Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: May 7, 2015
• Invested on: September 23, 2016

For her contributions to the development of women’s hockey, both at the national and international levels.

As a player, volunteer and administrator, Fran Rider has had a major influence on the development of women’s hockey across Canada and internationally. She has been involved in women’s hockey since 1967 and was with the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) when it formed in 1975. She lobbied for decades to open up the game of hockey to women and to provide them with equal opportunities for competition. Her efforts were rewarded with the first Women’s World Hockey Tournament in 1987, and when women’s hockey was introduced as an Olympic sport in 1998. Today, she is still involved in women’s hockey, mainly as president and CEO of the OWHA.