Two Women’s World Championship Ice Hockey Tournaments Will Put Dumfries at the Global Heart of the Game,Dumfries Ice Bowl is set to become the international focus for Women’s Ice Hockey in 2019.
Two World Championship tournaments are to take place within quick succession in the New Year, bringing eleven countries national teams to the town.
Great Britain Under 18s Women will be part of a six nation International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship Division 1B to be played between January 6-12. Notable visitors will be the Chinese Under 18 team, who are sure to draw a big crowd to the Ice Bowl. Great Britain will also compete against France, Poland, the Netherlands and Norway in this World Championship.
In April (2-8) Great Britain welcome the world – five far flung countries will descend on Dumfries for the second World Championship, the IIHF Women’s Division 2A tournament. The national teams of Australia, the People’s Democratic Republic of Korean (better known as North Korea) and Mexico will make their way to the Ice Bowl to play the hosts, Slovenia and Spain to see which country gains promotion. Both World Championships are expected to be keenly contested with no clear favourites.
The World Championships double header is an incredible boost for the Ice Bowl, British Ice Hockey and the economy of Dumfries and Galloway. The two tournaments in total will generate more than £350,000 for the regional economy, from the funding the Council receive for hosting the events. The Council spends the money directly with local hotels, coach hire companies and caterers to take care of the competing players, managers, tournament officials and volunteers when they are here.
Councillor Adam Wilson, the Council’s Events Champion said, “I am sure the whole community will get behind these two World Championships and provide a warm welcome for the eleven countries that are coming to compete in elite Women’s Ice Hockey. Ice sports are booming in Dumfries and hosting another two World Championships is further testimony to the excellent work of Council staff and our investment in major events. These two tournaments are taking place during a quiet time of the year for visitors so it is pleasing that this Council and Ice Hockey UK initiative is creating such an impressive economic boost for the region.”
Andy French, General Secretary of Ice Hockey UK commented, “The two World Championships provide the perfect opportunity to promote the exhilarating sport of ice hockey. The game is not just for men and the two Great Britain teams will really illustrate that there is a pathway for girls and women into the sport and, with dedication and drive, people can make it into their national team. I am looking forward to welcoming all the competing nations to Dumfries in 2019 and take in the quality of ice hockey the two World Championships are sure to deliver.”
Tickets will be available for each match at the Ice Bowl or can be booked in advance from the Midsteeple Box Office, Dumfries or online from icehockeyuk.co.uk
