As we say goodbye to 2025, we want to send a massive thank you to everyone who’s been a part of Lions Inline Hockey Club this year—players, parents, coaches, volunteers, officials, and our brilliant supporters. You’ve filled the rinks (and our hearts) with energy, effort, and smiles. ~ Thank you for making 2025 unforgettable. ~
We can’t wait for 2026—our biggest ever season is already underway, and with more events in the pipeline, this year could be our most exciting yet. Let’s keep growing, learning, competing, and having fun together. 💛🖤
We’re still on our Christmas break, but here’s what’s coming up next:
📍 North West Roller Sports Rink — Thursday 8 January • Under‑16s: 7:00–8:00pm (new session) • Lions Black: 8:00–9:00pm • Senior Lions: 9:00–10:30pm
📍 Ardwick Sports Centre — Monday 12 January • Under‑8s: 6:00–7:00pm • Under‑12s: 7:00–8:00pm
Whether you’re lacing up for your first session or chasing the next milestone, there’s a place for you in our pride. If you’re curious about joining, drop us a DM or email info@lionsihc.co.uk—the first steps start with a hello. 📨
Here’s to fresh starts, fast breaks, and fearless hockey in 2026. Happy New Year from all of us at Lions IHC! 🥳🏒
Over the last 18 months, Lions Inline Hockey Club has grown across every age group. A big part of that success has been offering our older junior players the chance to join both Hockey Hustlers and Senior Lions training sessions—which has led to massive improvement over the first few months of the 2025/2026 season.
Behind the scenes, we’ve been working hard to add capacity to our already packed timetable. We’re pleased to announce we’ve secured an extra half hour on our North West Roller Sports Rink allocation, which now enables us to offer a dedicated Under‑16s training session and completely refresh our weekly schedule. The result is a clear pathway from Rookie Cubs all the way to Seniors.
New weekly schedule (from January 2026)
Monday – Ardwick Sports Centre
Under‑8s: 6:00–7:00pm
Under‑12s: 7:00–8:00pm
Thursday – Senior Lions (unchanged)
Senior Lions: 9:00–10:30pm
Sunday – North West Roller Sports Rink
Under‑16s: 7:00–8:00pm
Lions Black: 8:00–9:00pm
This complete pathway means more hockey than ever before—and a structured progression for every player.
A coach-led “play‑up” pathway that accelerates development
To recognise different rates of growth and readiness, we will be offering additional training opportunities for players who meet age and ability criteria, assessed by our coaching team:
Ages 7+ may be invited to train with Under‑12s
Ages 10+ may be invited to train with Under‑16s
Ages 12+ may be invited to Lions Black and Senior Lions sessions
Playing up is always at coach discretion and based on player readiness, safety, and confidence. With this structure, Lions can now offer all junior players the chance to play up one or more age groups in the UKIHF Junior Leagues—helping to push Lion Cubs forward at the right pace.
Why playing up (with guidance) is a good thing
Higher pace & intensity: Exposure to faster play builds reaction speed, decision‑making under pressure, and stamina.
Skill acceleration: Training with advanced teammates raises the technical bar—stick handling, shooting mechanics, and first touch improve quickly.
Hockey IQ growth: Older age groups use more complex systems; learning forecheck/backcheck, breakouts, and positioning boosts game understanding.
Safe physical progression: Controlled, coach‑supervised drills develop body contact skills (angling, body positioning) before they’re needed in games.
Confidence & resilience: Meeting tougher challenges, with support, grows grit and belief—key traits for stepping into the next age group.
Readiness for transitions: Playing up smooths the move to higher age brackets and prepares players for Lions Black and Senior Lions.
What each session focuses on (age‑appropriate drills)
Physical readiness and consistency across full sessions
Across the pathway, drills are age‑appropriate and progressive, ensuring every player learns the skills needed for the age group they play in, and the one they are growing into.
Building the sport in the North West—together
This pathway means we’re offering more hockey than ever and creating a clear route for players to become part of Lions Black or the Senior Lions when they reach age 15 (subject to coach assessment and league rules). We’re also excited to be working with T‑Wrex on female development in the sport, and we’re exploring the return of a Wild Lions training session later in 2026.
If you’re looking to get your children into inline hockey—or you’re keen to get back into it yourself—we’re always open to new players joining.
Get in touch: 📧 info@lionsihc.co.uk 💬 DM us for more information
This weekend our Under-14s and Under-16s Cubs hit the rink for their final UKIHF games before the festive break – and wow, what a show of grit, growth, and teamwork! 💪🔥
Saturday – Under-14s Battle Scorpions & Ducks
Our young Cubs faced two tough, experienced teams, but they didn’t back down! Most of this squad usually plays U12s, so stepping up was no small feat.
Game 1: Hard-fought defensive work kept the pressure on.
Game 2: The Cubs cracked the code with the box game, catching teams on the break and scoring some brilliant goals while working the keeper!
🏅 Players’ Player:Toby – chosen by Lucas for fearless defending and a positive attitude all game. 🏅 Coaches’ Player:Lucas – a true leader on the rink, never giving up and inspiring the team with positivity.
Sunday – Under-16s Take on PGKA & T-Wrex
Four of our eight-player squad were U12s, but that didn’t stop them!
Game 1 vs PGKA: End-to-end action and a nail-biting draw thanks to every player giving 100% and both netminders pulling off huge saves.
Game 2 vs T-Wrex: Against one of the most experienced teams, our Cubs focused on defence, forcing outside shots and letting Lottie shine with big saves. T-Wrex took the W, but not without a fight – our Cubs frustrated them by locking down the middle of the rink!
🏅 Players’ Player:Hallie – picked by Lottie for fearless blocks (puck marks to prove it!) and leading by example in defence. 🏅 Players’ Player:Theo – stepped up massively, applying lessons from Saturday and making things click on Sunday.
