GREAT BRITAIN PROSPECTS CAMP
This weekend sees Dumfries Ice Bowl host the inaugural Great Britain prospects' camp. The camp is a prestigious national event, which is a major step forward in the development of British ice hockey.
The camp, which is sponsored by the Cairndale Hotel, will see elite British players come to Dumfries Icebowl. In recognition of the camp, Dumfries Ice Bowl will now be classified as the official IHUK prospects training centre and will mark the start of the development process for young players to accelerate their progress from club hockey to Great Britain National Teams. This is an exciting development for the Dumfries Ice Bowl which is already home to the Scottish Ice Hockey training camps as well as the home rink for English National League Solway Sharks and the Junior Solway Sharks clubs.
The Prospects programme, which is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, will test, coach and monitor the talented young British athletes who are deemed prospects for future GB teams and seen as a major development and commitment to the future of the sport by IHUK.
The development concept was formulated by Mark Beggs (GB U18's coach) and Martin Grubb (Scottish Head Coach and Dumfries and Galloway Council, Ice Hockey Development Officer). The duo will be present this weekend to coach and test the country's best prospects, evaluating the players on and off the ice as this exciting new project launches.
Great Britain Coach Mark Beggs said "My main focus was to have a location that would provide an outstanding facility, ice time and use of the video equipment recently installed at the rink. This is a great initiative to have the Great Britain Development program located here as the program will evolve with players from around the country taking part in it. A lot of credit should go to the people at Ice Hockey UK and the SIHL for seeing the benefits in this program."
There has already been significant work done with the programme since last may but this will be the first time the prospects have all come together to be educated in on ice expectations, off ice presentation and preparation and its something both coaches are looking forward too.
Dumfries and Galloway Council's Ice hockey development officer, Martin Grubb who is based at Dumfries Ice Bowl said "This is a massive step for UK junior ice hockey and is a huge honour for myself and Dumfries and Galloway Council to be involved in the unique programme. Players have been scouted for over a year now and Mark and I will now be able to test them so that this program pays dividends for the GB under 18 team in the future. I also hope this has a knock on effect locally for the Solway's Sharks Junior Ice Hockey Club as the players can locally see what can be achieved"
Councillor Ivor Hyslop, chairman of the Policy and Resources committee, said, "I'm delighted that our Council is playing such a significant role in the future of British ice hockey by being involved in identifying talented young players who have the potential to go on to play for national teams. Our appointment of sport specific development officers
shows our Council's commitment to getting young people involved in sport and developing them to the maximum of their potential."
Dumfries Ice Bowl will be honoured at the project launch on Saturday 11 February, at 13.30, when IHUK will present a plaque to recognise Dumfries Ice Bowl being appointed IHUK Centre for GB Prospects camp.