Children in Motion: Together is Better

Sledge Hockey:  A First Glide to New Heights for Artyem

Artyem is a middle school student at a special education school and residential institution in Moscow.  He uses a wheelchair and like many children with disabilities in Russia, especially those who use wheelchairs, Artyem has had limited or no opportunities to play sports.  Furthermore, in his school there is only a very small gym.  

But all of this changed one day when Artyem participated in the Para-Sports Day, organized by Perspektiva’s Sports Department, for kids with and without disabilities in October, 2016.  All of the kids had the opportunity to play sledge hockey (SH).  Sledge or Para ice hockey is a sport that was designed to allow participants who have a physical disability to play the game of ice hockey.  Para ice hockey was invented in the early 1960s in Stockholm, Sweden, at a rehabilitation centre. It is currently one of the most popular sports in the Winter Paralympic Games. 

The lessons took place at an ice skating rink and were led by professional sledge hockey players (two members of Perspektiva’s sports team), and one sledge hockey trainer from the only Moscow children’s SH team. They used special ice sledges, hockey sticks and other protective hockey gear so that all children could participate, have fun and stay safe.

The lesson began with a presentation and demonstration by the SH players about how to play sledge hockey.   Then, each of the kids, who were already dressed in their hockey gear, were assisted to get onto the sledge and were taught how to hold and use the hockey sticks.  Artyem, together with the other children, began gliding along the ice.  It was clear to all that Artyem loved it … and the players and trainers also noticed that Artyem had good upper body strength that is so important for SH players. When the lessons ended, the trainer invited Artyem to come to the next children’s SH team workout.

Artyem began going to the weekly SH practices and has happily become an official member of the Moscow children’s team. He has worked hard to become a good hockey player and soon his dream came true.  At the start of a professional hockey match between CSKA (Moscow) and BARYS (Astana, Kazakhstan), Artyem in his hockey gear and on his sledge glided onto to the ice rink between the two teams and opened the match by throwing the puck on to the ice.   At this moment, he was the happiest boy in the world!  Artyem has told others that playing hockey has helped him feel more confident in his abilities and is developing in him the spirit of a champion.  

We know that this is just the first of Artyem’s achievements in sports and that many more await him in sports and other areas of life.