Royal Enfield Social Mission Launches Learn to Play Coaching Programme in Ladakh
Royal Enfield Social Mission is set to introduce the ‘Learn to Play (LTP) Coaching Programme 2025-26’ in Ladakh, as part of the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey Season 3. This initiative aims to expand grassroots ice hockey development in the region by training over 800 children aged 6 to 15 across 23 villages, significantly increasing from the previous year’s coverage of 10 villages.
Ladakh has a rich tradition of ice hockey, with its frozen lakes and streams providing natural skating surfaces. The region boasts one of India’s highest skating rinks, situated at an altitude of 3,483 meters. The LTP programme is designed to capitalize on these ideal conditions by offering structured coaching and basic training during the winter season.
The season-long programme commenced in November 2025 with a Basic Coaches Training Camp in Dehradun, led by coach Darryl Easson, and is slated to conclude in March 2026. Throughout the peak winter months, eight-day coaching modules will be held in the participating villages. The training sessions will be conducted by 24 local coaches who have previously completed coach development programs.
The curriculum of the programme emphasizes skating fundamentals and basic ice hockey skills, with a focus on balance, coordination, and game awareness. In addition to technical training, the initiative aims to instill values of teamwork and discipline among the young participants.
Expanding Reach Across Ladakh
This year’s edition of the programme will cover villages in Nyoma, Durbuk, Kargil, Nubra, Zanskar, Khaltse, and Leh blocks. Preparations, including coordination with village representatives and equipment planning, are currently in progress.
The Learn to Play initiative is a part of a broader strategy for ice hockey development in the Himalayan region, offering early-stage training and pathways to competitive platforms such as the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League in Ladakh and the Spiti Cup in Himachal Pradesh.
Moreover, Royal Enfield Social Mission is extending its support to the inaugural Himalayan Pond Hockey Championship, scheduled to take place at Gupuks Lake near Leh from January 8 to 16, 2026. The event will feature introductory training sessions for 80 children, followed by a community-based 3v3 non-contact tournament with mixed-age and -gender teams.
