Last weekend did not turn out quite as planned for Beckfoot School pupil Aaron Hussain Dad.

The 15-year-old ice hockey player was guesting for Sunderland, who were representing England in an international tournament in Holland.

However, due to delays in getting to the airport and then problems when he was there, the Bradford Vipers under-19 player missed the Tyne and Wear club's first two matches.

Aaron, who is being eyed up by other clubs and could well leave Bradford after the Vipers have finished in the play-offs, then played in the following three matches and was not only named in the All Star team, but also briefly earned 'superstar' status.

His mum Carol said: "We missed our flight due to three main accidents on the way to Newcastle Airport.

"Having arrived in time to catch the next flight, we could not get seats and had to wait until a later plane.

"Eventually arriving in Amsterdam, we then had a two-and-a-half hour journey via train before arriving at our destination."

She added: "Aaron missed the first two games. Then on Saturday we played three games and won them.

"Aaron then played in the All Stars team alongside the Dutch, including the home town of Geleen, and Germans. They won that match too."

Sunderland came second in the tournament and then went on to win a challenge match against Geleen.

Aaron's mum laughed: "Everyone kept chanting 'Aaron Dad superstar. How many goals have you scored so far?'

"Even the Dutch and German coaches were well impressed with his performances, and the players themselves told Aaron 'You are a great player from England'. Aaron had a good tournament and came home exhausted, but proud to have done so well as a guest player.

"The Sunderland manager and coach said they could not have done it without Aaron."

Now Dad turns his thoughts to the play-offs for the Vipers. The first game against Sheffield is on Saturday, and then the Vipers are at home to Blackburn on Sunday.

l Almost 600 schoolchildren are being given a one-hour ice hockey lesson every week at Bradford Ice Arena.

The club are just about to get the existing schools to sign up for the second year of the Sportsmatch and Bradford Ice Arena-funded programme.

And the lessons have been enhanced by the erection of a £5,500 cross-ice barrier. This partitions the ice and means a safer environment for the children.