Planet Ice, which owns and operates nine ice rinks, will provide free ice time - worth approximately £50,000 ($78,000) per year - to enable the BSHA to launch and operate ice sledge hockey teams at each rink.

In addition Planet Ice and the BSHA are to launch a new charity which will provide training and equipment to enable teams to be set up with competitive equipment and fully supported volunteers and coaches.

Matt Lloyd, chairman of the BSHA, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for sport in this country.

"While people are clearly focused on London 2012 I think it's important we remember that not everybody wants to participate in a summer sport and we provide an attractive alternative which is totally free for members of the public to try and can be enjoyed by everybody and anybody."

Ice sledge hockey is a variant of ice hockey played on ice, using sledges to allow participants to move about the rink at high speeds hitting a puck travelling at speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour.

Players sit in adapted sledges, propelling themselves with sticks adapted to allow propulsion in a manner similar to skiing.

As players are strapped to a sledge everybody has the same restrictions, regardless of whether or not the player has a disability.

John Neville, director of operations for the group, added: "We would love to see potential Paralympic champions in sledge hockey training in Planet Ice facilities.

"We were incredibly impressed by the ambition and professionalism of the BSHA and felt we wanted to do more than just provide facilities in order to support and promote an exciting sport that is fully inclusive.

"It is clear that sledge hockey is a sport that has a lot to offer - speed, adrenaline, skill and teamwork.

"The fact it is fully inclusive and can be played by people regardless of whether or not they are disabled or able-bodied is something we believe can bring families and friends together and also makes ice rinks more accessible as it allows people to participate without being having to ice skate."

The project will undoubtedly be hoping to uncover potential Winter Paralympic stars for the Great Britain squad with thoughts now turning to the Sochi 2014 Games.

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