The Lee Valley Lions are a club that has been around since 1984 and like many sporting teams, they have had their own financial difficulties.
Back in 1996, the team’s senior side folded. But in 2005 they were brought back to life by their ex-player and current manager Eddie Joseph.
Rising East spoke to Joseph and their current player and coach James Joseph to see how the team has managed with the various aspects behind the scenes during the coronavirus.
Unprecedented Times
It is important to remember that the team has existed successfully for many years, but they like the majority of sports teams have never gone through a global pandemic.
Manager Joseph explained that the team luckily have not struggled financially behind the scenes: “Our business structure has allowed us to ride out the events of the last year and stay a viable team/club.”
During the break
The manager admits that being able to make sure the players keep fit and stay healthy has not been in their hands: “We have been relying on the player’s personal commitment to staying fit during the lockdown. We will find out how that has worked out once we return to the ice.”
Joseph explained how as an amateur ice hockey club, making sure players are on a certain training schedule and a specific diet is not always possible, “We are a totally amateur team and we the management group are all volunteers.” As volunteers who have their own jobs outside of the team, they simply do not have the power or the time.
Uncertainties Ahead
It is still an uncertain time for the team, as there has been criticism of the English Ice Hockey Association in providing information to the lower league teams.
The Lions coach James Joseph expressed his annoyance but also understanding of the Association’s handling of the situation, “We could criticise our association on a number of levels but running an organisation at the moment is a bit like being the Prime Minister, no matter what you do it will always be wrong in the eyes of some.”
