Toronto hockey camp celebrates BIPOC women on the ice

More than 200 young hockey players are gathering at the Toronto Maple Leafs' training facility this weekend for the Women of Colour Hockey Collective (WCHC) Summer Camp. The event, held at the Ford Performance Centre, aims to foster a sense of belonging for girls of color in sports.

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For a while we’ve known that hockey isn’t necessarily the most welcoming sport, specifically to BIPOC women, so we aim to create a celebrating and welcoming space for BIPOC women in hockey.

Saroya Tinker, WCHC executive director, stated that hockey has not always been the most welcoming sport, particularly for BIPOC women. The camp's goal is to establish a celebratory and inclusive environment. The three-day program began Friday with a professional photoshoot on the ice, followed by training sessions led by players from the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).

Tinker hopes the young athletes learn to be "unapologetically themselves," recalling her own playing days where she felt pressured to be someone else. She emphasized the importance of participants knowing they are welcomed in the game. The camp strives to break down barriers and retain participants in hockey by cultivating friendship and community.

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I hope they learn that they can be unapologetically themselves. When I was playing, I always felt like I had to be somebody else. I think it’s so important for them to know they can be themselves and be welcomed in this game.

Sophie Jaques, a defenseman for the PWHL's Vancouver Goldeneyes, shared her experience of being the only person of color on her teams growing up. She believes the camp would have significantly boosted her confidence. Jaques finds it special to watch the campers grow over the years, progressing from participants to social media contributors and even coaches.

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Growing up, it was definitely tough being the only person of colour on my team and in different spaces. I think this camp would have been something to really help my confidence growing up… Over the years watching these girls grow as campers, to doing social media, to being coaches on the ice, I think it’s all very special.

Mikyla Grant-Mentis, a forward with the Seattle Torrent, sees the camp as an opportunity to advance the sport and showcase the potential for women of color in hockey. She noted that women of color are often underrepresented in the sport, a fact the WCHC aims to change. The camp is free and open to all, regardless of age or prior hockey experience, emphasizing universal welcome.

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A lot of women of colour are not really seen in the sport of hockey and that’s something we want to bring forward. It’s a free camp, so anyone can come. It doesn’t matter your age, if you’ve played hockey before or if you haven’t. Everyone is welcome here and that’s something that is special to us.