On a balmy February Wednesday in Central Park, hundreds were out enjoying an unseasonably warm New York winter. But at Wollman Rink, something even more beautiful was occurring.
The Metropolitan Riveters of the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF), the only professional women’s hockey league in North America, held a special clinic bringing together hockey, Harlem and Black History Month.
The clinic hosted over 100 young people deeply involved in Ice Hockey in Harlem (IHIH), one of the most expansive, not to mention one of the oldest (founded in 1987 with forty eager participants ranging in age from 9-12) programs in the country designed to bring education, community involvement, and the game of hockey to young people in need.
And while IHIH has been supported by NHL teams like the New York Rangers over the years, bringing these elite women together with these young athletes was another positive step for both organizations.
The result was another expansive opportunity to grow the game of hockey well beyond the borders of the traditional, forging relationships that will last for a lifetime.
The early evening clinic under the stars was not lost on the PHF players either.
“Central Park was something most of our team had never experienced before so it was fun to see them take in the view,†said Riveters team captain Madison Packer. “The kids were a blast to work with. Being accessible role models in the community is maybe the most important part of our job, especially as women. Girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys by the age of 14 with more than 50% of girls dropping out of sports by age 17. If we can show future generations of athletes they can do it and we make ourselves accessible to the kids who are looking to one day be like us, it can change the entire trajectory of their sports journey.â€
The team also relaunched their extremely popular “Black Rosie†jerseys that debuted last February. The team’s logo is the legendary “Rosie The Riveter,†made famous 70 years ago by Westinghouse during World War 2. The “Black Rosie” image was designed by Black Girl Hockey’s Jordan Dabney, and the Riveters will wear the custom jersey for select PHF games down the stretch of the season.
The event was a joy for all, especially the players.
“Seeing these kids love the game at this age is really exciting,†added Riveters forward Sarah Bujold. “Finding ways to work with them is rewarding for all of us. We can’t wait to do more.â€
The Riveters clinic is the latest example of the PHF’s expansive outreach to identify and work with new communities in and around hockey.
However, this past Wednesday’s event, under the stars in the heart of the Big Apple, may have been the most impressive so far.
