The learn to skate takes part at the Link Centre during school time, the teachers bring the children 30 at atime and the Wildcat players and coaching staff teach the children to skate over a 6/7 week period. The programme has been a massive success with the classes being over subscribed throughout the year. Due the the demand we are targeting four sessions a day five days a week from September 08 through to June 09 reaching 500 children a week with a total for the year of approx 3000 children learning to skate.

Term 1 update
We are just coming to the end of our first term with the Wildcats in the Community programme. The hard work and preparation is finally starting to pay off and this term has seen many children take to the ice as part of our learn to skate scheme. In total 270 children along with the learning disabled adults are taking to the ice. Schools that have participated so far being:

Oliver Tomkins Infants
Broad Town School
Chiseldon Primary School
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
Tregoze Primary School
Swindon learning disabled group.

The learn to skate program is just one aspect of the work we do. Before the children attend our sessions or a game we usually go to an assembly with some of the players and Willie the Wildcat where we talk to them about visiting the rink when they come to skate and we get a volunteer to try on the equipment and show everyone what it looks like. After this the children will either begin their skating lessons of they will come and join us in ‘kidzone’ which raises funds for the schools by money being donated back to the school on the purchase of child tickets at a special reduced rate.

On the 23rd of October members from the Wildcats will be attending a literacy day at Fynamore Primary School to set the children with a challenge. It will be their job to design flyers, write match reports, and produce a program. Using their literacy skills with the help of the Wildcats and successful items will be displayed in the foyer on game nights.

The program is still finding its feet with the Swindon schools but next term sees us go from 9 sessions per week to 13 sessions per week so it is definitely picking up. With children needing to be more active in their lives we believe the program provides them with activities to keep them interested and structured and rewarding progression system which sets them with attainable goals. For those lacking self esteem and confidence the transformation is plain to see as in 6 weeks children and adults are continuing to learn in a fun and safe environment.

Should you wish to discuss the opportunity to become a Key Community Partner please contact Steve Nell, General Manager on 07771863674 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .