Norway to host Women’s World Ice Sledge Hockey Festival

Canada, USA and team Europe will participate in the Women’s World Ice Sledge Hockey Festival, to be contested in Fritidspark, Skien, Norway, from 20-22 October.

The three teams will face off twice in a round-robin format. The opening game will be between Canada and the USA, followed by Canada vs. Europe. On 21 October, Europe will face Canada and the USA, whilst the latter will be the one playing twice on the last day of competition.

Training sessions will take place every morning prior to the beginning of the matches. This event is organised by the three participant teams to develop the female version of the sport.

“It is not only an opportunity for all the top female sledge hockey players in the world to come together to play but also gives our organisations a chance to sit down to meet and collaborate on how to develop the women's game outside of our own countries,” said Canada’s Head Coach Tara Chisholm, who is leading the development of the women’s game.

“Women's sledge hockey has grown exponentially in the last few years. When I first started coaching we had women still working on basic skills. Now, three years later we are working on special team units and developing a strong team identity similar to the men's game.

“The truth of the matter is that now we need to find out ways to promote this growth, especially outside of North America. What is encouraging is that I have witnessed a programme go from a handful of players to competing at an elite level. Therefore, it can be done and we need to let other countries out there know that.”

The last women’s ice sledge hockey competition took place in 2014, when the same three teams competed at the International Cup in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

USA took the title following a 5-1 victory over Canada, who finished second. Europe were third.