Scoring Big in Public Engagement: Lessons from the CanWaCH-WickFest Partnership

The partnership between the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) and the Wickenheiser Female Hockey Festival (WickFest) marked a groundbreaking approach to engaging Canadians in conversations about global health and international development. WickFest’s unique tournament platform, including both a hockey tournament and workshop offerings, enabled us to connect with a diverse audience of youth athletes, their parents, coaches and other members of the Canadian public, while reinforcing our mission to advance the health and rights of girls around the world.

The driving force behind this success was WickFest founder Hayley Wickenheiser. Hayley is not only a legend in women’s hockey, she is a leader, a physician and a powerful advocate for women and girls. Her credibility and influence helped attract key partners, amplify CanWaCH’s message and engage media in ways that would not have been possible otherwise. Her leadership also strengthened the contributions of organizations like CARE Canada, Plan International Canada, Not in My City and The True Athlete Project, all of whom played a crucial role in shaping the experience. These partnerships, and others, will be outlined in further detail in this report.