Ice Hockey UK Launches Bid to Host 2015 IIHF Women’s World Championship

Ice Hockey UK, the national governing body of Ice Hockey in the United Kingdom, have revealed today they will launch a bid to host the IIHF Women’s World Championship (Division 2A) in 2015 in the UK.

GB Women will be in a group with relegated Kazakhstan, promoted Croatia and this year’s opponents Korea, Poland and New Zealand.

IHUK have held four tournaments in the UK in the last three years, including the Men’s U20s in Dumfries last December and the Men’s U18s at the same venue in March.

Voting for next year’s tournament will take place at the IIHF Congress in Minsk next month and votes are cast by 14 IIHF council members, along with the countries in each group.

Jim Anderson, interim chairman of IHUK, said: “We have a massive desire to host the women’s tournament again.

“We have enjoyed the last four IIHF competitions we have held in the UK and have received high praise from the IIHF for the running of the tournaments.

“Over the last couple of years we have had great backing from Dumfries & Galloway Council and Dumfries Ice Bowl – and we have worked with them on three tournaments now.

“The plan is to return to Dumfries again and we have already held lengthy discussions about bringing the women’s competition to Scotland next year.

“We have a great working relationship and it would be fantastic to work with them again on a prestigious tournament.”

Dumfries & Galloway Council’s events champion, councillor Colin Smyth, said: “Dumfries & Galloway Council are committed to working with Ice Hockey UK.

“We want to do all that we can to build on the great success of the recent World Championship competition held at Dumfries Ice Bowl and to secure future international ice hockey tournaments.”

The Council’s head of community services, Richard Grieveson, said: “We hope to secure the 2015 Women’s World Championship at the Dumfries Ice Bowl.

“The facility has proven to be a fantastic venue to host international events.

“The strength of the Council’s partnership with Ice Hockey UK has ensured that together we have the expertise, commitment and enthusiasm to deliver international ice hockey competition.”

The tournament is likely to take place in late March/early April next year if IHUK are successful in their bid to host the event.