Bridgett is a member of Palladium’s Access and Inclusion team, which help organisations enable and support the full participation of people living with disabilities.

When I first heard that Australia would field a team for the inaugural Women’s Para Ice Hockey World Championships, I knew I had to be part of it. Para ice hockey—also known as sled or sledge hockey—is an adapted sport for athletes with permanent lower limb injuries or disabilities. To be on the world stage as a goalkeeper representing my country was both exhilarating and daunting. And what an experience it turned out to be!

The championships were held in Dolný Kubín, Slovakia—a picturesque town nestled in the Carpathian Mountains with rich history. Slovakia’s beauty was matched only by the warmth of its people. From the moment we arrived, locals welcomed us with open arms, and we even made a few lifelong friends along the way.

Australia was one of six teams competing, alongside powerhouses like the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Norway, and Team World—a composite team of players from across Europe, Japan and South Korea. As a rookie squad, we had just 11 weeks of remote conditioning before flying out, so our challenge at camp was to transform individual skills into cohesive teamwork.

Two intense training sessions a day for a week taught us positioning, defensive strategies, and how to read plays. We knew we’d have to play defensively, and I couldn’t be prouder of how hard our women pushed themselves.

Score-wise, we finished sixth, but technically ranked fifth since Team World wasn’t eligible for placement. Our star goalie, Erika Gosney, was named Goalie of the Championship—a moment that made her a celebrity for the week! Personally, I was thrilled to back her up and even managed my first international save against Team World.

But the journey wasn’t without challenges. Accessibility—or the lack of it—was a constant hurdle. From narrow hotel bathroom doors that some wheelchair users couldn’t access, to change rooms located upstairs with no lift, to sightseeing options up steep cobblestone hills, the barriers were everywhere.

Even our arrival was fraught: after a long-haul flight, we were promised an accessible bus, only to find a standard coach with steps and no ramp. Scrambling to find alternative transport for 20 people, seven wheelchairs, and an entire team’s luggage and hockey gear was stressful and costly.

These issues weren’t just inconveniences—they were stark reminders that accessibility is often misunderstood and rarely prioritised. It’s not just about ramps; it’s about dignity, independence, and inclusion.

Working through these physical barriers in Slovakia, I reflected often on my consultancy work with Palladium’s disability inclusion team and about the impact of disability inclusion in Palladium’s projects and goals.

We often say in our presentations that disability is the one minority that anyone could become a part of at any time. Making spaces physically accessible—and providing other kinds of inclusion measures for people who are vision impaired, Deaf or have an intellectual disability—enables greater community belonging, understanding and cohesion.

This could mean more opportunities for volunteering, working in paid employment or being involved in community decisions. It could also mean greater quality of life through economic and social participation such as attending recreational events and spaces and being able to venture out more independently.

Despite these obstacles being so ubiquitous in Slovakia, being part of history outweighed the frustrations. This championship was more than a tournament—it was a statement. It proved that women’s para ice hockey is viable and deserves a place in the Paralympic Games. The hope is that by 2030, this sport will be part of the Paralympics, inspiring women and girls with disabilities worldwide to dream big.

Looking ahead, I’m already training for the next selection camp in April 2026. It’s intimidating but motivating. Wherever my journey leads, I’m honoured to have helped open the door for future generations.

And yes, there were lighter moments too—like the surprise appearance of a human-sized blow-up boxing kangaroo at one of our team meetings! Or meeting Pavel, a local disability advocate who became our biggest fan, waving the Aussie flag at every game. These connections remind me why inclusion matters—not just on the ice, but everywhere.

The Women’s Para Ice Hockey World Championships was a triumph of resilience, teamwork, and advocacy. It showed the world what’s possible when barriers are broken—and why we must keep pushing for accessibility and representation in every arena.