Alumni Spotlight - Hayley Runnalls

Hayley Runnalls was a member of the AJFHL playing for the Sherwood Park Steele from 2015 to 2019, following her time playing for MacEwan University. After retiring, she has since been actively involved in coaching minor hockey within the Elite Female System. Her coaching experience includes time spent with the NAX Female U19 AAA Prep Team and the NCI U18 Female Elite's team.  She was also selected as a zone coach for two ‘Hockey Alberta U16 Alberta Challenge’ tournaments, with her team winning a gold medal in 2019. In 2020, Hayley was part of the coaching staff for Team South Red at the Alberta Winter Games, where her team secured a silver medal. Most recently, Hayley was named Head Coach of ‘Team Alberta North’ at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games, helping the team to a Championship Title.

Hayley made a bold move in 2020 to shift her focus from elite hockey to become part of a hockey program startup for a local Edmonton non-profit organization called "FreePlay for Kids." This organization aims to provide new Canadians, Indigenous, and at-risk youth with opportunities to play sports while also gaining valuable social and emotional regulation skills. Hayley worked with children aged 5-17 and was the Head Coach for the 'Junior Leadership Program,' providing youth with opportunities to play sports, gain coaching and officiating certification, as well as develop other resume building skills.

Hayley's talent as an athlete has not gone unnoticed, as she has remained involved under the Canadian Ball Hockey Association, attending five National Championships across two divisions from 2019 to 2022. During this time, she has won three gold and two bronze medals and received the tournament’s "Most Valuable Forward" award at the 2022 "A" Nationals in Hamilton, Ontario.

Additionally, Hayley's coaching skills have earned her a place on the staff of the 'Under 21 Junior Women's Team Canada'. She is set to attend the Ball Hockey World Championships in June 2023 held in Liberec, Czech Republic.

Currently residing in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Hayley is utilizing her teaching degree to make a difference in the lives of young learners. As a Grade 4 teacher, she remains dedicated to inspiring young minds on and off the ice, emphasizing the importance of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork in achieving success.