Tri-Service training for Royal Navy Ice Hockey

Last month, women from the Royal Navy Ice Hockey Association were invited to attended a unique 'Learn to Play' camp hosted by the Royal Air Force Ice Hockey Association.

The RAF Pumas women’s team invited serving female members of the Royal Navy and British Army to join them at Telford Ice Arena for the camp, giving participants the chance to receive on ice coaching that focussed on basic skating skills, learning to use edges, stop, and turns. 

Training was also provided in learning to stick handle and focussed on the different types of shots used in ice hockey. Attendees were given the opportunity to practice positioning and stick handling with off ice training to allow technique practice without the pressure of staying upright on the ice. 

The week culminated in a mixed fixture with the Pumas vs the Stars, giving the teams the opportunity to put into practice everything they had learned from the week.

The camp was the brainchild of LTP Pillar, Cpl Sharon Hayes. After receiving a message from one of the Royal Navy Ice Hockey women’s team enquiring about how to get involved with training, Cpl Hayes decided to organise a camp to bring together women from across the three services.

Cpl Hayes said, “Every single one of those women from the Royal Navy have been fabulous this week and buzzing to give the sport a try. They have put in 110% effort to the camp and all of them have developed and progressed throughout the week."

A very special 'shout out' goes to PO Amy Mullen who was awarded 'Player of the Match' for the Cosford Stars in the final scrim of the camp.