NWP’s New Athletics Programs Offer Students More Shots at Success

Northwestern Polytechnic today announced the addition of two new in-demand elite programs to Wolves Athletics. Avid golfers will be able to hit the fairway this September, while the puck will officially drop for the Wolves Women’s Hockey team in Fall 2026.

“There are significant advantages associated with these two new competitive pathways,” says Dr. Vanessa Sheane.

“At the individual level, we are excited to provide more options for talented athletes, but we also know that a thriving sports scene can energize and bring people together. NWP is eager to work with local partners to make the most of this opportunity and really galvanize our community.”

Recruitment for NWP’s new golf coach is underway, with tryouts for the Men’s and Women’s Golf teams planned in the coming months. The season will consist of two north regionals, ACAC championships, and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) championships for those who qualify. Partnerships with local businesses will enable year-round practice availability.

“This is a great development for both students and our golfing community,” says Bob Martens, Director of Grande Prairie Golf & Country Club. “We are always happy to support more golfers being able to do what they love, and new opportunities to grow the sport in the North.”

NWP’s Women’s Hockey team preparation will also get underway this fall, with active recruitment throughout the 2025-26 season. Bolstered by strong support from the City of Grande Prairie, the Peace Country Female Athletic Club, Grande Prairie Minor Hockey, local AJHL competitors the Grande Prairie Storm, Hockey Alberta, and others, the Wolves will join six other collegiate teams in the league for the 2026-27 season.

Through a partnership with the City of Grande Prairie, the Wolves will practice and play home games at the Design Works Centre. The regular season will include a total of 25 high-paced games, along with focused on and off-ice practice and training sessions.

“The addition of Golf and Women’s Hockey to Wolves Athletics is a win for our community,” said Grande Prairie Mayor, Jackie Clayton. “These new programs highlight the strength of our sports culture, the outstanding quality of our facilities, and the bold vision of NWP to expand opportunities for students to study, compete, and thrive at home. They’re also welcoming new student-athletes to Grande Prairie - many of whom will come to love our city as their new home."

"We’re proud to support this exciting next chapter for NWP and the student-athletes who will wear the Wolves jersey with pride.”

The athletics strategy is part of a larger effort to retain local talent and attract new students to the region. Adding these new sports brings NWP’s roster of teams to 15, including women’s and men’s basketball, volleyball, soccer and futsal, plus cross-country and track.

“These new Golf and Women’s Hockey offerings are the result of strong community support and demand,” says NWP Athletics Director James Phillips. “We spent over a year consulting and collaborating with local sports groups, the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC), and the broader learning community with the goal of activating even more opportunities to study and compete at NWP.”

Coinciding with the new team announcement, NWP has also launched a new sponsorship campaign for the Wolves. The Polytechnic has mapped out a variety of impactful ways that individuals and businesses can contribute to their learning community, including participation at NWP’s Golf Classic fundraiser, which tees off on June 6 at the Grande Prairie Golf and Country Club. 

Learn more about your NWP Wolves athletics programs, express your interest in joining the pack, and discover how you can support local athletics. Let's go, Wolves NWP.me/Wolves