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Biography:
Fran Rider CM OOnt is a Canadian who has made a substantial impact on the growth and development of the modern game of female ice hockey and is one of the founders of the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association. Rider has been both an ice hockey player and organizer for the women’s category of the sport. She began playing ice hockey in 1967 with the Brampton Canadettes, the predecessor to the Brampton Thunder.
The Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) was formed in 1975 by Cookie Cartwright with the aim of generating interest in women’s ice hockey. About a decade later, Rider would become the association’s executive director. Under her leadership, the OWHA experienced significant growth and development, becoming a leading organization for women’s ice hockey in Ontario.
Rider’s influence extended beyond the provincial level as she played a pivotal role in organizing women’s ice hockey competitions on a national and international scale. In 1982, Rider set up the Esso Women’s Hockey Nationals, which served as the Canadian senior women’s championship until 2008. This tournament played a vital role in promoting and advancing the women’s game in Canada.
In 1987, Rider was instrumental in helping organize the World Women’s Hockey Tournament, which was hosted in Toronto, Ontario. Although not officially recognized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), the tournament brought together representatives from various nations who went on to establish a strategy to lobby the IIHF for the creation of a Women’s World Championship. As a result of these efforts, Rider helped organize the first IIHF-sanctioned Women’s World Championship in 1990, held in Ottawa, Ontario.
Rider’s contributions to women’s hockey have been widely recognized and celebrated. Angela James, a Hall of Fame inductee, credited Rider for helping her achieve this honor. Rider’s significant impact on the development of women’s hockey led to her appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada (CM) in the 2015 Canadian honors. In 2016, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Ontario (OOnt). These appointments acknowledge her contributions to the sport at both the national and international levels.
In 2017, Rider was among the distinguished individuals named to the Order of Hockey in Canada, alongside Scotty Bowman and Murray Costello. This recognition further demonstrates Rider’s significant role in shaping and advancing women’s hockey.
Awards:
– Member of the Order of Canada (CM)
– Member of the Order of Ontario (OOnt)
– Inductee into the Order of Hockey in Canada
– Fran Rider Cup, given to the silver medal-winning team at the annual Canadian Senior Women’s National Championships (named in her honor)