The Central York Girls Hockey Association has been awarded the Jean Lane Award.  The Award recognizes those organizations who have gone above and beyond in their support of Women's Sledge Hockey of Canada. Jean Lane, from Medicine Hat, Alberta, created SHIP (Sledge Hockey and Ice Picking), which was the group of individuals that brought Sledge Hockey to the rest of Canada.

Katie Williams and Bruce Bennett, of the CYGHA, brought Canadian Women's Sledge Hockey to our Panther Pride Tournament.  The Canadian Women’s Sledge Hockey Association promotes and supports an inclusive environment for Canadian girls and women with disabilities to participate in sledge hockey at all levels of development from initiation to an elite level by facilitating annual women's only events and opportunities.

In 2015, Ontario and Quebec Provincial Women’s Sledge Hockey Teams played each other in a three game series, as part of our Panther Pride House League Tournament. In 2016, these 2 teams returned to Newmarket for another three game series. During the tournament, National Team players hosted a Sledge “Try It” event.  Many House League players were able to try sledge hockey for, the first time, and were amazed at the skill involved.

In early 2017, the Women’s National Sledge Hockey team held their Team Canada selection camp in Newmarket. The CYGHA provided evaluators and a referee to help with their selections.

During the 2017 Panther Pride Tournament, the CYGHA hosted the FIRST ever Canadian Women’s Sledge Hockey Championship.  This incredible milestone marked the first time a National Championship for Women’s sledge hockey was held any where in the world!  Ontario, Quebec and Western Canada were represented, competing over 3 days. The winner was team Ontario.

Congratulations to Katie, Bruce and the CYGHA!