Sub-zero temperatures in the Falkland Islands fuel ice hockey revolution but also burst pipes
Hockey players take advantage of the winter weather to get some “on ice” experience, and as there is no ice rink on the island, this is an opportunity they cannot afford to miss.
Extremely cold temperatures in the Falkland Islands have given hockey players and fans the opportunity to practice on frozen ponds, which is an upside to the weather situation, but the Ministry of Public Works and Water Division has also warned the public that water usage is “quite high at the moment”.
The PWD urged the public to “check their garden hoses to make sure they have not burst due to the cold weather and, if possible, check vacant properties that it manages while the residents are away on vacation.”
The weather forecast was spot on, it was neither windy nor cold and the afternoon was perfect for a practice game of hockey on the outdoor pond. Playing outdoor ice hockey in the Falkland Islands was a truly amazing experience. pic.twitter.com/YqQVzfe5zp
— Falkland Islands Hockey Association (@HockeyIslands) July 1, 2024
“If you suspect a leak, please report it to the following numbers: 27446/27447 or 55446. Please let us know where you found the suspected leak.”
“If you have any queries, please feel free to contact the Water Superintendent on 27446 or email us at supervisor.water@pwd.gov.fk.”
The good news is that hockey has become the national sport of the Falkland Islands and the team has also competed in international competitions in Chile, Central America and even the United States.
In the islands, the Falklands Hockey Association runs inline and deck hockey leagues in Stanley. National coach and founding member is former professional ice hockey player Grant Budd, who started the indoor hockey club specialising in deck hockey in 2006. The club continued to grow over the years and when inline hockey was introduced in 2015, interest in the sport exploded, especially among the youth teams. It is now the most popular sport in the Falklands, with over 130 players taking part in five different leagues in the 2019 season.
Inline hockey in the Falkland Islands is played with modified ice hockey rules rather than the more common inline hockey rules, which suits the format of play, which is played in 3-on-3 games in gyms with wooden floors. Being based on ice hockey also allows the clubs to prepare players for international tournaments where they would normally compete on ice.
Local inline leagues range from very young peewee, through junior, rookie, to elite (the top level of youth leagues) and senior leagues. All competitions are mixed gender and of varying ages to some extent. Youth leagues are about ability, skill and physical ability as well as age. All players are required to wear full protective gear, the same as ice hockey equipment.
In the recent budget, the Falklands Government and the National Sports Council agreed to strengthen sport and the Falklands' international standing, and one of these areas will be the construction of an artificial ice rink for Falklands teams to compete in ice hockey overseas.
