Paralympian, Karl Nicholson (Image Geoff White)
In March 2014 the ultimate team sport, Ice Sledge Hockey, will be receiving more TV exposure than ever thanks to the 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympic games, giving everyone the chance to watch one of the fastest, most exciting team sports in the world.
Sledge Hockey is a variant of ice hockey and can be played on and off ice, using sledges to allow participants to move about the rink at high speeds hitting a puck travelling at speeds of up to 100kph. Players sit in adapted sledges, propelling themselves with sticks adapted to allow propulsion in a manner similar to skiing. As players are strapped to a sledge everybody has the same restrictions, regardless of whether or not the player has a disability.
Female Sledge Hockey Player
There is no classification points system dictating who can be involved in play within Sledge Hockey (simply an eligibility classification for Paralympic events) unlike other team sports such as wheelchair basketball, rugby and sitting volleyball.
Equipment is exactly the same as for ice or inline hockey with the exception of the sledge and an additional stick. Sledge Hockey is a full contact sport and the rules are the same as those for ice hockey with a small number of additional rules to allow for the difference in equipment.
There is a well-established Sledge Hockey league in the UK, sponsored by Europe’s largest ice rink brand, Planet Ice with opportunities to learn to play at many rinks and whilst the GB team didn’t qualify for the Paralympics’ in Sochi they did win Bronze at least year’s World Championships in Japan and are looking to improve to ensure they qualify for the 2018 games in South Korea.
On March the 28th we will be launching our newest team, the SteelKings at Ice Sheffield.
If you’re interested in getting involved in Sledge Hockey either as player, a coach or a volunteer why not fill in our on-line contact form.
