Inline Hockey
No ice, no edges - just speed and skill. Steve Donovan of Barbariad Cymreig IHC tells us more about his favourite sport.
Inline is a very fast sport team sport played all over the world by people or both sexes and all ages.
Inline Hockey is not Ice Hockey on wheels. Inline hockey has developed to be more than just that.
It is reputedly the fastest growing team sport and has been since 1995.
Inline hockey is very high intensity sport played with great passion and skill. It is very exciting sport to both play and watch.
Eight outfield players speeding around chasing after a piece of black rubber trying to put it past the opposing goalie who looks like the Michelin man, with all that equipment on.
Unlike Ice Hockey you are not allowed to intentionally body check your opponent. The game is non-checking but not non-contact. This helps reduce the risk of injuries and make the sport a much more skilful game.
Inline Hockey can be played in sports halls or anywhere where there is a smooth and flat suitable area.
Over recent years purpose built rinks have been produced which are similar to ice rinks but are usually covered with sports court flooring, such as the rinks found at Derby Storm, Deeside Leisure Centre and Lord Roberts Centre in Surrey.
Inline hockey is played all over the World and has its own World and European Championships.
In Britain the sport is played under two main organisations; British Inline Puck Hockey Association (BIPHA) and Great Britain Hockey Inline (GBHI).
Over the last few years not only has the sport grown but the skill levels have risen and Britain's progression has been noticed all over the world within the sport.
The sport has also put in bid to join the Olympics in the near future, which can only help inline develop more.
There are teams from all over South East Wales - in Cwmbran, Cardiff, Newport, Risca, Pontypool, Caerphilly, Caldicot, and Ebbw Vale.
If you are interested in trying out the sport or watching it then some of the useful links below to find out more information.
GBHI - www.gbinline.co.ukBIPHA - www.bipha.co.ukBIPHA SE Wales - http://freespace.virgin.net/gj.collins/Barbariaid Cymreig IHC - www.barbariaidcymreig.tkInlineHockey.co.ukSteve Donovan - Barbariad Cymreig IHC
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