For the Love of the Game! The Carnegie Initiative Summit 2024

On January 30 and 31 the Carnegie Initiative hosted its annual “For the Love of the Game”-themed Summit.

The two days were filled with panels, moderators, and focussed discussions on underrepresented demographics in the sport of hockey. Those who identify themselves as Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, Persons with Disabilities, Women and those with financial constraints face barriers getting into hockey spaces and the culture of hockey and the time to make change is now.

The Ontario Hockey Federation was present at the Summit and reflected on the 2 days. Tracy Robert, OHF Board Member spoke about taking an “unified action to recognize and educate on the inequity and systemic barriers that are currently in place in hockey and break down those barriers to make the sport more inclusive for all participants. We (participants, officials, fans, coaches, associations) should also support and engage with those that come from different races, disabilities, geographies, and economic backgrounds to empower them to participate and continue playing the game, while also giving them the space and resources they need to feel accepted and included.”

Zack Millington, OHF Manager, Risk, Registration, and Insurance considered what the organization needs to do for hockey inclusion in Ontario. “We should be a leader in committing to breaking down barriers and ensuring that all the programming in the OHF is safe, accessible, and inclusive for all participants and represents the diversity within the province. We should also be providing support and resources to our Members and Associations to help achieve this goal.”

The Summit was a perfect mixture between panel discussions, best practice conversations, networking and tools/strategies sharing with some of the best the country – and the continent – has to offer in the hockey world!

Thank you, Herb Carnegie’s family and friends, for letting the OHF be a part of this amazing event!