For the third time, National Women’s Team head coach Melody Davidson has been named one of the most influential women in Canadian sport by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women’s Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS).
Davidson, who also made the list in 20, is one of only four women associated with hockey in Canada to be named to the annual list, joining Hayley Wickenheiser (2000, 2003, 2007), former National Women’s Team head coach Danièle Sauvageau (2002, 2003) and Cassie Campbell (2006, 2007).
The Oyen, AB native has been involved with Canada’s national women’s teams since 1993 as an assistant coach or head coach, winning a pair of Olympic gold medals (2002, 2006) and four IIHF World Women’s Championship gold medals (1994, 2000, 2001, 2007).
Twenty women were named to the 2008 version, which recognizes women who have made a significant impact as academics, athletes, administrators, advocates, broadcasters, coaches, executives, fundraisers, managers, officials, psychologists and volunteers. Their selection to the list reflects their influential activity in the calendar year 2008.
Many of the women named to the CAAWS list were nominated by colleagues and the general public. The final list was compiled by the CAAWS selection panel from both public nominations, and contributions from knowledgeable sport and physical activity leaders. The panel reviewed the submissions and based its decision on the scope of activities in the 2008 calendar year.
To see the rest of the list, visit www.caaws.ca.