TORONTO, CANADA (June 30, 2011) – Right To Play is proud to congratulate its dedicated Athlete Ambassador and Canadian women’s hockey star, Hayley Wickenheiser, on her appointment to the Order of Canada.

As an Officer of the Order, Wickenheiser is recognized for her exceptional achievements as an athlete and for her contributions to the growth of women’s hockey.   

Widely regarded as the best female hockey player in the world, Wickenheiser is a champion of women’s sport and is best known for her role in leading the Canadian National Women’s Hockey team to three Olympic Gold Medals.   

Wickenheiser is also recognized for her work as a mentor, community leader and dedicated advocate.     

It is in that vein that Wickenheiser accepts her appointment to the Order of Canada from Accra, Ghana, where she is currently visiting Right To Play programs as an Athlete Ambassador to the organization. 

“I want to thank all of you for your support,” says Wickenheiser from Accra.  “I’m very honoured to also receive the Order of Canada and thank organizations like Right To Play that have given me the chance to work with them.” 

Wickenheiser has been an exemplary Athlete Ambassador for Right To Play since 2000.   The leading international development and humanitarian organization using the power of sport and play to improve the lives of children worldwide, Right To Play has benefited greatly from more than a decade of fundraising and advocacy campaigns spearheaded by the hockey legend.   

In 2007, Wickenheiser made her first trip to the field, visiting Right To Play programs and beneficiaries in Rwanda. 

Wickenheiser is in Ghana with her son Noah and representatives from Right To Play Canada until July 2 to observe the impact of Right To Play programs funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Right To Play would like to thank Wickenheiser for all of her dedication and commitment to the healthy development of children worldwide. 

“Hayley has a deep understanding of how sport and play can positively impact children’s’ lives and has gone out of her way to support Right To Play by helping to raise awareness of, and funds, for our important work,” says Robert Witchel, National Director, Right To Play Canada.  “We are honoured to be associated with her and are very proud of this latest accomplishment.”

To see Wickenheiser’s acceptance message from Ghana and to help Right To Play celebrate this incredible honour, visit www.righttoplay.ca. 

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For more information:

Kyla Pearson

Communications Coordinator
Right To Play International
Tel: 416.498.1922 x240
Cell: 416.949.3301
kpearson@righttoplay.com

 About Right To Play

Right To Play is the leading international humanitarian and development organization using sport and play as tools to effect behavior and social change. Our trained Coaches and community leaders implement our programs which are designed to develop basic life skills, prevent diseases, teach conflict resolution and instill hope in children affected by war, poverty and disease. Right To Play implements programs in 20 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. A pioneer in its field, Right To Play sets standards for quality sustainable programming, promotes best practices and advances research on the efficacy of sport-based development efforts. Founded in 2000 by Johann Olav Koss, four-time Olympic gold medalist and social entrepreneur, Right To Play fosters the hope and skills that are essential to envisioning and realizing a better future.

For more information about Right To Play or to make a donation, visit www.righttoplay.ca

About Hayley Wickenheiser

Four-time Olympic medalist, Hayley Wickenheiser is regarded as one of the best female hockey players in the world.  As a member of the Canadian Women's National Hockey Team, Hayley has won six gold and one silver medal at the Women's World Hockey Championships, as well as one silver medal (1998) and three gold medals (2002, 2006, 2010) at the Winter Olympic Games.  A decorated athlete, Hayley's passion for sport is paralleled by her drive to give back to the community.  An Athlete Ambassador for Right To Play since 2000, Hayley traveled to Rwanda with a team of Canadian Olympic athletes for the organization in 2007 is currently on her second field trip, visiting Right To Play programs in Ghana.

Hayley is a kinesiology student at the University of Calgary with hopes of attending medical school and becoming a doctor.  She lives in Calgary, Alberta and is a very proud mom to 11-year old son, Noah.

For more information on Hayley, visit: http://wickhockey.pointstreaksites.com/view/wickhockey/special-media-room-ju

 About The Order of Canada

The Order of Canada, one of our country’s highest civilian honours, was established in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, to recognize a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation. Over the last 40 years, more than 5 000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.

For more information about the Order of Canada, visit the Honours section on www.gg.ca.