I consider myself a UWBHF ("U Dubs") junkie. For me, U Dubs creates spaces where I can get together with wonderful like-minded athletes, create friendships, compete, learn how to be a better ball hockey player, teammate, person. They host my favorite ball hockey tournaments and I will not miss one! The tournaments are friendly, joyful, competitive and have introduced me to so many players and playing opportunities that I otherwise would not have had. Their ability to unite female players from around the country at a single event is special. I have learned so much from the informational "march madness" hockey drills-- they are so dedicated to coaching that Coach Karen provided free instructional information to individual players to help them to improve at their game. During COVID when communities were physically separated , U DUbs took the reigns and held monthly zoom events on topics relevant to female ball hockey players. I loved and participated in every single one of them, learning about nutrition, sports recovery, mental strength, all while bonding with like-minded athletes. I have learned so much from the U Dub leadership and have enjoyed being part of a community-minded group!
I joined UWBHF a few years ago including a goalie clinic. What a great organization and a wonderful group of individuals running it. I have recently played in Oktoberfest Tournament in RI. I had such a great time watching other levels of play and had a blast hanging with my new team. The UWBHF ROCKS!!!!
This organization is wonderful. I had the opportunity to play in the Oktoberfest tournament and it was a wonderful experience. It is great to have an organization to promote this sport and provide so many opportunities to learn the game and meet other players who love this sport. Thanks
I heard about UWBHF when they did a free hockey training. From there I joined a awesome team in Gloucester. We have traveled in played a few tournaments. The last one we play was for UWBHF. It was a great opportunity to play and watch these amazing team. The teams we played pushed up to our limits, but we also showed that we could hold our own as games went on. Thank you for the chance to play in that tournament. I looked forward to play in some more tournaments in the future.
I'm a hockey mom who became a player, and loved my very first experience playing in one of UWBHF's all women's ball hockey tournaments. It was so empowering to see how many women came together for a sport they love. UWBHF provides this opportunity and now I can't wait to get my daughter to experience this positive environment. The event ran flawlessly and you would be hard pressed to find this kind of solidarity just anywhere.
I cannot say enough great things about the UWBHF. In my area of the country (NH/MA) where quality adult women-only sports programs are hard to find, the UWBHF is a beacon of light. I’ve participated in leagues, tournaments and clinics run by the UWBHF and have been incredibly impressed with its professionalism, organization and inclusivity. Catering to girls/women of all ages and skill levels, one of the most appealing things about the UWBHF is its commitment to growing the sport of women’s ball hockey and making the game more accessible to the youth and adult newcomers alike. The UWBHF is not just a sports organization - it’s a culture.
Some of the most fun tournaments I’ve had the pleasure of attending, playing in, and officiating. So many women playing the game they love and making great memories with friends and teammates alike.
UWBHF works hard to support the women's ball hockey community. Their commitment and passion for the advancement of women in sport is unparalleled.
UWBHF has been great as a support for women’s ball hockey! Thanks to them I was able to participate in one of their clinics close to me and get involved with a new league, even playing in my first tournaments!
This nonprofit is amazing and has helped me join a sport for the first time ever — at age 40! They came my town (Gloucester, MA) and helped put on a skills clinic where I learned stick handling for the first time. Fast forward 4 months and I played in their Oktoberfest tournament! I’ve been so grateful for their existence and having the time of my life. Thank you, UWBHF!
United Women’s Ball Hockey Foundation has given me and my team the opportunity to grow within the ball hockey community. Two years ago our team played in our first ever tournament playing in the C division. Since then we have moved into the B division which has challenged us to improve our game and play at a higher level. This organization has built such a strong and supportive community that has brought so many amazing women and new friends into my life. I am so proud to be a part of the community they have built! Without United Women’s Ball Hockey Foundation I wouldn’t be the player I am today and I wouldn’t have had the confidence to play in other higher level leagues and tournaments.
My first ever tournament was Oktoberfest run by UWBHF and it was an incredible experience! It boosted my love for the game and with the people I talked to and played with, it's helped open the door to other leagues and tournaments that I didn't even know existed! Grateful that UWBHF exists and hope to see this sport and community continue to grow!
UWBHF is an amazing organization, constantly working hard to grow the game, build tournaments for women only, and improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in this amazing sport.
Previous Stories
I recently participated in their Oktoberfest 2021 tournament. This was my first hockey tournament and the organizers went out of their way to make sure I had everything I needed and felt welcome. They also helped me connect with the right people, as I was joining as an individual and didn't know anyone going into it.
Playing hockey in this tournament, I found it was so empowering to find so many other talented women who also love the sport and who lift each other up and want to grow the game. Looking forward to participating in many other events with this organization in the future.
Organized an awesome & unforgettable Women’s Ball Hockey tournament complete with prizes & gifts for every single winning team in every division of play. There were hundreds of girls who showed up to play & the competition was intense! The tournament was extremely well organized from start to finish.
This was my first tournament with my team at this caliber tournament. I loved it. The check in was easy, great people at the booth, very friendly, lots of items to choose from if you wanted to buy something as a keep sake. The bathrooms were very clean. Loved that you could have a little fun in between our hockey games with the soccer/basketball fields already there. Loved that there is a restaurant that you can get food and drinks at.
The director of the whole thing was awesome and helped me in so many ways, getting the team in, waivers done, hotels, directions, etc. Everything was great and I would highly recommend.
I am so grateful for UWBHF! Such a great organization that empowers women. I attended my first tournament and it was the best feeling ever! I am so proud to be a part of this community that UWBHF has built!
Ball hockey is an incredible sport and one that people fall in love with easily once they start playing. UWBHF takes that to a whole different level for women because the tournaments, clinics, and community are directed towards growing the game for women's ball hockey overall. This organization is top-notch and one that I enjoy supporting always! The women's ball hockey community is incredible with UWBHF leading the charge in inspirational ways.
My daughter played in their tournament this past weekend in the 16U division. It was ran extremely well, which was no easy feat considering they had 4 divisions going.
All the volunteers I talked to were great and very helpful.
My daughter will play in any event she can make that they run.
Always running great tournaments and growing the sport by getting girls and women excited about playing. Such a wonderful community!
I started volunteering with UWBHF this year after participating at past events, and it has become and integral part of my life. An organization that supports and boosts women in such a male-dominated sport is vital as we grow this sport nationally and internationally. We need more female representation in hockey, and UWBHF is helping us get there. I went to one of UWBHF's tournaments outside of Boston a few years ago, and it was the first women-centric tournament I'd been to. With COVID, I haven't played in tournaments in a while, but I participated in UWBHF's Oktoberfest this year (2021), and it was a great experience, catching up with all the amazing women who have grown together in the sport over the years and meeting the new ones who have picked it up since the last event.
This is an excellent organization with a lot of top-notch, talented athletes. Hope to see this sport continue to grow.
I am so grateful for the opportunities to play ball hockey hosted by the United Women’s Ball Hockey Foundation! I cannot thank them enough for all that they do to empower women and provide opportunities at all levels for women to compete. Thanks for a wonderful tournament and for all that you do!
The UWBHF is the first for women by women non-profit. Every time I go to a tournament or skills clinic or youth clinic as a player or coach I have an absolute blast. Growing up playing sports as a female, you get used to being thought of second at most events. The UWBHF puts women first and that's a special thing. Lastly, the community the UWBHF brings together is absolutely wonderful and I'm excited to attend anything the Udubs puts on.
I am a volunteer coach for the UWBHF. Co-founders Alessandra and Karen, work work very hard to raise the participation level as well as the skill level in the women's game. The tournaments are exciting and well organized and the clinics are simply a fun way to give back to the ball hockey community! The UWBHF has held clinics for youths and adults locally in MA and as far away as the Quad Cities in the midwest. All of the volunteers are great people and work hard to make every event the best it can possibly be.
UWBHF is an organization that says what they mean- they work hard to give women and girls an opportunity to grow in the hockey community. They always put together teams for novice players, or those who may not have a foothold with an established team. The international-caliber coaches engage the girls at their tournaments to truly become part of their community. Getting girls together for sports teams is an amazing outlet, and I am grateful for the organizers who give us so many opportunities to play the game we love!
My daughter had an awesome experience playing in a tournament last weekend with UWBHF. What a great group of players. She said there was tough competition but everyone was so nice. She really enjoyed herself and was so excited to take part in the tournament. Kayleigh can’t wait until the next tournament.
We also traveled from Pittsburgh for the tournament. We were welcomed by the entire community and my daughter had a blast playing in her first all female tournament. She normally plays on a team made up of mostly boys. She made new friends and contacts with an all girl Pittsburgh team that she looks forward to practicing with soon. She loves all things hockey and this didn’t disappoint!
First class organization that gives female players, both younger and older, a voice. Having a younger daughter that has played coed since she was 9, we really did not know what she would do once she aged out of the youth leagues at 16. Now that we are involved with this organization I am confident that they will continue to grow the sport and that there will be a wealth of opportunities for our present and future female ball hockey athletes.
After attending Oktoberfest this past weekend, where my niece participated with her USA U20 team, in preparation for their trip to Slovakia in July, it was apparent that this organization is 100% dedicated to all females who love this sport. The people involved want the younger generation to achieve their goals and are willing to share their knowledge and skill no matter the age. What a wonderful organization to have helping the female youth of thisnsport.
We traveled from Pittsburgh to participate in the woman’s tournament, Oktoberfest. At the age of 12, my daughter was fully embraced by this amazing community. It was such a warm, positive experience and we are so grateful!
UWBHF 10/24/2019
Thank you so much for coming out! We loved having her participate!!
Last weekend I was able to play in Oktoberfest! It was an amazing experience. It was organized, fun, and a great community! I look forward to participating in more events!
UWBHF 10/24/2019
Thanks so much! You were AWESOME!!!
Last weekend, my 14 year old daughter had the privilege of traveling from Pittsburgh, PA to Dracut, MA for Oktoberfest. What a wonderful time it was. We received a lot of information of ball hockey opportunities that we didn’t know were out there. Thanks to this organization and everything they do to not only let the girls enjoy the sport they love, but also learn and grow as a player.
UWBHF 10/24/2019
Thank you so much! We loved having her play! She was amazing!
UWBHF 10/24/2019
Thank you so much! She was awesome!