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Dundee ice hockey team set for European adventure thanks to FirstGroup
Friday 13 March 2009
The cream of Dundee’s young ice hockey talent will depart for an international tournament next week with the help of transport giant, FirstGroup.
The UK’s largest transport company has provided the Dundee Stars’ with £2,000. This will help fund the transport of 22 budding ice hockey stars aged between 12 and 14 as they compete in the 10th annual Smoke Eaters International Minor Ice Hockey tournament in Geleen, Holland.
The team depart on Friday 20th March and hope to do Dundee proud as coach Gordon Allan explained: “The team has been training very hard and we are heading to Holland quietly optimistic that we can make a real impact on the tournament. It is the most prestigious event in Europe at this age level in ice hockey and is the highlight of our 2009 fixture list.”
Mr Allan works as a Engineer at Haymarket Depot for First ScotRail, one of FirstGroup’s rail companies. He added: “We are very grateful that FirstGroup has been so generous. The tournament will help all our players develop. Four of our players have represented Scotland at under 11 and under 13 level – I have no doubt that this tournament will help even more of the team gain international recognition.”
Niall Dowds, FirstGroup’s PR Manager, visited the team in training at Dundee’s ice arena and handed over the cheque to the Stars. He said: “All at FirstGroup wish the team every success in Holland. It is inspiring to see such enthusiasm and commitment from the young players. The Dundee Stars is a very well run club and First is proud to be supporting the coaches and the players as they take on some of the best youngsters in the world. I am sure that with a bit of luck they can do well in the Dutch tournament.”
The team depart for Geleen on Friday 20th March. The tournament will commence on Saturday 21st March and if successful the Stars will play in the final on 22nd March The tournament attracts teams from across Europe with Canada and the US also represented.
Dundee Stars under 12s won the Scottish League in 2007-2008 and will be moving up to the under 14s level in 2009. Meanwhile the 2007-2008 under 14s finished second in the league and will now compete in the under 16 league.
The Dundee Stars were awarded funding by FirstGroup’s Sponsorship and Charity Committee. The Committee comprises 12 members of staff based throughout Britain. The Committee considers requests for funding and gifts from groups and organisations across the country. It aims to provide charitable support in line with three specific criteria – young people, health and the environment. For further information on the committee please visit www.firstgroup.com.
Photograph:FirstGroup's PR Manager, Niall Dowds (back row, centre) with the Dundee Stars Under 14s ice hockey team.