Page 10 - link magazine

10
ICE HOCKEY

WILDCATS, COUGARS & PUMAS CIVIC OFFICIAL LEADS 'CATS
LOOK FOR MORE WEST SWINDON SUPPORT INTO NEW SEASON
Britain's fastest growing sport hoping to gain a high place," said in the game and talking to local
gets underway this month and Daryl. "Some teams will have businesses about sponsorship.
West Swindon people are well more imports as there are Daryl's been playing ice-hockey
placed to become more involved Canadians who have been play- since the age of 7 at home in
than they are already. After just ing U.K. hockey for over five Canada. Youngsters start playing
keeping their place last season, years. But we're much stronger from a very early age and pro-
Swindon Wildcats, sponsored by this year and I'm hoping for good gress through different leagues
Swedish company Stralfors, have results:" until they are 20 when players
high hopes of staying in the top Link Centre is an ideal venue either join local senior teams,
half of Division I of the National for ice hockey according to play at college, go to Europe or,
Ice Hockey League, sponsored Promotions Officer David James. for just a few, join major teams
by Heineken. Two other teams "The rink was designed with the in the North American hockey
will also be looking for honours, game in mind and the facilities league.
the Cougars in Division II will for spectators are very good. At 24, Daryl is starting his
give local players a chance to From surveys carried out last fourth season in Britain and his
compete, and the Pumas will season, a large proportion of our second with Swindon Wildcats.
play in an under 13s league. fans come from West Swindon. He is employed by Thamesdown
As a developing sport, the 87/ They're getting right behind the Borough Council with the official
88 season is going to be tough team. If anybody has not been, You might not think that under title 'Ice Hockey Development
according to coach/player Daryl now is the time to find out what the helmet, all the padding and Officer' with coaching responsi-
Lipsey. "Teams are getting better it's all about. You'll be amazed heavy clothing, there is a really bilities for all three teams and
all the time as public interest, at the breath-taking pace and the nice guy called Daryl Lispey. But promotion of ice-hockey in the
television coverage and sponsor- incredible skill and control of the then that's the Jekyll and Hyde area. Daryl has seen great
ship increases. There are nine players. The game is fast and character of an ice hockey player. changes since he came to the
new British players on the Wild- hard but it's good to know we During the game you will see him U.K. "More and better facilities
cats squad and we've been able have a big family audience - all aggressively speeding about after are being built, the standard of
to keep Steve Nell at Swindon." the aggression takes place on the a small block of plastic, occasion- the game is rising, and more
Steve has been the highest ice." ally crushing another player into people, especially families, are
scoring British player in the It will be interesting to see how the side barrier, urging his team attending games," he said. "The
league during the last season Link Centre fits in all the fans as on to greater effort. Off the ice interest from youngsters is fan-
and he is joined by Canadians capacity is reached. Perhaps an his concern is to improve the tastic. About 30 train at present
Ken Kipp and Tim Lequyer. extension will have to be built. standard of ice hockey at Link in our under-13s team, The
"Imported players with their After all in a game sponsored by centre, not only by coaching the Pumas, are all ready to go.
experience of competitive league Heineken, it may get to the parts teams, but also by visiting schools Hopefully they will be the Wildcat
hockey are essential for any team other beers cannot reach." to get more youngsters interested players of the future."
Ft..
YOUR CUT-OUT-AND-KEEP GIJ1DE TO THE SWINDON WILDCATS

eason 1987-88

Home A t at'
19 September v Richmond 2 September V Slough C
26 September v Slough 2() September v Lee Valk C
10 October v Lee Valley 27 September v Richmond F
17 October ' Cardiff 4 October v Cardiff C
31 October \ Telford 24 October v Slough L
7 November ' Cardiff 31 November Telford L
14 November v Medway.... 22 November Cardiff L
28 November v Slough 6 December ' i\1cdtta L
5 December v Richmond 13 December v Lee Valley L
19 December v Southampton 1,120 December v Slough L
9 January v Lee Valley 2 January v Telford L
23 January v Telford 17 Juarv v Southampton L
30 January v Cardiff L 31 Jarniarv v Richmond L
6 February v Medway L 14 February v Cardiff L
13 February v Lee Valley L 21 February v Richmond
20 February v Slough L 25 l: ehnlar\ v Lee Valley L
5 March v Southampton L 3 March v Southampton L
12 March v Richmond L 20 March v Medway L
Home Games Face-Off: 5.15 p.m. Saturdays. Link Centre
F = Friendly C = Cup L = Heineken League