Last weekend, England Ice Hockey’s Mites & Mighty Mites Winter Classic successfully took place at iceSheffield.

Mighty Mites started in 2018 as a curtain-raiser to the then-Conference weekend, giving 7&8 year-olds an opportunity to experience an England National Team development day – on-ice sessions, fitness, classroom and eating proper meals.

Lately, this was extended to Mites (9&10yrs), although still part of the now-Showcase at the end of the season.

This is the first time we’ve done something in-season for the Mites and Mighty Mites. Initial places sold out in minutes, so Martin Peters, board member responsible for junior hockey and the Elite Player Pathway, worked with the venue to secure ice and add another group of Mites (44 participants).

In total, 132 players took part, with around a dozen coaches from the ENTP, GB programme and club coaches wanting to be involved, all under the guidance of lead coach Alan Hague.

There were volunteer mangers too, who helped with registration, admin, dressing rooms and helping the players be in the right place at the right time.

Martin Peters said: “It’s been excellent, and the kids have been absolutely phenomenal.

“We’d love to do more of these events if ice is available. It does give the players insight into what the England National Team Programme is all about, the paces we put them through. It gives them an all-round experience of the full day.”

We’d like to issue our heartfelt thanks to the iceSheffield staff, coaches, managers and parents, as well as the players for putting 100% into a very long but worthwhile day.

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