September 21, 2022

The English Ice Hockey Association is excited to once again work in collaboration with Puck Stop and Bauer to re-launch the Netminder Development Programme.

Aspiring netminders will be given the opportunity to loan netminder equipment for free to try the position before investing in their own equipment. Bauer have supplied five sets of full protective equipment – everything except more personal items such as helmet, skates, stick and jock – to Puck Stop and it is ready for individuals to begin the application process and request a loan.

With a shortage of netminders at all levels across England and Wales, this fantastic pilot programme aims to reduce financial barriers, increase participation and experience in this position, and ultimately give young people exposure to ice hockey to help develop our sport.

The equipment will be loaned on a three-month basis to junior players who meet the criteria below. Priority will be given to female players, players from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups, and players living in areas of high deprivation and from low socio-economic groups. However, every player who meets the essential criteria outlined below is eligible to apply for the Netminder Development Programme:

Essential Criteria:

• Player has limited or no prior netminder experience
• Player is a current member of a junior club
• Player does not have access to own netminder kit
• Player is playing ice hockey in England or Wales

Applications can be made as follows:

Round 1
Applications are open from 21st September to 4th October 2022. Successful applications will receive kit on loan from 12th October 2022 to 11th January 2023.

Round 2
Applications are open from 2nd January to 16th January 2023. Successful applications will receive kit on loan from 25th January 2022 to 26th April 2023.

Follow this link to begin an application: Netminder Kit Application

The EIHA once again would like to say thank you to Puck Stop and Bauer for their incredible support with this programme and wish all applicants the best of luck with their quest to join the goalie union!