The Professional Women's Hockey Players Association announced a new regionally-based structure for the 2020-2021 season ©Twitter

The Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) announced a new regionally-based structure for the 2020-2021 season.

Based on feedback provided by the PWHPA membership, a new regional structure will be implemented that aims to improve player experience and continue to build a professional environment.

Five regional training hubs are set to be located in Calgary, Toronto and Montreal in Canada, and New Hampshire and Minnesota in the United States. 

Each hub will aim to provide players with improved access to resources such as full-time dressing rooms, access to strength and conditioning facilities, and support staff and coaches.

Players will be required to try-out to make the regional training group. 

Each hub will be able to carry a roster of 25 active players that will be eligible to attend showcases and play in regional games. 

"We listened to our players from last season, and the feedback was very consistent in ways that we could improve the PWHPA experience," said Jayna Hefford, PWHPA operations consultant.

"It was a priority for us to increase the level of commitment and to provide additional resources for our athletes to develop and perform at the highest level. 

"There is still an opportunity for players to be a part of the PWHPA, even if they don’t reside in an 'official' training region. 

"We simply condensed the supported centres to provide more resources for our athletes."

The PWHPA was formed last year when the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) folded.

More than 200 players from both the CWHL and National Women's Hockey League released a joint statement announcing their intent to not participate in any North American professional league for the 2019–20 season.

They cited their dissatisfaction with the operations of both leagues, and formed the PWHPA.

PWHPA members then decided to compete against one another in a number of North American cities, creating a series of exhibitions called the Dream Gap Tour.

A second Dream Gap Tour is planned for the 2020-2021 season, but the coronavirus pandemic is currently preventing the organisation of this. 

"The new structure provides players with a more professional training environment on a regular basis which will allow us to put the best product of women’s professional hockey on the ice daily," said Kendall Coyne Schofield, PWHPA Board President.