Black Girl Hockey Club Scholarships: Making Dreams Come True on the Ice

Hey there hockey fans! Today, I want to tell you about the amazing impact of the Black Girl Hockey Club scholarships on three talented players: Dayton O’Donoghue, Sydney Merritt, and Willow Poppleton. These incredible young women have all gone on to play NCAA women’s hockey, thanks to the support they received from the BGHC.

Let’s start with Dayton O’Donoghue, an 18-year-old forward from Toronto. She used the $6,000 in scholarships she received from the BGHC in 2022 and 2021 to attend a hockey recruiting showcase in Florida. This was a game-changer for her recruiting process, as she got to meet coaches and show off her skills. None of this would have been possible without the financial support from the scholarship.

Sydney Merritt, a sophomore forward for Saint Anselm College, also received a $5,000 scholarship from the BGHC in 2022. She used the money to pay for books, supplies, and other expenses that come with being a college student. The scholarship helped her focus on her passion for the game without worrying about financial stress.

Willow Poppleton, a sophomore defenseman at Lake Forest College, received a $1,000 scholarship from the BGHC in 2021. Since Division III institutions don’t offer full or partial scholarships, the money went towards her tuition. It was a relief for her and her parents, and it showed her that there are opportunities for Black girls in hockey beyond their local schools.

But the BGHC scholarships are about more than just money. They provide recognition and support to Black women in hockey, showing them that they belong and can achieve their dreams. Willow Poppleton expressed her gratitude for being recognized by the community and how it has helped her in her college career. She wants other girls to see her living her dream and be inspired to pursue college hockey too.

Renee Hess, the founder of the BGHC, had a vision of inspiring and sustaining passion for hockey within the Black community. The scholarships are just one way they are making that vision a reality. Since 2020, BGHC U.S. has awarded over $146,000 in scholarships and provided $19,000 worth of hockey equipment. BGHC Canada is also making a difference, with plans to award $30,000 in scholarships and $15,000 in financial aid.

Hockey can be an expensive sport, and the BGHC scholarships aim to alleviate some of the financial burden. The flexibility of the scholarships allows recipients and their families to use the money for various needs, whether it’s equipment, travel costs, or even hot cocoa at the rink. The goal is to ensure that these talented young women can continue engaging in hockey without worrying about the costs.

So, let’s give a big shoutout to the Black Girl Hockey Club for their incredible work in supporting and empowering Black women in hockey. Thanks to their scholarships, players like Dayton O’Donoghue, Sydney Merritt, and Willow Poppleton are living their dreams on the ice. Keep shining, ladies!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *