Swindon Top Cats

Swindon Topcats are a ladies’ ice hockey club based in Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. They are located at the Link Centre in Swindon. They are managed by Michael Armstrong and coached by Rebecca Hargreaves, with captain Lynn Taylor and assistant manager John Hallett.

Overview

The club operates two teams: the Topcats, playing in the British Women’s Leagues premier division and the Junior Topcats playing in the U16 Girls South Division.

The Swindon TopCats were formed in 1990 by Bob Townsend and entered Division One South for the 1990-1991 season. The girls had an amazing first year and gained promotion to the Premier League, Britain's top division, where they remained for 14 years until a cruel 1-0 defeat in the relegation playoff sent them back down for the 2005-2006 season. However at the end of the 07/08 season the Topcats gained promotion back into the Premier League after a perfect season and slaughtering their way through the promotional playoffs.

The topcats team colours are and have always been Red and White with the head of a lion in the middle.

For the 09/10 season the Topcats adopted a third strip, Blue and White with the usual logo in the middle, which they wore at the Friendship Tournament.

British Women's Friendship Tournament

Since its beginning in 1995, Swindon has played host to the British Womens Ice Hockey Friendship Tournament. Throughout its history the Topcats have won their tournament three times and been runners-up four times.

Ladies Team

Ladies Team in 09/10 Season

Goaltenders
#		Player	Status	Hometown
77		Micheala Walker	Signed from Slough Phantoms	Basingstoke
44		Charmaine Houston	New Signing	Swindon
66		Susan Hart	Re - Signed	Cardiff

Forwards
#		Player	Status	Hometown
11		Ruth Leopold	Re-signed	Bristol
12		Lynn Taylor	Re-signed	Swindon
14		Sarah-Jane Davis	Re-signed	Swindon
18		Deana Cuglietta	Re-signed	Toronto, Ontario
20		Laura Merrick	Re-signed	Bristol
22		Sarah Bennett	Re-signed	Swindon
34		Janine Townsend	Re-signed	Swindon

Defencemen
#		Player	Status	Hometown
-		Laura North	New Signing	Swindon
7		Rebecca Hargreaves	Re-signed	Bristol
9		Jennifer Fleming	Re-signed	Swindon
23		Louise Fisher	Re-signed	Swindon
28		Victoria Hart	Re-signed	Swindon

Reitred Jerseys

Retired Jerseys
#		Player	Status	Hometown
05		Lyanne Diotte	Moved back to Canada	Greater Sudbury, Ontario

Previous Players

 Amy Woodward
 Vanda Tanner
 Lydia Howton
 Hannah Stenvall
 Line Voss
 Rachel Pullen (NM)
 Ami Merrick
 Kirsty Krater
 Lucy Woodward
 Jae Rance
 Denise Taylor (NM)
 Stella Minett
 Gunhild Paulsen
 Lizzie Archer
 Emma Hindmarch
 Amy Hadden 
 Louise Thompson  
 Trudi Leach 
 Michelle Groundwater 
 Becki Weston  
 Catherine Fry 
 Amanda Carr
 Kim Richardson 
 Teresa Chamberlain
 Maria Leonard 
 Donna Bradshaw
 Louisa Spence
 Sue Goolsbee
 Lyanne Diotte

U16 Girls Team

In July 2009 the Topcats formed their own U16 Girls Team. They plan to give a different, more original appropriate name for this newly formed team.

U16 Girls Team in 09/10 Season

Goaltenders
#		Player	Status	Hometown
-		Rachel Pullen	Joint with SWIHA	Swindon

Forwards
#		Player	Status	Hometown

Defencemen
#		Player	Status	Hometown