EIHA announce South Cup plans

The NIHL have announced that a number of clubs from the South Division 1 will take part in a return to play competition starting the first weekend in March.

MK Thunder, Slough Jets, Solent Devils and a fourth club to be confirmed will play a round robin series, with games behind closed doors. As with other competitions going on the players will undergo regular testing and the rinks will be a covid-secure environment.

Clubs are looking into the options for streaming the games from the rink so their hockey-starved supporters can enjoy the return to play experience.

NIHL: South 1 joins 'Return to Play' with series starting in Marchhttps://t.co/eVtU8sDwMV#oneNIHL #HockeyIsComingBack pic.twitter.com/Pcq91j65yf

— English Ice Hockey Association (@EIHA_Official) February 21, 2021

EIHA director Andrew Miller said: “This represents the final part of this phase of our return to play plans for the NIHL and supports in the region of 390 athletes return to the ice this month.

“We continue to work with DCMS on returning more of our sport in the coming weeks as government restrictions allow.

“Our thanks go to all clubs in the NIHL on working with us to make this possible. Whilst the competitions don’t currently include all teams, the joint working between all of our clubs has shown what is possible when we come together for the good of the sport.”

It follows the recent returns for five National League sides, currently competing in the Spring Cup and the four teams from the north who will compete for the North Cup, due to begin next weekend.