Billingham Stars Junior Ice Hockey

18/06/2026

We’re pleased to welcome Ryan Wardell to the coaching team for this year’s Summer Camp. Ryan joins us as our Goaltending coach alongside his role last season with the Buccaneers.

Ryan is known for his calm, clear coaching style and his ability to break down the game in a way that helps players quickly improve their confidence and understanding. Working recently with the Ice Hockey UK Foundation at regional development days, Ryan places a strong emphasis on technical detail, game awareness, and creating a positive, high-energy learning environment where players are encouraged to express themselves.

We’re excited to have Ryan on board for the camp and look forward to the experience and enthusiasm he will bring to supporting and developing all players throughout the programme.

Registration link (be quick as space are filling fast!)

https://www.cognitoforms.com/BillinghamJuniorIceHockeyClub/BillinghamJuniorIceHockeySummerCampParentRegistration

17/06/2026

We’re excited to announce some brilliant news for this year’s Summer Camp — Finn Brandon will be joining us as a Summer Camp Coach.

Finn returns to Billingham Ice bringing elite-level experience as a Great Britain representative, adding a real international standard to the ice throughout the camp. His pace, intensity, and understanding of high-performance hockey will be a massive boost for all players taking part.

Across the camp, Finn will be delivering high-energy sessions focused on skill ex*****on, decision-making under pressure, and game awareness — pushing players to think and play at a higher level in every rep.

This is a fantastic opportunity for our players to learn from someone operating at GB level, and we’re thrilled to have him involved this summer. 🔴⚪️⚫️🇬🇧🏒🥅

Registration link (be quick as space are filling fast!)

https://www.cognitoforms.com/BillinghamJuniorIceHockeyClub/BillinghamJuniorIceHockeySummerCampParentRegistration

15/06/2026

Next up on our Summer Camp coaching lineup is our Head Coach, Ian Watson! 🏒

Ian brings a huge passion for the game along with a wealth of experience and knowledge that will be fantastic for all players attending camp this summer. As Head Coach, Ian plays a massive role in the development of players throughout the club and is known for his positive attitude, attention to detail, and ability to get the very best out of every player he works with.

Players can expect high-energy sessions, plenty of encouragement, and lots of opportunities to develop their skills both on and off the ice throughout the camp. 💪

We’re delighted to have Ian leading sessions at this year’s camp and know all attendees will benefit hugely from his coaching and experience. ☀️🏒 🔴⚪️⚫️



Registration link (be quick as space are filling fast!)

https://www.cognitoforms.com/BillinghamJuniorIceHockeyClub/BillinghamJuniorIceHockeySummerCampParentRegistration

15/06/2026

A fantastic weekend for our U14s at the Sheffield Academy Tournament, going unbeaten throughout the entire competition! 👏🏒

The players worked incredibly hard from start to finish, listened to every bit of feedback from the coaches and played outstanding hockey as a team all weekend. Their effort, attitude and teamwork were brilliant to watch.

The team also carried inspirational posters with them throughout the tournament, including one for Annie, who was unable to play while recovering from injury. It was a brilliant show of support and togetherness from the whole squad

After an incredible run, the final finished 2-2 before heading into sudden death overtime, where unfortunately we narrowly missed out against Slough. Despite the result, every single player should be massively proud of themselves — the coaches and managers certainly are!

Special congratulations also go to our skills challenge winners:
🥅 Kade – Goalie Challenge Winner
🎯 Harry – Penalty Shot Winner

Awards from the weekend included MVP, Hardest Worker and the “Show Me The Money” award — all thoroughly deserved!

Well done everyone on an outstanding tournament weekend! 👏🔥 🔴⚪️⚫️

14/06/2026

Summer Camp 2026 is heating up and places are now becoming limited! 🔥

We’re excited to see so many players signed up already for what promises to be another fantastic week on and off the ice. If you haven’t secured your place yet, make sure you don’t leave it too late!

Over the next week we’ll be introducing the coaches who will be taking part in this year’s camp, bringing a huge range of playing and coaching experience to help players develop, learn and enjoy the game.

First up is Pete Winn! 👏 🇬🇧

With decades of coaching and playing experience at the highest levels of the game, Pete brings a wealth of knowledge, passion and energy to the camp and we’re delighted to have him involved once again.

