Roll up for a fast-paced game

Iain Hyndman | Wednesday, August 8, 2012 7:36

ON THE MOVE: The annual Wanganui Invitation Roller Hockey Tournament delivers to action-hungry spectators. PHOTO/FILE

Bragging rights and pride are up for grabs in the annual Wanganui Invitation Roller Hockey Tournament this weekend.

Hosted by the Wanganui Roller Hockey Club, this season's event has attracted 14 teams from throughout the North Island and includes three women's teams, one of which is local.

Club chairman David Dench said teams from Wellington, New Plymouth, Auckland and Wanganui would compete from Friday night through to Sunday afternoon.

"There's no trophy as such, it's pretty much bragging rights and pride the sides are competing for. But it is a fast-paced game and an excellent spectator sport, so we are hoping the Wanganui public will turn out at the Jubilee Stadium at Springvale Park to watch over the three days of competition," Dench said.

"We are especially pleased there are three women's teams entered this year. We've been trying to promote the sport and give it a higher profile lately, particularly the women's division. We haven't had women's teams for a few years."

The roller hockey season runs between March and October and Wanganui has a successful tradition in the sport.

Games begin at 7.30pm on Friday and on Saturday run from 8.30am through to the evening, while play will begin at 8.30pm on Sunday and finish around 4pm.

Roller Hockey the Unique Roller Sport not present in 2013 World Games

Roller Hockey will not be played in 2013 World Games of Cali

During last month the discussion concerning the presence of roller hockey in Olympic Games took place. Why such beautiful sport is not included since 1992?

Well, one of the requirements of each sport that wants to be part of Olympic Games, is the inclusion in World Games. This competition was created to give an opportunity to all sports that want to be "Real Olympics".

The next edition will take place next year in Cali (Colombia), and should be expected the inclusion of roller hockey.

As all hockey lovers know roller hockey is played in many clubs in Colombia, and the federation is doing an excellent job about hockey promotion, although taking a look on official website of 2013 World Games it's possible to conclude that simply roller hockey is totally ignored in this edition.

The other 3 FIRS sports (artistic roller skating, speed skating and inline hockey) will have competition, so the question is:

"What's wrong with our hockey, one of the origins of FIRS???!!!".

Reading the history of our sport, the last appearance of roller hockey in World Games was in 2001, in Akita (Japan). There were until now 5 editions where roller hockey took place in a total of 8.

List of Winners in World Games, Roller Hockey Competition (source: Wikipedia)

This is a good subject to ask each candidate of CIRH Head. What's the plan to include Roller Hockey in World Games? It will be possible to see roller hockey in 2017 World Games in Wroclaw, Poland??

Don't Give Keep Rolling Together!!!!!!!

Notice to Under 20’s Players

Any players wishing to be considered for the New Zealand Under 20’s team need to register their interest with Russell Clark or Rohan Singh before Tuesday 1st May 2012.

There will be some North V’s South games for these players during the New Plymouth Invitation Tournament, May 4th, 5th & 6th 2012.

Contact details are

Russell Clark, Mob 027 487 1351, Email [email protected]

Rohan Singh, Mob 027 599 4796, Email [email protected]

Regards,

Rohan Singh

NZ Under 20’s Manager

Hi All

It is with regret that I have to advise you of the passing away of one our members Paul Churchward. Pablo rinkhockey member

Paul had been very active in the game some years ago and was a gold medal winner in the National Championships in the Junior Division held in Wellington Winter show buildings in 1976, and continued on to play for a few more years after with both Craig & Mark Cummings Grant Davies and of course the Campbell brothers Jaime John & Paul.He then shifted to Sydney to live and returned to NZ last year, and I was one of the first persons he contacted upon his return, naturally enquiring about the game of Roller Hockey.

I invited him to come down to training on our usual wednesday evenings and after coming once for a look he could not resist to become actively involved again which he did, his last tourament being in Wellington in august scoring 6 goals for Wellington 2

I have been advised that one of his last requests that his skates and stick and the posters he had made for this year nationals were taken to Mary Potter hopsice and he died peacefully being surrounded by these.

