The National Hockey League announced a new partnership with the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative (BJKLI) on Wednesday afternoon at the 'Declaring our Principles - ADVANCING EQUITY: A Summit on Inclusion' in Las Vegas. The partnership will commit to elevating the dialogue on diversity in hockey through the 'Hockey is For Everyone' initiative. The summit at which the partnership was announced, focused on advancing diversity and gender equality in hockey.
As part of the new partnership, the NHL formed their first-ever Diversity and Inclusion Senior Leadership Council, and Sabres' owner and President Kim Pegula was named co-chairman of the Council, along with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Sat down with @NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and @NHL EVP Kim Davis to talk about the NHL's commitment to #inclusion. Great to hear about their counsel dedicated to inclusion chaired by the Commissioner and @KimPegula. Keep Going For It! #hockeyisforeveryone #AdvancingEquity pic.twitter.com/ZlGDZGLcWv
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) June 18, 2019The Council's main focus will be to continue committing to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace and around the league. The NHL and NHLPA also announced the creation of the 'Female Hockey Ambassador Program' at the summit. It is the first initiative from the newly-formed NHL and NHLPA Female Hockey Advisory committee; it will provide funding to NHL clubs to create opportunities for Female Hockey Ambassadors.
"The Committee is pleased that the NHL and NHLPA are implementing one of the Committee's first recommendations to help increase female participation in hockey," said Maria Dennis, Chair of the Female Hockey Advisory Committee. "The NHL/NHLPA Female Hockey Ambassador Program will enhance the opportunities for women hockey leaders to participate as ambassadors in NHL Club programs that are in place to grow the game. When young girls meet their role models and see first-hand what women can achieve in hockey, they will know there is no barrier for them participating in the sport as well."
