Breaking New Ground: Australian Women Take on the World in Para Ice Hockey

In an historic moment for Australian women’s para ice hockey, three athletes—Lynda Holt from New South Wales, Ashlee Morton from Victoria, and Rosa-Lee Principe from Western Australia—took on the world at the Women’s World Challenge in Skien, Norway.  This was more than just a competition; it was a testament to their courage, determination, and the growth of women’s para ice hockey in Australia.

Women’s para ice hockey is still in its early stages in Australia, but the momentum is undeniable. The presence of these three athletes at the international level sends a powerful message about the progress of the sport.

“World Para Ice Hockey couldn’t be more excited to have had female players from Australia at the most recent Women’s World Challenge,” said Michelle Laflamme, World Para Ice Hockey Manager at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). “Their participation not only underscores the incredible progress of women’s para ice hockey on a global stage but also paves the way for future athletes inspired to follow in their footsteps.”

The Women’s World Challenge was a high-stakes tournament that brought together six teams: USA, Canada, Great Britain, Team Europe, and Team Pacific – where the Australians played.

Team Pacific, composed of players from Japan, Korea, USA, Canada, and Australia, was an experience like no other. Bringing together athletes from different nations, many of whom had never played together before, was a monumental challenge. Add in language barriers, and it became a test of resilience and adaptability.

But these athletes quickly found their rhythm, learning to communicate through gestures, shared determination, and a common passion for the sport. Their journey to becoming a unified team was nothing short of inspiring.

“Our three Australian athletes played alongside teammates from Japan, Korea, Canada, and the USA to form Team Pacific,” explained Emma Poynton, Technical Delegate and Chairperson for the 2024 Women’s World Challenge. “This combined Team Pacific and Team Europe model ensured our athletes could learn from international mentors and build their own international network of players and friends. I hope they will return home with their new para ice hockey knowledge and experiences to help grow their local clubs’ participation, especially women’s inclusion.”

The games were fast-paced and fiercely contested. Each match was a battle against some of the best players in the world. Hard body checks, falls, and near-misses were all part of the intense physicality of the competition. There was no shortage of sweat and grit as the athletes pushed themselves to their limits, navigating each period with determination.

“Attending the 2024 Women’s World Challenge in Skien was a phenomenal experience from start to finish,” said Ashlee Morton. “Meeting new people, learning new skills, and just generally having a great time with teammates and opponents alike who share my love and passion for growing this sport is not something I take for granted. Watch this space—Women’s Para Ice Hockey is going to dominate!”

Guiding Team Pacific was head coach Han Min-su from Korea, a seasoned para ice hockey player who competed in three Paralympic Games and later served as head coach for Korea’s para ice hockey team at the Beijing 2022 Paralympics.

“After playing for the national team for 20 years, I thought it would be nice if women’s para ice hockey became an official Paralympic sport,” Han shared. “Through the last Women’s Challenge, I confirmed that women’s ice hockey can become an official Winter Paralympic sport. Although only the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom are participating as single teams now, I hope that in the future, Korea, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Norway, and many other countries will become active and make this a reality.”

Han’s leadership and experience were instrumental in helping the diverse Team Pacific roster find cohesion and unity on the ice. Supporting him was assistant coach Gregor Baumgartner from Austria, whose extensive experience in coaching, sports operations, and broadcasting added a valuable dimension to the team’s development. Together, Han and Baumgartner’s guidance helped transform a group of players from different backgrounds into a cohesive and determined team.

Facing world-class teams like the USA and Canada was both humbling and thrilling for the Australian athletes. The intensity of the competition demanded their full physical and mental strength. In the end, Team USA claimed victory over Canada in the final, with Team Europe clinching the bronze medal.

Watching the elite teams battle it out was a powerful moment, one that fuelled the Australians’ ambition to help grow the sport back home. “The international door is open for Australia to now form their own Australian Women’s Para Ice Hockey team,” said Poynton. “With the correct program structure, including recruitment and training pathways, Australia has the opportunity to not only compete but be competitive at the 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships.”

After five flights and a 38.5-hour journey back to Australia, all three athletes agreed that it was worth every moment. For Holt and Principe, this wasn’t their first time representing Australia on the international stage—they’ve both competed at the Paralympics in other sports, Holt in shot put and discus, and Principe in equestrian dressage. But for each of them, this was their first experience with para ice hockey, a sport that has captured their hearts and reignited their dreams of future Paralympic competition.

“To see our three Australian athletes proudly representing Australia at this year’s Women’s World Challenge in Skien, Norway, was a huge step in breaking down the barriers that blocked our Australian women competing on the international stage,” Poynton said. “Our athletes were privileged to play on the combined Team Pacific, led by head coach Min-su Han. With his elite playing experience, Min-su had so much knowledge to offer, especially for developing nations like Australia as they build their own women’s programmes.”

Who would’ve thought that losing every game could feel like winning? For the Australians, the Women’s World Challenge was an invaluable learning experience, full of adrenaline, laughter, and the thrill of representing their country on the world stage.

“This journey was legendary,” Morton said. “We’re more motivated than ever to bring Australia back to the world stage with a full team next year.” As Michelle Laflamme of the IPC observed, “The enthusiasm and dedication from the Australian athletes are powerful reminders of why we do what we do, and we’re hopeful to see them compete as a women’s national team soon.”

With fresh friendships, new skills, and unforgettable memories, Holt, Morton, and Principe returned to Australia more inspired than ever. They may not have brought home medals, but they brought back something equally valuable—a shared vision of what women’s para ice hockey in Australia could become. The scoreboard may not have been in their favour, but the experience was priceless.

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