NHL Coaches' Association and Hockey is Diversity announce international collaboration to grow the game globally

Berlin, GER and Toronto, ON Sept. 13, 2021 – In 2020 the NHL Coaches‘ Association (NHLCA) launched two programs focused on increasing diversity within hockey, the NHLCA BIPOC Coaches Program and the NHLCA Female Coaches Development Program. These important initiatives aim to specifically identify, engage and support black, indigenous, coaches of colour and female coaches in several areas including skills development, leadership strategies, communication tactics, networking, and career advancement opportunities.

Today, the NHLCA announced their collaboration with Hockey is Diversity (HiD), a non-profit hockey organization based in Berlin, Germany, in growing the game globally. A total of five coaches were identified and recommended by HiD to participate in Year 2 of the NHLCA BIPOC Coaches and Female Coaches Development Programs that commenced on September 7th and 8th, 2021, respectively. The HiD participants include:

• Kathrin Fring (Former National Team Player for Germany and currently part of the Coaching Staff of the Eisbären Juniors Berlin German Women’s Elite League Team)

• Miriam Thimm (Former National Team Player for Germany and Head Coach of the German Women’s Elite League Düsseldorfer EG)

• Léo Girod (Former Player and currently working as Assistant Video Coach of the Swiss League Team SC Bern)

• Murat Pak (Former Player and currently Youth Coach for Bad Nauheim in Germany)

• Emanuel Beckford (Former Player and currently Head Coach of the Aachener Grizzlies (4th League in Germany)

On this important collaboration Dr. Martin Hyun, CEO and Founder of Hockey is Diversity said, “We are humbled and honoured that the NHLCA will support our five coaches in their development. Together with the NHLCA we hope to create pathways for those from different backgrounds and a positive environment where diversity and inclusion can thrive. It is our common goal to make it easier for those undermined in our game to break into the coaching profession. In order to grow the game globally we need to invest in the development of BIPOC and female coaches to become successful in our sport – kids need to see people who look like them to know that their dreams are achievable“.

„As a coach, you’re always looking for an advantage or an edge to help your team win, but for any team or organization to be successful, you need diversity of opinions and perspectives. This is just one reason why diversity in coaching is so important,“ said Lindsay Artkin, President of the NHL Coaches‘ Association. „Through these two programs, we aim to support these coaches as they advance through their coaching career so that ultimately we see more representation from these groups at the professional level of hockey. We are so fortunate to have the full support of our NHL coaches in doing so. It is truly inspiring to see the passion and time they commit to supporting the development of the coaches in these programs.“

To learn about the NHL Coaches‘ Association visit:

www.nhlcoaches.com

To learn about Hockey is Diversity visit:

www.hockeyisdiversity.de

#hockeyisdiversity #growingthegame