WickFest: It's Time to Get More Girls in the Game

Photo credit: Priscilla Du Preez

Over the course of four-days, 2,000+ young women descended on Calgary to compete in the Wickenheiser World Female Hockey Festival (“WickFest”). WickFest is about more than hockey – it’s also about empowering and inspiring players to be self-assured individuals, both on the ice and off.

This year, CanWaCH and Nutrition International partnered with WickFest to introduce a new perspective to participants: Canada’s global leadership in advancing women and girl’s health and nutrition.

CanWaCH was involved in a number of activities over the weekend, including:

• An emerging leaders workshop for players that will focus on the millions of girls that are “kept out of the game”

• A discussion panel with Madame Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Hayley Wickenheiser and other special guests, hosted by CanWaCH’s Julia Anderson

• A “tournament kick-off” opening party with remarks by the Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

• An exhibition by tournament sponsors and supporters

Highlights from WickFest

Opening Day Party with remarks from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kicked off the Opening Day Party at WickFest. PM Trudeau spoke about how WickFest is about more than hockey – it’s also about empowering and inspiring players to be self-assured individuals, both on the ice and off.

Discussion Panel on Gender Equality 

Thanks for joining us for a discussion panel about empowering and inspiring players to be self-assured individuals, both on the ice and off with Madame Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Hayley Wickenheiser, Anayat Sidhu, Joel Spicer of Nutrition International and Maria Dennis of the NHLPA hosted by CanWaCH’s Julia Anderson at WickFest in Calgary.

Emerging Leaders Workshop