The future’s bright, the future’s Phoenix and the community

Monday, 25th October 2004

Manchester Phoenix Ice Hockey Club today announce several important partnerships in its aim to be the catalyst for a Community Based Ice Rink for public skating and a range of Ice Sports.

A partnership has been agreed with the Greater Manchester Inline Hockey League to enhance opportunities for youngsters to take part in the sport. Phoenix will provide players, equipment and sponsorship for schools visits, inline hockey taster sessions and for representative teams. In return, representative teams from the North-West region will compete under the Manchester Phoenix banner.

Phoenix Managing Director Neil Morris commented, “There are many examples of the synergies between the two sports. Kids who love ice hockey try to emulate their heroes on inline skates, and many of our British players have developed through playing Inline Hockey with Mark Thomas the perfect example. Mark iced for the Phoenix in the Elite League last season and then reverting to the inline game, was voted Defenseman of the Tournament at the Inline Hockey World Championships held in Germany. He has played Inline Hockey for a number of years, and last year made a huge impact for Manchester – playing ice hockey at the UK’s highest level. Our commitment does not end with the development of players – we are keen to promote Inline Hockey as a sport – so much so that we hope to have Inline Hockey alongside Ice Hockey in a new dual purpose facility.”

Malcolm Tilley, Development Officer speaking on behalf of the Greater Manchester Inline Hockey League, said “We see this as a major step forward in our joining efforts to promote development of the sport within the region. As Neil (Morris) has said, kids take up Inline Hockey so that one day, they might emulate their heroes. This programme provides the foundation for this to become a reality rather than just a pipe-dream”

Phoenix are also pleased to announce the launch of their Community and Schools Programme. Manchester based multi-channel data management company, thinkdata, has sponsored the programme. It is also backed by Sportsmatch - the Government's grass roots sports sponsorship scheme and will result in more than £75,000 being earmarked for ice hockey development in the Greater Manchester area. Keith Adams, thinkdata's Managing Director, says corporate social responsibility, community involvement (especially in less affluent areas) along with a strong belief in the vision of Phoenix's management attracted his company to the project: "We are very proud to become the first sponsors of the Phoenix Community Scheme. This partnership will enable Phoenix to provide a viable avenue for children in sport, irrespective of their social background. The club and its players will be promoting health issues, educational components and hockey development - all of which sends the right message to young people and their families. The players are dedicated athletes and are remarkable role models for young children.

Another of the clubs British players, Aaron Davies, has been appointed as the club’s first Youth Development Officer and he will organise school visits to promote Healthy Living and giving pupils the opportunity to take part in Inline Hockey and Cheerleading. Club Spokesperson Mark Samaru noted, “The more youngsters that can be introduced to the inline game and then feed into the ice hockey when our new facility comes on stream will generate a true path of progression and growth for both sports. There’s nothing we would like more than to see the future Phoenix rosters awash with locally produced talent.”

Speaking about his appointment Davies remarked, “I can’t wait to get going. Playing hockey is a huge part of my life and I want to pass on my enthusiasm to lots of local youngsters. Hockey is a great outlet for their energy and combined with government initiatives on health and fitness, the Phoenix are aiming to help the community in general as well as developing a future line of talent for the club.”

These initiatives re-affirm the clubs’ decision to move away from the Manchester Evening News Arena to build a community based facility, which can be used for public skating on a daily basis.

Morris went on to say about the new facility, “Our plans are on track to have a new facility in place for the start of next season. We are working with Manchester City Council to achieve our common goals. Plans for an ice rink in Sportscity are being developed, and all parties recognise the role of a community-based facility such as this.”