I shall send tomorrow a card to his wife and family expressing our sad loss on behalf of all our members.

Regards

Peter Braddock President RHNZ

Zachery Pauls Daughter,          Paul                     and Peter Braddock

Paul on the far right playing in the 1st division Wellington Team at Papatoetoe

in the Bill Mudford memorial 2011.

Back Left:        Craig Cumming, Paul Campbell, Paul Churchward

Front Left:       Jamie Campbell, Grant Davies (goal Keeper)

DESPERATE DIVE: Wellington keeper Richard Hayward spreads himself to block Papatoetoe flier Giovanni Perdoncin's run on goal in yesterday's roller hockey national final in Wanganui. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY

It's not often that a sporting showdown ends with a plastic chair being thrown on to the playing surface ... but that was the scene at Wanganui's Jubilee Stadium yesterday.

In a thrilling climax to roller hockey's national final between defending champions Papatoetoe and Wellington, passions ran high as the final seconds ticked away.

The Aucklanders' star player Giovanni Perdoncin - who scored four of their goals in the 6-4 victory - went flying after clashing with a couple of Wellington defenders and had his stick thrown out of the rink.

The reaction of the Papatoetoe bench was immediate - a mixture of anger, disgust and protest - and a white plastic chair was hurled on to the field of play.

The final hooter brought a swift end to a volatile situation and normal comradeship among the rivals was quickly resumed as Papatoetoe celebrated their triumph.

Fortunately, that over-excited finale did not marr a breathtaking battle of speed and skill as New Zealand's best players delighted supporters at Springvale with their talent.

Papatoetoe always had the edge in the final but Wellington refused to let them get away.

Two strikes from Perdoncin and a goal to Mike Langridge were reward for their first half effort. Alan Tilley netted Wellington's opener and then, on the stroke of halftime, Daniel Moore got the benefit of a ricochet after his shot was saved and the sides went into the second 20 minutes at 3-2.

A goal by Papatoetoe's Steve Signal was matched by a long-range effort from Mark Turner and Wellington looked as if they might have turned the tide until Perdoncin weighed in again.

The speedster's silky stick-handling abilities were too much for Wellington to contain. He seized on a loose pass to baffle keeper Richard Hayward and score number five and minutes later took a pass from Tony Dellar to make it 6-3.

When Wellington's NZ rep player Craig Mackie was flattened by Signal, the Aucklander was sent to the sin bin for two minutes and Mackie netted the resulting penalty but that was as close as the capital side got.

It wrapped up a clean sweep for Papatoetoe who also won the second division and youth/women's titles. Wanganui finished third in the premier and second division events and were runners-up in the youth/women final.

Roller Hockey New Zealand president Peter Braddock paid credit to Wanganui's hosting effort. "A lot of work went on behind the scenes to make this championship so successful," he said.

Wanganui president David Grant, who refereed the fiercely-contested final, was also pleased with the smooth running of the championships.

Roller hockey has been going in New Zealand for more than 50 years but its numbers were severely-depleted with the rise of inline hockey in the 1990s.

However, on the evidence of three days of action at Springvale, it's a fast, furious and fun sport with appeal across all age ranges.

Grant said the season was now over but the Wanganui club would be back in action around March, practising at its base at the Hattrick Street stadium rink.

Hi All

We were suprized last week by a visit from a blast from the past.....Noel Hawken...as he came and visited the club while in Auckland. Noel has been around the Roller Hockey seen for many years and has played with the best.

Noel has coached played Keeper and has made other contributions to our great game over the years and is still offering advice and keeping in touch with us on this site with often forum blogs.

Thanks Noel for coming to visit us, it was great seeing you and having a chat about the good old days.

Back Row: Steven Tonkin,Russell Clark, Mike Langridge, John Bardo, Greg Brooks, Rob Vazey, Giovanni Perdoncin.

