TORONTO (October 9, 2009) – Twenty–six players from the Canadian Women's National Hockey Team are showing their support for the international humanitarian organization Right To Play by participating in the new Right To Play Athlete Ambassador School Mentorship Program.

Led by Canadian Women's Hockey Team member and Right To Play Athlete Ambassador Hayley Wickenheiser, the Athlete Ambassador Mentorship Program partners Calgary schools with two or three members of the Canadian Women's National Hockey Team, who will share their stories of leadership, goal setting, and perseverance, as well as speak to Right To Play's guiding philosophy of Look After Yourself, Look After One Another.

Beginning on October 14, Canadian National Hockey Team members will make one hour presentations to ten elementary, junior high, and high schools, committed to Right To Play's mission of improving the lives of children across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America, by using the power of sport and play for development, health, and peace. The 10Calgary schools are dedicated to raising funds to support Right To Play's sport and play programs as well as helping local Calgary based charities.

"The National Women's Hockey Team is proud to partner with local Calgary elementary, junior high and high schools to raise funds for Right To Play and local Calgary charities", said Wickenheiser. "The Athlete Ambassador Mentorship initiative is a great way for us to maximize our resources with the little time that we have as a group. We are proud to support Right To Play and look forward to generating excitement within Calgary schools as we head closer to the Games in February."

In the new year and prior to the Vancouver Games, each of the ten Calgary schools will receive a second presentation from members of the 2009 - 2010 Women's National Hockey Team, who will provide some added inspiration, share their final 2010 Olympic preparations, participate in Right To Play's educational games, and thank everyone for their support of Right To Play and the belief in the power of sport and play to create a healthier and safer world..

Right To Play Athlete Ambassadors inspire children in Right To Play programs, are role models for healthy lifestyle choices and help raise awareness and funding for Right To Play projects, currently in 23 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Hayley Wickenheiser traveled to Rwanda in April 2007 to experience the impact of Right To Play's work first-hand.

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About Right To Play

Right To Play is an international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play programs to improve health, develop life skills and foster peace for children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world. Working in both the humanitarian and development context, Right To Play trains local community leaders as Coaches to deliver our programs in 23 countries affected by war, poverty and disease across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. For more information, please visit www.righttoplay.com

Contact:
Simon Ibell
Right To Play
416.203.0190 x 205
sibell@righttoplay.com