The Lady Bears of the Central Florida Hockey Club were pleasantly surprised last Saturday at the Ice Den when Disney graciously unveiled a new, sparkling locker room for the team. This generous act was in celebration of the forthcoming release of Disney and Pixar’s much-anticipated film, Inside Out 2.
The film’s main character, Riley, is depicted as a keen ice hockey enthusiast. This heartwarming tale is expected to resonate with the Lady Bears, thus making the surprise even more significant and special to them.
Peyton Compton, a team member, expressed her amazement at the transformation, stating, “Honestly, seeing the girls’ reaction to everything was breathtaking, seeing how this was paved for the younger girls.” The genuine joy and excitement of the Lady Bears were evident as they were given the opportunity to enjoy their new space, as conveyed by Ambriella Leisten, who joyfully commented, “We’re normally surrounded by boys. We like it in here because now we have more people around us. So we have our own room just to be us.”
The news of Disney’s remarkable gesture was met with sincere appreciation from Lady Bears director, Sondra Pacey, who commented, “I can’t imagine that more little girls won’t want to play hockey. It was so exciting to see how much emphasis they had on a sport that we love.”
Established in 2017, the Lady Bears represent a travel club providing girls aged eight through 19 the opportunity to compete against some of the best in the region. The investment in their locker room serves as a powerful affirmation of their place in the world of sports. Lizzy Curtis further reiterated the significance of the renovation, stating, “It makes us feel way more included because we’re always with the boys and we never had our own space. It definitely lit up the little girls’ faces.”
Undoubtedly, Disney’s incredible act of kindness has left a lasting impact on the Lady Bears, reinforcing their love for hockey and inspiring future generations of young girls to partake in the sport.
Disney’s generous initiative has not only provided the Lady Bears with a state-of-the-art locker room but has also instilled a sense of value and belonging within the team. This heartwarming gesture will undoubtedly continue to positively impact the hockey community for years to come.