SPICE teams sparkle at skating champs
Former ice-skating star Robin Cousins presented the medals as the SPICE Sparkles and SPICE Crystals finished first and second in their category at the British Synchronised Skating Championships in Nottingham this weekend.
SPICE - Special People on ICE – teaches children with a variety of additional needs how to skate at the Slough Ice Arena.
They train every Sunday morning in Slough and have formed two ice skating teams that have performed brilliantly on the national stage in recent years.
Members of the team have a range of additional needs including cerebral palsy, autism, deafness, and global developmental delay.
This Saturday, they competed at the National Ice Arena in Nottingham in an inclusive category where at least 50 per cent of the team must have an additional need.
The category is judged by the same criteria as all the others in the competition, and the SPICE Sparkles finished top of the leaderboard with a new personal best score to boot.
They claimed the gold medal while in silver medal position was the SPICE Crystals, completing a memorable weekend for the club and its skaters.
Their routines were watched by large crowds at the championships who gave them both a rapturous round of applause. Both teams are coached by Annie Hodgson.
Speaking about the event, and the thrill and excitement it gave the team’s skaters, treasurer Jo Hodgson, said: “The support we get from the public is amazing. They put the lights on their phones, and they stand up. They love our routines. It’s fulfilling for everybody, not just us but the audience as well.”
For more information about SPICE, please visit www.spiceskating.org while Jo Hodgson, the club's secretary can be reached on 07831 669227 or secretary@spiceskating.org