Roller Hockey Photos

Bury meets Viareggio (Italy) in the first round of the CERS Cup this Saturday (20^th October start 7.45pm) at the Pier Pavilion, Herne Bay. This is one of the four big matches to be held at the pier in the coming months. Herne Bay Utd. are away in Portugal on the same day to play FC Porto in their first round match of the European League. The 17^th November will see Herne Bay Utd at home to C P Vic (Spain) and Bury will be away in their return match in Viareggio Italy. So mark your diary and don’t miss this opportunity to see some good International roller hockey.

Geneva is a very beautiful city with its cathedral, coffee shops and one of the highest fountains in the world rising 459 ft. above lake Le Man. Spending the morning walking around the old town, taking in the sights then a boat trip around the lake in the afternoon this was the ideal day before going to a roller hockey match in the evening.

Geneva were playing Voldemwald in one of the Swiss premier league (LNA) matches being played on that day. After arriving in a taxi from the town center we discovered a well lit rink with approx 200 seats, ideal for taking photos or just watching the match. With the match under way Voldemwald put the pressure on from the start and scored the first goal, Geneva were in no hurry to take the lead but after a disallowed goal the home team “got their act together” and finalised the score at 7 – 1.

The match finish at around 8.35pm giving us time to jump into the prearranged taxi taking us straight to Geneva airport. As we had previous checked in online we went straight through to security and then on to the plan with the other 24 passengers. I’ve seen more people on a bus. With the one hour time difference we were home by 10.30pm. A grand day out.

See the match photos

Andy McCullugh’s funeral will be held at Teesside Crematorium Acklam Rd, Middlesbrough, Cleveland TS5 7HD on Wednesday 17th October at 1pm if anyone would like to attend or send messages. Messages can be channeled to his family and the Club via Graeme Stewart on 07960 441046, MRHC Secretary Dave Fothergill or Tony Czifra.

Andy’s family have asked that the 17th be a celebration of Andy’s life, rather than a sombre ‘black tie’ day so his family have indicated that the dress code would not include black suits and ties. Finally, rather than flowers, please feel free to make a donation to a charity supporting African education (where Andy recently spent some time helping out in schools).

It is with deepest regret to inform you all that Andy McCullagh senior player of Middlesbrough Roller Hockey Club suddenly passed away on Saturday 6^th October. This devastating news has shocked our Roller Hockey community and our hearts and thoughts go out to has family.

Andy was a member of the Middlesbrough Roller Hockey Club for ten years as a player and coach of the clubs young members. He was a polite and friendly young man on and off the rink, his dedication was admired by many and his enthusiasm shown through the loyalty to his club.

We will miss you good friend and you will always be in our thoughts.

Over the next three months I will be travelling to the south east of England, Northern Spain and South West Switzerland to photograph matches from the CERS Cup, European league and top European National leagues. This is the time of year for rich pickings of matches to photograph, as all of the national leagues start and the preliminary matches of the CERS Cup and the new format European League begin. Teams from all over Europe will travel to foreign lands to compete, some trying to win these prestigious awards and others just taking the opportunity to play some of the great teams.

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Carlos Amaral, NRHA National Coaching Director has announced the following programmes for October’s National training sessions at Bushfields Sports Centre, Peterborough.

SATURDAY 20th October

09:30-12:30 UNDER 13 & UNDER 11 *
12:30-15:30 UNDER 15
15:30-18:30 SCHOOLBOYS & JUNIORS

* Please note that I have booked one additional rink to ensure the younger players have special attention.

SUNDAY 21st October

09:30-12:30 DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
12:30-15:30 LADIES
15:30-18:30 JUNIORS & SCHOOLBOYS

Please can you let me know whether you will be attending or not.
This will enable me to plan the training sessions according to the numbers attending.

Carlos Amaral
NRHA Coaching Director

Germany were victorious in Alcorcon at the 2007 Ladies European Championships during this week of 18 – 22 September. England finish sixth with their young team and are hopeful of success at the Ladies World Championships next year in Japan.

See the pictures

The 2007 England ladies team

Last year our girls traveled to Santiago Chile to compete in the Ladies World Championships a month before Christmas, of course being in the southern hemisphere they enjoyed the summer sun during the breaks in the competition. The sixteen National teams (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Macau, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and USA.) competed in this five day
tournament. The England ladies can hold their own but they had a poor start in the first phase of the championships but came back fighting beating India 5–0 and South Africa 10-0 to finish 13th overall.

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Today saw the start of the 2007 Allen Mezzanines Senoir League Cup two day event. Seven teams entered this pre season tournament encouraging players to dust off the pads and gloves and service those skates “ha ha”.

Sunday will conclude with final positions giving us an insight into the abilitys and skills of the new 2007/8 teams entering their prospective leagues. Premier team Manchester will be the ones to watch with their new young team entering the permier league.

Congratulations to Middlesbrough, the 2007 Allen Mezzanines League Cup winners

Carlos Amaral, NRHA National Coaching Director has announced the following
programmes for this months National training sessions at Bushfields Sports Centre, Peterborough.

SATURDAY 8^th September

09:30-12:30 hours       UNDER 13

12:30-15:30                 UNDER 15

15:30-18:30                 SCHOOLBOYS

SUNDAY 9^th September

09:30-12:30 hours       DEVLOPMENT SQUADS

10:00-12:00                 JUNIORS – Fitness to be carried out outside Sports Centre

12:30-15:30                 LADIES

15:30-18:30                 JUNIORS

LADIES Final Squad also will train at Soham on Saturday 8^th September 19:00-21:00 hours.