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WOMEN ice-hockey players are on a recruitment drive as they prepare for international competition next year and a crack at the IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia.
The Bahrain Cobras only started their ice hockey mission in March after a pre-school teacher decided it was high-time girls also got onto the rink and proved their metal in the hard-hitting contact sport.
Australian Sian Thorne, who has been following the successful track record of the Bahrain Sharks and the Bahrain National Ice Hockey team, has always loved the fast-paced sport and hopes to find other like-minded females to take it forward.
The 28-year-old from Hidd, who is a teacher at Kiddy Care Pre-School in Zinj by day and an ice-hockey goalie by late afternoon, said: “I have been watching the men’s team play for the past six years and I am passionate about the game. I have been playing with them occasionally and even travelling with them to every tournament to show support.
“I also watch ice-hockey on television and personally, I like contact sports. It may not be considered by some as your typical girly game but it’s full of action and very competitive.
“When the guys approached me and asked if I wanted to start a women’s team, I was like ‘yes, I’m all for it!’ I asked colleagues if they were interested and straight away some of the teachers said yes, let’s do it. And so it all began.”
Thorne jumped into action, launching hockey accounts on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram in a bid to recruit other skaters. Since then she has rallied together four Bahrainis, one British player and another with an Emirati and British background. The group is so far made up of teachers and students with the youngest aged 13 and the oldest 28.
Ahlia University student Maryam Dawood, 19, from Juffair, is thrilled to be a part of the squad and urges others to pick up the sport. She said: “I wanted to be a part of something new and we don’t have many sports for women here. It’s good to show that girls can play hockey and that it’s not just for guys.
“I think it’s a great game but a tough one. It’s not for everyone or the faint-of-heart so you need to be strong in mind and spirit to play this sport, as well as physically prepared.”
The squad is recharging its batteries during the holy month but will be back skating from next week, twice-a-week, at the Manama Funland Centre ice-rink under the guidance of coach Salman Al Thawadi, who plays for the men’s team, goalie coach Abdulla Aladhab and fitness coach Sameh Hegazi.
The Cobras are currently working on the basics, concentrating on skating and breaking skills before they can take part in any major competitions. Their aim is to recruit more women and train hard in preparation for next year’s cup challenge taking place in Hong Kong in May.
Thorne said: “We are looking for committed players because we are improving all the time. The girls are doing really well with their cross-overs, breaking and skating and we are starting with our puck handling and shooting soon.
“So I’m looking for people willing to show up and be committed to the team. This isn’t just for fun. We are here to be serious and to compete and make a name for Bahrain as well.
“The men’s team has been playing since 1994 so have a lot of experience and are willing to offer us all the support we will need. Sometimes, we train with them to gain experience which we hope will help elevate our game.
“I also want to get more recognition for the sport in Bahrain. I want more people to wake up and realise there is ice hockey in Bahrain and it’s worth supporting and getting involved in.”
The players are confident and ambitious and are anxious to get the International Ice Hockey Federation to recognise Bahrain as an established centre alongside Abu Dhabi and Dubai. “We want to go to tournaments and show people that Bahrain can compete and win,” added Thorne.
Ice hockey players in the kingdom, both women and men, are giving back to the community too. During Ramadan, they volunteered to assist in teaching children from one of the orphanages in Bahrain how to skate at the ice-rink. The players that attended included Thorne, Jenna Belghafria, Sameh Hejazi, Salman Al Thawadi, Muhammad Azzouz and Abdulla Janahi.
To join the team or simply to get more information, follow the club’s Facebook account or go to Instagram @bhwomensicehockey
