South Leeds Rams having a ball as they look to grow hockey across the city

“Basically, it’s like ice hockey, but without the ice.”
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So explains Sue Mullan, chair of South Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club.

Formed in April last year, initially as a junior team with just 11 players, the club now has around 25 youngsters registered.

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In July, a seniors team followed, partly comprised of parents of the youngsters who had initially signed up.

South Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club juniors, who train at Middleton Leisure Centre. 
Picture : Jonathan GawthorpeSouth Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club juniors, who train at Middleton Leisure Centre. 
Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe
South Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club juniors, who train at Middleton Leisure Centre. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

Holding weekly training sessions at Middleton Sports Centre the Rams currently run two junior teams – an Under-10s for which they team up with rivals Rotherham Ducks and an Under-13s team which plays in regular tournaments throughout the Midlands and North.

Last weekend saw the Under-13s come second in a spring qualifier at Rotherham’s Simply Skate, losing out to rivals Nottingham Huskies in the final. That performance secured the Rams’ place at the National Finals which will take place on April 25 at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.

Essentially, ball hockey uses many of the same rules as its ice counterpart – the major difference is you run, instead of skate.

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Without needing an ice rink to play or practise on, its adaptability instantly makes it far easier to develop the necessary skills, given that you can work on them at home, in the park, on the street, or in your garden or backyard.

FACE OFF: Two members of the South Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club juniors section battle for the ball during training at Middleton Leisure Centre.
 Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.FACE OFF: Two members of the South Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club juniors section battle for the ball during training at Middleton Leisure Centre.
 Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.
FACE OFF: Two members of the South Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club juniors section battle for the ball during training at Middleton Leisure Centre. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.

Due to the common elements of both sports, the Rams already enjoy a good relationship with the Leeds Chiefs ice hockey team that is operating out of the new ice rink on Elland Road.

Many of the youngsters who play for the Rams’ Under-13s also play ice hockey, but there are others who prefer to stick to less slippier surfaces that adorn sports halls and leisure centres up and down the country.

The Rams – whose junior teams all play in the Central Conference League as well as participating in the National Championship Programme – are keen to recruit more youngsters as they attempt to grow both itself and the sport as a whole in the area.

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“For anyone that would love to have a go at ice hockey but can’t, for whatever reason, ball hockey is a great alternative, as well as being a fantastic sport in its own right,” added Mullan, who decided to help form the club to offer an opportunity for youngsters between Sheffield and the North East where there were no organisations.

South Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club juniors in training at Middleton Leisure Centre .  Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeSouth Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club juniors in training at Middleton Leisure Centre .  Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
South Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club juniors in training at Middleton Leisure Centre . Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

“Sheffield Steelers Junior Ball Hockey Club just completed its fourth season last year and has over 100 kids playing every week – and they have a waiting list.

“My hopes are that we can grow this club in the same way as they have in Sheffield and also at the Nottingham Huskies.

“I would love to have enough children turning up every week so that we can run separate training sessions for each age group.

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“The aim by next season is to have teams at Under-7, Under-10, Under-13 and Under-16, as well as two senior teams.

South Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club juniors in training at Middleton Leisure Centre. Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeSouth Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club juniors in training at Middleton Leisure Centre. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
South Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club juniors in training at Middleton Leisure Centre. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

“The biggest hurdle with expanding the number of teams will be recruiting goalies.

“With the opening of the new Leeds ice rink and the Chiefs ice hockey team, I’m convinced interest in hockey generally will grow in this area and both adults and children will want to get involved in the sport and, hopefully, South Leeds Rams will grow even more.”

In terms of the sport’s development across the country as a whole, Ball Hockey UK is the governing body and is affiliated to the International Street and Ball Hockey Federation (ISBHF) which formed in 1993 and has provided international competitions since 1995.

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Adam Cooper, the Rams’ head coach, said the club was always keen to attract new players, adding: “We’ve got new players who are coming in on a regular basis.

“A lot of them are new to ball hockey, while others have already played ice hockey.

“It’s great for fitness, it’s a good laugh and it’s a great way to socialise and make lots of new friends”

South Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club youngsters are put through their paces during training training.
 Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeSouth Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club youngsters are put through their paces during training training.
 Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
South Leeds Rams Ball Hockey Club youngsters are put through their paces during training training. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Mullan added: “We have limited amounts of equipment that can be borrowed for the first few weeks until a player decides whether they enjoy it or not.

“Everyone is welcome – regardless of ability, fitness level or hockey knowledge.”

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