Chinese Olympic Women's Hockey Team
The Chinese Olympic Women's Hockey Team has been making waves in the sport over the past few years. With a renewed focus on developing their program, they have steadily climbed up in the world rankings and are now a force to be reckoned with on the ice.
A Brief History of Women's Hockey in China
Women's hockey has a relatively short history in China, with the first official women's national team only being formed in 1990. Despite this, the team has had some notable achievements in the sport. They made their Olympic debut at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games and have also competed in various World Championships.
However, the team struggled to maintain consistent success and faced many challenges in terms of funding and resources. The Chinese Ice Hockey Association (CIHA) recognized the need for change and made efforts to revamp the program.
Revamping the Program
The CIHA implemented a new development plan in 2017, which aimed to establish a more sustainable and competitive women's hockey program. The plan focused on various aspects such as player development, coaching education, and infrastructure improvement.
One of the key initiatives was the establishment of the Kunlun Red Star Women's Hockey Club, a joint venture between the CIHA and the KRS Group. The club competes in the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) and serves as a platform for Chinese players to gain exposure to high-level competition.
Recent Achievements
The efforts to revamp the program have paid off, as the Chinese Olympic Women's Hockey Team has made significant strides in recent years. They qualified for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, marking their second Olympic appearance.
Although they did not advance past the group stage, they put up a strong fight and gained valuable experience. They also finished in seventh place at the 2019 IIHF Women's World Championship, their highest placement in the tournament's history.
Future Outlook
The future looks promising for the Chinese Olympic Women's Hockey Team. With the continued support from the CIHA and the success of the Kunlun Red Star Women's Hockey Club, they are on track to become a top contender in the sport.
The team also has some talented young players who are making a name for themselves internationally. For example, forward Guo Xiaoyan was named the Best Forward at the 2019 IIHF Women's World Championship Division II Group A, and goaltender Shi Xiaowei was named the tournament's Best Goaltender.
Conclusion
The Chinese Olympic Women's Hockey Team has come a long way since their early days in the sport. With a renewed focus on development and support from the CIHA, they have become a rising force in women's hockey.
