Team Will Take To The Ice With A New Shirt Sponsor

The defending British Para Ice Hockey champions, The Kingston Kestrels, will take to their home ice for the first time this season on Saturday as they take on the Sheffield Steelkings, in the Irwin Mitchell derby as both teams are sponsored by the law firm.

Para Ice Hockey, a Paralympic sport formerly known as Ice Sledge Hockey, is a fast-paced, highly physical sport played by athletes with a physical impairment either or both in the upper or lower part of their body.

The Kingston Kestrels are the current British Para Ice Hockey League champions having finished last season undefeated in the league. The team also secured third place in the end of season playoffs.

They will take to the their home ice for the first time at the Hull Ice Arena against Sheffield Steelkings, sporting their new kits, with new short sponsor, Irwin Mitchell. Face-off is at 12:45pm and entry is free to those who wish to watch the action.

In their opening game, away at Manchester Mayhem, the champions secure a 9-1 win. Matt Clarkson, alternate GB captain, bagged himself seven goals as the team started the season in menacing fashion.

Simon Berry, founder and head coach and player at Kingston Kestrels and a Paralympian having represented Team GB at the 2006 Games in Turin in the Para Ice Hockey, said: “We can’t wait to hit the home ice for the first time this weekend. It feels like it’s been a long time coming and we are excited to give our new Irwin Mitchell home kit its debut.

“The firm shares a similar drive to promote the benefits of disability sport and we are grateful for their support as we look to defend our league title.

Irwin Mitchell has a strong background in supporting disability sports, having sponsored Parallel London and the firm was the Official Legal Services Provider of the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships that were held in London.

The firm’s Don’t Quit, Do It campaign seeks to support the benefits both physically and psychologically of being involved in disability sports and is supported by multiple gold-medal winning Paralympian Hannah Cockroft MBE.

Sarah Coles, a partner and medical negligence specialist at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office, said: 

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“I am very excited for this weekend’s game. I have been waiting for the new season to get underway ever since we agreed to sponsor the Kestrels.

“I am always in awe at the talent and skill levels of the team when I watch them train and it will be fantastic to see them get their title defence underway.

“Through our work we have seen on numerous occasions how sport has been able to help our clients with rehabilitation following serious injury. Unfortunately, while there are over 12 million people with disabilities in the UK, only one in six actually takes part in sport regularly.

“I would urge anyone who has an interest in ice hockey to go along and watch the Kestrels and offer them your support as they defend their title!” Sarah Coles - Partner

The Kestrels train at the Hull Arena, every other Saturday at 10:15pm. For more information on how to get involved, you can follow the team on Twitter at @KestrelsParaIce or visit their website.

The team is made up of Ian Houlliston and Steve Gibson, who are the team’s netminders, and the rest of the team is Simon Berry, Tony King, David Parker, Dave Blakeston, James Morris, and current Team GB members Matt Woollias and Matt Clarkson.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's Dont Quit, Do It campaign.