Team Ice Diamonds is one of only a few Adult teams in the UK who compete with a full squad of 16. (Credits: Digital Photo Events)

There is huge interest in the Adult category in the UK. Last season 15 teams competed in this division at the British championships. Let's take a closer look at Team Ice Diamonds, the British champions 2019-2020.

Ice Diamonds is a relatively new Adult team, having only formed in 2018. However, in the team's short lifespan they have achieved a lot, most recently becoming British champions in the 2019-2020 season.    

"Our team includes members who have been skating since they were children and have returned after a break as well as members who have only recently taken up the sport, with ages ranging from 19 to the mid-40s," starts Lyndsey Massie, one of the two captains of Ice Diamonds.

Lyndsey is skating her third season with the team. She figure skated in Scotland for 13 years with a little synchro experience, then took a break for ten years before moving to Nottingham and joining Ice Diamonds. 

Ice Diamonds is part of the Nottingham Synchronized Skating Academy and train at the National Ice Centre in England. 

Jemma Blackford, one of the coaches for Ice Diamonds, established the team three seasons ago: "I had been a member of Nottingham Synchronized Skating Academy for around 15 years skating in the Juvenile, Novice & Junior teams. I was a member of team Icicles Junior for four years before briefly skating for another UK senior team. Once I finished competing myself, I started coaching and one of my dreams was to have an Adult team in NSSA so I was over the moon when we finally made it happen."

The pandemic has had a considerable impact on Ice Diamonds' training. Like many other teams, they have faced many restrictions and almost constant changes to rules.

"Our last ‘normal’ training session before the pandemic hit was on 16th March. Rinks in the UK were forced to close due to lockdown and we didn’t get back on the ice together until 16th September – 182 days after our last session. During that time, we trained together online twice a week, working on our skating skills, balance, technique and flexibility as best as we could," explains Lyndsey.

When they returned to the ice on 16th September, things were very different for the team. The skaters were not allowed to warm up indoors, and face masks had to be worn in the building but could be removed once on the ice.   

"We had to maintain a minimum distance of 2 metres from each other on the ice, so could not practice most elements or a program. Instead, we worked hard on our individual skating skills and tricks. Soon after, British Ice Skating updated their guidance to allow 15 minutes of in-hold training per session, but with a high number of covid-19 cases in our local area we decided not to do this for the safety of everyone on our team," continues Lyndsey.

At the end of September, the British government brought in the ‘rule of six’ for adults. "This meant we had to split our team into four ‘bubbles’ with their own designated quarter of the ice, whilst still maintaining social distancing. This was far from ideal but we were happy to still be allowed on the ice."

Things became even more difficult though when the government introduced a new ‘tier’ system of rules on 5th November. "Some of our team members were no longer allowed to travel to the rink. Very soon after this, the whole of England was put back into lockdown and rinks were forced to close again, so we had to go back to training online."

"As it stands at the beginning of December, rinks can reopen for some but over 18s are not allowed to return. So we continue to train online and hope to be back together at the rink soon," says Lyndsey.

What has the pandemic taught you?

Lyndsey: "The importance of off ice training! Our team members have seen huge improvements particularly in flexibility. For some of us, the pandemic has also made us realise how important skating is not only for our physical wellbeing, but our mental wellbeing as well."

Ice Diamonds goals for this season are always to keep building and improving as a team.

"We are still quite a new team and we have already achieved so much in a short period of time. From a coaching point, we want to keep pushing the skaters to try harder elements and push them out of their comfort zone. As we are having to mostly train online this season we are trying to help improve the skaters’ fitness, strength & flexibility while we are not able to get on the ice," explains Jemma.

It is unlikely the team will be able to participate in any competitions this season, as many competitions have already been cancelled. But Ice Diamonds stay motivated.

"We have a brilliant group who are so supportive of each other both on the ice and off. Every member brings something different to the team, and whilst we work hard, we also have a fun-loving attitude," says Lyndsey. For Jemma, the strength of the team is that they all have a common goal to do the best that they can. 

With 15 teams competing last season in the British championships (Britannia Cup), the adult category has been getting bigger and bigger over many years. "The standard of skating is always improving, the teams are always trying to improve on the previous year’s scores," explains Jemma.

The coach thinks that adult ice skating is also growing for synchro because it's a great community. "All the teams get on well off the ice and they all support each other. I think the team aspect of the sport helps with skaters as they don't like competing on the ice on their own and they get to skate with their friends."

According to Jemma, the advantages of the Adult division is that skaters are really committed to the team and always want to work hard on the sessions. The disadvantages can be that lives get in the way like work and family commitments.

"I have also discovered in our team that our adults seem to get ill a lot more than the kids sometimes!", the coach adds.

"We would like to send our best wishes to all teams who have been and continue to be affected by the pandemic, particularly in the UK where we face constant struggles to get over 18s back on the ice. Look after each other and stay safe – we hope to see you soon!"

        - Lyndsey, one of the two captains of Ice Diamonds (GBR)