Hockey Nova Scotia, the Recreation Facilities Association of Nova Scotia (RFANS), and 11 arenas across the province have teamed up to make our rinks more welcoming and inviting for everyone.

This hockey season, the messages Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and #StrongerTogether are being painted at centre ice in arenas in Dartmouth, West Hants, Truro, Cumberland County, Antigonish, Richmond, Spryfield, Lunenburg, Canso, Coxheath, and Pictou.

In the spring of 2021, the Hockey Nova Scotia Diversity and Inclusion Task Force released its final report on improving hockey and hockey culture, along with a list of recommendations on addressing discrimination in the sport. One of the task force’s recommendations was to collaborate with the Recreation Facilities Association of Nova Scotia to create and distribute new, uniform signage for all hockey facilities that signals the organization’s intentionality around equity, diversity and inclusion.

“We believe hockey has the power to build communities,” said Dean Smith, Hockey Nova Scotia’s Diversity and Inclusion Chair.

“The goal of this project is to encourage public discussion on these very important issues. In doing so, we believe our communities will become stronger,” Smith said.

“RFANS is pleased to partner with Hockey Nova Scotia and to support this important initiative. Our hope is that these logos will create an opportunity for people to talk about, and understand, that we really are stronger together and that our facilities are safe spaces that are welcoming to everyone,” said RFANS President Bob Quigley.

The #StrongerTogether initiative was initially launched by the Queens Place Emera Centre in Liverpool, N.S. during the 2021-2022 hockey season. Hockey Nova Scotia would like to commend the Queens Place Emera Centre team for their important work in this area.

Next season, Hockey Nova Scotia and RFANS plan to expand the initiative to a dozen other arenas throughout Nova Scotia.