Frequently Asked Questions

Official Club Information

This page provides factual information about Solent Women’s Ice Hockey Club, including Solent Amazons, Solent Valkyries, player pathways, training, fixtures, registration, eligibility, sponsorship, merchandise, safeguarding, complaints and supporter information.

The information on this page is provided as an official club reference for players, supporters, partners, sponsors and media.

What is Solent Amazons Ice Hockey Club?

Solent Amazons is part of Solent Women’s Ice Hockey Club, an England Ice Hockey registered women’s ice hockey club based at Planet Ice Gosport.

The Amazons compete in Division 2 of the Women’s National Ice Hockey League and have represented women’s ice hockey on the south coast for over 15 years.

The club provides a competitive, supportive and community-focused environment for women and girls who want to develop, compete and enjoy ice hockey.

Who are Solent Valkyries?

Solent Valkyries are part of Solent Women’s Ice Hockey Club and provide a development pathway for newer, returning and developing players.

The Valkyries give players the opportunity to gain confidence, improve their skills and develop match experience. The team supports progression within the club and helps players move towards competitive women’s league hockey where appropriate.

What competition do Solent Valkyries play in?

Solent Valkyries compete in the Frank Wright Cup and may also take part in appropriate development fixtures.

The team provides an important pathway for players who are developing their hockey skills, returning to the sport or working towards WNIHL level.

How is the club structured?

Solent Women’s Ice Hockey Club currently operates two teams:

Solent Amazons – the club’s Women’s National Ice Hockey League team.

Solent Valkyries – the club’s development team, competing in the Frank Wright Cup.

The club is supported by volunteers, including committee members, coaches, team managers, safeguarding contacts, sponsorship support and other club roles.

Where is the club based?

The club is based at Planet Ice Gosport.

Training and games take place at the rink, with home fixtures usually played at weekends.

When does the club train?

The club usually trains on Wednesday evenings at 8:15pm.

During peak season, training may be split between the Amazons and Valkyries, with Valkyries sessions sometimes taking place on Saturday evenings.

Training arrangements may vary depending on ice availability, fixtures and team requirements.

When are games played?

Games are usually played at weekends.

Fixtures are shared through official club channels where available.

What league do Solent Amazons play in?

Solent Amazons compete in Division 2 of the Women’s National Ice Hockey League.

The WNIHL provides competitive women’s ice hockey across the country and operates within the relevant national and league structures.

What are the club’s values?

Solent Women’s Ice Hockey Club is built around commitment, support, motivation, communication, respect and community.

The club aims to create a positive, welcoming and supportive environment where players can enjoy the sport, improve their skills and support each other both on and off the ice.

The club values integrity, fairness, safety and inclusion, and recognises the skill, effort and contribution each player brings to the team.

What is the club’s mission?

The club’s mission is to inspire and unite women and girls on the south coast through ice hockey, helping players of all abilities reach their full potential.

The club wants players to feel supported, challenged, valued and part of a team.

What is the club’s ethos?

The club believes women’s ice hockey should be accessible, supportive and ambitious.

Players are encouraged to work hard, respect one another, support teammates and represent the club positively.

The club is proud to provide opportunities for players at different levels, from development hockey through to competitive league hockey.

How has the club grown?

Solent Women’s Ice Hockey Club has grown significantly in recent seasons and now supports more than one team.

The development of the Valkyries pathway has helped more players access ice hockey, gain experience and progress into women’s hockey.

The club continues to work towards growing participation, improving player development and strengthening women’s ice hockey on the south coast.

How can players join the club?

New players can register their interest by contacting the club directly.

Players should not attend training without first arranging attendance through the Club Manager or appropriate club contact.

Can I just come to training?

No. New players must request attendance in advance.

This helps the club manage numbers, coaching, insurance, safeguarding, safety and session planning.

Do beginners need experience?

Players usually need a basic level of skating ability before joining structured ice hockey training.

This normally includes being able to skate forwards, skate backwards, stop, turn and move safely on the ice.

Complete beginners are encouraged to build skating confidence through general skating sessions and skating lessons before joining hockey training.

Can beginners join Solent Valkyries?

Newer players may be directed towards the Valkyries pathway where appropriate.

The Valkyries provide a supportive development environment for players who are ready to begin structured hockey training and work towards game experience.

Where can juniors learn ice hockey?

Junior players can learn ice hockey through junior hockey pathways.

At Planet Ice Gosport, junior hockey is provided through Solent Junior Devils. Junior hockey is mixed, with boys and girls competing together.

What age do players need to be?

Players must usually be at least 14 to train with the club and over 15 to play games.

Age requirements may also depend on governing body registration, league rules and insurance requirements.

