Australia to Compete in Inaugural World Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships

Ice Hockey Australia (IHA) is thrilled to announce that Australia will be one of six teams competing in the first-ever World Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships, set to take place in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia, from 26-31 August 2025.

This landmark tournament, hosted at the Winter Stadium, will bring together other national teams from Canada, Great Britain, Norway, and the USA, along with a Team World comprising players from various nations. The event marks a pivotal moment in the expansion of Para ice hockey, particularly for female athletes, with a strong focus on growing participation and increasing the sport’s visibility on the international stage.

“We are incredibly proud to see Australia represented at the inaugural Women’s World Championships. This is a historic achievement for our para program and a significant step forward for para ice hockey in our country,” said Adam Woolnough, General Manager, Ice Hockey Australia. “The opportunity for our female para-athletes to compete at this level will inspire further growth and development of the sport at home, encouraging greater participation and inclusion.”

World Para Ice Hockey Senior Manager Michelle Laflamme emphasized the importance of this tournament in shaping the future of the sport. “This will be a game-changer for the future of Para ice hockey. Our long-term goal is to expand female participation worldwide and ultimately work towards the inclusion of a women’s medal event in a future Paralympic Winter Games,” said Laflamme.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons also praised the evolution of the sport, highlighting the transformative impact of women’s Para ice hockey. “The Women’s World Championships is a major milestone, and I hope to see more and more nations joining women’s Para ice hockey in the near future,” Parsons stated.

The growth of female participation in para ice hockey has been extraordinary, increasing from just 0.01 percent in 2022 to nearly 20 percent today. This progress has been driven by events such as the Women’s World Challenge, which set the stage for this historic World Championships. IHA was represented at the Women’s World Challenge by IHA Members, Lynda Holt (IHNSW), Rosa-Lee Principe (IHWA), Ashlea Morton (IHV).

The 2025 Women’s World Championships will feature a round-robin format followed by a medal round. To compete, teams must meet eligibility requirements, including a minimum roster of seven skaters and two goaltenders, as well as compliance with classification, nationality, and age criteria.

For Ice Hockey Australia, this marks an exciting chapter in its ongoing commitment to developing inclusive pathways in ice hockey. IHA remains dedicated to supporting para ice hockey initiatives and expanding opportunities for female athletes in Australia.

More information on the Dolny Kubin 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships can be found at http://www.worldparaicehockey.org/.

For media inquiries, please contact:

• Adam Woolnough
• General Manager, IHA
• adam.woolnough@iha.org.au