Women's World Championships to feature all-female officiating crew

When the puck drops at the inaugural World Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships later this month, not only will all the athletes on the ice be women, but so will the entire officiating crew. Nine female officials coming six different countries will take to the ice for the groundbreaking tournament, which takes place from 26-31 August in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia.

“I believe it’s important for women officials to be represented at the Women’s World Championships, as it creates female role models for young athletes and spectators, and can help break stereotypes of leadership or decision-making roles typically filled by men,” said referee Philippa MacKinnon, who hails from Great Britain. 

“We will combine our experiences of varied levels of Para ice hockey in our home countries, and I think we grow with each game we work. We also take the advice back home from these events and help new female officials learn more about Para ice hockey.”

Joining MacKinnon on the ice in Dolyn Kubin on the officiating roster will be referees Rachel Hutchinson (USA) and Melissa Sweers (USA), and linespersons Shadei Said (Canada), Anne-Sophie Boniface (France), Brooke Nuemaker (USA), Evonne Fix (USA), Eva Molekova (Slovakia) and Katerina Peskova (Czechia).

"[It] can help break stereotypes of leadership 
or decision-making roles typically filled by men"

“The inaugural World Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships is going to be a massive moment to create the next wave of momentum for our sport, and having an all-women’s officiating crew is going to make it even more meaningful,” said Michelle Laflamme, World Para Ice Hockey Manager. “It is important to WPIH that all aspects of our sport are raising the bar for gender equity – from athletes to coaches to officials – as we look to set the standard for other sports.”

National teams from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Norway, and the USA, alongside a Team World composed of players from various nations will compete at the World Championships. Increasing opportunities for women in Para ice hockey, whether it be as an athlete, coach or official, is a key part of World Para Ice Hockey’s Strategic Plan and is being implemented on a daily basis and showcased at major events. 

Since 2022, World Para Ice Hockey has increased women's participation, rising from 0.01 percent to nearly 20 percent, anchored by the first three editions of the Women’s World Challenge — all of which also featured all-women’s officiating crews. 

“I have seen the women’s Para ice hockey significantly grow over the years, as when I was first introduced to Para ice hockey there were only a handful of female players in the UK,” MacKinnon said. “Now, they have entered teams at multiple tournaments and can grow alongside other new countries.”

The first-ever Women’s Para Ice Hockey World Championships is coming next month! 🎉

The Canadian and U.S Women’s Para Hockey Teams are not just participating — they’re proving that the game is better, stronger, and more complete when everyone is included. They are elite… pic.twitter.com/SKAmPqvqNT

— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) July 25, 2025

These World Championships will be extra special for MacKinnon as she will be returning to the international ice for the first time after giving birth in 2024. She’s been crisscrossing Great Britain every weekend since June, officiating Great Britain’s Para ice hockey league games in preparation for this tournament. 

“Taking time off last year, it was tough stepping off the ice, even though it was for a good reason,” MacKinnon said. “Now, back on the ice I am able to be a role model to my daughter and show that women can still participate in sport after having a baby. I love having my daughter at the rink watching my games, and so far she has seen many ice rinks in her first year of life. Unfortunately she won’t be joining me in Slovakia but I’m sure she’ll be watching from home.”

The Women’s World Championship will feature round-robin play followed by the semifinals on 30 August and the medal games on 31 August. All games will be streamed live on the Paralympic YouTube channel.