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This International Women’s Day, the Port Colborne Girls Hockey Association (PCGHA), better known as ‘The Wave’, is proudly celebrating a decade of empowering girls and women through sport, backed by strong support from the City of Port Colborne.
Established to grow and advance female hockey in South Niagara, the Wave now welcomes 244 participants of all ages and skill levels. The association calls Port Colborne’s Vale Health & Wellness Centre home, delivering league play alongside targeted skill-building programs that emphasize hockey fundamentals, teamwork, and confidence.
As a proud affiliate of the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA), the Wave connects to a provincial network dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for girls and women to play hockey across Ontario.
Joining the Wave has ignited big dreams and inspiration for 10-year-old Addyson MacNaughton. Last November, she joined a group of Wave skaters who shared the ice with members of Team Canada ahead of a Rivalry Series game in Buffalo, NY.
“I was so excited being on the ice at an NHL stadium and being with the best players,” Addyson recalls. Fresh off scoring her first goal, she says the experience motivated her to keep improving her game. “Watching the Canadian women’s team makes me excited to go to practice and work on my skills.”
The Wave amplifies team spirit through its signature Wave Frenzy hockey tournament – an OWHA-sanctioned event at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre that draws teams from across Ontario for competitive play in a welcoming, community-focused environment.
Thanks to a partnership that extends far beyond the ice, the City supports the Wave through grants and resources, including Port Colborne’s Non-Profit Grant Program. These initiatives ensure hockey programs remain inclusive and accessible, allowing more girls the chance to join, develop their skills, and grow with the team.
Wave Vice-President Steve MacNaughton credits the City as a key support for the association.
“We couldn’t deliver the programming we do without the support of the City,” says MacNaughton. “Their partnership, and the grants they have provided have been amazing and help to make hockey available to all of our participants.”
The Wave gives back generously to the Port Colborne community in return. Players and their families volunteer at local community events such as the Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival, the Community Concert Series, and the Lighted Santa Claus Parade. These initiatives create meaningful opportunities for players to engage with the community beyond the rink and proudly represent Port Colborne.
In the spirit of this year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Give to Gain’, the Wave exemplifies how community support and collaboration empower girls and women to shine. Investing in women’s sports helps create stronger, more inclusive opportunities for female athletes, both on and off the ice.
Wave President Erica Horton emphasizes the deeper impact of the Wave: “It’s more than just hockey. You see their confidence grow, they start to believe in themselves, and they learn how to support each other as teammates.”
Her daughter, Jenna Horton, a longtime member of the organization, embodies that growth.
“I always had a bit of trouble finding the sports that I felt included and welcomed in, but the Wave gave that to me,” says Jenna. “I never thought I was athletic before hockey, but the Wave, and how inclusive and welcoming it is, had a huge impact on me.”
Port Colborne’s Manager of Recreation and Tourism, Greg Zwiep, says the partnership with the Wave is an example of how sport strengthens and connects an entire community.
“The Wave not only nurtures skilled athletes, but also fosters confidence, teamwork, community involvement, and leadership abilities that help strengthen our City.”
From dedicated practices and hands-on community volunteering to growing together as a team, the Wave shows that women’s hockey is about more than just playing the game. It’s about building a community, supporting one another, and empowering girls and women to make waves in everything they do.
Happy International Women’s Day to all those making their own waves, on and off the ice!
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