The 2018 IIHF Women’s High-Performance Camp got under way in Vierumaki, Finland yesterday and there are eight attendees from the UK.

The camp, which runs from 7th to 14th July, is run by the IIHF and it’s primary aims are to educate the participants in the skills and training required to compete at the top level of international women’s hockey and to assist them in developing these necessary abilities.

The IIHF said about the camp: “The objective of the IIHF is to ensure efficient, purposeful and consistent leadership development of the game globally.”

Geoff Hemmerman is leading a team of eight from the UK and he said: “It’s a great opportunity for all involved.

“For me, it’s a chance to see what other countries are doing to grow the women’s game.

“It is also a great development opportunity for not only the GB staff and players that are here, but also the England staff that are going to be put to the test and taken into a whole new world of IIHF protocols and procedures.

“It is great that IHUK and the EIHA have worked together to enable this to happen. It is a huge opportunity for everyone.”

Attendees from the UK
Geoff Hemmerman – team leader
Cheryl Smith – coach
Nicci Wardell – coach
Louise Capps – manager
Saffron Allen – sports therapist
Emily Harris – player
Jessica Sprules – player
Ellie Wakeling – player