For the sixth year in a row, the women’s hockey world will come together for three days – this year from Oct. 7-9 – to celebrate World Girls’ Hockey Weekend, which is quickly becoming a highlight of the international calendar.

Dozens of countries from one side of the globe to the other will host events that develop, market and celebrate the female game, and Canada is no different.

The centrepiece of the weekend for Canadians, as it has been for the past three years, is the Long Game, which brings together players in every province and territory for Red and White bragging rights in five age groups – Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget and Senior.

Beginning in Newfoundland and Labrador, the first game begins bright and early on Oct. 8. When the buzzer sounds after an hour, the game – and the score – head east, with provinces and territories hosting 60-minute games until it all ends in B.C. 15 hours later.

But in Canada, World Girls’ Hockey Weekend is about more than just one game, however long it may be.

Provincial members, minor hockey associations, communities and families from coast-to-coast-to-coast will host events of their own, from road hockey games to team skills sessions and everything in between.

They don’t even have to be about playing the game! Need a few ideas?

• Families can host a party or barbecue
• Minor hockey associations can run road hockey or ball hockey events
• Teachers can include female hockey in their lesson plan for a day
• Teams can doing research on their female hockey role models
• Communities can organize a free public skate
• Provincial members can hold coaching or officiating clinics/workshops

When the weekend is done, Hockey Canada will submit a list of all of the events that took place across the country to the International Ice Hockey Federation, and that list will be released to the hockey world.

So let’s make sure Canada remains a world hockey leader, and leads the way in the number of events and number of participants … do your part and be a part of World Girls’ Hockey Weekend!

As Canadians, you are encouraged to participate in any way you want, but we want to know about it – let Hockey Canada know how you are going to be celebrating! In less than two minutes, describe the basics of your event and make sure you’re included in the national total.

This year, Hockey Canada is offering World Girls’ Hockey Weekend toques that will be shared with all participants that register their event (up to a maximum of 30) with Hockey Canada.

Want to register an event or celebration? CLICK HERE!

For more information on World Girls’ Hockey Weekend, to find out what’s happening in your area or to follow along with the Long Game, stay tuned to HockeyCanada.ca/FemaleHockey and Hockey Canada’s social media accounts.