Help Keep Girls on the Ice — Support Kazakhstan’s First Women’s Hockey Academy

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The Story:

Imagine this:

A young girl in Kazakhstan, lacing up her skates for the first time.

No fancy gear. No spotlight. Just courage, joy — and a dream.

That’s what we’ve been building since 2021 at the Women’s Hockey Academy in Astana — the first of its kind in our capital.

Thanks to initial government support, we were able to offer free hockey programs to hundreds of girls aged 5 to 14 — many from low-income and multi-child families, most from socially vulnerable communities.

But for these girls, hockey became more than a sport.

It became their escape. Their safe place.

Their team, their hope, their fire.

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Now, that hope is at risk.

We are a non-profit initiative, and right now, we aren’t able to pay for ice time. It’s simply too expensive.

Our coaches are volunteering. Our training has stopped.

And the girls who once showed up every day full of determination —

are left wondering why the rink doors won’t open.

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Why it matters:

Girls’ hockey is an Olympic discipline.

But in Kazakhstan — it’s more than just medals.

It’s a mission to empower girls, to keep them off the streets and on a path of discipline, self-belief, and community.

We are not just building athletes. We are building strong young women.

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What we need:

Your support can help us:

• Rent ice time and keep the academy operating

• Pay coaches a fair wage

• Provide basic gear and travel for competitions

• Ensure girls from underserved families continue to train for free

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How you can help:

1. Donate — every dollar helps keep a girl on the ice

2. Share this story with your network, your team, your organization

3. Follow our mission on Instagram: @wha_kz

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This isn’t just about hockey.

This is about giving girls a place to grow, to believe, to belong.

We’re not asking for luxury — we’re fighting to survive.

Thank you for standing with us.

Thank you for standing with them.