Josh Nimmins is a talented 14 year old roller hockey player from Durham City, so talented in fact that he is soon to be crossing the Atlantic to play for his country in a tournament in the United States. A major ambition of his however is to play ice hockey for his home town club. 

Josh, from Gilesgate, will be heading off to Florida along with another local young player – Luke Milner, 12, of Houghton to take part in a four-day tournament representing Great Britain.

CDIF spoke to Josh’s mother Justine, who explained that he currently plays his roller hockey for a club in Sheffield where he travels down independently by train, but would jump at the chance of playing ice hockey and skating out of the new proposed ice arena in his home city. 

“The news that the arena could be built by next year is simply brilliant.” said Mrs Nimmins, “After all it would be a wonderful facility for the city as there is simply nothing to do for young people. Ice skating is such a fine way of keeping fit for all the family and it’s a great way of young people meeting and socializing together.” She also commented that Durham was an undoubtedly an ice hockey city and this was hopefully the beginning of putting the club back on the sporting map again. Josh’s father David was a regular skater at the old Durham ice rink for many years, and was devastated when the facility closed. He too welcomed the planned return of a new rink. 

Popularity for off-ice ice hockey boomed in the Durham area following the closure of the Riverside Rink in 1996. It is hoped that the development of the new ice arena will not only encourage some of these players to make the switch to ice, but also increase the number of young players participating in both sports.

Josh currently attends Framwellgate School and trains at Belmont School twice per week where he also helps training with younger roller hockey players. The trip to the United States is seen as a deserved reward for the hours of training and travelling that Josh puts in. His parents are rightly very proud of him and would welcome any offers of sponsorship, as he prepares to head to Florida with the GB squad. 

Should you be interested in sponsoring Josh please contact CDIF and we will in turn pass the details on to Josh’s parents.