Mother joins son’s hockey team, embraces game and family bonds
By Joe Ripley
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CUMMING, Georgia (WXIA) — Sonu Kumar suits up and hits the ice with purpose. She just started skating last summer after watching her boys, Sachin Sivadas and Nikhil Sivadas, play hockey for years.
“Skating has been my boys’ passion for the past 12 years,” Kumar said. “They’ve been in the metro Atlanta hockey community for all those years, developed lifelong friendships. I’ve been their biggest cheerleader, along with my husband.”
From cheerleading to getting off the sidelines, Kumar joined the Lady Thrashers. The community hockey team is comprised of all females, and in the last few months, Kumar has been able to get her ice legs under her and adjust to the game.
“I wanted to try it, so I got out there, very nervous at first,” Kumar said. “It’s a physical game. From the bleachers, you can feel the tension, the anxiety, the fun. You can feel the camaraderie on the ice.”
Kumar’s oldest son, 17-year-old Sachin, played roller hockey for ten years before switching over to ice hockey five years ago.
“I was really shocked she wanted to try it, but I totally support it,” Sachin said. “She’s been watching all the time, so I wanted to get a chance to watch her. Thanks to the Lady Thrashers, they’re hosting their co-ed clinics, so we got to be on the same ice together, play, pass, do all the fun stuff.”
Sachin’s younger brother, Nikhil, just turned 15 and said his favorite part about playing hockey was the teamwork and making memories with family and friends.
“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Nikhil said. “We can finally skate as a family and we can help teach her and help her learn. Just try. I know everyone says it, but it’s true. It doesn’t matter what age you are, how good you are at skating. As long as you try and have fun with it, you’ll keep growing, and you’ll learn to love it.”
Not even a year into her hockey journey, Sonu Kumar’s still trying to soak it all in. She still feels challenged by mastering skating. But she relishes the reward of improving with each practice. Fortunately, she has her family, both on and off the ice, to find her way.
“It’s been a great bonding experience,” Kumar said. “I love it when they pass me on the ice and give me a little fist bump. I can tell they’re proud of me, and I’m glad to inspire them as well and let them know you can do anything at any age.”
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