This Sunday, Kelly Walsh will be playing her 300th game for the Sheffield Shadows.

Ms Walsh, 44, got into the sport when a friend from school played for the shadows in 1997, starting in the house leagues working her way to be invited to train with the Shadows after an ice hockey camp in Sheffield.

Reminiscing on her first match at 16, she said: “I can imagine how excited I must have been to put on my team jersey for the first time, especially since I hadn’t played a team sport before.”

She’s been playing with Sheffield Shadows since 2001.

A highlight of her career was the 2009 World Championships in Torre Pellice, Italy, where the teamed earned a promotion to Division II the previous season. They exceeded everyone’s expectations by taking the bronze medal.

“Over the years, I’ve become much more laid-back and developed a real sense of gratitude for having the opportunity to play,” she said. “I now truly appreciate each moment on the ice and try not to take any of it for granted.”

The Shadows have had their ups and downs over the last 30 years, with both promotions and relegations.

In recent years, after the Covid19 pandemic, she said the Shadows have “struggled to find our feet and regain the momentum we once had.”

Ms Walsh is optimistic for the future. She feels that, with a lot of younger members, there is room for developing cohesion and experience.

“The biggest growth has been in resilience and perspective: staying present, keeping a positive influence in the room and on the bench, and enjoying the game,” she said.

Her 300th match will be against the Nottingham Vipers on Sunday.

Image: Sheffield Shadows