Hockey Hopefuls
Thirty local youngsters aged between 8 and 15 were put through their paces on a week long intensive Ice Hockey School at Billingham Forum Ice Arena.
The Ice Hockey school was organised and led by the current Billingham Bombers Head Coach and North East Ice Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Terry Ward. Terry was assisted by 5 more coaches including current Newcastle Vipers player Richie Thornton.
The Ice Hockey school started 15 years ago to save local players having to travel to other rinks in the country at considerable expense. The school has gone from strength to strength culminating in 29 boys and 1 girl, 12-year-old Amy Campbell who currently plays for the Billingham Wildcats, attending this weeks course.
The young hockey stars were on the ice for 3 hours per day and utilised the pool and dry facilities at Billingham Forum. They were coached on such topics as stick handling, shooting, skating skills, tactical and game awareness, fitness conditioning and speed work.
Terry said “Along with all the hockey skills that are taught this week an important element that we stress to the kids is respect. I am sure we will be seeing some of the children who attended this week playing for the Billingham Bombers in a few years time.”
Terry who coached the Bombers to the EIHA Northern League Play Off Championships last season is already been preparing the current first team squad for their first away game at Bradford on September 3rd and is looking forward to their first home game on September 17th against Flintshire face off 6-15pm.