Having played and coached ice hockey for over three decades, I have had the privilege of experiencing the sport from many different perspectives and have witnessed first-hand how much UK ice hockey has developed over the years.
Ice hockey is a unique sport — fast, physical, demanding and incredibly rewarding — but it also comes with risks and challenges that can have a lasting impact on players, coaches and everyone involved in the game. Throughout my time in the sport, I have seen the pressures that individuals can face, both during their careers and when transitioning away from them.
That is why I strongly support the establishment of the UK Ice Hockey Players Association. I believe there is a real need for a professional organisation that can provide guidance, representation and support to those involved in our sport, helping them navigate issues such as medical care, injury, insurance, career management, welfare and life after hockey.
The Association has the opportunity to become an important voice for players and the wider ice hockey community — promoting better standards, protecting individuals’ rights and wellbeing, and ensuring that people are not left to deal with difficult situations alone.
Having dedicated more than 30 years of my life to playing and coaching ice hockey, I believe this is a positive and much-needed step forward for the sport in the UK. I am proud to lend my support to the UK Ice Hockey Players Association and its ambition to provide professional support, advice and protection to everyone involved in the game, both now and in the future.
Tony hand