There is a new trophy for the 2024 New Zealand Women’s Ice Hockey League. The Goulding Cup will serve as the new NZWIHL Championship trophy beginning with the 2024 playoffs, one which will rightfully carry the name of a hero of women’s ice hockey in New Zealand, Jan Goulding.
Catch a first glimpse of the Goulding Cup this weekend at the NZWIHL finals in Queenstown, or be sure to check out the NZWIHL Facebook & Instagram pages over the weekend.
Jan Goulding (Right), pictured with her daughter Anna (Left) at the 2013 World Championship in Auckland, New Zealand.
Jan’s love affair with hockey began in the most heartwarming way—through her daughter, Anna, who started playing at just 13. When the Southern team needed a manager, Jan didn’t hesitate to step up, and from that moment on, she became a force to be reckoned with in the hockey world.
In the early days, Jan managed the a Southern team that spanned across Tekapo, Gore, Maniototo, Dunedin, and Queenstown. But as the landscape of women’s hockey evolved, so did Jan’s role. By 2009, she had caught the eye of Grant Hay, who knew he had to have her leading the Ice Fernz, New Zealand’s national women’s team. And lead she did—taking the team through five incredible years, culminating in her role as Chef de Mission in 2014.
But Jan’s influence didn’t stop there. From 2012 to 2022, she held a key position in the Federation, championing the women’s portfolio and driving the sport’s growth. One of her most significant achievements was co-founding the U18 Leaside program with Angelique Mawson and Simon Heale. This groundbreaking initiative connected young Kiwi players with the Leaside Cats in Toronto, creating opportunities for them to play and train on an international stage. And guess what? The program is still thriving today!
One of Jan’s proudest moments came in 2011 when she led the Ice Fernz to a historic gold medal victory in Iceland. It wasn’t just about the win—it was about the journey. The team faced numerous challenges, but they pulled together in a true grassroots effort, building a culture of resilience and camaraderie. And as Jan and Grant Hay later reflected, “We had a good time, didn’t we?”
The 2011 Ice Fernz team, gold medal winners in Iceland
For Jan, it’s the personal connections that mean the most. She still keeps in touch with many players from that golden era, even those living overseas. And as a marriage celebrant, Jan has had the unique joy of officiating the weddings of two former players—a testament to the lifelong bonds she’s formed through the game.
From just 60 registered players when Jan started, to over 520 in 2023, the growth of women’s hockey in New Zealand has been nothing short of phenomenal. Jan is overjoyed to see the sport become more inclusive and celebrated across the board. She’s also thrilled by the exposure women’s hockey is getting on social media, with fans and players rallying behind the sport like never before!
Jan Goulding isn’t just a manager or a leader—she’s a legend who has left an indelible mark on the ice and in the hearts of all who know her. Here’s to Jan, a true hockey hero!
