Penarth Ladies Hockey Club will next month launch the first Flyerz Hockey section giving a huge boost to Para-Hockey in Wales.
The session for the first Flyerz players on Thursday January 16 will come after months of planning, coaching and volunteering training.
Flyerz Hockey first launched onto the scene back last July when the National Hockey Centre in Cardiff welcomed students from Riverbank and St Cyres School.
The launch marked the beginning of an inclusive pathway with the aim to field the first ever Wales Para-Hockey squad in the Para-Hockey Championships taking place in Antwerp next year!
Welsh Internationals and Flyerz Ambassadors Ella Jackson and Jo Westwood are delighted the new club section is getting underway.
“Seeing Flyerz Hockey sessions being launched in Penarth HC is hugely exciting and another great step exhibiting hockey’s inclusivity,” said Jackson.
“With Penarth being my first club, I’m extremely proud that they are allowing hockey to become accessible to everyone. I’m looking forward to seeing it take off.”
Westwood added: “The start of something new and big is happening at Penarth HC, having their first ever Flyerz section. I’m excited to be part of this initiative and that a club in Wales is becoming the platform to create opportunities for all keen hockey players.”
Flyerz wouldn’t be where it is now without the integral support of Access Sport with the aim for other clubs to follow Penarth Ladies.
“Access Sport is thrilled to support the growth of Flyerz hockey in Wales,” said Flyerz Hockey Project Manager, Libby Nichols.
“We continue to be impressed with the high level of engagement, thoughtfulness and dedication to make Welsh clubs fully inclusive of disabled people. Penarth Flyerz will lead the way for other clubs to follow in their footsteps and join the Flyerz movement.
“We have no doubt that with the passion and enthusiasm from the Hockey Wales team that Flyerz will continue to grow throughout the country, impacting hundreds of players, families and clubs along the way.
“Thanks to our funding from Spirit of 2012, the Flyerz hockey project looks forward to continuing to build our relationship with Hockey Wales to grow the game and make the sport of hockey inclusive of everyone.”
For further information about the Flyerz programme or how to get involved please contact Club Development Officer Hannah Bevan.
What is Flyerz Hockey?
Hockey played with eleven players on a full size outdoor field will continue to be the main format of the sport with Para-hockey, Indoor Hockey, Hockey5’s and Beach Hockey as alternative versions of the game which supports both the global development of hockey and enhancing the skills and enjoyment of the players. Against the background of the main format of the sport, the FIH is keen to present Flyerz Hockey (also known as Para-hockey) as a game which is adaptable, based on a smaller number of players, with simplified rules and the pathway for players with a learning disability.