Leeds Chiefs coach Sam Zajac hails ‘great day for hockey’ after Elland Road rink is told it can open

SAM ZAJAC hailed news of ice rinks in Tier 3 areas being able to open their doors as a great day for ice hockey.
By Phil Harrison
Published 3rd Dec 2020, 06:35 BST
Updated 3rd Dec 2020, 12:16 BST
Leeds Chiefs' player-coach, Sam Zajac. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.Leeds Chiefs' player-coach, Sam Zajac. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Leeds Chiefs' player-coach, Sam Zajac. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.

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

But, after almost a week of lobbying from various 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.

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How the Streaming Series has brought ‘glimmer of hope’ for NIHL National season
Leeds Chiefs have not been allowed to play a competitive game since early March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Dean Woolley.Leeds Chiefs have not been allowed to play a competitive game since early March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Dean Woolley.
Leeds Chiefs have not been allowed to play a competitive game since early March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Dean Woolley.

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 together as a 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 the games were streamed live to a paying audience.

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

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Sam Zajac says the case for opening rinks for 'elite athletes' will only have been helped by the recent Streaming Series involving Sheffield Steeldogs, above. Picture courtesy of Cerys Molloy.Sam Zajac says the case for opening rinks for 'elite athletes' will only have been helped by the recent Streaming Series involving Sheffield Steeldogs, above. Picture courtesy of Cerys Molloy.
Sam Zajac says the case for opening rinks for 'elite athletes' will only have been helped by the recent Streaming Series involving Sheffield Steeldogs, above. Picture courtesy of Cerys Molloy.

“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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Related topics:Sam ZajacElland RoadLeeds

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