Toronto Six player founds hockey club in Canada to inspire, support young Black girls | 24CA News

Growing up in Oshawa, Ont., skilled hockey participant Saroya Tinker was usually the one Black participant on the ice.

“I was always a little bit of an outsider in hockey in regards to the comments I would receive and experiencing racism in the game,” mentioned the 24-year-old defender for the Toronto Six of the Premier Hockey Federation.

Tinker started skating when she was round 4 years outdated and commenced taking part in hockey at age six.

At 17, Tinker was accepted to Yale University and performed hockey for the Ivy League college for 4 years.

“I really wanted to play professionally because I know that there’s not much representation out there for little Black girls that want to play hockey,” she mentioned.

During her senior yr at Yale, Tinker mentioned she was struggling.

“I wanted to find another community,” she mentioned.

Her mom found a gaggle referred to as the Black Girl Hockey Club.

Founded by Renee Hess, the California-based non-profit goals to encourage and maintain ardour for the sport throughout the Black group. Tinker started volunteering on the membership’s scholarship committee and ultimately raised $32,000 to begin Black Girl Hockey Club Canada. The Canadian chapter launched in November 2022.

Like its American predecessor, Black Girl Hockey Club Canada provides a scholarship funded via Jumpstart, a monetary assist program, group applications and mentorship alternatives for women throughout the nation. Tinker says there are additionally plans to make gear obtainable upon request and the group is finalizing a take care of the National Hockey League to be the donor.

The Calgary Flames have made monetary donations to the membership’s scholarship program, whereas the Vancouver Canucks are to host a meet-up with women in March.

The membership may also be launching a psychological well being and wellness program.

“We’re really just fostering a community, making sure the girls have what they need to succeed and friends to move forward in hockey, whether that’s them wanting to play professionally or just having fun with it,” mentioned Tinker.

Tinker says Black women need to be assured in who they’re and know they’ve a spot within the sport.

“I felt like I always had to take a piece of my Blackness out to fit in,” mentioned Tinker. “I think that my game has flourished most when I’ve decided to be unapologetic about who I am.

“That’s what we really aim to do, is have a piece of representation recognized and make sure that they can be unapologetic about who they are.”

Toronto Six coach Geraldine Heaney mentioned Tinker brings a optimistic perspective to the rink.

“I think she’s the perfect person to be doing what she’s doing and getting young Black girls to have a safe space to play,” Heaney mentioned.

Heaney started taking part in hockey when she was a toddler after her household immigrated to Canada from Ireland. Heaney mentioned hockey for women has modified since then.

“I felt like I wasn’t allowed and didn’t really have a place to play.”

Heaney performed for the Toronto Aeros for 25 years. She received a silver medal taking part in for Canada on the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan, after which a gold medal on the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.

“Hockey is Canada’s national sport and everybody should have the chance to play it,” mentioned Heaney.

Tinker was invited to play within the federation’s all-star weekend in January, the place she mentioned numerous women from the membership confirmed as much as help her.

The Toronto Six are in second place subsequent to the Boston Pride.

“We’re looking forward to winning the Isobel Cup this year,” mentioned Tinker, who’s gearing as much as play in opposition to the Buffalo Beauts on Saturday in Toronto.

Heaney mentioned that whereas girls’s hockey has been rising over time, it nonetheless wants help.

“I think people need to get out there and once they watch, they’re pretty impressed with the level of hockey that these women play right now,” mentioned Heaney. “We play the game just as well.”

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