England triumph over Spain in a nail-biting penalty shootout to win Euro ParaHockey GOLD in Amsterdam on the main stage at the Wagener Stadium. The ParaHockey (known as Flyerz Hockey in England) Championship is for players with an intellectual disability (ID).

Flying the flag for England & Flyerz Hockey were players from the Midland Mencap Flyerz hockey team, representing their country in their 2^nd Euro ParaHockey championship, claiming gold and the nations hearts along the way.

See the winning penalty HERE!! -

The ParaHockey tournament ran alongside the Euro Hockey Championships, in the Netherlands from August 20^th to 23^rd at Pinoké Hockey Club. The tournament saw 9 countries and 12 teams take part in three tiers of competition (Challenge, Trophy & Championship pools). Access Sport would like to congratulate ALL countries in all three pools: England, Ireland, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. The real winners were the players involved and Hockey in general for being enriched with ParaHockey at this truly inclusive tournament.

“It was a pleasure to be invited out to Amsterdam to see the European ParaHockey Championship and speak to the people spearheading ParaHockey across Europe, very exciting to hear our plans in England align to a shared vision from the European Hockey Federation (EHF) after speaking with President Majike Fleuren & Vice President Carola Meyer and Norman Hughes who has been instrumental to the Euro ParaHockey movement.

Access Sport has been working intensively since 2011 to develop Flyerz Hockey and it was amazing to see Midland Mencap Flyerz come away with gold! It is a testament to how far Flyerz hockey has come in England.

Access Sport would like to congratulate everyone involved, players, coaches, staff, friends and families of Midland Mencap Flyerz on their incredible achievements!

Access Sport is now looking ahead to developing Flyerz nationally with the support from key funders, Access Sport ambassadors - Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh, existing Flyerz clubs and England Hockey. If you are thinking of setting up your own Flyerz section please look out for a Flyerz workshop coming to your area soon! - Hayley Barton and Adam Thomas, Access Sport”

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Background:

Flyerz Hockey (ParaHockey) was created in 2011 by the work of Access Sport’s Ignite disability programme and the first Flyerz hockey club, Waltham Forest HC. There are currently 15 clubs across England who have delivered Flyerz Hockey sessions and we hope that the Midland Mencap Flyerz team triumph will inspire many more to come.

Access Sport Ambassadors:

Kate & Helen Richardson-Walsh both continue to champion Flyerz hockey across the UK and at Helen’s home club of Cambridge City HC The ParaHockey players were delighted to have their trophies and medals presented by Kate and Helen.

Future:

Is your club/organisation looking to start your own Flyerz Hockey session?

Check out the Flyerz page for clubs on the website, or contact us for regional workshops, advice, support, resources and much more:

Email – [email protected]

Twitter - @Access Sport / @FlyerzHockey

Access Sport Community Ambassador – Pani’s Flyerz blog from the front line - www.flyerzhockey.co.uk/