The Storm Is Coming
Ice hockey: an intense, high-speed battle on ice, known for its passionate crowds, precision, and physicality. For many, it conjures images of American arenas packed with roaring fans. Yet, here in the UK, it’s a different story…
By Glorious
Jack Dallas-Chapman
How often do you hear about women’s ice hockey in the UK? For most, it’s a hidden gem- a sport that doesn’t often get the spotlight but thrives through a dedicated and resilient community. At the centre of this movement is Streatham Storm, London’s oldest women’s ice hockey team. More than just players on the ice, this team is the heart of women’s hockey in the capital, overcoming challenges in funding, visibility, and resources. Despite these obstacles, Streatham Storm pushes forward, fuelled by a strong sense of belonging, pride, and joy shared by its players and supporters.
Our Glorious journey into the world of Streatham Storm began with an email from photographer and filmmaker Jack Dallas-Chapman, “Do you want to see the photos I’ve taken of Streatham Storm, the women’s ice hockey club in South London?” he asked. It was an intriguing proposition and an immediate yes. Soon, we were on a Zoom call, where Jack shared the story behind his latest project. His introduction to women’s ice hockey, he explained, began by chance. “I went with my friends to an ice hockey game of the men’s team and heard about the women’s team,” he explained. “I loved attending ice hockey; it started as something I had no idea about but I quickly became fascinated with it.”
In Jack’s photos, we see the intense focus of the players, the passion, the changing room reflections, and the shared joy of the team. But when speaking to him, he also noticed something else, the disparity: “I saw the crowds attend the men’s and not as many attending the women’s, and I wasn’t sure why. The quality of play is there, the adrenaline, the fun, the camaraderie, it’s all there, but the crowd wasn’t, so I set about photographing the women’s team in a bid to raise their profile.” Jack’s work captures the strength and determination of the team, a group that plays the game for the sheer love of it, despite challenges.
One of the team’s standout players, Lucy Ebinger, has a remarkable story that mirrors the commitment and perseverance of Streatham Storm as a whole. Lucy’s path to ice hockey began with a love for skating, but not on ice, rather, on wheels. “I loved roller skating as a youngster, and my local leisure centre held roller discos throughout the summer holidays, which I looked forward to every year, so that’s where my love of skating comes from,” she shares. As a child, she often spent hours in her garden, skating up and down with a broomstick, manoeuvring around a football in her own imagined game. “I really thought I’d invented a new sport!” she laughs.
Then, in a chance encounter during a school show-and-tell, Lucy saw one of her classmates’ roller hockey gear and felt an instant desire to play. “One of the boys in my class brought in his roller hockey equipment and talked about the local roller hockey team ‘Ashby Aces,’ and from that moment on, I pestered my parents to let me play,” she says. Her parents, though initially resistant, eventually allowed her to try a session. “They weren’t too enthusiastic about letting their ballerina daughter play such a fast, physical contact sport on a boys’ team for fear of me getting injured,” she explains. It wasn’t until her 13th birthday that she finally got her chance to play, borrowing equipment from the local club to get started.
“I was instantly in love. The game was so fast, I got my adrenaline fix, although at that age it was a little intimidating among a mostly boys’ team,” she says. Her determination to prove herself grew stronger as she faced resistance from some of her teammates and even the team’s parents. She recalls a specific moment that marked a turning point: “I’ll never forget when [the coach] announced that I was in the squad, and one of the boys responded with, ‘Why are you putting Lucy as a forward…we need to score!’” That summer, Lucy trained almost every day for hours, and by the time the new season started, her coach moved her from defence to forward, a shift that allowed her to demonstrate her skill. In her first moments on the ice in that new position, she scored a goal from centre ice within seconds. “In those three seconds, I earned the respect of the boys and the Dads,” she explains. It was a moment of validation that fuelled her commitment to hockey even further.
determination
It wasn’t until she turned 21 that Lucy transitioned from roller to ice hockey, finally joining an official team. “The day I passed my driving test, I bought a car and joined the Nottingham Vipers Women’s ice hockey club within the same 24 hours,” she recalls. Lucy’s path eventually brought her to Streatham Storm, where she found a place to play with the same intensity and dedication.
Streatham Storm is more than just a team; it’s a distinctive part of British women’s sport. Not only is Storm the largest women’s ice hockey club in London, but it’s also the longest-running. With three squads, from development to elite, the club welcomes players of all abilities, backgrounds, and experience levels. “This provides a supportive community for women of any age to participate,” Lucy explains. The team’s growth mirrors the rising popularity of women’s hockey in London, where two new teams, the Haringey Greyhounds and Lee Valley Vampires, have recently joined the Women’s National Ice Hockey League (WNIHL). “The fact that we now have two new women’s teams in London reflects the growth of the sport,” Lucy adds
Despite this growth, substantial barriers remain. Unlike men’s teams, Streatham Storm doesn’t benefit from the resources or funds of a larger organisation. “The men’s team (The RedHawks) isn’t linked or affiliated with the women’s team, so despite training at the same rink, we don’t share club funds or benefits,” Lucy explains. The financial realities mean that many women’s teams operate on a pay-to-play basis, with players covering their own ice time, equipment, and travel expenses. To support new players, the club provides spare kit, easing financial barriers for beginners and allowing anyone curious about the sport to give it a try.
