At Hackney on Ice, we believe that ice hockey is more than a sport – it’s a way of building respect, discipline, and community. From the very first time a child steps onto the ice, we teach that the real victory is not about winning at all costs, but about playing fair, working hard, and supporting one another.

Respect the Game
We respect referees, coaches, teammates, opponents, and the ice itself. Every role in hockey is important – from the officials to the volunteers who keep the game alive.

Community First
Hockey thrives when families, schools, and clubs support each other. We want children to grow up knowing that sport is about belonging and building friendships.

Strength with Integrity
True strength comes not from aggression, but from discipline, resilience, and respect. We celebrate courage, effort, and fair play above all.

Beyond the Scoreboard
We reward teamwork, kindness, and sportsmanship just as much as goals or trophies. 

Take the Pledge

We invite every player, parent, coach, and volunteer to sign our Hockey Respect Pledge:

I will respect referees and the decisions they make.

I will support teammates and opponents with fairness.

I will celebrate effort, not just winning.

I will help build a culture of hockey where everyone belongs.

Hackney on Ice is a grassroots project built on a simple belief: every child should have the chance to discover the joy of sport, no matter their background. Ice hockey is one of the great Olympic sports, but here in the UK it’s under-represented, not very diverse, and often seen as too expensive or out of reach. Football dominates — and while we love it (our household is Arsenal, so you can imagine the raised eyebrows when I suggested ice hockey!) — it feels like the time is right to give children another option. Why not ice hockey?

This pilot is about changing that by bringing the game into schools in an inclusive, affordable, and fun way. Boys and girls, disadvantaged pupils, and those with SEND — everyone can take part. The message is simple: hockey is for everyone.

The project is led by an experienced professional in programme management, data analysis, and innovation — but more importantly, by someone with a lifelong passion for the sport. Growing up with a mother who was a PE teacher/Dry-land Coach in an Ice Hockey School in Riga (Sergeja Zoltoka Secondary School), sport was always part of family life — but not always accessible due to costs. When I moved to the UK at 21, from a country where ice hockey is a top sport, I had to step away to focus on building my career. Since 2010 I’ve been working in Hackney and have seen first-hand the challenges children here face. Now, with years of experience behind me, it feels like the right time to give back by opening doors that are too often closed and helping children discover a sport that shaped my early life.

And we're not waiting for someone else to fund it — the first kit, books, and materials are being donated personally to kick-start the pilot, along with covering our own DBS and all other admin.

The pilot (and, hopefully, the full programme) will run alongside the Olympic cycle and gather the evidence to show there’s a real appetite for hockey here — children just need the chance. We've even peeked at the federation’s own “Project Clarity” plan and realised Hackney on Ice actually fits right in… so maybe this “crazy idea” isn’t so crazy after all. To reassure parents and schools, the Director also holds a Safeguarding in Sport certificate and both directors are trained in first aid and safeguarding in sport  — safety is at the heart of everything.

Hackney on Ice is run as a not-for-profit initiative. Every bit of support, funding, and partnership goes straight back into schools and young people, with the goal of making ice hockey accessible for every child who wants to play.

We’re also supported by an advisory board of volunteers who bring a wealth of experience: from founders of the Latvian Hockey League and professional club managers and players, to finance and governance specialists ( our second director is also a project manager), and experts in events, communications, and marketing. They give their time freely, helping us strengthen partnerships, grow the project responsibly, and build the international connections that could make future exchange possible.

If this resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you — whether you’d like to be a partner, sponsor, volunteer, or simply keep in touch: hackneyonice@gmail.com

Kristina, Founding Director of Hackney on ICE CIC

#bethechange #hackneyonice