AN ICE hockey team have honoured one of its young players who sadly passed away by having his named emblazoned on their shirts.

Blackburn Hawks Under 14s have had a new shirt designed to remember Niall Birtwell who died suddenly last year.

The youngster trained and played in-house matches but passed away before he got a chance to play a competitive game for Blackburn Hawks Under 14s.

But his memory will live on thanks to the new shirt which were worn for the first time at Solihull last week.

The squad number which Niall would have worn has also been retired.

"The club and Niall's family decided this would be the perfect way to remember him," said Alan Amos, manager of the Blackburn Hawks Under 14s. "They held a collection at his funeral which they wanted to go to the club. It enabled us to buy two new strips and having his name on the shirt is the right way to let him know his team-mates are thinking about him."

He added: "Niall's dad is heavily involved in the club and helps out with the Under 14s. I think this is a lovely way to remember Niall. He was a smashing lad and a very popular lad in the squad. He was really looking forward to playing until he sadly passed away."

The family also donated the Niall Birtwell Rookie of the Year Trophy to the club which is presented to a player who has taken up the game for the first time.

The Hawks unveiled a new logo for the club, designed by Under 19s player Mark Gillingham, at Christmas but, as a mark of respect, none of the club's three teams wore the shirt until the Under 14s wore it.

The kit has also been sponsored by Domino's Pizza and Manchester firm MGF.

"We thought it would be a nice touch and the senior side and the Under 19s both agreed," said Alan. "Unfortunately we lost that game but we get to wear it for the first time at home to Grimsby on Sunday."

The club is holding skill sessions every Monday from 8pm. Anyone interested in joining the club should contact Alan Amos on 07948 173279.