Hayley’s passion for hockey is matched only by her drive to give back to her community, country, and sport. Hayley focuses her time and efforts on initiatives providing resources to young people, particularly those in regard to providing access to sport and the battle against cancer, which has affected her own family.
Hayley uses her profile to advocate or fundraise for organizations making strong moves and statements that are in alignment with her beliefs.
Right To Play
Every child, no matter where they are born, has the right to play. This athlete-driven humanitarian organization improves the lives of children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world using the power of sport and play for development, health, and peace. Using games and sports and by engaging key decision-makers, Right to Play helps create social change in communities affected by war, poverty, and disease.
Hayley travels as an ambassador to impoverished African countries where she visits schools and communities empowering young people to live an active lifestyle. On her last visit to Ghana in 2011, her son Noah travelled with her helping to spread the message that every child has the right to play.
Wickenheiser World Female Hockey Festival
Hayley’s passion for hockey is not contained to the ice. With an unfaltering devotion to promoting women’s hockey, Hayley hangs up her skates once a year to give female players across the country an opportunity to shine. In 2010, her dream of celebrating hockey and the young women who play the game, became a reality when the first Wickenheiser World Female Hockey Festival took place in Burnaby, B.C. Now the event, which takes place in Calgary each year attracts teams from across globe and sells out within mere hours of opening registration.
Hayley truly sees this event and the opportunity for young female players as her legacy to the game. All profits from the event are donated to JumpStart and Right To Play Canada.
For more info, visit www.wickfest.com
JumpStart
One in three Canadian families cannot afford to enrol their kids in organized sports and physical activity (Vision Critical, 2011) which means many kids are missing out on the benefits that come with organized play. Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a nationally registered charity dedicated to removing financial barriers so kids across Canada have the opportunity to get off the sidelines and into the game.
Whether it’s the chance to try a sport for the very first time or to continue with a favourite physical activity, Jumpstart makes it possible for all kids to participate, which is very important to Hayley. She sees it as equipping kids for life because quality physical activity in kids does more than improve health and well-being. It helps build confidence, leadership, productivity and creativity.
Project North
Project North is a not-for-profit organization committed to enhancing and improving the lives of children in Canada’s North. Often time, the organization does this through the provision of sports equipment. Hayley’s recent trip with Project North to Iqaluit on behalf of sponsor, Canadian Tire, with fellow Olympians Charles Hamelin, Kaillie Humphries really left a lasting impact with her. She is now an official ambassador of the program.
KidSport
KidSport lets kids do what they do best: play. This Canadian organization provides support for children to remove financial barriers preventing them from playing organized sport. By giving kids the opportunity to participate in anything from a hockey league to a swim meet, KidSport encourages an active lifestyle, facilitates healthy socializing, and helps boost self-esteem. In addition to financially supporting KidSport, Hayley spends some of her time inspiring young athletes at KidSport community events.
Classroom Champions
Classroom Champions helps kids recognize their potential, set goals and dream big. Targeting grades Kindergarten through 8, Classroom Champions brings Athlete Mentors who are Olympic and Paralympic athletes into the classroom using videos and live chats. These people are pursuing their goals and living their dreams. Every. Single. Day. Along their journey, they are donating their time to inspire students and serve as examples of hard work, perseverance and dreaming big.
Hayley is an Athlete Mentor for 2014-15! See her story and classroom lessons on their website.
Ovarian Cancer Canada
Ovarian Cancer is one of the most deadly cancers among women, which is what drove Hayley to sit up and take notice because she knows that no woman should have to face those odds. She lends her credibility, her image and her time as an ambassador for this very small organization in hopes that she can work with Ovarian Cancer Canada to bring awareness to women of all ages of the signs of the disease.
Of course, Hayley’s big heart doesn’t just lead her to work with the organizations above, she also continues her roles with the following organizations, as well as donates to 100+ causes per year with her time or memorabilia.
Plan Canada’s Because I am a Girl campaign