Female Ice Hockey taster sessions on offer this weekend
Women and girls of all ages are being encouraged to give Ice Hockey a try this weekend (11-12 October). Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Ice Bowl facility in King Street, Dumfries will host a number of events to promote the sport, in partnership with Ice Hockey UK and the Solway Sharks.
The weekend will include a ladies exhibition game, ladies social night at the Solway Sharks St. Andrew’s Cup fixture and a free on-ice learn to play session open to any girls or women that want to give ice hockey a try on Sunday afternoon.
Saturday’s public skating session will be free entry to all girls and women and there will be on-ice tasters offered to all that attend.
This event is being held as part of promotion for the upcoming IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships Division 2A tournament to be held in Dumfries between 30 March and 5 April 2015.
Councillor Tom McAughtrie, Chairman of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Community and Customer Services Committee, added, “The Council is committed to promoting girls and women’s sport and this is a great way to do that. Working with partners, such as Ice Hockey UK and the Solway Sharks means it is an effective partnership approach and I would encourage females of any age to give it a try and go to Dumfries Ice Bowl over the weekend.”
Jim Anderson, Chairman of Ice Hockey UK, praised the event saying, “The promotion of women’s and girls’ ice hockey over the weekend is really important to raise the profile and awareness of the sport in this country. The sport is open to all that want to take part and Dumfries Ice Bowl and the Solway Sharks are a great example of that as they have recently launched Scotland’s only ladies ice hockey league team. It also becomes part of our plans to create a legacy of participation in the run up to the world championships next year. ”
Anyone who would like more information can contact Dumfries Ice Bowl on 01387 251300 or just turn up over the weekend at any of the following times:
Saturday 11 October
14:00-15:30
Public Skating – End-ice Tasters
We will be promoting girls and women’s ice hockey and having open tasters for any girl’s or women that want to try the sport. Basic equipment will be made available.
Entry to public skating will be free for all girls and women.
15:45-17:45
Ladies Exhibition game featuring Solway and Billingham players.
Players from both sides will be taking to the ice to play in mixed teams and showcase women’s ice hockey. Entry will be free to all spectators.
19:00
Solway Sharks v Whitley Warriors St. Andrew’s Cup – Ladies night social event
We will be hosting a Ladies Night during the first leg of the St. Andrew’s Cup. Entry will be £5 for all ladies. You will receive one complimentary drink on arrival at Sharkey’s Bar, a buffet will be provided and of course you will get to watch the ice hockey. As well as the ice hockey a number of activities will be on offer including a raffle, quizzes and one lucky lady will present the man of the match awards at the end of the game.
Sunday 12 October
Girls and Women’s Learn to Play session
Come along and learn to play ice hockey. There is no need to have any prior experience or equipment. The basics will be provided.
There is no minimum or maximum age either so you can bring your mum, daughter, cousin or a friend. Entry to the session will be free.
11:00 onwards
Off-ice Activities
Get to grips with the equipment, ask questions about how to join a local club and go through an off-ice warm up routine.
12:30-14:00
On-Ice Session
Coaches and players will be on hand to take you through your paces and learn the different skills required to play the game.
Background Notes:
IIHF World Girls Ice Hockey Weekend is an international initiative driven byt the International Ice Hockey Federation. More information can be found at www.iihf.com
Ice Hockey UK is the governing body for the sport in this country. More information on them can be found at www.icehockeyuk.co.uk
