North Ayrshire Ice Hockey Club’s future lies with the Ducks… The Under 8’s who train on a Saturday at the same time as the U-10’s. We currently have a very healthy group of beginners from ages 5 to 8 years. The coaching staff concentrate on teaching hockey skating and stick handling whilst also imparting the overall knowledge of how the game is played. The Club has available a number of full junior ice-hockey kits to enable new starts to try the sport without parents having any excessive outlay on purchasing equipment.

This year has seen the final piece of our development structure put in place. Applicants wishing to join the Ducks Team must first undergo an assessment of their skating abilities by both Skating and Hockey coaches. If the prospective players can demonstrate a required minimum standard they will be eligible to join the Team. If they do not reach the minimum standard we now offer a Basic Skating for Hockey Players course where they will be coached to the appropriate proficiency.

Any boy or girl interested in learning to play the fastest team sport in the world can contact the Club’s Junior Development Manager, Ian Lennox on 01294 822539 arrange a suitable time to come to the rink for an initial discussion.

Players who are accepted into the U-8’s will spend most of their initial year gaining confidence and ability in the basics of the sport. The emphasis in these first years in ice hockey is very firmly on having fun, enjoying the experience and starting to accumulate skills which, whilst not easily learned are vital if they are to participate effectively in the older teams. The Ducks do compete in Hockey Tournaments but only ‘Cross Ice’ events… they do not play games on full ice.

Training times for this season are
Saturday’s   12.45pm to 2.45pm

Fees for 2011/2012
For all children who are interested in joining NAIHC we offer a 2 week free trial period and then 2 weeks at £5 per week during these 4 weeks we can supply full kit. After the 4 weeks children must register as members of the club and pay the following fees. Registration £40 before 31st of January or £15 from 1st of February until the 31st of May. The registration covers the children’s on ice insurance with SIH. £35 per month to cover training costs this must be paid on the 1st of each month by standing order