A Women’s Sledge Hockey Team was developed last season in hopes to eventually develop Women’s Sledge Hockey into an International Paralympic Sport. Presently sledge hockey is deemed a men’s only league by the International Parlaympic Committee. The United States has also started a women’s team. We hope other countries will follow. The goal is with continued interest and development the International Paralympic Committee will consider allowing Women’s Sledge as a demo sport and ultimately a fully sanctioned Paralympic sport.

It will take time to develop Women’s Sledge Hockey to a National Level. With continued player development in conjunction with exhibition games and public awareness, a Women’s Team should be ready to compete on the world stage as the sport develops into a sanctioned paralympic sport.
The first all female demo sledge hockey game occurred at the Ottawa Sledge Hockey Tournament on May 5, 2007 against the USA who are also working hard to develop women’s sledge hockey. The game was very well received and a very entertaining game. The ladies who participated in the event where very excited about continuing with a women’s team. As a result of this game the US team invited the women to visit them in New Jersey in August 2007 for one practice and two games. In preparation for New Jersey a two-hour practice was held in Cambridge in early August.  The practice was well attended. The New Jersey team encompassed those players who chose to go at their own expense. This trip was a very good experience for the women who attended.

Presently we have a database of approximately 26 women whom meet the paralympic disability criteria. Able Bodied players do not meet the criteria of the paralympic standards and will not be included on the team. However Able bodied players have been used to assist player development at on ice practices. The data base group consists of players aged 15 to 18 years, along with a mixture of older players. These women are from primarily Ontario with some from Quebec.

At this point in time we have not accessed the west or east due to financial considerations. The opportunity to expand is present and the hope is to bring more female sledge players into the team by accessing the other provinces. There are also un-taped waters here in Ontario as well.
The 2007/08 Season has been promising for future development with the invitation to attend the Men’s World Sledge Hockey Tournament in Marlborough, Mass April 4-6, 2008 for several demonstration games against the US Women’s team. This event will provide international exposure for Women’s Sledge Hockey. Fundraising is on going to support this opportunity. Two camps have been held in preparation –
December 23, 2007 & February 23, 2008 (in-conjunction with the OWHA Provincial Tournament).

At the present time the team is being co-managed by Keith and Sandy Metzger. Keith has been coaching the team, and Sandy has been team trainer.

For further information about this team contact   redones@porchlight.ca

OWHA VALUES
Fair Play, Fun, Excellence, Good Citizenship,
Integrity & honesty, Equity.

OWHA MISSION
Through a provincially unified, collective voice, the OWHA promotes, provides and develops opportunities for girls and women to play female hockey in Ontario.