ACWS Leading Change partnership with the Calgary Stampeders

Creating a world free from violence and abuse for women and girls is an important goal for the Calgary Stampeders. The team has partnered with the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters Leading Change program to help achieve this.

Since 2014, the Stamps and ACWS have worked together to raise awareness about the violence faced by so many women and girls in our society.
The Leading Change partnership has involved ACWS providing three-day in-depth training to five current and former members of the Stampeders team. The training equips players with tools to cultivate a culture of personal leadership against gender-based violence. The training is rooted in ACWS experience as the backbone organization for Alberta’s women’s shelters. The Leading Change curriculum was developed in collaboration with MVP Strategies from the USA who have many years’ experience in working with sports teams to create change.

In tandem with ACWS staff, the players have spoken to thousands of people in schools and organizations across Alberta. The sessions delivered by ACWS staff and Stampeders players help people, particularly young people, to consider the spectrum of ways they can take action to interrupt inappropriate behaviour.

The program also involves an in-stadium public messaging campaign including public service announcements and advertising.

The Calgary Stampeders and ACWS Leading Change invite everyone to play their role as leaders on and off the field.
To learn more about Leading Change or to invite a speaker to your school, business or organization please visit www.acws.ca/leading-change.