We’ve started the Blue Badge Style Sports Blog to help advise less able people on how to get into sports. In each blog we feature a different less able athlete writing about their own sport.
This time we’re featuring Sledge Hockey player Matt Coleman. Matt is part of the GB Sledge Hockey team aiming to compete in Sochi next year. He’s written a superb introduction to his sport, covering the basics, the history and the future of Sledge Hockey. Over to Matt:
Welcome to Sledge Hockey, one of the best Winter Paralympic sports that you have probably never heard of! I know, I’m assuming a lot and who knows? You probably possess an encyclopedic knowledge of every sport from Archery to Ziplining, but to be honest I didn’t know of sledge hockey until 3 years ago, so I like to think I’m not alone in my ignorance!
So what is Sledge Hockey? It’s a form if ice hockey which allows those with lower limb disabilities to play the game with the use of a metal frame, upon which the player sits in a plastic “bucket” that, sits on top of two or even a single skating blade. The players also have 2 hockey sticks to propel them around the ice, of which at one end of the stick are metal picks that are punched into the ice to get grip to help you move around the ice and at the other end of the stick is the blade which helps to control the puck.
I don’t want to turn into your history teacher, but here’s a quick history of the game: Sledge hockey was created in the late 1960’s by two friends in Sweden. They made a basic sledge and sticks from old motor engine parts and other kit they found useful. Over the years, the game developed from its small beginnings, being introduced to its first recognised international event in the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Paralympics Games. The game continues to develop with the number of teams throughout the world increasing, at both a league and international level.
See I told you it would be brief, but there is plenty more history of our game that you can find online. The important thing is what the game itself is like. Well, it’s very similar to the stand up ice hockey game, with the only exception that we can’t skate backwards. So the sport is full of speed, skill, scary moments (yep, we hit each other….ALOT!) but most of all to succeed you need a system to combine all those elements together, so the game is very tactical.
So you might be wondering who I am? If not, then that’s OK but I’m going to tell you anyway! My name is Matthew Coleman and I’m proud to be part of the GB sledge hockey team. Like I said above, I only found out about this game around 3 years ago, and it’s proving to be my biggest frustration with coming to this sport at such a late stage in my life. However, in a way maybe this is making me appreciate every moment I have even more. I want to be the best player I can be, and the good thing about being part of this squad is that everyone is pushing each other to be the best they can – it honestly feels like we are a family all, supporting each other, pushing each other to hopefully achieve something special.
This is probably the best time to tell you a bit about who Team GB Sledge Hockey are. Well, we have been through a process of development ourselves in the last 3 years. A few years ago our game in the UK was suffering. Although we had a good core of experienced players, the number of both clubs and players throughout the country was dwindling, so things had to change.
With the introduction of Planet Ice helping to support a new league structure, along with Battle Back Programme introducing injured military personnel to the sport and on top of this, people from different sports or those spotted at “Talent Days” throughout the country, has meant a new influx of people are taking part. This has helped to introduce new clubs throughout the country, with 6 due to play in the Planet Ice League later this year, as well as other clubs that are still in the process of setting up and hopefully taking part in the league for next season.
For Team GB Sledge Hockey the news just keeps getting better, because we are also on the road to try and qualify for 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympics Games. We have just recently returned from Japan earlier this year, where we took part in the Pool B World Championships and I’m proud to say that we came 3rd with a bronze medal in our pockets and even more importantly, the chance to go to the next and final qualifying round for the Paralympics next year.
The date for the qualifying round has yet to be announced, but is likely to be between September and November this year. So everyone involved with GB Sledge Hockey is working their wotsits off to give ourselves the best chance to be there and representing our country on the biggest stage.
I hope from here on, you will be our biggest supporter of this great sport that you have probably never heard of (maybe!?).
Very interesting blog, Matt along with the majority of people had never heard of the sport before. Hopefully over the last 3 years more people are now aware and will get behind the GB Sledge lot for the 2014 Winter Paralympics.
What you have achieved so far is fantastic and I wish you all good luck in the qualifying round 🙂