Breaking Barriers with Power Hockey

Lucy_Scope

Ellis Palmer invited me to Greenbank to play power hockey. Greenbank offers a range of inclusive sports including power football, hockey, and boccia.

We know moving with cerebral palsy is essential, especially as we get older. But it can be challenging to know where to start or even to meet fellow disabled people. Clubs made for disabled people are essential for physical, mental, and social well-being.

Power hockey is not like traditional hockey and is not played with hockey sticks. It is fast-paced, energetic, and highly competitive. It is played with specialist electric wheelchairs. The aim is to score points with a hockey-sized ball. It is the only contact sport for electric wheelchair users. It is a sport which is growing in popularity. Ellis hopes to set up more reginal hubs, across the country to enable more people to participate.

I have never used a powerchair before. I was very much thrown in at the deep end! Despite my poor chair coordination, everyone was so encouraging. I may not have scored any goals, but I did make some good defensive tackles.

It was fantastic to see a range of disabled and non-disabled people participating in sport together. It has shown me the value of trying out new activities and forming connections.

I fully enjoyed the pace of the game. Maybe at times I let out a slight scream when I got jerked around with a dicey tackle. But, I felt included in the game with minimal experience.

You do not need to have experience to join, and do not need a powerchair. Take the leap and try it out for yourself. See GB Power Hockey for more details.