Swindon Flames .com

The Swindon Flames U-16 team finished runners up in the iiSHF European Championships last weekend. This is a tremendous achievement and the highest position ever achieved by a roller hockey team from the south of England.

The top two teams from each of the European countries in the International Skater Hockey Federation compete for a Cup annually. Swindon qualified for the competition by finishing second in last year’s UK Championships. The Flames had a very successful weekend, beating the top teams from Holland and Germany in the knock-out stages, to reach the final. They had previously beaten the Swiss team in an international tournament in Lugano, Switzerland in August.

In the final, the Flames met Wakefield Warriors in a repeat of last year’s UK National Championships and unfortunately the result was also repeated with the Warriors running out 7-2 winners over a Swindon side that tired in the third period. Despite the disappointment of coming so close to overall victory, Swindon’s first appearance in the Europeans was regarded a great success and a major achievement for the club. The result confirms the strength of skater hockey in Swindon and, with British teams finishing 1^st and 2^nd, shows the quality of hockey played in the UK league.

Swindon’s team performance was also recognised by managers from other teams who congratulated the Flames on the passing style of their game and the tournament statistics reflect this, with most of their players either being credited with goals or assists. The Flames goalies completed the all round team performance, with high save percentages in the face of some strong slapshots and skilful forwards in the opposing teams. Top goal scorer with 7 goals and 5 assists was Laurie Hodge.

“To play in a European final was a great experience”, said team captain Ben Moody. Ben was further honoured by being selected for the tournament dream team as one of the best defenders.

Team manager Kevin Osman said, ‘this is what we have been working towards for the last two years and the lads really deserve it.’

‘Now we have to do it all again. We have 3 teams from each of the main age groups – PeeWee, Youth and Junior going through to the UK National Championships in November. If we play well and make the final then we will be invited to the Europeans again next year’.

The Flames are very grateful to GWR Radio for a Grant that enabled them to buy new shirts and socks to comply with the stricter team kit requirements of international tournaments. They also benefited last year from a Lottery Grant that has been used to good effect for specialist preparation for international events, to improve the facilities at their Croft training venue and to develop grassroots hockey in the club.

They are currently looking for more players – particularly in the 7 – 11 years age group - for next season. Most of the players from the European team started in the PeeWees and have worked their way through the different teams as their standard has improved. If anyone would like to try skater hockey, then the SSHC runs introductory training sessions at The Croft Sports Centre, Old Town on Saturdays at 1pm. “We can provide sticks and helmets, but players will need to bring their own skates, We will teach you the basics of skating and stick handling.

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