A PROFESSIONAL ice hockey player unable to train during lockdown took matters into his own hands by building an incredible miniature rink.

Jordan Lawday, who lives in Wootton St Lawrence near Basingstoke, usually trains at Planet Ice over the summer when on break from playing for Milton Keynes.

"Because of Covid, nobody knew how long [the ice skating rinks] would be closed for, so I decided to build a goalie-specific training facility for me and also to teach others from a socially-distanced distance," he told The Gazette. It is helpful, he said, that he is also sponsored by a sanitiser company.

The 21-year-old, who turns 22 on Friday, said it took around two months to build the 24ft by 13ft cabin at the back of his garden. He installed the 'glice' flooring - a form of plastic ice that can be skated on. He believes it is the first miniature centre of its kind in the UK.

Jordan said: "I play for Milton Keynes Lightning but grew up my whole life playing for Basingstoke until I was 17 and moved to Michigan in the US to play.

"The goalie centre is in the back of our land, it's pretty secluded. I always train throughout the summer and because of Covid, I couldn't so I built this. It's also for other goalies who can now book sessions to come and practice.

"I have been running bookings through my Instagram page @LawdayGoalTending. I've been coaching for three years but only built the barn a few months ago, during lockdown."

He added: "All sessions are fully social-distanced. I'm also sponsored by a sanitiser company to help keep everyone clean."

To find out more, visit Jordan's Instagram page here.