Canada goes to long -awaited Ladiespara Hockey World Championships
The Canada Women’s Para Hockey team is gearing up for the World Championships in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia, marking a significant moment in their journey towards making Ladiespara hockey a part of the 2030 Paralympic Games. Christina Picton, a veteran of the team, expressed mixed emotions as she arrived at the Paralympics in 2022, having always envisioned competing with her hockey teammates rather than as a Nordic skier.
The inaugural para Ice Hockey World Championships in Dolny Kubin will feature six teams, including Canada, the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Norway, and a team world consisting of players from nine countries. This tournament is a crucial step towards building the history of the women’s game, according to head coach Tara Chisholm.
World Para Ice Hockey aims to organize at least two more world championships for women before proposing inclusion in the 2030 Paralympics. The gender gap in the Winter Games, where women represent only 24% of athletes, highlights the importance of expanding opportunities for female para-hockey players.
Raphaëlle Tousignant made history as the first woman to play for Canada’s National Para Hockey team during the 2023 world championships in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. She emphasized the significance of female teammates finally having the chance to compete on a global stage.
The journey towards gender equality in para-hockey has been a challenging one, with female players facing financial barriers and lack of support. However, the momentum generated by the world championships has attracted corporate sponsors and supporters, easing the financial burden on players.
The evolution of the women’s para hockey program in Canada reflects a decade of hard work and dedication. From humble beginnings to a world-class program, the team has persevered through challenges to compete at the highest level.
As the Canada Women’s Para Hockey team prepares to take the ice in Dolny Kubin, they carry the hopes and dreams of female para-hockey players around the world. This historic moment is not just about winning games, but about paving the way for future generations of athletes to compete on equal footing.
