Royal Enfield strengthens grassroots Ice hockey with Learn to Play Programme across 23 villages in Ladakh

•  Over 800 children across 23 villages to receive structured skating and ice hockey training during the winter season
• Programme expands from 10 villages last year, deepening early access and strengthening community participation 

Rakesh Thapliyal

Leh, Ladakh: Royal Enfield Social Mission is set to roll out the Learn to Play (LTP) Coaching Programme 2025–26 in Ladakh, reaffirming its commitment to grassroots ice hockey development in the region. A key intervention under Royal Enfield Ice Hockey Season 3, the programme will engage over 800 children aged 6 to 15 years across 23 villages, marking a significant expansion from 10 villages last year and strengthening early access to structured skating and ice hockey training.

Ice Hockey has long been an intrinsic part of winter life in Ladakh. With natural ice forming across frozen streams and lakes, and one of India’s highest skating rinks located at 3,483 metres above sea level, the region offers uniquely conducive conditions for winter sports. The Learn to Play programme builds on this cultural and environmental advantage while addressing long-standing gaps in access, infrastructure, and structured coaching—engaging children and the wider community through the winter months, and fostering discipline, teamwork, and other essential life skills.

Building the foundation for future pathways

Designed as a season-long engagement, the Learn to Play programme started in November 2025 with Basic Coaches Training Camp led by Coach Darryl Easson in Dehradun, and will conclude in March 2026. During the peak winter months, structured 8-day coaching modules will be delivered across participating villages. The programme will be led by 24 trained local coaches—many of whom have progressed through Royal Enfield-supported Train-the-Trainer initiatives—ensuring a consistent coaching framework and a community-led implementation.

The curriculum focuses on skating basics and ice hockey fundamentals, with emphasis on balance, coordination, confidence, and enjoyment of the sport. Alongside physical skills, the programme encourages values such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience, positioning sport as a meaningful part of everyday winter life in Ladakh.

Following the success of earlier editions, the 2025–26 programme expands its footprint to 23 villages across Nyoma, Durbuk, Kargil, Nubra, Zanskar, Khaltse, and Leh blocks. Preparatory work is already underway, including coordination with village representatives, equipment planning, and scheduling aligned to local winter conditions to ensure smooth execution through the season.

Aligned with the Blueprint for Himalayan Ice Hockey Development, the Learn to Play (LTP) programme is the foundation of Royal Enfield’s grassroots-led approach to the sport. It creates a clear pathway from early participation to advanced coaching, officiating, and competitive platforms such as the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League (REIHL) in Ladakh and the Spiti Cup, powered by Royal Enfield, in Himachal Pradesh. By delivering quality coaching and structured training from the basics, the Learn to Play programme plays a crucial role in building a strong talent pool aligned with the long-term vision of the 2042 Winter Olympics, strengthening the region’s Ice hockey pipeline.

Through sustained grassroots interventions such as the Learn to Play Coaching Programme along with the support of Leh Nutrition Project and Lalok Winter Sports Club, Royal Enfield continues to advance its Social Mission of supporting Himalayan communities through sport by expanding access for children, strengthening village-level ecosystems, and contributing to Ladakh’s growing identity as a hub for winter sports.

To further strengthen this community-led development of Ice hockey, the Royal Enfield Social Mission is supporting the inaugural edition of the Himalayan Pond Hockey Championship at Gupuks Lake, near Leh, from 8 – 16 January, 2026. The programme will include Learn To Play training for 80 kids over the first 6 days, culminating in a fun and carnival-based competition featuring a 32-team 3v3, non-contact and mixed age and gender knock-out competition, and community-led engagements.