Page 33 - link magazine

Sport and Leisure

It’s as easy as riding a bike Change is on the way

On Two Wheels by Rob Derry of Swindon Bicycle Users Group (BUG) The Wildcats ice hockey column with
Mike Wray
If you’ve got kids you may be
worried, like a lot of people are, With the play offs quickly
that the roads are too busy to let approaching, the culmination of
them scoot or cycle to school. The any ice hockey season is always one
paradox is that if that thought of great excitement. However with
leads you to drive them to school, MK Lightning and now Guildford
you’re making the problem worse Flames both having made successful
and reinforcing the view that applications to join the Elite League
the roads are too busy by adding draws and while the competition next term coupled with the mid-
another car in to the mix. lasts for two weeks schools can season demise of the Manchester
Of course, no-one wants to be the submit their best five days or there Phoenix, fans could be forgiven but the move will enable more and
first to take that step and hope that are single day competitions as for looking just ahead as events more British netties to gain vital
everyone else follows their great well. There are loads of schools in planned for the games second tier ice time and the move should help
example. However, every journey Swindon that register for this, so begin to gather momentum. to strengthen the position in future
starts with a single step (or pedal do find out if your child’s school Although final decisions are generations.”
turn if you’re a cyclist.) has done so. If they haven’t, simply yet to be confirmed, the league’s The league will also be rebranded
Towards the end of March, there email the Big Pedal web link to seven clubs have already agreed to to the ‘Premier Ice Hockey League’,
is no need for you for to be that someone at the school. participate in the competition next meaning there is scope for Welsh
pioneer. There is no need for you to Don’t think that your school season in which the league will see and Scottish teams to become
be the lone voice shouting over the has no chance because it’s a small some pretty major changes. involved in the future, and with
drone of queuing cars taking kids school because that’s all taken into “There are several new areas we’re several new rinks being completed
the half a mile to the school gates account. going to have to get to grips with, around the country, new franchises
and clogging up the roads around Also, in 2014 Ferndale Primary but we’ll adapt and anything that are also a distinct possibility.
the school making it difficult for school won the national title in the can help the game in this country “With less imports, clubs will
people to cross the road. Sustrans large primary school category with can only be positive,” Wildcats have to focus on developing more
are organising the return of The Big two other Swindon schools in the player-coach Aaron Nell said. home grown players, and that will
Pedal - bigpedal.org.uk top 20 so who’s to say it can’t be “One of the moves will see the help the future of the game at the
It’s a schools’ competition and your school? clubs’ import contingent cut to highest level, but we’ll adapt and
schools or even classes can earn If your school is entering, please three and from the season after anything that can help progress the
points for the number of kids, do let us know on our Facebook next, all netminders will have to game in this country can only be a
parents and teachers cycling or page (Swindon BUG) be British trained. We’re fortunate positive step,” Nell concluded.
scooting to school. There are prize www.swindonbug.co.uk enough to have Stevie Lyle in net, www.swindonwildcats.com

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