From a childhood passion to coaching his own hockey team, Paul Singh and the Leicester Panthers are transforming the local hockey scene.
By providing free coaching to all children, they are helping young people pursue their sporting dreams, all while ensuring they have fun along the way.
Picture credit: Pukaar News
Paul Singh discovered his love for hockey at the age of 13, when he joined Soar Valley’s hockey team under the guidance of Mr Matharu, a man who has coached “most of the players in Leicester.”
Paul’s passion for hockey was reignited three years ago when his elder son, Rajan, developed an interest in the sport and undertook a six-week trial at Soar Valley.
When Rajan turned 12, he joined the Leicester Panthers men’s second team. Paul subsequently joined the team as well, and today, he and both of his sons play for the Panthers.
Picture credit: Pukaar News
Noticing a gap for Asian children who did not attend private schools and were unable to afford high enrolment fees, Paul decided to establish the Panthers Hockey Academy.
“Our aim is to make hockey accessible for everybody. We don’t charge for any of the training. We provide the kit, equipment, everything else the children need, from the basics to the advanced stuff.”
Paul offers hockey coaching for children aged 8–16, with the team boasting an equal split of boys and girls, and children from every faith involved. Coaching for children under eight will also begin next season.
The coaching staff consists of Paul Singh; David Nathan, the head coach; Jaz, who manages all the administrative work; and Harpreet, a parent whose children play for the team and who also plays for the Panthers’ women’s side.
David Nathan plays for the Panthers’ mixed and men’s leagues and is also a professional umpire.
He said: “This was a great opportunity to actually nurture the kids, train them, coach them and show them what hockey is all about. This is reaching out to the larger community here.”
The team has experienced significant growth since its inception in January 2025, expanding from four to thirty students in just six months.
“We have not had anyone come for a single session that has not come back and stayed. Children are coming and bringing their friends, and then their friends come too.”
Picture credit: Pukaar News
Their first tournament in Walsall was a great success, with the team’s youngest goalkeeper, aged eight, winning player of the tournament.
Jeevan, aged eight, said: “The coaches are so polite and you get lots of opportunities to score goals and be a defender and learn different positions. It gives you a lot of talent.”
Paul has witnessed first-hand how hockey can bring people together. In a recent tournament, a rival team noticed that the Panthers had a very young side and offered to lend some older players to help them progress.
He was deeply moved by the gesture and said it demonstrated how hockey is a respectful sport where children learn about sportsmanship and develop a sense of community.
With the Panthers, Paul is determined to show the children that there is a pathway to play hockey professionally, should they aspire to do so.
Moksha, a defender for the club, said: “hockey is very inclusive, I never feel left out. I want to play hockey professionally for India because it’s their national sport.”
Thanks to Paul Singh and the Leicester Panthers, more children now have that chance.
By Tavjyot Kaur Atwal
