The Vancouver Women’s Field Hockey Association (VWFHA) is committed to creating a field hockey environment that is competitive, inclusive, safe, accessible and welcoming.

Our league welcomes players aged 13 and older across a wide range of ages, abilities, experience levels, identities, cultures and socioeconomic circumstances. We recognize that equitable sport is not simply about offering everyone the same opportunity—it also means identifying barriers and taking practical steps to reduce them.

Our Commitment to Equitable Play

VWFHA’s Equitable Play, Inclusion and SafeSport Framework focuses on several important areas:

Inclusive Participation

We welcome players from diverse backgrounds and are committed to using respectful, inclusive language throughout the league. Discriminatory, harassing or exclusionary behaviour has no place in VWFHA.

Reducing Barriers

The cost of registration, equipment and transportation can make organized sport difficult to access. Where possible, VWFHA will explore financial assistance, equipment-sharing opportunities and community partnerships that can help reduce these barriers.

Supporting Players at Every Stage

Whether someone is new to field hockey, returning after time away or continuing to develop their skills, they deserve a positive environment in which to learn and compete. We encourage mentorship, supportive team cultures and opportunities for both competition and player development.

Youth Development

VWFHA welcomes players aged 13 and older. We are committed to providing young athletes with a positive environment where they can develop confidence, teamwork, leadership and a lifelong connection to sport.

SafeSport

The physical, psychological and emotional safety of our members is a priority. VWFHA is committed to an environment free from abuse, harassment, bullying, discrimination, intimidation and inappropriate conduct.

Members are encouraged to speak up when they experience or witness concerning behaviour so that it can be directed through the appropriate reporting process.

Safety comes before winning.

Respectful Competition

We believe strong competition and respect can—and should—exist together. Players, coaches, officials and volunteers are expected to respect teammates, opponents, officials, facilities and members of the wider community.

Competitive intensity is encouraged. Disrespect is not.

Accessibility and Belonging

Barriers to participation are not always physical. They can also involve finances, equipment, transportation, communication, confidence, experience and social inclusion.

VWFHA will continue listening to members and identifying practical ways to improve accessibility. We want everyone to participate without feeling that they must compromise who they are.

Belonging is part of participation.

Caring for Our Community Facilities

Access to community fields is a shared responsibility. Members are expected to follow facility rules, respect field bookings and neighbouring users, leave facilities clean and report concerns through the appropriate channels.

Listening and Improving

Equitable play is an ongoing responsibility, not a one-time initiative. VWFHA will continue gathering member feedback, monitoring participation and retention, identifying accessibility concerns and exploring opportunities to strengthen youth development, equipment access and community partnerships.

We do not claim that every barrier has already been resolved. Our commitment is to identify barriers, respond to concerns, measure our progress and continue improving.

Everyone Has a Role to Play

Every player, coach, official, volunteer and administrator contributes to the culture of VWFHA.

By treating one another with respect, challenging discrimination and inappropriate behaviour, welcoming new participants and making space for people from different backgrounds and circumstances, we can make field hockey stronger for everyone.

At VWFHA, every player deserves the opportunity to play, belong, develop and compete.

Welcome to VWFHA.

Come play. Come compete. Come belong.