How much does it cost to play?

Costs may vary by season, but the club aims to keep women’s ice hockey as accessible as possible.

New players may be offered one free training session, followed by pay-as-you-go sessions before committing to monthly fees.

Players should also budget for England Ice Hockey registration and insurance, which is usually paid separately.

What is included in monthly fees?

Monthly fees usually help cover training, games and general club running costs.

Ice hockey is an expensive sport, and player fees contribute towards ice time, league participation, match costs and club operations.

What equipment do players need?

Players need full ice hockey protective equipment before taking part in contact or game-based sessions.

This usually includes skates, helmet, gloves, stick, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin pads, hockey trousers, neck guard and appropriate base layers.

New players should speak to the club before purchasing equipment, as the team may be able to advise on what is needed.

Does the club provide kit?

Players are generally responsible for their own protective equipment.

Team jerseys and club kit arrangements may vary by season and team. Players will be advised of any required team kit after joining.

How much does it cost to watch games?

Entry to Solent Amazons and Solent Valkyries home games is currently free.

The club keeps games accessible to help promote women’s sport and encourage families, supporters and the local community to attend.

Are home games family-friendly?

Yes. Home games are welcoming, accessible and suitable for families and supporters.

The club encourages spectators to come along, support the players and help grow the visibility of women’s ice hockey.

How can supporters get involved?

Supporters can attend games, follow the club on social media, buy merchandise, sponsor players, support fundraising, volunteer and share club news.

Every form of support helps the club continue to grow women’s ice hockey.

Where can supporters buy Solent Amazons merchandise?

Supporters can buy Solent Amazons merchandise through the club’s online merchandise store.

Items may include clothing, accessories, gifts and rink-ready items such as hoodies, hats, scarves, mugs and other club merchandise.

Can supporters buy Solent Valkyries merchandise?

Yes. Valkyries merchandise is also available through the club’s online merchandise shop.

Supporters can buy Valkyries items to show their support for the club’s development team.

Can supporters buy replica jerseys?

Yes. Solent Amazons replica jerseys are available to buy through the club.

Replica jerseys are a great way to support the team and show club pride at games.

Can replica jerseys be personalised?

Where available, replica jerseys may include custom name and number options.

Availability, sizing, pricing and customisation options may vary depending on supplier deadlines and seasonal ordering windows.

What is Own & Loan?

Own & Loan is a way for supporters to sponsor a player’s jersey for the season.

Supporters can choose a player’s home or away jersey, have their chosen name printed on the back, and receive the game-worn jersey at the end of the season.

It is a popular way to support individual players and contribute directly to the club.

Are sponsorship opportunities available?

Yes. Solent Women’s Ice Hockey Club offers sponsorship opportunities for businesses, organisations and individual supporters.

Sponsorship helps support ice time, training, equipment, kit, player development and the continued growth of women’s ice hockey on the south coast.

What sponsorship options are available?

Sponsorship opportunities may include:

Team sponsorship

Player sponsorship

Equipment sponsorship

Kit sponsorship

Own & Loan jersey sponsorship

Event or match support

The club welcomes conversations with local businesses and supporters who want to help women’s sport grow.

How does sponsorship help the club?

Sponsorship directly supports the running and development of the club.

Ice hockey is an expensive sport, and support from sponsors helps keep costs manageable for players while allowing the club to invest in training, equipment, visibility and development opportunities.

How is player eligibility managed?

All players complete formal registration through the relevant club and governing body systems.

Eligibility and registration are handled through official processes. The club supports accurate, confidential and proportionate handling of eligibility matters.

Are all Solent Amazons players eligible to compete?

Yes. All players listed as registered Solent Amazons players are eligible to compete in the Women’s National Ice Hockey League.

The club does not publish or comment on individual players’ private documentation or personal information.

Who oversees eligibility decisions?

Eligibility requirements and approvals are governed by the relevant national and league authorities.

Solent Amazons follows the applicable rules and processes set by these organisations.

Are there any eligibility concerns within the club?

No. All registered Solent Amazons players listed on this website are eligible to compete in the Women’s National Ice Hockey League.

Registered Players – Solent Amazons

The following players are registered with Solent Amazons and are eligible to compete in the Women’s National Ice Hockey League 25/26 as at 1 May 2026:

Jessica Banner
Shannon Mercer
Louise Beresford
Miranda Brown
Edie Burgess
Lara Cannon
Josie Clark-Payet
Lauren Denness
Chantelle Air
Lucy Gates
Abby Hartley
Emma Hutton
Rose Kent
Lauren Kenton
Celina Payne
Sarah Poulter
Selina Senguder
Imogen Smith
Kelly Stephenson
Elena Stoner
Sarah Taylor
Charlie Thisby
Leah Trueman
Molly Walsh
Annabel Warde

Does the club comment on individual player information?

