SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – A weekend not about winning, was all about empowering young girls.
“You get to play with people from around the state when usually you’re playing against them,” Halle Watson said.
The Fight like a Ninja hockey tournament started in 2016, with just four teams. This weekend, 18 girls’ hockey teams across the Midwest gathered to play.
But the tournament goes deeper than just hockey.
“We were able to bring in several speakers for the girls and talk about topics like money, STEM and mental health and coping skills. And it just really brought so much more than the hockey for the weekend,” Angela Drake said.
Angela Drake started the non-profit the same year she lost her daughter Brittany, who died by suicide.
“Brittany started playing hockey when she was nine and just really took on being the goalie and the heart and soul of every team she was on,” Drake said.
Brittany’s teammates nicknamed her the “ninja” of the team for her lightning-fast skills on the ice. Today, her mom is helping pass along resources for others.
“It truly warms my heart to see that these girls are getting the information that they need to take care of themselves, not just physically but emotionally, while they’re playing this super tough game,” Drake said.
While some players didn’t know Brittany personally, they knew the mission of the non-profit was important.
“It’s nice to be able to play the game that I love while being able to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention,” player Halle Watson said.
A total of 39 games were played at this year’s tournament. The Fight like a Ninja non-profit is entirely volunteer based. It also awards a scholarship to a South Dakota girl hockey player each year.
