Partnership with Black Girl Hockey Club bolsters Six star Saroya Tinker's confidence

Growing up in Oshawa, Ont., professional hockey player Saroya Tinker was often the only Black player 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," said the 24-year-old defender for the Toronto Six of the Premier Hockey Federation.

Tinker began skating when she was around four years old and began playing hockey at age six.

At 17, Tinker was accepted to Yale University and played hockey for the Ivy League school for four 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 said.

During her senior year at Yale, Tinker said she was struggling.

"I wanted to find another community," she said.

Her mother discovered a group called the Black Girl Hockey Club.

Founded by Renee Hess, the California-based non-profit aims to inspire and sustain passion for the game within the Black community. Tinker began volunteering on the club's scholarship committee and eventually raised $32,000 to start Black Girl Hockey Club Canada. The Canadian chapter launched in November 2022.

Like its American predecessor, Black Girl Hockey Club Canada offers a scholarship funded through Jumpstart, a financial aid program, community programs and mentorship opportunities for girls across the country. Tinker says there are also plans to make equipment available upon request and the group is finalizing a deal with the National Hockey League to be the donor.

The club will also be launching a mental health 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