The second Global Girls’ Game is ready to begin. During this weekend the first puck-drop between Team Blue and Team White will happen in Dunedin, New Zealand, and from there the game will continue in 38 countries.

The first edition was played last season as part of the World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend in October 2015. This season the two initiatives to promote the growth of women’s hockey were separated. This season’s World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend focusing on giving girls a possibility to try out hockey in a fun and safe environment took place in October 2016, you can find the coverage here.

The Global Girls’ Game happens all weekend long starting in Dunedin, New Zealand. From there it will go to other places in Asia and Oceania such as Australia, Japan and Chinese Taipei, then to Kazakhstan, Siberia and the Middle East followed by Europe and Africa before eventually reaching North and South America.

In each of the 38 venues in 38 countries Team Blue will play against Team White for a win but also for the aggregate score of the Global Girls’ Game. Last season Team Blue beat Team White 106-83 and a record participation number this weekend promises even more goals.

Game after game the team members from six continents thus connect with the teammates in another country and can cheer on them online on IIHF.com or in social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. #GlobalGirlsGame is the official hashtag.

Just one week after exciting games at the Women’s Final Olympic Qualification it will be another weekend for girls and women to celebrate the sport of ice hockey and raise awareness.

“It’s a great possibility for us to promote women’s hockey. It gives us the possibility that top countries do something with countries that even don’t have a national team,” said IIHF Council member Zsuzsanna Kolbenheyer, who was part of an event herself last year in Hungary.

“We did a mixed team with former national team players and U12 girls. It was a lot of fun and I played on the same team with my daughter. It’s been a dream and it was the first time,” the long-time Hungarian national team player said. Many girls from the try-hockey event stayed to watch the game and a television crew reported from the event.

Make your equipment ready for a very long game that will inspire new girls to play the coolest sport on planet.

The Global Girls’ Game ends on Sunday with the last games being held in Mexico City, Pittsburgh and at 6 PM local time in Toronto.

Click here for the full schedule and scores page.

MARTIN MERK