Swindon Wildcats Ice Hockey Academy

🏒🔴⚫ Congratulations Jan & Oskar! ⚫🔴🏒

Everyone at Swindon Wildcats Ice Hockey Academy would like to congratulate Jan Kostal Jr and Oskar Sagan on their signings with the Bespoke Swindon Wildcats for the 2026/27 season on two-way contracts with Swindon Wildcats 2.

Both players have progressed through our academy pathway, worked tirelessly on and off the ice, and have earned this fantastic opportunity through their dedication, commitment and performances over a number of years.

As an academy, we are incredibly proud to see our player development pathway continue to deliver opportunities for young players to progress from junior hockey into NIHL 1 and NIHL National League hockey. Seeing players move from academy sessions, through Wildcats 2, and into the senior programme is exactly what our pathway is designed to achieve.

Jan and Oskar are excellent role models for the next generation of academy players, showing what can be achieved through hard work, perseverance and a commitment to development.

We wish both players every success for the season ahead and look forward to watching their continued progress in Wildcats colours.

👏 Congratulations, Jan and Oskar!

Bespoke Guardians Swindon Wildcats
Swindon Wildcats 2

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🏆 SWIHA Top Kittens 2025/26 Awards 🏆

What a fantastic season it has been for our Top Kittens!

A huge congratulations to our 2025/26 award winners:

🏆 Best Forward – Willow Shurmer
🏆 Best Defence – Ophelia Chesterman
🏆 Most Improved – Jessica Breach & Isobel Lane
🏆 Players’ Player – Ella Burnett
🏆 Coaches’ Player – Jessica Sumner

These awards recognise not only performances on the ice, but also dedication, teamwork, attitude and the willingness to keep learning and improving throughout the season.

Thank you to all of our players, families, coaches, volunteers and supporters who have helped make this another memorable year for the Top Kittens. The future of girls’ hockey at SWIHA continues to look incredibly bright.

Enjoy a well-earned break, and we look forward to seeing what next season brings! ❤️🏒

FutureOfTheGame 🐾🏒❤️

🏆 The J9 Award – In memory of Janine Burnett - Lilly Endicott 🏆

Our second J9 Award recipient is Lilly Endicott.

Named in memory of Janine Burnett, this award celebrates far more than success on the ice. It recognises dedication, commitment, character, positivity, leadership and a willingness to give back to the game and those around you.

It is only fitting that Lilly should receive an award carrying Janine’s name.

Throughout her time with the academy, Lilly has been an outstanding ambassador for the sport. From representing the academy as a junior player, to playing for the TopCats, competing in Elite Women’s Hockey, and proudly representing Great Britain, Lilly has become one of the most successful and decorated players to come through the academy.

As a role model for young female players and a trailblazer for girls’ hockey within our academy, Lilly has shown what can be achieved through hard work, dedication and a genuine love for the game.

Janine was passionate about creating opportunities for others, particularly within the female game, and Lilly’s journey reflects so many of the values that Janine championed .

Congratulations Lilly on this incredibly special recognition. 🏒

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🏆The J9 Award – In Memory of Janine Burnett - Barnaby Bridges🏆

This season saw the introduction of a very special award, the J9 Award, created in memory of Janine Burnett, who we sadly lost earlier this year.

Janine, known to many as J9, was a much-loved and long-standing member of the academy family. An original TopCat, coach, wife, mother and friend to so many, her passion for hockey and the people within it left a lasting impact on everyone she met.

Presented by her husband, Coach Steve-o, this award recognises the qualities that Janine valued most in young players. Not goals, points or statistics, but effort, attitude, determination, enthusiasm and the ability to bring a smile to the rink every day.

This year’s recipient is Barnaby Bridges.

Barnaby is a player who works hard, listens, learns, supports others and approaches hockey with energy, positivity and a genuine love for the game. He is a pleasure to coach and embodies the spirit of what this award stands for.

Congratulations Barnaby on becoming the first ever recipient of the J9 Award. A truly special and well-deserved honour. ❤️🏒

🏆U10-U14 Most Valuable Player Award – Zkai Wilkinson 🏆

A huge congratulations to Zkai Wilkinson, our U10-U14 MVP for the 2025/26 season.

This award recognises not only performance on the ice, but also attitude, commitment and contribution to the wider academy.

Zkai has proudly represented England and consistently works hard both on and off the ice. Whether it’s developing his own game, helping out at training sessions across the younger age groups, or setting a positive example for those around him, he always gives his all. He is an all-round great teammate, earning the respect of coaches, players and parents alike through his hard work, humility and willingness to help others.

Congratulations, Zkai 🏒

🎓🏒 Graduation Award – Lilly Endicott 🏒🎓

As Lilly reaches the end of her junior hockey journey with SWIHA, we are proud to present her with our Graduation Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the academy and the sport.

Throughout her time in junior hockey, Lilly has been a fantastic role model both on and off the ice. Alongside her academy career, she has gone on to compete at the highest levels of the women’s game, representing the TopCats, playing Elite Women’s Hockey, and proudly wearing the GB jersey on the international stage.

Despite her own playing commitments, Lilly has always found time to give back, regularly helping at academy training sessions, camps and SDL events, supporting the next generation of players and embodying what being part of the academy family is all about.

As she takes the next exciting step in her hockey journey and heads to Sweden, we would like to wish her every success. We have no doubt she will continue to achieve great things and make everyone at SWIHA proud.

Thank you for everything you have given to the academy, Lilly. Your hard work, dedication and willingness to help others have left a lasting impact.

Good luck in Sweden, enjoy every moment, and remember you’ll always have a home at SWIHA. Don’t be a stranger - we look forward to following your journey and seeing where hockey takes you next. ❤️🏒🇬🇧🇸🇪

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🎓🏒 Graduation Award – Joe Smith 🏒🎓

As Joe’s junior hockey journey comes to an end, we are delighted to present him with our Graduation Award in recognition of his years of dedication, commitment and contribution to SWIHA.

Joe has been a valued member of the academy, developing both as a player and as a person throughout his time in junior hockey. We would like to wish him every success wherever the game takes him next. We have no doubt that he will continue to represent himself with pride.

Thank you for everything you’ve given to junior hockey, Joe.

Good luck for the future, Joe.

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🏆 Congratulations to our U19A Award Winners! 🏆

⛸️ Best Forward – Sam Cleaves
✋ Best Defence – Owen Crow
📈 Most Improved – Ethan Squires
👏 Coaches’ Player – Max Skeete
🤝 Players’ Player – Owen Crow

A fantastic achievement for all of our award winners after a season of hard work, development and determination. You should all be incredibly proud of your efforts. 🏒❤️

🏆 Congratulations to our U16B Award Winners! 🏆

⛸️ Best Forward – Ethan Faulkner
✋ Best Defence – Rhys Castle
📈 Most Improved – Leo Matheou
👏 Coaches’ Player – Ben Burnett
🤝 Players’ Player – Caelen Nottage

A fantastic achievement for all of our award winners after a season of hard work, development and determination. You should all be incredibly proud of your efforts. 🏒❤️