No. The club does not publish or comment on individual players’ private documentation, identity records, medical information or personal information.

Player information is handled confidentially and in line with data protection expectations.

How does the club respond to external commentary or media coverage?

The club remains committed to accurate and responsible communication.

The club does not comment on external commentary about individual players.

Official information should be taken from official club communications.

Does the club have a social media policy?

Yes. The club has a social media policy to support responsible online communication.

The policy is designed to help members use social media positively while reducing risks and protecting those involved with the club.

Who can speak officially for the club online?

Only authorised individuals may speak officially on behalf of Solent Women’s Ice Hockey Club.

Members, volunteers and supporters should not imply they are authorised to speak for the club unless they have been given permission to do so.

How should club members behave online?

Club members are expected to communicate with kindness, dignity and respect.

The club expects honesty online and asks members not to post anything dishonest, untrue or misleading.

Members should also respect confidentiality and avoid sharing private, sensitive or non-public club information.

What type of online behaviour is not acceptable?

The club does not accept online behaviour that is abusive, harassing, threatening, defamatory, discriminatory, bullying, hateful, sexist, racist, intimidating or otherwise inappropriate.

This applies to content connected to the club, its teams, members, sponsors, reputation or activities.

How should inappropriate online content be reported?

Inappropriate or unlawful online content relating to the club or its members should be reported to the Club Chair and Media Secretary.

Where appropriate, matters may be considered under club conduct, grievance, safeguarding or disciplinary processes.

Is safeguarding important to the club?

Yes. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

The club has safeguarding processes in place to help protect players, members and vulnerable people.

The club’s safeguarding approach includes preventative measures, safeguarding training, a Designated Safeguarding Lead and clear reporting routes.

Who should safeguarding concerns be raised with?

If there is immediate danger or significant risk of harm, emergency services should be contacted.

Non-emergency safeguarding concerns should be reported through the club’s safeguarding route, including the Club Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Concerns may also be referred to England Ice Hockey safeguarding contacts where appropriate.

Are safeguarding reports confidential?

Yes. Safeguarding concerns are sensitive and confidential.

Information is shared only where appropriate and necessary, and generally only with those directly involved in managing the concern or supporting welfare.

What happens after a safeguarding concern is reported?

The club will work with appropriate people and, where necessary, statutory agencies or England Ice Hockey to manage or address the concern.

If a matter is referred for disciplinary action, safeguarding and welfare considerations will remain separate where appropriate.

How does the club handle complaints?

The club has a complaints process designed to make sure concerns are listened to, recorded and handled fairly.

Where possible, minor issues may be resolved informally first.

Formal complaints should be raised through the appropriate club process and will be reviewed in line with club policies.

How quickly are complaints handled?

The club aims to acknowledge complaints promptly and deal with them in a fair and timely way.

The complaints process is intended to be open, consistent and transparent.

Can both sides respond to a complaint?

Yes. The club complaints process includes an opportunity for the complainant to explain the concern and for the person complained about to respond.

Complaints are considered in line with club policies and the available information.

Can complaint outcomes be appealed?

Appeals may be considered where there has been a procedural issue in how the complaint was handled.

The club’s complaints process explains how appeals are managed.

What behaviour does the club expect?

The club expects players, coaches, volunteers, officials and supporters to treat each other with respect.

Abusive, discriminatory, intimidating or harmful behaviour is not acceptable.

The club promotes a positive environment where players can train, compete and support each other safely.

Does the club have policies?

Yes. The club maintains policies to support safe, fair and responsible participation.

These include safeguarding, complaints, social media and conduct-related policies.

Players, volunteers and club members are expected to follow applicable club and governing body policies.

How does the club support player welfare?

The club aims to provide a supportive environment where players can raise concerns, access appropriate contacts and feel part of a team.

Player welfare is supported through club communication, safeguarding routes, coaching support and a positive team culture.

How can volunteers help?

Volunteers are an important part of the club.

Support may be needed with match days, fundraising, photography, social media, sponsorship, events, administration and general club operations.

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the club directly.

How can businesses support the club?

Businesses can support the club through sponsorship, donations, match-day support, raffle prizes, fundraising partnerships or merchandise support.

The club welcomes partnerships with local businesses that want to support women’s sport and community participation.

How can media contact the club?

Media enquiries should be made through the club’s official contact routes.

The club will only provide official club information and does not comment on individual players’ private information.

Where can official club information be found?

Official information is published through the Solent Amazons website and official club social media channels.

For player enquiries, sponsorship, media, safeguarding or club information, please use the official contact routes provided by the club.