With the 2010 Olympics so close to home in Vancouver, this will be a big year for Canadian Women’s Hockey. I and other members of the Team Canada Centralized Roster have been intensely training and preparing for the Games. I am proud to be part of this process and I definitely have my sights set on making all that sweat equity pay off in 2010.
What has upped the ante for me personally this time (if that is even possible) is that over the last decade, the sport of women’s hockey has become progressively more competitive and has garnered greater profile because of that increased competitiveness. In fact, according to Hockey Canada, female Minor Hockey enrolment has tripled in the last 10 years. While that number is staggering and indicates that the girls’ game is definitely on, I am already thinking about how we can continue that momentum beyond 2010; how we can keep the female game growing by providing an international venue for women of all ages and levels to come together to build new skills, to network and to compete.
For a number of years, I have had a dream to do exactly that. I have imagined a festival of the female game: a “festival” because it would recognize the whole player not just on the ice, but off the ice too. And perhaps most importantly, it would set an atmosphere that encouraged camaraderie among female players who took part; because let’s face it, although the game is growing, we are still in the minority.
But, like most things worthwhile, it hasn’t been easy and it has taken a great deal of perseverance to get this project from a dream to a reality. What finally made this idea real was a teammate by the name of Samsung. Samsung believed in this project as much as I did and with their support The Wickenheiser International Women’s Hockey Festival presented by Samsung will hit the ice in Burnaby, B.C. in April 2010.
This event is going to be exactly what I had dreamed of. It is so much more than your average hockey tournament – it’s truly a celebration of the female game and the young women that are a part of it.
I am reaching out to players from Peewee to Senior from around the world to participate in this unique program. Beyond the 32-team tournament competition, the 600+ players who participate will also have the opportunity to participate in both on and off-ice clinics, demonstrations and workshops delivered by world-class coaches and trainers. And, while the festival will be a place to build skills, perhaps more importantly it will also be a place to connect with one another to build friendships and comradery.
Not only will the event create better players, it also will help disadvantaged youth around the world gain access to sports to improve their health and develop life skills through Right to Play and KidSport. We will be donating a portion of the proceeds of the tournament and 100 per cent of the profit from 50/50’s, raffles and silent auctions to these two charities.
I owe a great deal to hockey, as the sport has given me innumerable opportunities and this festival is one way that I can give back to the sport and the young women that love it as much as I do. I am thrilled to see it finally launched! If your team is interested in participating, check out the website for more information – www.wickhockey.com. |