Black Women In Hockey – ⛸️ Breaking the Ice
Say hello to the Black Girl Hockey Club (BGHC), an empowering initiative led by women who are shattering the stereotype of hockey fandom, one game at a time. On the latest episode of the podcast, I had a conversation with Renee Hess, the founder of BGHC, about her journey into becoming a hockey fan, the challenges she and other women have faced in the sport, and the triumphs of black women in hockey.
hy Pittsburgh? Becoming a Fan Against the Grain
The story begins with Renee herself. She quite literally wrote the book on women in hockey. Influenced by a sports-loving friend, she dove into the icy depths of hockey fandom headfirst. It was an unexpected but delightful immersion, as she was particularly drawn to the Pittsburgh Penguins while at a conference, and yes, she audaciously crafted her contrarian heart by becoming a fan of the team just because she was advised against it.
A sense of isolation was apparent as she began to notice the significant lack of black women in the stands when she went to games. This revelation pushed her to take to social media, aiming to find other Black women in hockey and bring Black women hockey fans together.
Building a Community From the Stands Up
This wasn’t a half-hearted play. Her efforts culminated in the BGHC’s inception: a sanctuary where community, empowerment, and visibility are more than just buzzwords. A meeting with the Washington Capitals and a well-timed first meetup saw 50 Black women convene in full hockey splendor—and the rest was history in the making.
She encountered black mothers passionate about the sport, sharing stories of pushing through systemic adversities while supporting their sports-inclined children as they navigated the path from the junior leagues to professional stages. BGHC’s strategy involved community-building and generating support for these “hockey mamas.” Taking the concept of “it takes a village” to heart, the club offers equipment scholarships and hosts mentorship programs, ensuring black juniors receive the support they rightfully deserve.
A Sport on the Rise: The Numbers Don’t Lie
According to USA Hockey, over 98,000 girls and women have registered to play the sport in the 2024-2025 season, which is a 5% increase rom the previous season. Fan attendance at PWHL games increased by over 50% and PWHL merchandise sales double. The demand is here.
BGHC represents more than just a fan group; it’s a call for equity and evolution within sports culture, particularly hockey. Renee’s book, “Blackness is a Gift I Can Give Her,” unpacks black women’s underrepresentation and offers profound insights into the intersections of race, gender, and sports.
True to form, Hess’s advocacy breaches the rink barriers—between organizing group outings to games (cue envy-inducing planned attendance at the new Seattle PWHL team home opener this fall) and being present at historic moments, like helping a family navigate boarding school for their child, hoping to play hockey. The BGHC defines sportsmanship on its own terms, endorsing inclusivity universally.
Renee Hess and the Black Girl Hockey Club make a solid case for why hockey is anyone’s game.