AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT: Ireland Greenhough | Sooke, BC, Canada

MEET IRELAND!

Tell us about yourself!

Hello my name is Ireland Greenhough, I am 20 years old from Sooke BC, a small town on Vancouver Island. I currently attend Olds College in Alberta and  I am taking the Business- Sports Management Major Program and playing hockey for the Olds College Broncos. I’ve grown up in a hockey family and started skating around the age of 2 and then moved into playing hockey at initiation. I’ve been in love with the game ever since.

What made you want to be a WHL Brand Ambassador?

I wanted to become a WHL Brand Ambassador so I can contribute, learn and grow with the women’s hockey community. I am lucky enough to be pursuing my dream and I want to use this opportunity to be involved in women’s hockey and express some knowledge, skills, advice, ideas etc with so many people who share the same passion. WHL provides an opportunity and experience to be a part of something much larger than myself. There’s so much to talk about and share and this is a great way to do just that.

What are you most looking forward to as a #WHLAMBASSADOR?

I’m looking forward to being a part of the community,  learning and sharing ideas. I’m excited to represent the WHL and stand for what they value in all aspects of women and girls hockey. I can’t wait to be a part of something so much larger than the game and share the passion with people from around the world on and off the ice. 

What’s something not a lot of people know about you?

I really enjoy cooking! I love trying new foods and coming up with recipes without following directions or measurements and expanding my variety in what I make. I also am quite the book worm and always love a good book in my spare time.

If you could sit down and have dinner with one female hockey player, who would it be and why?

If I could sit down and have dinner with one female hockey player it would be Brianne Jenner. She’s a player who I often look up to and enjoy watching her play. She is a very active and engaged, strong and smart talented person who has insight into hockey, life and so much more. Being able to sit down and engage with someone who is so influential would be a great opportunity to see different perspectives and get a deeper understanding of how she got to where she is and how she continues to grow on and off the ice. I would also have to have dinner with my younger self because she wouldn’t believe where I am today  and I think it would be important to share how things can happen if you follow your dreams and believe in yourself. 

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given in hockey or in life?

I think some of the best advice I’ve received in my life is to push yourself and follow your heart. It’s incredible how much you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.  Some advice I’ve also received in life and sport is to make sure you are taking care of #1 which is yourself. Making sure you are doing okay on all aspects of health, mentally, physically, emotionally and mentally is so important. That caring for yourself doesn’t make you  selfish and allows you to be at your best for you and the people around you. I often think well being is often forgotten about and can make things a lot harder than they need to be.. I know personally that sometimes I forget to put myself first at times and then I start to burn out on all levels which can affect school, sports, relationships, work, sleeping, eating etc . It’s important to recognize those little things that don’t seem like such a big deal all the time. When things start to become overwhelming, look back and reflect on how far you’ve come, how you keep showing up everyday and that you are here for a reason and deserve to make that little girl with the big dreams proud. 

What’s your dream for women’s hockey?

My dream for women’s hockey is to grow and expand especially in the professional league. I want women to have the equal opportunities that the men do when it comes to competition, opportunities, recognition, pay and so much more. I want women in hockey to not feel defeated by a male dominated sport and the depreciating participation at the youth levels. The lack of inclusivity and equality to this day is upsetting and I  hope that change can happen with purpose behind the actions  occurring.

CONNECT WITH IRELAND:

@ireland_greenhough_

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