The young fans are part of the Dinamo Riga kids club and are waiting for the most exciting part of what has already been a big night for them. Taking the idea from the National Hockey League (NHL) in North America, Dinamo Riga have introduced a new initiative at its home games, giving the clubs youngest fans a chance to get up close to their heroes. Starting last week and continuing for the rest of the season, a group of children from the Dinamo Riga kids club are selected to attend a game free of charge and be given a behind the scenes look of Arena Riga on game day.

Before the game the children get a chance to explore the Arena, including the players benches, the penalty box, the media centre and the player's warm-up area. The children are then given seats next to the tunnel in which the Dinamo Riga players walk down to reach the ice, giving them the opportunity to high-five their heroes as they walk by. After the game the children are then given exclusive access to the players for photograph opportunities and autographs. Photographs are not the only lasting memory with each participant also given a Dinamo Riga t-shirt and hat.

Two of the kids fan club members attending the last home game against MVD were seven year old Linard and eleven year old Diāna, both of Riga. Linard has just started playing hockey himself and was very excited at having the chance to meet his heroes, in particular Marcel Hossa. On the night however, he felt it was captain Sandis Ozolins who had played a better game. Diāna was found waiting patiently for her hero Aleksandr Niživijs to immerge from the changing shed. Diāna had enjoyed herself greatly and is a big fan of Dinamo Riga, although she does not often get to go the games.

The scheme is great way to involve the youngest fans in the Dinamo Riga community and who knows, one day it may be them who are signing autographs for the next generation of fans!