Big Dreams Grant Helps Expand Opportunities Through Women’s Para Ice Hockey
For children and youth, trying a new sport can be the beginning of something much bigger. Through a $100,000 Big Dreams Grant from the Air Canada Foundation, Women’s Para Hockey of Canada is helping young people with disabilities discover new opportunities through a series of Try-It Events held across the country.
The initiative creates welcoming and inclusive spaces where participants can experience Para ice hockey alongside girls and women Para-athletes who share similar lived experiences. More than an introduction to the sport, the events are designed to build confidence, foster connections and help participants see what is possible when barriers are removed and opportunities are accessible.
The impact of the program is captured in a new video featuring Cecilia, a young participant whose experience reflects the transformative role that sport can play in a child’s life. Through her story and her family’s perspective, viewers gain insight into how programs like these help children feel included, supported and empowered to pursue their interests and goals.
The funding was awarded through the Air Canada Foundation’s Big Dreams Grant Program, which supports Canadian organizations creating meaningful opportunities for children and youth. Building on Air Canada’s support of Team Canada at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Big Dreams Grant Program reflects a shared commitment to inclusion, representation and community impact.
"At the Air Canada Foundation, we believe every child and youth deserve the opportunity to participate, grow and realize their potential," said Eric Lauzon, Director, Community Relations & Partnerships at Air Canada. "Our partnership with Women’s Para Hockey of Canada demonstrates how meaningful community investments can help remove barriers and create lasting opportunities. Just as importantly, these events provide young participants with role models who reflect their experiences, showing them that there is a place for them in sport and that their ambitions can extend far beyond the rink."
Together, the Air Canada Foundation and Women’s Para Hockey of Canada are helping create pathways for more children and youth to participate in sport, build confidence and pursue their dreams, one experience at a time.