After several years in the game, Ian Clark is now helping a new generation of future Wildcats stars get their paws firmly imbedded in the ice. In the rough and tumble world of ice hockey, Ian decided at the age of 29 to start winding down his playing career and with his own son Jack, eight, taking up the sport he has turned to coaching the Swindon Wildcat's rookies under 10s club.

"I started for fun, skating at my local rink in Aldershot and got into the team with the rookies sessions and through the years eventually got to my highest point in playing for the Wildcats a few seasons ago," he said. "Wildcats now play two games each weekend and then training is three times a week. I've got married and had kids so it's too much.

"I enjoy being able to pass on what I can now."

Ian still turns out for the Wildcats' development, or second team and helps with their coaching but his main focus is bringing children into the sport - which can be as much of a commitment for the parents as it is the children themselves.

"It's a great sport for kids because of the discipline and team spirit," he said.

The game can be played by boys and girls, in mixed teams at junior levels, as well as at the rookies training club at the Link Centre on Friday nights where Ian coaches the group, including Jack.

"We just asked Jack what sport he would like to play. He'd come to my games and likes skating so we said he could give it a go and that's really how I got into coaching too.

"He's improving and were hoping that he will get into the under 10s pretty soon. There are some six and seven year olds in that team, and when they're in the full kit they do look pretty funny.

"It does take up a lot of time and the parents are forever down the rink . There's a lot of driving about, as you need to get to away matches and there aren't that many teams nearby."

Watching Jack taking to the ice, Ian has become even more aware of what it takes to be an "ice-dad", and in addition to the time commitment, playing ice hockey does come at a financial cost.

With that in mind, and his years of playing experience to back him up, he has opened a hockey kit shop in Cheney Manor and hopes to help parents make sure their own children are safe on the ice.

"Parents don't know what's needed, it's a pretty unusual sport and there's a lot of kit. My dad always moaned about the cost of it all, so I do try to help with that."

Ice hockey skates cost upwards of £50, and a full kit - including padding, helmet, skates and a stick - from a basic range can cost as much as £200. However, kit is available to hire for youngsters just testing the frozen water in the sport.

Second hand kits are also available, but the rough nature of the game means they can be very worn and rather sweaty and smelly as it gets hot on the ice under the layers of padding.

All Star Hockey is in BSS House, telephone 07884268215.