Manchester Boy Selected For GB Roller Hockey Team

A seven year old boy from Manchester has become the youngest person to be selected for the GB Roller Hockey team. Like everyone else, Max Phillips of Prestwich in Manchester began to feel extremely bored during lock down when the whole country was advised to stay at home to try and decrease the risk of spreading Covid 19. The virus was spreading all over the world and new variants were popping up all the time from different regions of the country and around the world.

In an effort to keep him self occupied, seven year old Max began watching Ice Hockey on You Tube. With in a short matter of time he was hooked on the sport and began begging his parents to take him to an actual ice rink. Unfortunately this was not possible at the time as due to lock down regulations, everyone had to stay at home unless there was an urgent need to go out and most other facilities including ice rinks were closed. All major sports venues had to remain closed to avoid large crowds of people building up in one location which would increase the likelihood of the virus spreading from person to person more easily.

In an effort to appease their son and keep him quiet, Max's parents bought him a pair of roller boots. They both thought this would be a passing phase so only bought him a cheap pair online.

“He looked like Bambi on wheels!” said mum, Louise. “But it kept him quiet and we thought it would fill in time until ice rinks opened up again”. “When we were all holed up because of Covid, Max spent loads of time on YouTube” she said “Watching Ice Hockey – and begging to be taken to an ice rink – but they were all closed!”

Max kept practising in his new roller boots and in a very short space of time he was whizzing around the place quite confidently. He was that good that he even began taking it to the next step which was to play both roller hockey and ice hockey professionally.

As soon as the ice rinks were allowed to open again, Max's parents took him to Blackburn ice rink with his Christmas gifts, an ice hockey jersey, stick and puck. To their suprise, Max was immediately picked up by the Blackburn Hawks ice hockey team.

It didn't end there though.

Max moved over to the Manchester Storm Academy team at Altrincham rink where he began playing roller hockey at North West Roller Sports in Atherton where the coaches spotted his fabulous talent and encouraged him to apply for a place on the GB team.

He was duly selected to represent Great Britain in the Sparta Cup tournament in Spain this coming Easter so his parents are now desperately seeking a sponsor from one of the top names in hockey sporting equipment.

“Max from the first time I saw him skate, I knew he was going to be special! Such an amazing talented sweet young man, I am so proud of him especially since he has only been playing less than a year. And to make the Great Britain squad, speaks so highly of the dedication and love he has for the sport and effort he has put in to achieve so much in a short time, I think he has a bright and amazing future in this sport.”

That's according to Craig Russell, Coach at Atherton Roller Rink.

How is Max feeling about his rapid rise to roller hockey fame? “I can’t wait to play with all my team mates, I am so excited”

If you think you can help Max in his journey through the Sparta Cup or know anyone else who may be able to offer any kind of sponsorship, you can contact his father Nick Phillips on 07846 788748