Massive Shout-Out!
To all the parents and coaches who drove miles to make this weekend happen – THANK YOU! 🙌 Especially those juggling two game days. Your support makes these moments possible.
And… BIG NEWS COMING THIS WEEK to help our Cubs improve even more after an incredible 18 months of progress. Stay tuned!
Our Cubs smashed it on the rink – proud doesn’t even cover it! 🖤 #LionsIHC #CubsOnTheRise #UKIHF #HockeyFamily #FutureStars #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork
This month’s spotlight shines on Lottie-Lee, our incredible under-14s and under-16s goalie who has been an absolute wall between the pipes!
Lottie has been guarding the net for just over a year, and wow – what a journey! Since joining Lion Cubs, Lottie has levelled up massively: ✅ Training with our Senior Lions every Thursday ✅ Playing in a senior friendly against Northern Lights – only 2 goals conceded in 20 minutes! ✅ Bringing her A-game every time she hits the rink, especially for our young Cubs teams
But what makes Lottie truly special? It’s not just the saves – it’s the smile, the positivity, and the hunger to learn. Always taking advice, always improving, and always making us proud. Coaches, teammates, and even UKIHF Junior League opponents can’t stop talking about her!
👏 Well done, Lottie! November’s Player of the Month was an easy pick – keep shining bright and stopping those shots!
Yesterday, Lions Black kicked off this season’s UKIHF D League in style – taking a clean sweep with 3 wins from 3 games, scoring an incredible 21 goals and conceding just 1! 💪
Our stand-in netminder Leanne was outstanding, narrowly missing a 3-game shutout streak in the final minutes of the third match. But yesterday wasn’t about one player – it was about teamwork, discipline, and growth.
This squad has been building chemistry over the last three seasons, and last year’s experience in the North West B/C League clearly paid off. Every player found the back of the net at least once, while working on: ✅ Maintaining a solid defensive box shape ✅ Executing clean breakouts ✅ Completing 3 passes before scoring ✅ Ensuring every line member scored before going again
These challenges weren’t easy, but they showcased how far this team has come. The rink was buzzing with team bonding, older players cheering on younger ones and vice versa – a true Lions family moment. 🦁
Massive congratulations to Lions Black for starting the season with such dominance and showing what hard work in the off-season can achieve. The journey to improve on last season is well underway! 🔥
Our Lion Cubs under-12s are back on the rink for TWO big UKIHF Junior League games! 🏒🔥 These Cubs are ready to roar and show just how far they’ve come since their last game day. Every pass, every shot, every cheer counts – and this is all about gaining that all-important experience and making memories!
Last time out, Eden earned Cubs Player of the Day and will be picking her choice this time 👏. The coaches will also be watching closely for standout performances – just like Leo, who grabbed Coaches’ Player last time!
Let’s make it a day full of fun, teamwork, and hockey magic. Good luck, Cubs – you’ve got this! 🦁💪 UKIHF Junior League – Two games, one mission: progress and pride!
What an incredible day for our young Cubs! 💪 Most of the team were playing in this age group for the very first time, and with three-quarters of the squad only picking up hockey sticks in the last 12 months, this was a huge challenge – and they faced it head-on! 👏
With our regular netminder unavailable, Freddie stepped up between the pipes and got a real taste of what life in the Under-10s is all about. Two tough games, two very different attitudes from the opposition, and a whole lot of learning for our Cubs. They now know what it’s like to play against experienced teams – and they’ll take so much from this day as they grow together. 🌟
🏅 Players’ Player: Voted by the team – Freddie! He worked so hard in both games and made some brilliant saves. 🏅 Coaches’ Player: Shared this week between Patrick, for showing great improvements and listening to coaching advice, and Ellis, who not only scored 4 goals playing up an age group but also led by example – guiding teammates, fist-bumping Freddie after big saves, and keeping spirits high. 🔥
Yes, it was a tough day, but the positives are HUGE: experience, teamwork, resilience, and plenty of smiles. This young squad is on the right path, and we can’t wait to see them grow! 💛🖤
📅 Want to join the Cubs? DM us or email info@lionsihc.co.uk – first two sessions FREE! #LionsIHC #JuniorHockey #HockeyFamily #FutureStars #Teamwork #HockeyLife
(Yes, we know it’s a little late… but better late than never! 😉)
A huge congratulations to Leo Hirst-Jones, our October Player of the Month! 🎉
Leo has shown massive improvements both on and off the rink over the past few months. Known as a quiet player, Leo has recently stepped up his confidence – even cheekily telling Coach James that football is better than hockey (we all know that’s not true 😜).
With this new confidence, Leo has been taking on players fearlessly, going in hard on tackles, and showing a great understanding of positioning. His progress hasn’t gone unnoticed – all our coaches and teammates agree that Leo truly deserves this recognition.
Well done, Leo! We can’t wait to see how much more you improve throughout the season. Keep smashing it! 💪🔥
It’s time to bring some holiday cheer to the rink! Our Lions Inline Hockey Club Christmas Jerseys are now available to order – but don’t wait too long! To guarantee yours arrives in time for Christmas, you’ll need to be quick.
Price: £35 per jersey How to order: Head over to our app and place your order today!
Imagine skating into the festive season looking like the ultimate Christmas Lion – it’s the perfect way to show your team spirit and spread some holiday joy.
🎁 Limited time only – make sure you don’t miss out! Let’s make this Christmas one to remember, both on and off the rink. #LionsIHC #ChristmasJersey #DeckTheRinks #HockeyFamily #FestiveSpirit #InlineHockey #LionsOnIce #ChristmasCheer #HockeyStyle #OrderNow #TeamLions
