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Falklands extreme cold sparks hockey revolution, but pipes burst
Hockey players take advantage of the winter weather to get some “on the ice” experience! There are no ice rinks on the island, so opportunities like this are not to be missed!
The extreme cold temperatures in the Falklands provided an opportunity for hockey players and fans to practice on frozen ponds, which was a positive for the weather conditions, but the Ministry of Public Works Water Services also advised the public to be aware that “water usage is quite high at this time.”
The Department of Public Works called on the public to “check garden hoses that may have burst due to the cold weather and, if possible, check vacant homes that are being cared for while the occupants are on vacation, etc.”
The weather forecast was spot on, with no wind and a cold, sunny afternoon, perfect for some outdoor pond hockey practice. What a fantastic experience – outdoor ice hockey in the Falklands! pic.twitter.com/YqQVzfe5zp
— Falkland Islands Hockey Association (@HockeyIslands) July 1, 2024
“If you suspect a leak, please report it by calling the following numbers: 27446/27447 or 55446. Provide the location where you found the suspected leak.
“If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Water Controller on 27446 or email: Supervisor.water@pwd.gov.fk”
The good news is that hockey has become a national sport in the Falkland Islands and has also been played in international tournaments in Chile, Central America and even the United States.
In the Falklands, the Falkland Hockey Association runs inline skating and indoor ice hockey leagues in Stanley. The national coach and founding member is former professional ice hockey player Grant Budd, who founded the indoor ice hockey club in 2006 to focus on indoor ice hockey. The club grew over the years and with the introduction of inline skating in 2015, interest in the sport surged, especially among junior teams. It is now the most popular sport in the Falklands, with over 130 players competing in 5 different leagues in the 2019 season.
Inline hockey in the Falkland Islands is played using different rules than ice hockey, which uses different rules than typical inline hockey. The game is played in a wooden floor gymnasium, using a 3-on-3 format that suits the style of the game. The game is based on ice hockey, but also prepares players for any international tournaments that the club would normally play on ice.
The local inline skating league starts with the youngest youth division, goes through the junior division, the novice division, and finally the elite division (the highest level of the youth league) and the senior division. All events are co-ed, and the ages vary to some extent, depending on ability, skill and physical fitness, which is more important than age in the youth league. All players need full protective gear, the same as ice hockey equipment.
In the recent budget, the Falkland Islands Government and the National Sports Council agreed to strengthen sports and enhance the Falklands’ international status, one area being the construction of an artificial ice rink as Falkland Islands teams overseas compete in ice hockey.
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