Campaign redoubles efforts to bring women's pro hockey to Seattle
The goal of the NWHLtoSeattle campaign was to unite and promote enthusiasm for bringing a women's professional hockey team to Seattle; that mission has not changed. However, in order to be more supportive and inclusive, the campaign leadership announced today that they have changed its name to Women's Pro Hockey Seattle (WoProHoSeattle) (www.WomensProHockeySeattle.com).
The excitement surrounding women's professional hockey is inspiring and at an all-time high, yet the sport is at a complex time in its growth. While the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) begins in its fifth season, Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) players are sitting out of professional play within a league, lobbying for better working conditions.
Local U.S. women's ice hockey Olympian and Women’s Pro Hockey Seattle spokesperson, Kelly Stephens Tysland says, "We believe that women's professional hockey can be sustainable and successful, especially in Seattle. We believe in what the NWHL is doing to fuel the continued growth of the sport, while at the same time we applaud the PWHPA’s mission for players to earn a fair wage, receive health care benefits, proper resources, and full staff support on and off the ice. Under our new campaign name, we will continue to work hard to support all women's hockey and look forward to one day cheering on a Seattle women’s pro hockey team."
The group plans to increase awareness and enthusiasm for the game by building relationships with fans and welcoming those new to the sport through special events. They are rallying supporters together on their website and through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The organization is also selling Women’s Pro Hockey Seattle apparel and jerseys—helping fans show their support of bringing a women’s professional hockey team to Seattle—with one hundred percent of proceeds going directly to fund campaign-related events.
Campaign founder, Zoë Harris, summarized, “While our name has changed, our goal is still the same—to support the community's interest in establishing a professional women's hockey team in Seattle with a strong ownership group and media coverage in place, which are both critical elements for the sustainable success of any professional sports team. Since the campaign launched in last April, we have received an outpouring of support from fans and volunteers and we look to continue that positive momentum under our new brand.”
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