HMPPS Tornadoes Newsletter March 2026

The HMPPS Tornadoes is a dedicated ice hockey club for staff across His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) in England and Wales. Formed to bring together colleagues with a shared passion for the sport, the Tornadoes promote fitness, camaraderie, and team spirit both on and off the ice.

​We are proudly affiliated with the Prison Service Sports Association (PSSA) and officially registered with the English Ice Hockey Association.

​To accommodate players from all regions, we train at various locations across England and Wales, making it easier for members to take part regardless of where they’re based.

​Whether players are experienced or new to the game, all staff are welcome to join through the PSSA. The Tornadoes offer a supportive and inclusive environment where players can develop their skills, stay active, and connect with colleagues from across the service.

The HMPPS Tornadoes took an important step forward in January, when they held their inaugural training session at Romford Ice Rink, a gathering that signalled the official start of the team’s on-ice preparations and ambitions.

For a newly formed side, the turnout was encouraging: 23 players attended, representing 18 different establishments from across Wales and England. There was a mix of men and women and a diverse range of ages. The breadth of representation not only demonstrated regional interest in the programme but also provided coaches with a diverse pool of talent and experience to begin shaping into a cohesive unit. The choice of Romford Ice Rink as the venue offered a reliable, well-equipped environment for the Tornadoes to run a structured session that balanced individual skill work with the first steps of team systems and culture-building.

From the outset the session was designed to achieve several parallel goals: assess baseline fitness and skating ability, introduce fundamental technical standards, and begin the process of forging on-ice chemistry among players who had not previously skated together. Coaches opened with a focused warm-up and conditioning segment to evaluate mobility and endurance, then moved into drills that emphasised skating technique, puck control, and passing under pressure. These fundamentals were deliberately prioritised so that everyone—regardless of background or prior level—could align on a common technical language. Small-sided games and positional rotations followed, giving players a chance to apply skills in game-like scenarios while allowing staff to observe decision-making, communication, and adaptability.

Beyond the technical and tactical work, the session served as an early test of the Tornadoes’ emerging culture. Players and coaches used the time off the puck to discuss expectations, standards of conduct, and the values the team intends to embody: commitment, mutual respect, continuous improvement, but most importantly, to have fun.

The mix of attendees from 18 establishments brought a variety of playing styles and experiences, which created both a challenge and an opportunity—coaches needed to identify transferable strengths quickly, while players were encouraged to be open, communicative, and willing to adapt. Early assessments focused not only on what each player could do individually but on how they contributed to collective play, leadership, and the team’s overall temperament under pressure.

Looking ahead, the first session provided a clear roadmap for the Tornadoes’ next steps. Regular follow-up practices will be essential to build tactical understanding and match fitness, while individual development plans can help players address specific areas identified during the initial assessment. Continued engagement with the 18 represented establishments will be important to sustain recruitment, ensure consistent attendance, and foster a supportive network around the team. Coaches will also use subsequent sessions to refine squad selection for upcoming fixtures, balancing the desire to reward early commitment with the need to field a competitive, well-drilled side.

In summary, the training at Romford Ice Rink was a promising and productive beginning for HMPPS Tornadoes. The strong turnout of 23 players from across Wales and England, the focused technical and tactical work, and the early steps toward a shared team culture all point to a programme with momentum and potential. With structured follow-up, clear development pathways, and continued collaboration with the establishments that supported this first session, the Tornadoes are well placed to translate this positive start into sustained progress on and off the ice.

Visit the Tornadoes’ website at:   http://www.HMPPSTornadoes.co.uk