Katie Ladlie, a U.S. national team player and staff member at the University of New Hampshire, is spearheading a campaign to bring women’s sled hockey into the 2030 Winter Paralympics.
The Paralympic program requires eight participating nations, a threshold that currently stands just beyond the six teams that competed in the sport’s first women’s world championship last year.
Building a Global Presence
Ladlie and her teammates are partnering with emerging programs abroad, offering coaching clinics and mentorship to accelerate the development of national squads.
Their vision extends beyond competition; they aim to create a sustainable pipeline that encourages more women to take up the sport and establishes a foothold in new markets.
If the eight‑country target is met, the International Paralympic Committee could finally grant women’s sled hockey full medal status, a milestone that would reshape the landscape of adaptive sports.