Train-the-Trainer Programme under Royal Enfield Ice Hockey Season 3 conclude
Train-the-Trainer Programme under Royal Enfield Ice Hockey Season 3 conclude
Dehradun, November 29
The Train-the-Trainer Programme under Royal Enfield Ice Hockey Season 3 concluded today at the Himadri Indoor Ice Rink in Dehradun, marking the completion of this season’s first major on-ground capacity-building initiative. Conducted over two weeks, the programme trained 67 coaches — 39 in the Basic module and 28 in the Intermediate module — from Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, reinforcing Royal Enfield’s long-term commitment to strengthening grassroots Ice Hockey across the Himalayan region.
Led by Darryl Easson, an International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) certified instructor who has previously coached the national teams of the United Kingdom and Hungary, the training focused on enhancing technical proficiency, teaching methodology, and community leadership. As a key pillar of the Blueprint for Himalayan Ice Hockey Development, the programme continues to build a structured pathway from grassroots participation to elite competition, contributing to India’s long-term ambition for the 2042 Winter Olympics.
Building on the momentum from last year’s Train-the-Trainer Programme at ISKATE, Gurugram, which equipped 32 coaches from Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh with advanced coaching skills, this year’s edition was expanded in response to strong community feedback and a growing demand for structured local capacity-building. The two-module format strengthened both entry-level access and the technical pipeline needed for competitive team formation.
The Basic Coaches Training Camp (November 17–23) prepared coaches to conduct Learn to Play (LTP) programmes in their home communities, helping widen foundational access and introduce new players to the sport. The Intermediate Coaches Training Camp (November 25–29) took the curriculum forward, equipping returning coaches to refine their technical expertise, identify emerging talent, and ready their teams for the developmental leagues scheduled early next year.
Following this, the programme will transition to the Game Official Instruction Programme in Delhi. Thereafter, action will move to Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, where the newly trained coaches will lead LTP programmes and begin preparing players for the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League (REIHL) in Ladakh and the Spiti Cup, powered by Royal Enfield, in Himachal Pradesh in early 2026.
Through such structured and sustained interventions, Royal Enfield continues to advance its Social Mission of empowering Himalayan communities through sport — creating opportunities for youth and women, building local leadership, and fostering a resilient and sustainable winter sports culture across the region.
As part of the next phase of the Ice Hockey calendar, a panel discussion will take place at Travancore Palace under the Journeying Across the Himalayas Festival, spotlighting community leadership, winter sports development, and the evolving role of trained coaches in shaping the future of Ice Hockey in the region.
A Look Back: Season 2 Highlights
The 2025 edition of the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League and the Spiti Cup saw 30 teams across men’s and women’s divisions from regions including Leh, Nubra, Kargil, Zanskar, Changthang, Losar, Lalung, Keylong, Pin, and Spiti. Over 10,000 fans attended matches throughout the season, turning frozen rinks into vibrant celebrations of local pride. Kang Sings and Maryul Spamo successfully defended their REIHL title, while Sham Zone and Center Zone claimed top honours in Spiti – a testament to the growing interest of Ice Hockey in the region.
