Paralympic Sports Association - Women and Girls Sledge Hockey Development Series

In the fall of 2024, Paralympic Sports Association (PSA) used their Women in Motion support to work towards their goal of supporting high-quality sport opportunities, increasing skill development of girls and women in para ice hockey, both on and off the ice. 

This program included women and girls who experience disability as well as those individuals who are responsible for the provision of these sporting opportunities. Para sport cannot exist without the inclusion of able-bodied individuals due to our smaller, more spread-out Canadian population, hence the inclusion of non-disabled individuals. The program is also more fun when more individuals can participate. 

This program helps address the lack of sport opportunities for women and girls who experience disabilities and create a development pathway for teens and young adults who may not have the skills and confidence to participate in an established team. Having a non-competitive, supportive, and inclusive environment for the development of para ice hockey skills tailored to women and girls should increase participation, retention, and motivation of female players in the community.

The participants worked on the foundational skill of learning to skate, gradually progressing to more advanced techniques. They worked on stick handling, turning, stopping, puck handling, passing, and shooting, which are all essential components of game play. Off-ice elements also complement the on-ice skills training, fostering a holistic approach to para ice hockey education and player growth.

PSA hopes to continue to offer these types of programs to support their community to participate in sport and physical activity at all levels.