Front Row: Steven Signal, Josh Langridge, Noel Hawken, Alley Langridge and Nathan Clark

Premier Division

Wellington win the final of the premier division yesterday beating Papatoetoe in another action packed final. Wanganui failing to make the final and finishing in third position. Wellington back on top before the 2011 New Zealand Championships in November.

1st Division

Papatoetoe win the final against Wellington showing again they are the team to beat. Wanganui also finished third in this division, looking to improve at the NZ Champs.

Youth Division

Wellington winning this division over Wanganui.

Pee Wee Division

Wellington winning this section also, winning three of the four divisions.

Mrs Moira Mackie passed away peacefully last evening.

Mrs Moira Mackie was the wife of the late Ian Mackie a NZ Legend in Roller Hockey. Moira was always supportive of our great sport and was a delightlful lady that always brought a smile to your face when seeing her at the score bench. Moira you will be missed by us all. RIP

The Mackie family have been involved with Roller Hockey for as long as I can remember and have provided New Zealand with continous stars, like Donald Mackie son of  late Ian and Moira Mackie. Then without saying the two Grandsons Craig and Todd who are still at the top of the game. It is without saying that the Mackie familly have been one of the most influencial families within the game in NZ.

We would like to pass on our deepest sympathies to all the family.

Clean Sweep for Papatoetoe

Youth

Papatoetoe Started strong and continued to play well through the tournament, although there were some stand out players from New Plymouth that looked to take the sting out of Papatoetoe. The New Plymouth team were right in the final match with just seconds in it. Well done to all the youths that played great efforts alround.

Keep and eye out for future stars:

Josh Langridge from Papatoetoe scoring many goals in his first tournament, and Cory Bedford who is certainly showing some style and natual talent for the game. Well done guys!

1st Division

This division is dynamic and exciting with the stylish Wanganui team playing with control and a passion and with the return of Mike Bates in goal, what an inspiration for all that attended. Then with the Papatoetoe 1 team consisting of the young guns, these guys are looking very strong with some very skillfull players that have the ability to score from most breakdown play. Then the Papatoetoe 2 team that have some ex NZ players along with Amit from India, these guys on paper looked very sharp. New Plymouth looked to make this there tournament with players putting in huge efforts. The final came down to Pap 1 vs Pap 2 leaving Wanganui 3rd and New Plymouth 4th.

Stand Out Players:

Mike Bates: Wanganui

Kieran Signal: Papatoetoe 1

Premier Division

PAPATOETOE PREMIER TEAM

Wow what a tournament as the games were played all teams were looking even, as Pap took the first win over New Plymouth, then New Plymouth came back ready bringing Wellington to a draw. Then came the game the spectators were waiting for Wellington vs Papatoetoe. This game was played as normal with lots of passion and heart from both teams, goal for goal and ending in a draw. Other games through the tournament determined the re match of Pap and Wellington in the last game being the final of the first division. Papatoetoe starting strong and Wellington replying with some skillfull shots from Mark Turner no 7. Then it was Giovanni from Papatoetoe and Mark Turner from Wellington showing their individual skills scoring most of the goals.

WELLINGTON PREMIER TEAM

The game was once again goal for goal with it coming down to the dying minute as it was 6-6, then Papatoetoe got into the very tight and well fort defence of  Wellington and secured the final goal of the match. Let me say well done to both teams for creating another excellent game for all to watch.

Stand out Players:

Giovanni: Papatoetoe no 7

Mark Turner: Wellington no 7

Hi the Trans Tasman Cup has been put on hold due to issues concerning the previous test series being cancelled. The RHNZ and the Australian committees are working to settle this issue to make sure the Trans Tasman and other international events like the super league will go ahead as planned.

I will keep you all up to date on the progress. Please make comments on either event if you have anything to say. Everyone needs to make there view heard and this is the best way to get everyone heard.

I look forward to your comments.

Rink Hockey NZ