Kenyan Hockey Players Experience Dream Trip to Toronto

Carol Joseph, Chumbana Likiza, and Hanan Ali, members of the Kenya Ice Lionesses women's hockey program, experienced a life-changing journey from Nairobi to Toronto, a trip that took approximately 17 hours. This marked their first time on an airplane and outside of Kenya, a significant cultural and personal milestone. They are in Toronto as guests of the Black Girl Hockey Club, participating in a development camp alongside 180 other young women and children of color.

The camp offers a unique opportunity for the Kenyan players, as it's the first time they've practiced with women from outside their own country and under the guidance of professional coaches. The Black Girl Hockey Club, through its Canadian chapter spearheaded by Saroya Tinker, extended the invitation and covered all expenses. Tinker had previously spoken with Joseph, who expressed interest in attending a camp, leading to the invitation for her and her teammates.

Tinker emphasized the importance of this experience, highlighting the limited opportunities for the Kenyan players to interact with other Black girls in their home country. The camp provides a supportive environment for them to connect with women and girls who share their passion for hockey. The focus is on fun and networking, without any pressure to perform.

Saroya Tinker, a former defender for the Toronto Six of the Professional Women’s Hockey Federation, retired in late 2023 and now works for the Professional Women’s Hockey League, specializing in diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement. She also contributes as a panelist on CBC broadcasts of PWHL games.

Hockey's presence in Kenya began in 2006, thanks to Canadian expats who donated equipment. The country has only one ice rink, which is also the sole rink in East and Central Africa. This rink, a third of the size of an NHL rink, is a hub for aspiring players. The Lionesses currently compete against men’s teams, and their coach, Tim Colby, hopes to establish a senior club team to serve as a foundation for a national team. He anticipates that Joseph, Likiza, and Ali will gain valuable hockey and leadership skills in Toronto, which they can then use to become future coaches.

During their time in Toronto, the Lionesses visited the Ford Performance Centre, where they met PWHL star Sarah Nurse after watching her power skating drills. Joseph expressed her excitement at meeting someone she recognized from social media and television, stating that it provided great motivation. They also planned to shop for souvenirs and attend a Blue Jays game. Joseph recounted how she had initially expressed her desire to attend a Black Girl Hockey Club camp, but was initially hesitant due to financial concerns. The club's offer to cover their expenses made the trip a dream come true.