An open master class for special ice hockey took place in Moscow

A master class concerning special ice hockey took place in Moscow on September 26.

Special ice hockey is being developed by the Children's Sledge Hockey League. Children and adults of any age with down's syndrome, autistic spectrum disorders and other mental difficulties are training with special ice hockey teams, with the sessions adapted to everyone's needs. Instead of sporting results, the aspect is on teamwork and social experience.

The Children's Sledge Hockey League invited children and adults of any ability to attend the master class, which was run by Oksana Chistyakova who is a coach of the HC Atlant Mytishchi women's team and a coach of Russia's first special ice hockey team. The master class was supported by the Moscow Government.

The specialities of special ice hockey is to give players the opportunity to play their favourite sport which is adapted to their respective needs. The players compete on ice skates and the rules will largely be the same as normal ice hockey.

Around 30 participants were witnessed at the event.

Coach Oksana Chistyakova:

- Last year we opened the special ice hockey school in Moscow. Ruben, who is five years of age and is on the autistic spectrum, struggles with communication, but he is coping well and trying hard. Everyone here is learning how to play the game in accordance with the specialities and this will certainly help them moving forward.

Suzanna, mother of Ruben, a participant:

- Despite the diagnosis, we really want Ruben to interact with other children! This is key in his development. Of course, being in a new environment is tough for him, but he is getting used to it. Being in the team is crucial for his future. The sport will assist him in achieving success in his life, communicating with others and and coping in social situations.

Elena Prokhorova, mother of Vyacheslav, a participant:

- We are coping with the difficulties which we are facing in all aspects of life. So far, since starting to train with the team last year, Vyacheslav has learned to be organised and disciplined, while also playing ice hockey really well and in an intelligent manner. Yes, they do sometimes feel overwhelmed with the noise and with the sensation of wearing ice hockey equipment, but they forget about their worries when playing. The goal is to improve their quality of life.