Scottish ice hockey clubs have spoken of the impact Scottish Government funding has had as they prepare for the sport to return.
Four ice hockey organisations have now received their £200,000 share of a Scottish Government funding package to help spectator sports through the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The funding has been distributed by the national agency for sport, sportscotland. It will help clubs across Scotland survive the impact of lost ticket revenue caused by the pandemic.
The investment has been made in the form of grants to Glasgow Clan (£90k), Fife Flyers (£50k), Dundee Stars (£50k) and Murrayfield Racers (£10k). It is part of a £55million emergency sports funding package from the Scottish Government.
The investment means the clubs will be ready to welcome back spectators as soon as it is safe to do so.
Photo: Al Goold. Main image: Carol-Ann Jardine
Dundee Stars Managing Director, Omar Pacha, said: "Throughout this pandemic we have had some great discussions with sportscotland regarding support for the Stars.
“The club is extremely thankful for this financial support. The help is much needed. It puts the team in a better position for next season and allows us to continue our growth both as a club and for the sport in Dundee.
“We look forward to continuing to work side by side with sportscotland.”
Glasgow Clan CEO, Gareth Chalmers, said: “I would like to thank the Scottish Government and sportscotland for their invaluable support during what has been an extremely difficult time for the sport and the club. We’re looking forward to working with both the Scottish Government and sportscotland in the future to further grow ice hockey throughout the country at various levels.”
Jack Wishart, Fife Flyers Director, said: “This past year has been tough for so many sports and especially ice hockey. The costs of running a team in the Elite Ice Hockey League and the logistics involved in bringing that product to the ice meant we couldn't proceed with the current season.
“We welcome this money from sportscotland which will ensure that we're able to recruit players and plan for the new season as soon as the Scottish Government indicate that it's safe to do so.
"We look forward to bringing ice hockey back to Scotland later in the year.”
Willie Dunn, Murrayfield Racers Director, said: "We would like to thank sportscotland for their support in applying for this fund and for our successful grant award. This award helps fill the financial gap left at the end of last season and sets us up for the restart of ice hockey in 2021/22."
Find out more
About the spectator sport funding.
