February 2026

February Update: Gratitude, Momentum and First Time on the Ice

February has been one of those months where you pause for a second and think — this is actually happening. 

We genuinely would not have reached this stage without Lee Valley. They have made our introductory ice session possible, and we are now finalising the details. For many of the children in our pilot, this will be their very first time stepping onto the ice. That matters more than any spreadsheet or strategy document ever could. 

There is something powerful about a first experience. The first glide. The first wobble. The first realisation that “I can do this.” We are incredibly grateful to Lee Valley for helping us turn the pathway from the school hall to the rink into something real. 

A huge thank you as well to the Lee Valley Vampires players who have taken an active interest in the pilot and offered their support. When senior players show up for grassroots development, it sends a clear message — you belong here. Seeing that connection between experienced players and young children is exactly the ecosystem we are trying to build. 

The pilot continues to progress well in school. Engagement is strong, curiosity is growing, and the energy in sessions is exactly what we hoped for. We are particularly excited about the upcoming school visit from the players. For children to meet real athletes, ask questions, and see a future version of themselves — that’s how pathways begin. 

The ice session itself is something I am personally so excited about. For many of these children, this won’t just be their first hockey experience. It will be their first time ever on an ice rink. That is a memory that stays with you. 

There is still no news on funding. That is the honest reality. But we will cross that bridge when we get there. Grassroots work is not for the faint-hearted. You adapt, you prioritise, you keep moving. We focus on what we can control and deliver the best possible experience with the resources we have. 

We are also incredibly grateful for the guidance from the IHUK Foundation. Those conversations have genuinely given us a boost. They’ve challenged us, sharpened our thinking, and got our brains working on how we can strengthen and develop the pilot and long-term pathway properly. Sometimes you just need the right discussion at the right time to unlock the next stage of growth. 

Hackney on Ice was never about doing something quickly. It was about building something properly. Sustainable. Inclusive. Transparent. Rooted in community. 

February has reminded us that we are not doing this alone. And that makes all the difference. 

We move forward with gratitude, determination, and a lot of excitement for those first blades touching the ice.

#HackneyOnIce #BreakingTheIce #GrassrootsHockey #HackneySport #CommunitySport #InclusiveSport #LeeValley #LeeValleyVampires #IHUKFoundation #IceHockeyUK #YouthDevelopment #BeTheChange #HackneyOnIceCIC

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