“Turns out there’s a lot of talented bakers in the club!” Lucy laughs, referring to their fundraising efforts, which in the past year have included bake sales and raffles. They’ve also worked hard on refreshing their brand with a new team kit, an updated website, and a more active social media presence. This expanded reach has attracted links with photographers, podcast hosts, and blogs, bringing greater visibility to the team. As a result, many new players have joined for the new season. The hope is to continue building the club so it can proudly retain its title as London’s oldest women’s ice hockey team for many more decades.
For Lucy, Streatham Storm is much more than just a team. “We have everyone, from public sector workers, teachers, lawyers and software engineers to food technicians, scientists, and graphic designers!” she laughs. “What’s amazing is we all harbour this secret (or not-so-secret) passion for a game we love, and that’s what unites us.” There is an undeniable sense of solidarity, and Lucy believes this unity is what makes Streatham Storm truly special. “We’re all individuals with different lives, different challenges and success, different goals and ambitions… But you can count on the fact that if you’re having a hard time, you know your teammates have your back…we know we have an extended family (on and off the ice), and that’s something I’m proud to be part of.”
This community atmosphere extends beyond the UK, with players from hockey-rich countries like Canada and Finland joining the team, adding a wealth of experience and skill. “London provides a perfect recipe for a multi-national community with players from as far as Canada and the USA, and talent from Nordic countries such as Finland,” Lucy explains. For her, the diversity within the club enriches everyone’s experience, as each player brings something unique to the ice. Currently, players fund the clubs, and with rising costs, this is impacting players hardest and has resulted in players stepping down from the sport over financial considerations.
The recent launch of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) in North America has added momentum to the global growth of women’s ice hockey, and its success is a promising sign for the sport worldwide. “It’s a historical moment not just for ice hockey, but for Women’s Sport, with six professional Women’s teams in the USA & Canada, with players on full-time, paid contracts,” Lucy says. For her, seeing packed arenas and professional opportunities for women in hockey represents a major shift. “Since the league’s debut, they have packed out arenas to crowds of nearly 20,000 fans,” Lucy shares. “This has certainly broadened the ice hockey fan reach and provided a vehicle to really market women in sport with clever marketing campaigns. I plan to travel to Boston next year to catch a game and support pro women’s hockey!”
historical
Lucy’s hope is that the UK can follow suit, increasing support and resources for women’s hockey. She points to the example of the Haringey Greyhounds, a team affiliated with the men’s Haringey Huskies, as a potential model. “They’ve benefitted from sponsorship with players receiving free kit, new jerseys, reduced ice fees, and they sold a record-breaking 400 tickets for their debut game!” she explains. Facilities, too, need to improve. “All too often, female players have experienced the ‘drippy pipe in a store cupboard’ situation somewhere along their hockey journey when training on mixed-gender teams,” she notes. The new rink at Lee Valley, with its dedicated women’s changing room, represents a significant step forward. “Honestly, that changing room brought a tear to my eye as a big step forward in the development of supporting female athletes,” she laughs.
For those interested in trying ice hockey, Lucy offers a warm invitation: “I’d say, you won’t regret trying it, but you might regret not trying it…so come!” Streatham Storm’s games are free, and the team welcomes both newcomers and supporters. “Age is not prohibitive; we have some ladies who won’t mind me sharing that they’re in their 50s and proud to be active and competing!” With three squads, the team accommodates all abilities. “We have a really supportive coaching staff, so whether you want to join as a fun hobby or competitive sport, you’ll find your tribe here!”
Through Jack’s photos and Lucy’s words, Streatham Storm stands out as more than a hockey team. It’s a close-knit community that’s fighting for visibility and a fair place in sport. Streatham Storm isn’t just about the game; it’s about creating a space where women from all walks of life support each other and play for the love of ice hockey.
Ready to dive into the world of ice hockey? Whether you’re looking to try it out or simply enjoy the thrill of a live game, Streatham Storm has got you! Visit their website and follow along on Instagram for the latest updates. Games are free to watch, and with the season running until the end of May, there are plenty of chances to catch a match and show your support. All home games are held at Streatham Ice & Leisure Centre in South London- don’t miss out on the action!
Photography courtesy of Jack Dallas-Chapman, be sure to check out his other work here.
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