Staff reporters / Isabelle Buga and Cadence Windsor

With the recent Vancouver Canucks “Women Empowerment Night”, the spotlight on women’s sports has been brighter than ever before.  

With the PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League) recently launching to much fanfare, the worlds eyes have been focused on women in sports and the impacts these athletes are making more than ever before. Organizations like the Canucks have partnered with non-profits to change girl’s lives both on a global and local scale. As more female athletes are granted access to the tools they need to succeed, we watch as many are impacted for the better as we will explore through women’s hockey.

Impact on Athletes

As more professional women’s sports leagues are founded, the lives of young women all over the world are changed. The impact of growing the female game is empowering for girls who now have the option to play professionally in the future. For many female athletes, despite putting in hours of their life into their sport, it is not viewed as an even potential profession moving forward and as a result is often disregarded as a simple hobby. But with the establishment of leagues like the previously mentioned PWHL girls now have the option to pursue their sport professionally.

Along with the increase in professional women’s leagues will likely come more scholarships and programs available for future aspiring female athletes.

PWHL Crowd Breaking Record Level Attendance

But future aspiring athletes aren’t the only ones benefiting, as women at the top of their game are now being drafted and given a chance to show themselves on a national stage. Though, the pay for male athletes varies greatly depending on the sport, female athletes are consistently paid much lower than their male counterparts. Widespread media coverage has allowed the fan favourites among the women’s leagues to gain brand deals and sponsorships.

National Impact

Recently Abacus Data conducted a survey relating to the visibility of the PWHL and the perceived impacts using a data pool of 1500 Canadians (see table below). Well, the visibility of the league is still limited, the response to the survey was overwhelmingly positive and points to the impact that not just the PWHL but all women’s leagues will have on the nation.

Top Perceived Impact(s)
35%Inspire a new generation of female athletes to pursue hockey
30%Create valuable opportunities for young female players to advance their hockey careers
24%Significantly elevate the visibility and popularity of women’s hockey
21%Breaking down stereotypes and challenging gender norms in sports
Stats from Abacus Date

Impact on Community

It is no secret that sports have changed the lives of many. We hear the success stories of athletes growing up in impoverished areas before being scouted and making millions in the big leagues, but in reality, sports like hockey are not accessible to most, especially women.

Tri-Cities Female Ice Hockey Teaching Girls to Skate

Hockey being one of Canada’s national sports has a huge social sway on citizens. Everyone has a connection to hockey, whether your cousin plays, or you dad watches it on TV, it is engraved deep into our society.

With the gear, ice time and potential travel, hockey expensive. This barrier becomes even deeper with girls wanting to get into the sport as some Canadian cities don’t even have all female teams, especially in more rural areas. With the recent establishment of programs across the country, dedicated to finding ways for girls to play the sport, it is starting to become more accessible.  

Changing the Game

One program that is changing young girl’s lives across British Columbia is the Grindstone foundation, which editor Cadence Windsor has personally received funding and support from.

Grindstones Interview at Canucks Women’s Empowerment Night

When Windsor started playing hockey just over a year ago, she didn’t expect it to change her life the way it did, finding motivation through hockey. 

“It’s the most impossible thing when your kid does not feel like there’s any purpose to be here. It’s an impossible situation until she feels connected to something and I think it came about especially with hockey because it was such a major goal to accomplish.” Windsor’s mom Lisa Windsor states. 

Before taking up the sport, Windsor didn’t know how to skate; she and her mother laughed about the time she attended a Come Try Hockey skate, and participants were nearly a decade younger. Fast forward to the present, where she’s playing for the tri-cities U18 C2 team. This wouldn’t have been made possible without the Grindstone Award Foundation, a charity supported by the Canucks for Kids fund. 

“I think they’re trying to make a deeper connection with the process which I really liked,” Ms. Windsor said. “We’re so grateful to this organization that’s focused on women’s hockey. The opportunity to apply and their generosity made it possible for Cadence to pursue the sport. Grindstone is having a beautiful impact.” 

Vice president of Grindstone Jihan Jiwa states that there’s been an uptick in applicants since she joined the non-profit in 2021. Their impact has been bigger than ever, and all their donations go toward helping girls like Windsor . 

“You really see the leadership that is instilled by a girl playing hockey. It’s not just hockey, it’s the fact that they have self-confidence, learn so many life lessons, leadership skills, and can take constructive criticism well. It’s not about hockey, it’s teaching life lessons and really, we’re helping future leaders of tomorrow.”

Jihan Jiwa, Grindstone Vice President

Want to Help?

The impact that women have created throughout sports like hockey is undeniable. With future players having much to look forward to well older players can watch as the female game grows! So much of this change wouldn’t be possible without organizations like Grindstone and readers like yourselves taking the time to read! So how can we help?

Sponsor a Player: anyone can sponsor a player to help take off the burden of extra team fees and allow young athletes to thrive.

Donate: donate! Grindstone is not the only organization that helps girls and other financially struggling families to allow their kids to play hockey with Hockey4Youth being another great option.

Spread the Word: If you can’t donate or sponsor a player, why not spread the word to others or invite a friend over to watch the next upcoming PWHL game!

Volunteer: Youth hockey organizations can always use some extra volunteer coaches or even a youth coach to help the girls learn the game!

 

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