The Invicta Juniors are back!

Hockey finally returns as Planet Ice opens and all age groups get back to training.

After months of shutdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic and at least two false starts, the Invicta Junior players were delighted to return to the ice this week. Rinks around the country were finally given the green light to re-open on Saturday 15 August, meaning that training began at all age groups for the 2020/21 season under Phase 2 of the EIHA's return to play plan.

While the players and coaches have adapted to smaller groups and socially distanced drills to stay Covid-secure, the excitement was palpable as the Invicta stable got back to doing what it loves best. We are also thrilled to welcome our new Under 13 team, the Wild.

There has been some further changes to ice-time for all age groups as Invicta training at Planet Ice shifts to Tuesdays and Thursdays. The new timetable is as follows:

Tuesdays

U13 Chargers

Coach: Dan Prentice

7pm to 8pm

U18 Colts

Coach: Phil Chard

8.15pm to 9.15pm

U18 Broncos

Coach: Farquhar McAllan

9.30pm to 10.30pm

Thursdays

U9 Buckaroos

Coach: Rob Dell

6.15pm to 7.15pm

U11 Stampede

Coach: Paul Wilson

7.15pm to 8.10pm

U13 Wild

Coach: Mike Kindred

8.25pm to 9.20pm

U15 Mavericks

Coach: Phil Chard

9.35pm to 10.30pm

Now that the Invicta Juniors have returned to the ice, the club are actively seeking new players to join us in playing the world's fastest team sport. For any new players interested, please see our guide to starting to ice hockey.

The club are also delighted to announce that training fees for new Under 9 players will be free for the 2020/21 season (usually £35 per month). This applies to players that have not been registered at another hockey club in the past.

We hope to have more information on the next phase of the return soon, particularly with regards to the Invicta Juniors returning to competitive action. We will update our new-look website with details and 2020/21 fixtures as soon as they are available.

It has been a long road to return and a challenging time for so many people across the world. The Invicta Juniors would like to take this opportunity to offer our condolences to the families that have faced loss during this crisis. And our enormous thanks to the key workers around the country that have kept us going.

As for the hockey, we know that it is an essential part of our players lives and it has been tough to have something they love taken away. We are thrilled to have you all back.