A Caribbean Connection Fuels the Game
The Women of Colour Hockey Collective (WCHC) recently concluded a three‑day hockey clinic in Kingston, Jamaica, where about 150 local youngsters got their first taste of the game. The event, held in partnership with the Professional Women’s Hockey League, aimed to break down barriers and showcase hockey as a sport for all.
Founder Saroya Tinker, who traces her roots to the Caribbean, described the clinic as a full‑circle moment that lets her give back to the region that shaped her family’s story. After launching the Black Girl Hockey Club Canada and rebranding it as WCHC in 2025, Tinker has focused on expanding access for women and girls of colour worldwide.
Canadian national team defender Sophie Jaques, who traveled to Jamaica for the camp, said the children’s enthusiasm was a reminder of why she got into the sport. “Seeing kids of Jamaican heritage light up on the ice reinforces the responsibility we have to be visible role models,” she noted.
Swift Hockey, a Canadian maker of affordable equipment, supplied sticks, goalie gear, balls and apparel for the participants. The company’s founder, Zechariah Thomas, a former minor‑league player and Jamaican national ice‑hockey representative, grew up in Oshawa, Ontario, to Jamaican parents. He said his own journey underscores the need for accessible gear and community support.
By the final day, the youngsters were stickhandling, navigating the ball and taking shots with confidence. WCHC left behind 75 sticks, full goalie kits, balls and branded T‑shirts, a tangible legacy that organizers hope will spark future programs across the island and beyond.