Sheffield ice hockey clubs united in drive to return to play

Steelers and the Elite League accept they have a tough job on their hands to meet all the criteria involved to access a promised £4m bail-out, as part of 'winter survival package' during the coronavirus shut-down.

Time is running out and the practicalities of flying in imports makes it arguably more complex for Sheffield, Nottingham Panthers, Coventry Blaze, Manchester Storm and Guildford Flames than the second tier programme.

Steeldogs and the NIHL have lower budgets and more locally-sourced talent, something which might help them access money that would allow for a short season.The NIHL is having separate talks with Government advisors, from the EIHL.

Co-owner Roger Williams said: "We have our own discussions with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, they are completely separate although I imagine with some similar themes.

"Beyond the continuation of those, there have been no developments, although they're progressing again after a couple of quiet weeks over Christmas New Year."I'm optimistic we will get to play as I believe there are enough teams across the league who are very keen to make it work."

Sport England have told the EIHL that they plan to discuss ice hockey funding later this month.

The League Chairman Tony Smith hopes to be in a position to "know and share more after that."

Smith says the most trusted form of Covid testing will be essential to the notion of a return to play.

"One of the key points to the starting of the league is to get the testing right, this is elite ice hockey and it has to be the full protocol of testing like we see in the Premier League" he said.

"This lateral flow test (which can provide results in as little as 30 minutes) isn't good enough - we have already bounced that out, it will be the full test and it could be two or three times a week. That all has to be costed in, with a six, eight or ten week season. But we have to get testing right."