World Para Ice Hockey searches for Athlete Representative
22.02.2017National Paralympic Committees can nominate one athlete to sit on the Sport Technical Committee, representing the athlete voice.
Canadian players warm up prior to the Ice Sledge Hockey Play-off semi final between Canada and the United States of America at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games.
© • Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
World Para Ice Hockey has opened the nomination process for an Athlete Representative to sit on its Sport Technical Committee (STC).
National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) who widely and regularly practice Para ice hockey are being asked to put forward the name of one athlete who they think has strong qualities of leadership, accomplishment, knowledge and respect both on and off the field of play.
“I strongly advise athletes to consider this opportunity to be the voice of the athletes on the World Para Ice Hockey STC.”
Athletes with a 2016-17 World Para Ice Hockey licence can be nominated until 3 April, and the candidates will be put to an electronic athlete vote.
Any athlete who competed at the 2016 World Para Ice Hockey Championships B or C-Pool and the 2017 World Para Ice Hockey Championships A-Pool will be able to vote for their favourite candidate online between 2-16 May 2017.
The successful candidate will then take up their new role, which acts as the liaison between the athletes and the STC for a two-year term, from 1 July 2017.
“This role is extremely important for the STC but also for the athletes’ voices to be heard,” Todd Nicholson, a five-time Paralympian in Para ice hockey and Chairperson of the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) Athletes’ Council.
“The IPC Athletes’ Council is thankful for the role these individuals play within the STCs but it is also extremely important that ‘athlete gatherings’ continue at major competitions, and these individuals continue to create a communications structure within their sports and also within the IPC Athletes’ Council.”
Italy’s triple Paralympian Gregory Leperdi is the current Athlete Representative on the STC.
“I'm proud of what I was able to give as the Para ice hockey athlete liaison,” Leperdi said.
“Being a member of the Para ice hockey STC gave me the opportunity to provide the real athletes' feedback about main decisions being taken.
“I've also contributed to creating a mailing list and social media connections with all the athlete representatives around the world, which is a useful tool to share opinions.
“I strongly advise athletes to consider this opportunity to be the voice of the athletes on the World Para Ice Hockey STC.”
Information about the nomination process and voting system was sent to Presidents and Secretary Generals of all NPCs widely and regularly practicing Para ice hockey.
