Natalie Van Druff and Lilly Walter, two 11-year-old girls from Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, are being hailed as heroes in their community after saving their beloved hockey rink from being converted into pickleball courts. The girls have now taken charge of leading efforts to improve the rink, ensuring that generations of young hockey players can continue to enjoy it.
The girls initially became friends while playing dek hockey together. Known as a variation of hockey played in sneakers on a flat surface, dek hockey is a more accessible and affordable option for players and communities. Recognizing the value of the sport, the Flyers organize ball hockey and dek hockey programs for local youth during the summer.
Walter and Van Druff play different positions on the team and have been teammates for two years. They frequent the New Hanover Community Park hockey dek, where they developed a strong friendship. However, their beloved rink faced an uncertain future a few months ago.
In an effort to support her daughter’s love for the sport, Kate Van Druff had the idea of starting a pickup dek hockey group for mothers and kids at the park. To accommodate the group, she reached out to the local township to donate a second net for the dek. However, she received the shocking news that the town was planning to convert the rink into pickleball courts.
Pickleball, a rapidly growing sport nationwide, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. The planned conversion would have eliminated a local, free space for kids to play outdoor pickup hockey, which is a significant loss considering the absence of entrance fees at the community park. Nearby Boyertown Community Park already has three pickleball courts, further emphasizing the need to preserve the hockey rink.
Unfazed by the setback, Walter, Van Druff, and other players and parents rallied together to voice their concerns at a township meeting. Following the meeting, they presented a petition with over 900 signatures, demonstrating the overwhelming support for preserving the dek. Their efforts paid off when they received a letter from the township manager confirming that the rink would be saved.
While the rink has been spared, it does require some renovations. The girls, recognizing the opportunity to improve the facility, have put forward suggestions for a much-needed makeover. These include repairing a large crack in the concrete, replacing the fencing with hockey boards, and installing outward-opening hockey doors.
Van Druff and Walter recently presented their renovation plans to three council members during a meeting at the New Hanover Township municipal building. Although public speaking was new to them, the girls displayed confidence as they shared their vision for the rink. The council members were impressed and informed the girls that their presentation would move forward to the next round, where they would present to the board of supervisors in March.
In the meantime, the girls are actively seeking sponsors for the rink. Inspired by the successful renovation of a ball hockey rink in Gloucester Township through a partnership with the Flyers, they hope to incorporate a tile surface, boards, and a scoreboard into the New Hanover dek.
Walter and Van Druff’s unwavering determination serves as a reminder that anyone, regardless of age, can make a difference. They have shown the power of standing up for what you believe in and have become beacons of change in their community. Their hope is that the dek will continue to serve as a gathering place for generations of hockey players to come.
