Hong Kong's ice-hockey fans are celebrating the launch of a new youth league that has the backing of a major sponsor.
For more than 100 local and expatriate skaters aged seven to 14, the new Sunday Night Hockey League (SNHL) will sharpen their puck skills and bring some competitive fire to the ice over the next six months.
The league, formerly known as the Hong Kong Minor Hockey League, is for boys and girls and is organised by Asiasports.
The first round of matches were played at Festival Walk ice rink in Kowloon Tong on October 20, and rounds will continue to be held there and at the Dragon Centre rink in Sham Shui Po until the end of next March.
Ten teams have been divided into three categories, with four teams each in the'Squirts' (9-11 age-group division) and the 'PeeWees' (12-14), while two teams will battle it out in the 'Mini-Squirt' (8 and under) division.
Each team has two qualified coaches, and a Cantonese speaking assistant.
Charlotte Fowlow, 9, plays in the Jebsen team in the Squirts division, coached by her father Jim Fowlow.
