A three‑day hockey clinic unfolded last week in Kingston, Jamaica, where the Women of Colour Hockey Collective (WCHC) gathered around 150 children for its inaugural international outreach. The event transformed a local schoolyard into a temporary rink, sparking excitement among participants who had never held a stick before.
The clinic marked a milestone for the WCHC, which rebranded last year from the Black Girl Hockey Club Canada, signaling a broader ambition to open the game to women and girls of color across the diaspora. Organizers emphasized that the rebrand reflects a commitment to intersectional inclusion and community‑driven growth.
Spotlight on Representation
Saroya Tinker, a former professional player and co‑founder of the collective, spoke about the personal resonance of returning to her ancestral homeland, describing the clinic as a chance to give back to the community that shaped her roots. Her words underscored the emotional weight of connecting sport with heritage.
Sophie Jaques, a Canadian national team defender in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, joined the sessions, emphasizing how visible role models can reshape perceptions of who belongs on the ice. Jaques highlighted the importance of seeing players who look like the children they coach.
Swift Hockey, a Canadian manufacturer of affordable equipment, partnered with the clinic, supplying sticks, goalie gear, balls and apparel. The company’s founder, Zechariah Thomas, a former minor‑league forward who once skated for the Jamaican national ice‑hockey team, highlighted his own journey from Oshawa, Ontario, to the Caribbean rinks.
Thomas recounted growing up with limited access to gear, noting that the donation of 75 sticks and assorted equipment was more than a gift — it was a statement that sport can be democratized when industry steps in. He stressed that accessibility begins with the tools players can afford.
The clinic’s impact extended beyond the ice, as participants — many of them foster children encountering hockey for the first time — left with new friendships, confidence and a glimpse of a possible future in the sport. Organizers plan to maintain contact with the children, hoping to nurture long‑term engagement with the game.