Symington brothers try for ice hockey spots

The boys – aged 16 and 14 respectively – have both been on trial with professional team Edinburgh Racoons as they bid to excel in what can be an ultra physical stick and puck sport.

Their mum Jennifer (37), of Main Street, said: “The boys have both done very well at the trials.

“I think Lee (who plays in defence) will be accepted into the Racoons’ under-20 squad next year and Adam (a forward) will get into their under-16 team straight away.”

Jennifer said her sons’ confidence had been boosted dramatically since taking up ice hockey around a year ago.

“When Lee first took up ice hockey he was frightened to play,” she said.

“He just watched matches in the whole of the first week.

“But now there is no stopping him.

“Adam is improving all the time and getting into an under-16 professional ice hockey team’s squad at the age of 14 is a great achievement. The Edinburgh coach has been very impressed by what he’s seen of him.”

The Hardie brothers – who both play for Coatbridge-based ice hockey team Lanarkshire Lightning – have reportedly noticed greater physicality during matches since joining up with Edinburgh Racoons.

“There are not many ice hockey teams in Scotland but Edinburgh are one of the biggest,” Jennifer said.

Having left school, Lee is doing an Animal Care course at Oatridge College. Adam is a third year pupil at Biggar High.

The boys’ interest in ice hockey stems from the fact that their mum is a “huge” supporter of top Scottish team Fife Flyers.

“I always go to the Flyers games on a Saturday night,” said Jennifer, who works as a sales assistant at Symington Post Office. “And the boys get dragged along with me.

“They absolutely love it.

“There is such a buzz from being in the audience and watching the keenly contested matches. We have made a lot of friends.”

The rest of Jennifer’s mum’s family stay in Fife and Jennifer’s affection for the area is also evident when you hear she is a supporter of the Raith Rovers football team.

“Usually I get slagged off for that!” she joked.

Fortunately her sons haven’t been slagged off by the Racoons’ coaches!