Queen's Women's Hockey returned to home ice on Friday night to host the Waterloo Warriors in a game that extended far beyond the scoreboard. Although the Gaels fell 3–0, the evening was a meaningful celebration of representation, community, and the continued growth of inclusivity in the sport through Women of Colour Hockey Collective (WCHC) Night.
The spotlight of the night was Queen's forward Sienna Bullen and her nonprofit organization, the Women of Colour Hockey Collective, which is dedicated to creating opportunities and fostering a more inclusive environment for Black and racialized girls in hockey.
When asked how the organization came about and what it means to her, Bullen said, "It's a nonprofit organization to help women and girls of color within hockey – supporting them in ways like community building, financial aid, and just creating spaces so they have access to the game. It was so special tonight because the two other girls on the Waterloo Warriors are also mentors with WCHC, so it was such a special night to have them."
With support from members of the Waterloo Warriors, the event emphasized the importance of access, visibility, and belonging at all levels of the game. Both teams participated in pre-game initiatives supporting WCHC's mission, demonstrating a shared commitment to making hockey a more welcoming space for future generations. Fans filled the Memorial Centre concourse to back the Collective through fundraising efforts, including raffle prizes and the always-popular Chuck-A-Puck intermission contest. Proceeds from these activities went directly to programming that increases access to hockey for young women of colour, turning the night into a tangible step forward for equity in the sport.
Despite the loss on the ice, the Gaels had reason to celebrate: with a late-night defeat by the Ottawa Gee-Gees, Queen's officially clinched first place in the OUA East division, securing a top seed heading into the postseason.
On the ice, the Warriors struck early and maintained momentum, capitalizing on key opportunities to secure the shutout win. Queen's created offensive chances throughout all three periods, showing resilience, structure, and determination while keeping additional scoring threats in check.
As the Gaels turn their attention to the playoffs, Friday's game stands as a reminder of how varsity athletics can drive meaningful change in sport culture. Initiatives like WCHC Night, combined with the passionate support of the Queen's community, highlight how Queen's Women's Hockey is contributing to a movement ensuring the future of hockey reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.
Queen's Women's Hockey returns to the Memorial Centre tomorrow to face Ontario Tech in their final regulation game of the season at 2:30 PM. Tickets are available at gogaelsgo.com—come out and cheer on the Gaels before the playoff push!
