UK’s First-Ever Ice Hockey Goalie Training Facility

Ice Hockey has become a fast-growing sport across the United Kingdom. However, the current lack of available ice rinks is causing an issue for anyone eager to get on the ice and practice.  It is no secret that the more you skate and practice your hockey maneuvers, the more you grow as a player and ice hockey goalie.

How do you train to be a goalkeeper?

Jordan Lawday, renowned as the pro ice hockey goalie for the esteemed Basingstoke Bison and the brain behind Lawday Goaltending, has pioneered the inaugural goalie-dedicated training facility within the UK. This groundbreaking initiative saw the utilization of Glice synthetic ice, elevating the standards of his rink to an unprecedented level. By choosing Glice, the pioneer in artificial ice technology, Jordan has set a new benchmark for goalie training in the UK, showcasing the immense potential and versatility of Glice’s synthetic ice. It’s a testament to his dedication to the sport and our shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of ice sports training.

How can I train to be a goalkeeper at home?

This is the question Jordan was asking himself when his season got cut short due to COVID. He was left unable to train or coach while all rinks were closed. He decided to make the smart investment into Glice, allowing him to practice and teach from home. This move enabled him to stay in top form while also coaching other goalies throughout the pandemic.

Glice – the obvious solution

Glice revolutionizes hockey training by providing an ice-like experience without the need for traditional ice. This means hockey enthusiasts can practice shooting, skating, and goalie maneuvers year-round, regardless of location or climate. The surface offers exceptional glide and real puck handling, facilitating skill development in a way that closely mirrors on-ice performance.

Moreover, it’s more cost-effective and eco-friendly than maintaining a traditional ice rink, making high-quality hockey training more accessible. With Glice, athletes can fine-tune their skills consistently, giving them a competitive edge and elevating the overall standard of hockey training.

Benefits of Glice

1. Year-Round Skating: Glice synthetic ice enables ice skating experiences regardless of the season or climate, allowing year-round enjoyment of the sport.
2. Easy Installation: Setting up a Glice rink is straightforward and hassle-free, making it accessible to a wide range of users and locations.
3. Cost-Effective: Glice offers a cost-effective solution compared to traditional refrigerated ice rinks, reducing operational expenses and overall maintenance costs.
4. Environmentally Friendly: Glice is an eco-friendly choice, requiring no water or electricity for operation, thus reducing environmental impact and conserving resources. Read all about our initiative, “Skate for the Planet“!
5. Low Maintenance: Glice synthetic ice requires minimal maintenance, saving time and effort typically associated with maintaining traditional ice surfaces.
6. Longevity: Glice synthetic ice panels are designed to be durable and long-lasting, providing a resilient surface that can withstand heavy usage over an extended period.
7. Customizable: Glice rinks can be tailored to various sizes and configurations, adapting to the available space and specific needs of the user or location.
8. Versatility: Glice can be used for various ice-related activities, including ice skating, ice hockey, figure skating, and more, catering to a diverse audience.
9. Improved Glide: The advanced technology in Glice synthetic ice ensures a smooth and realistic skating experience with a glide that closely emulates natural ice.
10. Innovative Technology: Glice utilizes state-of-the-art materials and engineering to create a cutting-edge synthetic ice product that replicates the feel of natural ice.
11. All-Skater Friendly: Glice is suitable for skaters of all levels, from beginners to professionals, providing a platform for skill development and practice. Whether you’re part of a hockey team or like to spend the afternoons skating with your friends, Glice is the solution.
12. Reduced Noise: Glice rinks generate less noise compared to traditional ice rinks, creating a more pleasant environment for users and those around the rink.
13. Global Availability: Glice is available internationally, making it a viable option for customers around the world who seek an alternative to natural ice.
14. Community Building: Glice facilitates community engagement and brings people together, encouraging social interaction and active participation in ice sports.

Testing on a small scale…

Jordan started by ordering three Glice commercial panels, each measuring 6.4ft x 3.1ft. While Glice offers both commercial and home rinks, he said he went with the commercial panels to install them over the uneven grass in his backyard. He was incredibly pleased with the results, which immediately allowed for great ice-like skating after installation.

… turned into a full-blown training center

After a couple of months, Jordan decided to expand his rink from three panels into a complete training facility to accommodate the increasing number of goalies interested in practicing maneuvers and getting a chance to skate more on the ice. Jordan planned to build the United Kingdom’s first goalie-specific training facility where goalies could come and work on their skills without having the expense of renting a full ice pad. He provides all the goalie equipment needed for an efficient practice.

The Installation Process

He started by clearing out the space and building the wooden frame.

Finally, after weeks of measuring, cutting, and building, he finished “The Goalie Barn”, excited to open it to his trainees. He added five additional Glice panels, giving players ample room to do their thing.  He added special touches to the home-built barn, painting it to make it feel more like home for the goalies who daily came to train.

 

Still not enough!

Over the last year, the Goalie Barn has been a terrific installation, providing everything Lawday intended. It allowed goalies the chance to get the same ice-like training without the crazy high costs of paying for the use of a traditional ice rink. The Goalie Barn became such a success, Jordan realized he needed to expand to accommodate all the needs of his growing clients. He began searching for a larger facility to create a 2.0 version of his Goalie Barn.  The extra space would allow his clients more space, allowing a more extensive selection of drills and manoeuvrers.

After months of searching, Jordan found the perfect solution – an old barn he renovated into his new training facility. The facility is 45ft x 16ft and uses Glice commercial sheets and the Glice leisure dasher boards, even allowing hosting a small hockey game. He also built stalls for the goalies and players that give the feel are of a pro dressing room. He even applied a cool logo on the roof and installed rubber mats to protect blades before stepping onto the Glice.

Jordan did a great job transforming the barn into the fantastic facility it is today.  This facility has people feeling like NHL goalies while training. Look at the final result!

With projects like these we are able to spread the ice sports and their fascination all over. We are incredibly thankful for people like Jordan who make this goal a reality. Thanks to them we can democratize the ice sports and make them available to anyone in the world, whether its ice hockey, figure skating or any other sport on ice. Would you like to be part of this mission? We would be happy to find the right solution for you! Contact us now, and we will be in touch.