Keep an eye on our socials for more coach introductions coming soon! 🏒

Registration link (be quick as space are filling fast!)

https://www.cognitoforms.com/BillinghamJuniorIceHockeyClub/BillinghamJuniorIceHockeySummerCampParentRegistration

13/06/2026

Another fantastic example of our junior development success story ❤️💫

Huge congratulations to Matt Pickup on returning for another season with the Billingham Stars following an impressive first senior campaign. Another one of our junior development successes, Matty showed throughout the season exactly what he is capable of, bringing energy, skill and a real eye for goal every time he stepped onto the ice.

Everyone at the club is proud to see another homegrown player continuing to develop at senior level, and we’re excited to watch Matty build on a brilliant debut season.

Good luck for the year ahead, Matty 👏🔥

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❤️💫 Pick-ed Up!

A strong first senior season for another product of our fabulous junior system meant it was a no-brainer to get Matty Pickup on the roster early. There are more goals to come from this prodigious talent for sure.

All about Matty here: https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/746632/matthew-pickup

A weekend of news to come! Stay tuned 😎

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13/06/2026

Another one of our own continuing his journey! ❤️💫

Huge congratulations to Will Thornton on signing for his second season with our senior team, the BTC sponsored Billingham Stars. After an outstanding first senior season where he quickly became a regular on the blue line at just 16 years old, this is another fantastic achievement for both Will and our junior development pathway.

Everyone at the club is incredibly proud to see another young player progressing through the ranks and making his mark at senior level. We can’t wait to see what this season brings for you, Will!

Good luck for the season ahead 👏🔥

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❤️💫 Where there’s a Will…

After a first senior season that saw Will Thornton very quickly establish himself as a Stars regular at just 16 years of age, we are delighted to announce that he will be back patrolling the blue line next season!

All about Will here: https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/746633/william-thornton

There’s LOADS more to come! Stay tuned 😎

❤️💫

13/06/2026

A huge thank you to Planet Leisure Newton Aycliffe for hosting our U10s and U12s N2 end of season team party yesterday! 🎳🔫

The players had a fantastic time taking part in laser tag and bowling, with the coaches joining in on the fun as well! It was a brilliant way to celebrate the season together and reward all the hard work, effort and commitment shown throughout the year.

Thank you to all the staff at Planet Leisure for looking after everyone and helping make it such an enjoyable evening for all involved! 👏

13/06/2026

Good luck to our U14s who travel to Sheffield today to take part in the Sheffield Academy Tournament! 🏒

A fantastic opportunity for the team to compete against strong opposition, continue developing together and enjoy a full day of hockey.

Work hard, support each other and most importantly enjoy every minute. Good luck to all players and coaches — we’re all behind you! 💪

10/06/2026

Last weekend our BJIHC Director Geoff Keeley gave up his own time to make the trip to Ayr and spend the weekend watching our U12s and U16s in action at the Ronnie Miller Tournament — and his words afterwards mean so much to everyone connected with the club. ❤️🖤🤍

“What an incredible experience attending the Ayr Ice Hockey Tournament this weekend!

Both our Under 16s and Under 12s teams were fantastic throughout. After a thrilling day of games on Saturday, both teams progressed to the semi-finals — and showed real determination to win and secure their places in Sunday’s finals.

One of the many highlights of the weekend saw the Under 16s produced a brilliant performance to defeat Scotland in the semi-finals— a team that had previously beaten them in the playoff rounds. This result really highlights the strength, resilience and character within our club.

The Under 12s then went on to face local rivals Leeds in a nail-biting final, coming out on top in a fantastic gameshowing a relentless fore checking, incredible foot speed and net pressure.

Our Under 16s were narrowly defeated by Widnes in a hard-fought 1–0 final, finishing as runners-up — but only just. A tremendous effort and something to be very proud of.

A huge thank you to all the players, coaching staff, volunteers and parents for an unforgettable two days of ice hockey. Your commitment and support make everything possible.

For me, this weekend shows just how far the club has come over the last five years. We are a club built on strong family values, a passion for player development, and above all, a place where everyone can enjoy the game.

Thank you again to everyone involved — be positive, have fun and leave a legacy.”
Geoff Keeley
BJIHC Director.

The fact Geoff wanted to be there in person to support and watch the development of our players across the weekend says everything about the culture of our club. We are incredibly proud of every single player, coach, volunteer and parent involved. 🔴⚪️⚫️