Title: Change and grassroots movement: reconceptualising women's hockey governance in Canada

Authors: Carly Adams, Julie Stevens

Addresses: School of Kinesiology, The University of Western Ontario, 3M Centre, London, ON, Canada N6A 3K7. ' Department of Sport Management, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada

Abstract: In Canada, female hockey governance structures vary as different regions of the country may better suit integrated or partially-integrated governance approaches based upon their unique local histories and individual dynamics. Indeed, the Ontario Women|s Hockey Association (OWHA) is the only female hockey provincial association in Canada that endorses and endeavours to maintain a separatist philosophy. However, women|s hockey governance in Canada as a whole has not progressed in a manner where the authority of female hockey participants and leaders has increased. This paper initiates dialogue about women|s sport governance by utilising women|s hockey in Canada and specifically a case study of the OWHA, as a context in which to develop a new perspective and renew efforts to place women|s sport governance on the agenda. In order to develop a sport and governance dialogue for women|s hockey specifically and women|s sport more broadly, we present a theoretical discussion that integrates critical feminist and grassroots movement perspectives.

Keywords: sport governance; change; women; hockey governance; grassroots movement; critical feminism; social action; Canada; female hockey; provincial associations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMM.2007.013710

International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 2007 Vol.2 No.4, pp.344 - 361

Published online: 22 May 2007 *

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