Inline hockey shows positive trend at Swakop

AFTER yet another successful inline hockey tournament in Swakopmund last weekend, it became clear that many aspects of the sport have greatly improved in Namibia.

This year there were 64 referees included in the schedule resulting from the referee course’s held by Nate Blair in Otjiwarongo, Windhoek and Swakopmund. A lot of younger referees were entered and this broadened the base and improved the standard of play.Goalies performed at a higher level thanks to Eric Rodenwold, who held a goalie workshop recently in Swakopmund.The All Star exhibition games on Saturday night in the under-14, women’s and open classes were the highlight of the weekend.They uplifted the spirits and skills of players and had spectators on the edge of their seats.Everybody was delighted to see the Mukwa Leafs, who have been supporting his tournament for 12 years now.Their teams did well a fourth place in under-12 and a silver medal in the open division.The Coastal Pirates committee and members thanked everybody who was involved in making this tournament a success.The sponsors of the event were: Africa Leisure Travel, Sat.COM, Alnet Axels Hardware, Family Werner, Grape Vine Restaurant, Bank Windhoek, Safe Wear Namibia, Mr and Mrs.Nienho.In six weeks’ time, the Coastal Pirates will host another event at the SFC to showcase Namibia’s youth and development programme in inline hockey.The annual Junior Development Tournament at the coast will focus on fun, thrills, skills and spills with some of the youngest inline players in the country taking to the rink.A lot of younger referees were entered and this broadened the base and improved the standard of play.Goalies performed at a higher level thanks to Eric Rodenwold, who held a goalie workshop recently in Swakopmund.The All Star exhibition games on Saturday night in the under-14, women’s and open classes were the highlight of the weekend.They uplifted the spirits and skills of players and had spectators on the edge of their seats.Everybody was delighted to see the Mukwa Leafs, who have been supporting his tournament for 12 years now.Their teams did well a fourth place in under-12 and a silver medal in the open division.The Coastal Pirates committee and members thanked everybody who was involved in making this tournament a success.The sponsors of the event were: Africa Leisure Travel, Sat.COM, Alnet Axels Hardware, Family Werner, Grape Vine Restaurant, Bank Windhoek, Safe Wear Namibia, Mr and Mrs.Nienho.In six weeks’ time, the Coastal Pirates will host another event at the SFC to showcase Namibia’s youth and development programme in inline hockey.The annual Junior Development Tournament at the coast will focus on fun, thrills, skills and spills with some of the youngest inline players in the country taking to the rink.