PARA ICE HOCKEY
Since its debut at the Lillehammer 1994 Winter Games, the Paralympic version of ice hockey has quickly become one of the largest attractions for spectators. It is fast-paced, highly physical and played by male and female athletes. At a league level in the UK the sport is played by both Disabled and Able Bodied players on the same team. At an international Paralympic level, it is played by players with a physical impairment in the lower part of the body.
It follows the rules of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) with modifications. Instead of skates, players use double-blade sledges that allow the puck to pass beneath. Players use two sticks, which have a spike-end for pushing and a blade-end for shooting.
In 2016, the sport was renamed and rebranded from IPC Ice Sledge Hockey to Para Ice Hockey.
Playing sledge means a lot to me mentally and physically. Its put me in a team again where we all have to work for each other.
When i first lost my legs my physical fitness needed to improve in my upper body and it has done massively and that’s down to the hockey.
That first time I’ll never forget how different it felt to any other sports that I had done, mainly due to the fact that it wasn’t in a wheelchair, coupled with how the sledge glided & moved. It just gave me a sense of speed that I had never had and it was physically challenging.
Playing Para Ice Hockey has opened up a whole new world for me. Being part of a club gives me a sense of belonging and has resulted in a number of friendships being made. Representing GB means a lot to me, having never expecting to be able to compete in sport having been born with spina bifida.
BENEFITS OF PLAYING SPORT
Improved cardiovascular health.
Make new social connections
Improved lung function
Increased confidence
Reduces stress
Improve mental health
Sport builds leaders
Develop stronger relationships
Helps manage weight
Improved joint flexibility and range of motion