than 20% of the organization’s programming. To achieve this goal, Hockey Canada has released a blueprint entitled "Rise As One" with 14 recommendations to amplify and guide growth for women and girls in hockey. The initiative is being led by a subcommittee chaired by three-time Olympic gold medal forward Gillian Apps, who is committed to making a significant impact on the growth of women’s hockey in Canada.
The Need for Change
Apps emphasized the need for change, stating that Hockey Canada cannot be content with the current state of women’s hockey. She believes that the organization needs to be aspirational and push for significant growth. Apps also highlighted the importance of having a salaried employee devoted to women and girls hockey in each provincial and territorial association, which would ensure that someone is dedicated to taking calls and administering programs, rather than relying on volunteers. Currently, only about half of the associations have a salaried employee in this role, and Hockey Canada aims to increase this to 100% over the next three years.
The "Rise As One" Blueprint
The "Rise As One" blueprint includes several key recommendations, such as more equitable access to ice and facilities, and helping girls and women start playing hockey regardless of age or ability. The blueprint also emphasizes the importance of increasing leadership and coaching positions for women, as well as driving the visibility of women’s hockey. Hockey Canada wants to accelerate these elements in the next one to two years, with the goal of creating a more sustainable and equitable environment for women and girls in hockey. The organization also plans to increase revenue from events such as the 2027 women’s world championship in Quebec City to help pay for more women and girls programming.
Commitment to Change
Apps, who is married to former U.S. team captain Meghan Duggan, is committed to making a positive impact on the growth of women’s hockey in Canada. As a mother of two young daughters, Apps is motivated by the desire to create a better experience for them and for all girls and women playing hockey in Canada. She believes that the "Rise As One" blueprint is a crucial step towards achieving this goal, and that Hockey Canada is committed to implementing the recommendations and making a significant impact on the growth of women’s hockey.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the progress being made, there are still challenges to be addressed. For example, the crowd attendance at the Rivalry Series game in Edmonton was disappointing, with only 3,000 people attending. However, Hockey Canada remains confident that it can drive revenue and growth through events such as the 2027 women’s world championship. The organization is also committed to working with partners across the country to promote the game and increase participation. With the release of the "Rise As One" blueprint, Hockey Canada is taking a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and equitable environment for women and girls in hockey.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hockey Canada’s initiative to increase female participation in hockey is a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and equitable environment for women and girls in the sport. The "Rise As One" blueprint provides a clear roadmap for growth and development, and the organization is committed to implementing the recommendations and making a positive impact on the game. With the support of key stakeholders, including Apps and other leaders in the hockey community, Hockey Canada is well-positioned to achieve its goal of reaching 170,000 registered female players by 2030.