Leeds Chiefs’ coach Sam Zajac hails ‘great day’ as Tier 3 ice rinks are given permission to open

Last week, officials at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport had declared rinks in tier three areas – including Leeds and Sheffield – would not be able to open, classing them solely as leisure and entertainment venues.

But, after almost a week of lobbying from various ice sports governing bodies, including the English Ice Hockey Association and British Ice Skating, along with teams and participants of all ages up and down the country, a number of key exemptions were yesterday confirmed by DCMS.

It means rinks in Tier 3 areas can now open their doors to elite athletes, professional dancers and choreographers, people with a disability, supervised activities for children and for formal education or training purposes take place.

In terms of hockey, the changes pave the way for Leeds Chiefs to apply for ‘elite sport’ status which would enable them to start training as a whole team as well as compete in any kind of NIHL National season which might materialise early next year.

The recent pilot Streaming Series saw Sheffield Steeldogs, Milton Keynes Lightning and Swindon Wildcats play behind-closed-doors because of lockdown, but saw the games streamed live to a paying audience.

Talks are now ongoing between all 10 NIHL National teams to analyse the success of that event and see whether there is a way forward for some kind of league season to be launched in January.

“It’s just a great day for the sport in this country,” said Chiefs’ player-coach Zajac.

“There’s got to be a lot of praise for the three teams who took part in the Streaming Series because I’m sure that played a big part in showing that games can be played in a Covid-secure way.

“And if that now leads to something bigger, which it hopefully will, that is fantastic.

“Obviously, the onus has probably now moved from simply being allowed to play to making sure that it makes sense financially for everyone involved.”

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