The International Ice Hockey Federation’s Women’s World Championship Ice Hockey tournament (Division 2A), finished at Dumfries Ice Bowl on Sunday 5 April.
Great Britain Women’s team played off against top seeds Kazakhstan, Korea, Poland, New Zealand and Croatia to try and earn promotion to Division 1B for 2016.
At a boisterous, full Ice Bowl on Sunday evening, Great Britain and Kazakhstan went into their decisive fixture against each other undefeated, with GB previously having won all four of their matches.
Kazakhstan fully justified their favourites tag, won the tie 2-0. The Central Asian country were hugely disciplined, and had an easier match on the Saturday which gave them an edge in preparation for the decider.
Great credit should go to Great Britain who played tough and competitive ice hockey all week. Going into their match up with Kazakhstan they had conceded just three goals – their defence stood strong even when put under severe pressure.
Councillor Colin Smyth, Events Champion for the Council said;
“This has been a special World Championship. The standard of play got better and better throughout the week and the goodwill and sportsmanship on the ice was highly impressive. The whole atmosphere at the Ice Bowl has been so good natured. I’m thrilled with the feedback the Council is receiving for our management and marketing of this World Championship.
The Council will now fully support Ice Hockey UK’s Bid to bring the Under 20s World Championship to Dumfries for December 2015. I’m keen to work with the local business community, to impress upon them how much an asset the Ice Bowl is to our region, and the commercial benefits Ice Hockey brings to Dumfries and Galloway.”
Richard Grieveson, the Council’s Head of Resource Planning and Community Services added;
“The Council’s partnership with Ice Hockey UK is in very good health. Behind the scenes everything at the Ice Bowl went smoothly, and we can say with confidence that we are developing an international reputation and high quality skills for hosting superb ice sports events here in Dumfries.”
Andy French, General Secretary of Ice Hockey UK said;
“We have had a great week of highly competitive, tough ice hockey. The performance of GB Women was a real highlight, especially in the weekend matches against Poland and Kazakhstan and their engrossing match against Korea. 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, as we feel our investment in ice hockey at the Ice Bowl really pays off. ”
The World Championship created a minimum economic impact of more than £150,000 to the regional economy. Competing teams and a sizeable group of officials stayed in Dumfries hotels for an average of nine to ten days each, generating close to 2000 bed nights. Expenditure by the Council and Ice Hockey UK on transport, food and other events costs also provided a financial stimulus for local businesses.
Councillor Smyth commented;
“As a Council we invested £35,000 from the Major Events Strategic Fund and secured £19,000 from EventScotland as our financial contribution for this World Championship. In return we have brought a wonderful week of world class ice hockey to Dumfries which will inspire more young people and women to take up the sport, thus boosting Dumfries’ reputation even further as a hot spot for ice hockey. Our £35,000 contribution to the tournament costs resulted in a minimum economic impact of £150,000 plus to the regional economy, which represents a very positive, transparent Return on Public Investment.
2 images attached
image 1 – action from GB v Kaz match
image 2 – Cllr Smyth thank you
