Firm Asking For Pledges For Be Part Of It Campaign

National law firm Irwin Mitchell is delighted to support the Sheffield Steelkings para hockey team this season to promote an inclusive sport without barriers which can be enjoyed by disabled and able bodied players together.

The latest phase of the firm’s award winning ‘Don’t Quit, Do It’ campaign, Be Part Of It aims to get more people playing, watching and supporting disability sport and local clubs like the Sheffield Steelkings offer the perfect platform to make this possible.

The recently launched Be Part Of It campaign is calling on the general public to pledge their support for disability sport, while the law firm itself is working closely with the steel city para hockey club to help more people get involved with the exciting and exhilarating game.

Officially classed as the Paralympic version of ice hockey, the sport debuted at the Lillehammer 1994 Paralympic Winter Games and has grown in popularity ever since.

The rules are very similar to ice hockey, but instead of skates, players use double-blade sledges that allow the puck to pass beneath. Players also use two sticks, which have a spike-end for pushing and a blade-end for shooting.

The Sheffield Steelkings para ice hockey club is the youngest team in the national league. Established in September 2014 with only five players, the Steelkings had a challenging start but now have a full competitive squad for the 2017 season.

Irwin Mitchell already has an involvement in the sport of sledge hockey and has sponsorship ties with both the Peterborough and Manchester teams.

Associate solicitor Lisa Fairclough specialises in personal injury and knows the role sport can play in helping her clients after a life changing experience. She said: 

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“Through our work with people affected by serious injury and disability, we’ve seen how sport can aid rehabilitation and help people turn their lives around. With our ‘Don’t Quit, Do It’ campaign, we want to encourage more people to get involved and enjoy these positive experiences.

“Be Part Of It, is about bringing the people together that make disability sport happen and showing, through pledges, how they make it possible. We’re proud to support the Sheffield Steelkings and clubs and charities up and down the country, to help raise awareness and make it easier for a new audience to take part.

“Para ice hockey is a fast-paced, exciting game and once you watch it live, it’s easy to see why it’s such a unique and special sport.” Lisa Fairclough - Associate Solicitor

Jake Oakley, club chairman and Sheffield Steelkings player said: Although we’ve only been around for a couple of years we’ve come a long way. We’re a team now made of able-bodied, disabled, male and female players and we welcome everyone to come and give the sport a try and join our family.

“Unfortunately para hockey, it isn't a cheap sport to get into. The cost of a sledge, protective equipment and using the ice all come at a large cost, which is why we’re delighted that Irwin Mitchell will be supporting us throughout the season.

“We’re always looking for new players and you don’t need anything special to get started.  We have sledges and protective equipment that you can borrow at no cost so if you’re interested come along to one of our open sessions and try it out.”

The Steelkings have just returned from Cardiff with a 6-0 victory and their first ever shutout. Their next two fixtures are away against Peterborough on Saturday 15 July before they return home to take on the Welsh side again on Sunday 16 July.

The team plays their home games at Ice Sheffield and attendance is free. If you’d like to go and show your support then pledge to Be Part Of It and head on down.

Your pledge can be something you already do, something you want to do or something you never thought you could do. For every pledge the firm receives they are donating £1 to the clubs and charities that make disability sport possible.

You can find out more about the Sheffield Steelkings here and Irwin Mitchell’s Don’t Quit, Do It campaign here.