CHILDREN will have a chance to learn a new sport at York’s Christmas Ice Rink when ice hockey lessons are launched in the New Year.

Organisers of the Ice Factor rink say they have provided skating lessons for the last four years, which have always proved popular, and wanted to try something different this year.

Maria Farrugia, Ice Factor spokeswoman, said: “A lot of our ice marshal staff play hockey regularly so were very keen to show their talents and offer their coaching skills to York.

“We are really excited about the interest that the course has already had and it’s a fabulous Christmas gift, with lessons, free skating and a personalised hockey shirt as a memento at the end of it. Boys and girls are welcome.”

She said children would be taught stick handling, passing and types of shots on goal and, at the end of the coaching sessions, everyone would be given a certificate and an ice hockey shirt with their name on the back.

To launch and showcase the lessons, a five-a-side match was held at the rink on Sunday between teams of Ice Factor staff in the two teams The Blue Keld Killers (under-25s) and The Ice Factor Vikings (over-25s), with the Killers winning 8-4.

Ian Foreman, of Ice Factor, who has been playing ice hockey for over 35 years, said he was pleased children now had the chance to get a taste of the sport, and he hoped they would go on to play for many years.

The Ice Hockey lessons will take place at 8.30am on January 2, 3 and 9. Courses costs £60 and include three one-hour lessons.

The rink, situated in previous years in the Eye of York, has moved this year to the Designer Outlet at Fulford.

Maria said almost 15,000 skaters had been to the rink so far, which was a bit quieter than normal. However, she thought this was probably because of the harsh winter weather and the rink would be busier as Christmas approached and children went on holiday.