The week long International Ice Hockey Federation’s Group IIA Under 18s World Championship concluded in Dumfries on Sunday 30 March.

The World Championship brought countries from as far afield Romania and Korea to Dumfries, to battle for promotion and avoid relegation. Lithuania won gold in the six nation round robin tournament, with Korea finishing second and Croatia third.

Great Britain as the host nation had home advantage at the Ice Bowl, and secured their place in Group IIA for next season with a tenacious draw with Lithuania (the Baltic country eventually winning the match on a shootout). That outcome was the very minimum the talented Head Coach Martin Grubb, who also coaches the Solway Sharks, and his young players, merited.

The Ice Bowl was busy all week, with Holland and Lithuania bringing colourful groups of fans with them, and Great Britain attracting supporters from all over the UK to stay in the region and take in the hockey.

More than 500 schoolchildren attended matches and Ice Hockey UK launched its national Learn to Play Programme in Dumfries during the World Championship.

Councillor Colin Smyth, Events champion for the Council said, “I’m proud that Dumfries was the location for a World Championship ice hockey tournament, and that the Council with the support of Ice Hockey UK, the International Ice Hockey Federation and a magnificent group of volunteers delivered the event so well. The Ice Bowl had an enjoyable, friendly, cosmopolitan vibe all week and visitors really seemed to enjoy themselves.”

Andy French, General Secretary of Ice Hockey UK said, “Hosting this World Championship was a major undertaking for us and the Local Authority but our planning really did work and we’ve had a productive and exciting week. We hope to work in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council and ice hockey enthusiasts in the area to bring more top class tournaments here for years to come.”

Richard Grieveson, the Council’s Head of Resource Planning and Community Services added, “I’m delighted that Council staff rose to the occasion to professionally deliver another ice hockey world championship. The Ice Bowl is a great asset to the area, which we have witnessed this week and which will become even more evident when it hosts World Championship curling at the end of April.”

The World Championship was the catalyst for more than £90,000 of expenditure in local hotels, who benefitted from the competing teams, officials and supporters staying in the region. The tournament was frequently thrilling on the ice and financially lucrative off it for Dumfries and Galloway.