Blog: "I came off the ice buzzing with excitement"
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday. This year, we’ll be sharing the experiences of disabled people involved in sport and exercise at all levels, finding out what impact being active has on their lives. This week, as the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games get underway in PyeongChang, Matt Coleman tells us about the fast and furious sport of Para Ice Hockey.
Hi, my name in Matt Coleman, I am 41 years old and I am proud to be a phantom! No, not a comic book character (although that would be pretty cool,) I am a Peterborough Phantoms Para Ice Hockey player. I have Sacral Agenesis and a loss of hearing, both of which I’ve had since birth.
Over the years, I’ve tried lots of different sports, from wheelchair basketball, tennis and athletics, but the one that grabbed me the most was Para Ice Hockey. If you haven’t heard of, or seen this sport before, it’s a modified form of ice hockey. Imagine fast skates, big hits and lots of skill; Para Ice Hockey follows most of the same rules as the Olympic game, the main difference is the kit we use.
Players move around the ice using a sledge with specifically designed skate blades under the seat. They also have two sticks instead of one, not only to pass, handle and shoot the puck, but to help propel and manoeuvre themselves on the ice. The sledges can reach speeds of 20mph and the puck nearly 100mph!
In 2011, there was a big push to recruit new players and reinvigorate Para Ice Hockey in the UK, and as a result the Peterborough Phantoms was formed. So, I went along for a training session and I absolutely loved it! I came off the ice buzzing with excitement, and was asked if I’d like to be the Club’s chairperson. Wow, talk about a quick promotion! If I’m honest, I was too afraid to say no, but looking back now I’m glad I said yes.
Eight years later, the club has grown to around 14 players and are considered to be one of the most successful clubs in the country with three Playoff Cups and four League Championships. We train every two weeks on a Friday evening for an hour. We’d love to train more often but ice time is so expensive, around £100/per hour. The support the club receives from Irwin Mitchell, Inspire Peterborough, Planet Ice, friends and family helps to keep the club going.
The thing I really enjoy about Para Ice Hockey is the feeling of freedom. The sledge takes away the feeling of being limited or restricted by my disability. It isn’t like any wheelchair I’ve used before. Moving the sledge requires very little effort, I can just lean in the direction I want to go and I don’t have to use my hands or any other kit. I just go where I want without having to think about it. For me, that is the ultimate feeling of freedom.
If you feel this sport isn’t for you, let me convince you otherwise. I’m not a big guy, I couldn’t fight my way out of a paper bag. So, I wasn’t sure if I could actually play Para Ice Hockey. But, what I lack in physicality, I certainly make up for in skill and speed. From my first training session at the Phantoms, I’ve ended up representing my country, played against some of the world’s best players and made lifelong friendships. Never say never, give it a go because you never know where it might take you.
The 2018 Winter Paralympic Games are currently taking place in PyeongChang, South Korea. It’s a great opportunity to watch the best teams go head to head in Para Ice Hockey and many other winter sports. More information about the Games, visit the ParalympicsGB website.
