Our amazing Tŷ Hafan ice hockey team are gearing up for another major tournament as they compete against teams from other charities across the UK. And they need your support to make the Charity All Stars tournament at Cardiff’s Vindico Arena from 26th to 27th July a huge success!
A Tŷ Hafan team has been playing in the Charity All Stars tournament almost every year since 2016 and are looking forward to the weekend at the Vindico Ice Arena at the end of July.
Scott Smith-Myers is captaining the team for the first time this year – and he was determined to ensure the team raised the £21,000 necessary to get up to an overall £100,000 raised for Tŷ Hafan by the team.
So far they have already raised £23,000 this year, smashing the target.
One team member will be Chris Thomas, whose daughter Scarlett was looked after by Tŷ Hafan until she sadly died at the age of four – she was the team’s mascot and a great favourite with the All Stars. This year one of the trophies will be a Scarlett Cup – awarded to the person who over the weekend has epitomised the spirit of the weekend.
The team would love lots of support at this year’s tournament – anyone who would like to see them play can buy weekend tickets for £5 each on the door at the arena for July 26 and 27.
Scott, who first skated with the team in 2022, said: ‘I’ve watched the Cardiff Devils play ever since I was young and always wanted to play myself but unfortunately I didn’t have the chance. In 2022 I was involved in a lot of running events for Tŷ Hafan and the opportunity to play in the 2022 All Stars came about and I jumped at the chance.
‘As it’s my first year as captain, I wanted to make some changes. With local artist StuBob we designed a brand new logo that is more in keeping with the All Stars event. Alongside this I need to motivate the team to raise as much money as possible, take part in events and get as much exposure on the team as possible to spread the news and the work we are doing.’
He added: ‘I have been lucky enough to visit the hospice a number of times and see the amazing work done there for children and families in need. I wanted to get as many of the team to visit the hospice to see the reason we are playing for this charity and I’m so glad so many managed to attend. It makes my job as captain so much easier when the team are so motivated to raise as much money as possible because they have seen first-hand how far the money they have raised goes.’
Members of the team have been taking part in all kinds of events to raise money including bake sales, a golf day and selling items on Vinted.
Long-time player Rick Strang even walked the length of Hadrian’s wall in his hockey kit raising over £1,000 in the process, while four team members ran the Newport half marathon in full hockey gear too. Now they are also planning a team walk up the highest mountain in south Wales, Pen-y-Fan in July.
Scott added: ‘I also want to say a special thank you to all of our sponsors who have generously sponsored our kit and their logos will be on the playing kit of all our team.’
Tŷ Hafan sponsors include United Worldwide Logistics, Lancer Scott Holdings, MRM & Sons, Spiros Catering, Maintain It All, M&M Fixings, SMART Bodyshop Solutions, SPAR St Edeyrns, Vista Retail Support, T4 Logistics and Jadd Scaffolding.
Scott added: ‘I also want to say a special thank you to all of our sponsors who have generously sponsored our kit and their logos will be on the playing kit of all our team.
‘We are hoping this is going to be the biggest and best year yet!’
You can follow the Tŷ Hafan team on Instagram @tyhafan_icehockey