"I wanted to play professionally because I knew there isn't a lot of representation out there for little Black girls who want to play hockey."
partnered with the BGHC's scholarship committee to raise three scholarships in the amounts of $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000 to Black girls between the ages of nine and 18 who play hockey to cover the costs of team fees, new equipment, travel costs and more. These scholarships are available to all young Black female hockey players anywhere in the world. With Saroya’s help, the scholarship committee raised $32,000 to start Black Girl Hockey Club Canada, and the club’s Canadian chapter launched in November 2022. Saroya now serves as its executive director. “Through [BGHC], we're fostering a community and making sure the girls have what they need to succeed and friends to move forward with in hockey, whether that's them wanting to play professionally or just having fun with it," Saroya explained. Saroya said she believes this is a tangible way she and BGHC can make a real difference in the lives of young female hockey players and ease the burdens that come with playing this sport. “I hope that can provide those experiences for these girls at a younger age so they can become the best players that they can be, reach their full potential and have that same accessibility as their White counterparts,” Saroya said. Beyond the financial component, to encourage and institute real change in the hockey system to make it more welcoming and accessible for everyone, Saroya said change needs to take place throughout the sport. That’s why BGHC kickstarted the Get Uncomfortable Campaign, which aims to create a set of recommendations and ideas on how all those involved in hockey, at all levels, can meaningfully contribute to the movement against discrimination and the oppression of BIPOC communities in society.
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