KAMLOOPS – Some of the world’s best women’s hockey players are in Kamloops at the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship as it’s played in B.C. for the first time.
National teams from Canada, the United States, Russia, Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Japan are competing for the world title from March 28 to April 4.
“I’m very proud that the hockey spotlight will be on Kamloops this week as we host the women’s world championship,” Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake said. “As Canada’s Tournament Capital, Kamloops has a well-earned reputation for our ability to stage top-calibre sporting events, which pour millions of dollars into the local and provincial economy.”
“Kamloops has a great hockey tradition and the women’s world championship will add another chapter to our hockey heritage, thanks to the local organizing committee and scores of volunteers,” Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone said. “Sport tourism events such as this provide a major economic spinoff and are among the reasons our province is an economic leader in Canada.”
The B.C. government is investing $200,000 in the championship. The Ministry of Jobs, Tourism, Skills Training and Responsible for Labour will provide $50,000 through the new Tourism Events Program and the Ministry of Community Sport and Cultural Development has provided an additional $150,000 for the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship from its Major Sport Events Program.
The tournament is expected to provide up to $20 million in economic spinoff for the local economy as 50,000 people attend the event. It also places Kamloops and area in a worldwide spotlight as 60 national and international will be attending. Communities such as Richmond, Penticton, Clearwater and several others have hosted training camps. The Kamloops Minor Hockey Association is also hosting three B.C. provincial women’s hockey championships..