Our identity reflects aspects that define who we are.
Many 2SLGBTQIA+ hockey players feel they have lost their place in the sport, choosing to step away rather than deal with bullying, harassment, and abuse.
The Calgary Flare is a beacon to these players, signaling they belong.
Our community is bold, colourful, and full of character.
In a world that sometimes teaches conformity, we break conventions and live lives that are authentic and true to who we are – full of flair.
Our Mission- Hat Trick
We fight back against legacy hockey culture that burdens members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community with acts of discrimination, exclusion, and stereotyping.
Our goal is to create opportunities for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals to feel a sense of belonging in the sport of hockey and support their development into the players they strive to be.
We assist our members and the broader community in being well-rounded individuals by creating welcoming spaces for authentic human connection.
How we accomplish this
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League-based teams: We manage teams that play within existing Calgary hockey leagues to create visibility for our association and 2SLGBTQIA+ players.
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Community skates: Regular ice times are offered, ideally free of charge or subsidized, to allow players to take part in informal scrimmages and create connections with other CIHA members. These skates also serve as an intake for our league-based teams.
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Practices and skill building sessions: Recognizing that many of our members may have left the sport early or never participated in it as a youth, player development programs enable our members to increase their hockey capabilities in a supportive environment.
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Tournaments: We organize opportunities for players to participate in remote tournaments and organize our yearly Western Cup tournament, hosting players from across North America.
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Scholarships: Recognizing that cost can be a significant barrier to individuals playing the sport of hockey, we manage a scholarship program offering financial support on player fees.
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Public event visibility: CIHA represents inclusive hockey at a range of high-visibility events including Calgary Pride and NHL pride night events.
Pushing for change and looking good while doing it.
A Unified Identity
Formerly Calgary Pioneers - this team brings our competitive spirit to WHCL once again
Formerly Calgary Villagers - Luna and Terra return to the CCSL with uncompromising passion, a welcoming atmosphere, and a balanced team structure focused on team cohesion and competitiveness
Land Acknowledgement
We are grateful to work, live, and play on the territories of the Niitsitapi, and the people of the Treaty 7 territory. This includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai), as well as the Tsuut'ina and the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations. This land is also home to the Metis Nation within Alberta. We are all treaty people. As a settlers in Canada, we acknowledge that the land we gather and play on is the traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Piikani, Kainai), the Tsuut'ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda Nations. The Calgary Inclusive Hockey Association honour Mohkinstis, where the bow and elbow rivers meet and commit to ongoing steps toward Truth and ReconciliACTION.