Alexandra Flames Ice Hockey coach Craig Andrew said if there was no ice on the Alexandra rink for the tournament on Saturday, ‘‘everything turns to custard''.
‘‘We don't have a back-up rink organised, so at this stage we just have to have ice.''
The team is disadvantaged as the Ice Inline complex is an outdoor complex and the length of their season is dependent on the weather.
The other teams from Naseby, Gore, Dunedin and Queenstown have more ice time because they all have access to indoor facilities. The Alexandra team has been practising on rollerblades until it is cold enough for ice at the rink.
They are also disadvantaged by the small number in their team as they cannot sub many players and sometimes they do not have the numbers to make up a team of six.
‘‘We have to use players from other teams and we forfeit a win. Most of the others teams we play against have got 12 or more players,'' Mr Andrew said.
There were eight in the Alexandra Peewees squad and more players would be welcomed, he said.
‘‘The other teams are sometimes changing five of their players and we can only change one, which gives us a huge disadvantage.''
Peewees players were under 12 years old but there was also the opportunity to join other Alexandra teams including seniors, open grade and midgets (under-16), also in need of players.
‘‘The numbers have slowly dwindled away and we're just trying to encourage people back to the sport,'' Mr Andrew said.
They were about to canvass the schools to promote the sport and look for more players.
‘‘Sponsored kits are available and can be hired for $50 a season.''
Mr Andrew also welcomed people coming to watch games and the upcoming tournament. - The Alexandra Flames will play Naseby at 8am and Dunedin at 10.30am at Ice Inline.
