A cash injection for short track speed skating at the National Ice Centre will help to ensure more local young people can take up the sport.

A cheque for £153,843 has been handed over to the National Ice Skating Association by Sport England.

This money will go towards one full and one part time coach to help develop the sport in the East Midlands.

The aim is to identify more youngsters who have the potential to take up the sport and then ensure they have access to quality coaching at affordable prices.

Len Jackson, Chair of East Midlands Regional Sports Board said: “This investment is a major boost for short track speed skating and will help to ensure that more people from the region become involved with this great sport.

“The NIC already has incredible participation figures and this investment should ensure that a pathway exists for casual skaters from the region to progress along the sports pathway.”

And Chief Executive at the NIC, Geoff Huckstep said: “This extra money is fantastic and hopefully this investment may one day lead to British skaters bringing home an Olympic medal!”

Notes

The NIC is home to the GB Short Track Speed Skating Squad who train there daily.

Top speed skaters can reach speeds of over 45 kilometres per hour as they skate around the oval in a race.

In short track speed skating, skaters race against each other around a very tight indoor track. There are separate events for men's, women's and junior competitions, as well as for relays.

Speed skaters wear skin-tight suits made from lightweight, stretchy fabric. They also wear specially designed speed skates. The speed skate blade is longer than the figure skate blade, thinner, single edged and straight