Northern Stars hit by venue blow

The TDC Waste Management Northern Stars Ice Hockey Academy have received a major blow heading into the new year.

Following ongoing discussions, the Metro Radio Arena where the Northern Stars play their home games, have advised the Academy management that regrettably the ice at the venue will not be relayed due to significant maintenance required to the building.

The TDC Stars who have had no ice at the Arena since October, are now making arrangements to complete the 2010/11 season for all their teams ranging from the senior team who played in the English National League all the way down to the under 10's team.

With only one other ice facility in the North East (Whitley Bay Ice Rink) the Northern Stars are presently unable to obtain sufficient ice time slots, with the Academy management now working with the English Ice Hockey Association and it's member clubs to play the remainder of their games outside of the North East.

Northern Stars Ice Hockey Academy Chairman Fred Elder today commented: "This is devastating news for the whole Academy setup. Our priority right now is to our 130 plus players and the loyal parents with the aim being to reach the end of the season and ensure we complete all of our fixtures.

"We continue to be committed to the Academy and Ice Hockey in the North East. As a club we have a history of battling on through difficult periods especially when we don't have a facility of our own. We feel that our only option now is to finish the season and then concentrate our efforts in sourcing a permanent facility for the club.

"We would like to thank SMG and the Metro Radio Arena for all their support over the years. Since Crowtree Leisure Centre closed in Sunderland, the Arena have been very accommodating and have gone out of their way to assist the Academy wherever possible, something we will always be highly grateful of. We wish them all the best in the future.

"Thanks must also go to Whitley Bay Ice Rink who have been working with us to accommodate the juniors where possible for training and game slots."