PIERRE Allard has vowed to get himself super-fit to earn a new contract with Manchester Storm.

The popular French-Canadian forward, who has made Manchester his home, is determined to do everything possible to convince coach Daryl Lipsey that he deserves another season at the Manchester Evening News Arena.

"The last couple of summers have been difficult for me because I have been recovering from one injury or another," said the 30-year-old forward from his home in Swinton.

"But now I am injury free and I am going to get into the best shape of my life."

That means gruelling daily gym sessions and regular ice time at Altrincham, where he is a junior coach.

"I want to return for another season with the Storm. That is my priority but if I have to move somewhere else I am ready to do that as well.

"It might be the right time to move into coaching and a job as a player-coach in the BNL is a possibility. Frank Pietrangelo is my agent and he is looking into that for me."

Meanwhile, Allard is preparing to take 30 local youngsters to a hockey school in Font Romeu in the Pyrenees. The budding ice hockey stars of the future will travel in two groups between July 23 and August 10 to the French national centre for high altitude training.

A fundraising skating session for the trip is being held at Altrincham on Sunday to help them on their way. An entrance fee of £5 will give you three hours ice time from 5-8pm.

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