Key Takeaways
- Hockey Canada has published "Rise as One", a blueprint for building women’s and girls’ hockey in Canada
- The blueprint includes 14 national recommendations to support Hockey Canada’s vision to have 170,000 women and girls playing hockey in Canada by 2030
- The recommendations aim to address six barriers to growing the game, including lack of access to ice time and facilities, and limited funding and support
- The implementation of the recommendations is expected to begin by no later than 2028
- The blueprint is part of a nationwide campaign to connect national team athletes with women’s and girls’ hockey players across Canada
Introduction to Rise as One
Hockey Canada has published "Rise as One", a comprehensive blueprint for building women’s and girls’ hockey in Canada. The blueprint, developed by a 15-person steering committee chaired by Gillian Apps, a Hockey Canada board member and National Women’s Team alumna, includes 14 national recommendations to support Hockey Canada’s vision to have 170,000 women and girls playing hockey in Canada by 2030. The recommendations are designed to address six barriers to growing the game, including lack of access to ice time and facilities, limited funding and support, and lack of governance and oversight.
The 14 National Recommendations
The 14 national recommendations outlined in the blueprint are expected to begin implementation by no later than 2028. These recommendations include implementing Canada’s new women’s and girls’ development model, securing the commercial sustainability of women’s and girls’ hockey, strengthening governance and oversight nationally, and improving funding and support for women’s and girls’ hockey. The recommendations have been grouped into three chronological buckets: game changers (5-10 years), building blocks (3-4 years), and accelerators (1-2 years). All recommendations address at least one of the six barriers identified in the national discussion paper.
Implementing the Recommendations
Hockey Canada has committed to annual reporting to update Canadians on the progress being made to achieve the recommendations. The organization will work with its members, partners, and governments to bring the recommendations to life and elevate women’s and girls’ hockey to levels it has never experienced before in Canada. As part of the blueprint, Hockey Canada will also establish a girls’ hockey milestone celebration program and drive visibility of women’s and girls’ hockey with the broader public. The organization will also educate the ecosystem on the benefits of women’s and girls’ hockey and establish girls’ hockey pathways to provide more opportunities for women and girls in Canada.
The Rise as One Campaign
To launch the blueprint, Hockey Canada has launched a nationwide campaign to connect national team athletes with the more than 115,000 women’s and girls’ hockey players across Canada. Tonight, Canada’s National Women’s Team will wear commemorative Rise as One stickers on their helmets against the United States in the Rivalry Series game at Rogers Place. Hockey Canada-sanctioned associations can request Rise as One stickers for their women’s and girls’ participants for free through the Hockey Canada Registry, with a goal to have all women’s and girls’ hockey players in Canada wearing the same sticker this season. The campaign aims to unite women’s and girls’ hockey players from coast to coast to coast and promote the benefits of women’s and girls’ hockey.
Conclusion
The publication of "Rise as One" marks a significant milestone in the development of women’s and girls’ hockey in Canada. The blueprint provides a comprehensive roadmap for growing the game and addressing the barriers that have limited its growth in the past. With the implementation of the 14 national recommendations, Hockey Canada aims to create a healthy, forward-thinking, and welcoming environment for women and girls to play hockey. The Rise as One campaign will help to promote the benefits of women’s and girls’ hockey and unite players from across Canada. As the game continues to grow and evolve, it is essential that organizations like Hockey Canada prioritize the development of women’s and girls’ hockey and provide opportunities for women and girls to participate and succeed in the sport.