Leaders in hockey and beyond to come together to collaboratively work on changing the culture of the game
CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has announced the Beyond the Boards Summit, a series of sessions that will bring together leaders in hockey, external subject-matter experts, individuals with lived experiences and stakeholders to identify ways to guide future discussions and actions that will make positive changes to the culture of the game.
The initial summit will take place Sept. 8-9, 2023 in Calgary. Further sessions are being planned for 2024.
Beyond the Boards will be focused on open conversations about how to make hockey more positive for all participants, including looking at facets of hockey culture that exist in areas of the sport such as elitism, gender-based violence, homophobia, misogyny, racism and sexism.
By working collaboratively to identify the impediments to a healthier culture, Hockey Canada hopes to enable allies to take on larger roles and ultimately for people from all backgrounds to feel more welcome in the sport.
“The Beyond the Boards Summit is a critical step to help us understand areas in the game that need to change,” said the Hon. Hugh L. Fraser, chair of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors. “By engaging subject-matter experts, individuals with lived experiences and stakeholders from inside and outside of hockey, we hope collectively we will be able to establish a roadmap to change the culture of the game at all levels.
“The time is now to put intentional efforts towards addressing these important issues, and we look forward to gathering together in Calgary to start identifying the roadmap and actions that could be taken to ensure the long-term success of the sport.”
Fraser will serve as honorary co-chair of the summit, alongside the Hon. Pascale St-Onge, minister of sport.
Designed to cover key areas that will help create a more welcoming, inclusive and safe environment for participants, the timing of future conferences will be announced at a later date.
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