Following our recent announcement regarding the alignment of our Widnes Wild NIHL1 senior team and academy, we thought it was important to share the voices of 2 key members involved with the future of Widnes Wild.
Widnes Wild director, Stephen Cunningham, commented;
“This integration means more to me than a structural change; it reflects everything Widnes Wild stands for. I have personal ties to this club from the youngest levels of the academy right through to being a supporter in the stands and I have seen first-hand what this club means to our players, families and fans.
In October, Planet Ice approached the club to consider taking on wider management responsibilities. We recognised the significance of that opportunity and saw it as the right moment to bring the academy and senior organisations fully together. That decision was driven by our long-standing commitment to youth development and our responsibility to ensure young players have every chance to thrive within the Widnes Wild family.
Bringing the academy and senior organisations together allows us to give our young players something we have always wanted for them: a clear, achievable pathway to senior hockey within the same club they grow up supporting. It ensures that the values, standards, and identity of Widnes Wild remain consistent from the first time a child steps on the ice to the moment they pull on a senior jersey.
This alignment strengthens every part of the club. The academy benefits from shared experience, leadership, and professional standards, while the senior teams gain a sustainable pipeline of home-grown talent who understand what it means to represent Widnes Wild. Just as importantly, it unites everyone behind one vision, creating a stronger sense of pride, purpose, and belonging throughout the organisation.
The opportunity to introduce an NIHL2 team, subject to league approval, is a natural progression of this work and a key part of our long-term plan. It supports player development at the right levels and reinforces our commitment to building for the future in a responsible and sustainable way.
This long-term project is about more than teams and leagues. It is about protecting the future of Widnes Wild and its success depends on the full backing of all stakeholders: players, families, coaches, volunteers, partners, sponsors and supporters. The benefits extend beyond the ice. A strong, unified Widnes Wild increases participation, aspiration and creates opportunity within the wider community. Above all, it provides a true home for hockey players and ensures our junior players can see a future for themselves within this club whilst developing not only great players, but great people.”
Meanwhile, Widnes Wild academy Chairman, Terry Gray added;
“Over the past few years, we at Widnes Wild Academy have been working closely with Widnes Wild NIHL1 team to build a clear and supportive pathway for our junior players to progress into senior hockey. This collaboration has grown naturally, and the decision for both clubs to come together under one structure is the next logical step, one that will greatly strengthen and expand the ice hockey opportunities here in Widnes.
It’s been a real pleasure working alongside Planet Ice and the Widnes Wild Seniors to bring this vision to life. I’m incredibly proud of what’s been achieved so far and even more excited for what’s to come for Widnes Wild Academy and the future of Ice hockey in our town.”
Our future is Wild.