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.

Designed as a season-long engagement, the Learn to Play programme commenced in November 2025 with a 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 community-led implementation.

The curriculum focuses on skating basics and ice hockey fundamentals, with an 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.

Building on 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 throughout the season.

Aligned with the Blueprint for Himalayan Ice Hockey Development, the Learn to Play programme forms 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 programme plays a critical 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 support from the Leh Nutrition Project and Lalok Winter Sports Club, Royal Enfield continues to advance its Social Mission of supporting Himalayan communities through sport—expanding access for children, strengthening village-level ecosystems, and contributing to Ladakh’s growing identity as a hub for winter sports.

Further strengthening this community-led development of ice hockey, Royal Enfield Social Mission is supporting the inaugural Himalayan Pond Hockey Championship at Gupuks Lake, near Leh, from 8–16 January 2026. The programme will include Learn to Play training for 80 children during the first six days, culminating in a fun, carnival-style competition featuring a 32-team 3v3, non-contact, mixed age and gender knock-out format, along with community-led engagements.