More Space for Roller Hockey in next FIRS presidency??

Mr. Sabatino

After the application phase for candidacy for FIRS President and First Vicepresident has successfully been closed on January 23, FIRS  introduced to all the affiliated Federations the following nominations:

Candidates to FIRS Presidency  

·     Sabatino Aracu - FIHP (actual president)

·     George Kolibaba - USARS

Candidates to FIRS First Vicepresidency

·     Valerie Leftwich - Australia

·     Armando Quintanilla - Chile

Ms. Leftwich

Mr. Quintanilla

This important elections will be held next 23rd February 2013 at 10 am during FIRS Elective Congress in Rome in the Salone D’Onore del C.O.N.I., Foro Italico, Largo Lauro de Bosis 15.

Also there will be the FIRS Congress on the same day, with the proposal of the actual FIRS direction to change the FIRS Statutes.

This are important elections for the future of roller sports, and mainly to see if FIRS will start to support roller hockey or will continue with this strange politic, ignoring constantly our sport, comparing with other disciplines.

Also according to some sources, the new Statutes that Mr Sabatino and his Crew  are trying to approve, can put in risk the independence of each roller sport Committee (e.g.CIRH).

Rolling Together is waiting to see the results of this important elections, and possible talking between the present members. For example, we are imaging the conversation between Mr. Strucksberg, and Colombian Federation President about the U20 World Cup city.


 It will be possible to accomplish this entire day on FIRS TV Website.

Schedule (Italian Time, +1GMT):
9:30-  FIRS General Ordinary Congress: Broadcast test
10:00-FIRS General Ordinary Congress: President and Vice President Elections
14:30-FIRS General Ordinary Congress:FIRS Congress: Afternoon Session

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Recruit, Develop and Retain-New Strategy for Australian Hockey

Stephen has been involved in Roller Hockey for more than 25 years,  with success at many levels. His Roller Hockey journey started as a young player based in Geelong Victoria, and from these humble beginnings, he progressed through the ranks and played for Victoria and Australia for many years.
Stephen also enjoyed time in Europe playing hockey for a number of clubs in Switzerland, Spain and Portugal. His proudest moments in his playing history was captaining the Australia Senior Men’s team at 5 World Championships along with numerous other international events from 1998 through to 2006.

Stephen Hoey holds a Masters in Business Administration and has more than 20 years of experience across a diverse range of industries.  Stephen ‘s focus is on the management  of  large projects incorporating dynamic teams and the delivery of key initiatives . He is currently employed by Australia Post as a senior manager.
Next you can read his message to the Australian Roller Hockey Community:


"Hello Roller Hockey Community,
As of January 2013 I have taken on the role as Chairman of Roller Hockey in Australia which
I am both honored and feel privileged to do so.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thanks the previous Australia Roller Hockey
committee for their contribution and in particular Jamie Reid for leadership and never ending
support for Roller Hockey – I look forward to working with Jamie in the future.

The future of Roller Hockey is in the hands of all of us – not 1 person, club, federation or
association has the responsibility to ensure the heath or growth of Roller Hockey in Australia,
the responsibility of Australian Roller Hockey is ours , the existing community and we need to
come together to rebuild and grow this fantastic sport.
The recent Australia Day Cup that was held in Melbourne demonstrated the community
strength. With more than 100 players coming together, over 200 spectators, including past
players, friends and family and media were present. It proved we have a great sport with
great people. I spoke to many people and discussed Roller Hockey and the priorities we
need to focus on, the common theme was participation and growth at all levels is required
which I couldn’t agree more. More impressively it was acknowledged that we all need to
come together and drive towards a common goal and that it is our responsibility – the
existing Roller Hockey Community. 
Our immediate focus has been to ensure stability across clubs, states with ensuring that both
Skate Australia and Skate Victoria are supporting Roller Hockey and its key objectives –
participation and growth. I am pleased to advise that Skate Australia have the best
interests of skate sports at heart and have agreed that Roller Hockey members and the
participation of players and teams will have no negative consequence for any affiliations with
non-recognised associations such as Skate Victoria.

In regards to key priorities for 2013 we have a lot to do. Roller Hockey Australia has the
following key objectives - increase the number of games, number of referees, number of
coaches and number of new players. These 4 components are key and crucial for our
success. To achieve our objectives we need a simple and direct strategy which I expect us
all to contribute.

The strategy is made up of 3 key stages: 
Stage 1: Recruit 
Stage 2: Develop 
Stage 3: Retain

Stage 1 - Recruit
This stage will focus on people – people at all levels and stages of Roller Hockey. We need
to focus on recruiting personal and players who are willing to contribute. 
New and existing players, coaches, referees, time keepers, clubs and supporters are our
focus. We will establish a strong foundation of people and players that ensure the operation
of Roller Hockey can continue without risk of an individual, club or association failing to
contribute. I encourage you all to look into your existing or past player pool of people for our
recruitment.

Stage 2 - Development 
Development of players, clubs, coaches, referees is vital for our success. We will continue to
create relevant development opportunities for all areas Roller Hockey. International
competition will be reintroduced onto our agenda, however in the next 12 to 24 months we
will be ensuring our local competition is strong and supported by strong clubs and officials. 
Stage 3 - Retain 
Retention of our players, officials and clubs is an area for improvement – our focus in stage 3
is to ensure we have the necessary structure and opportunities for individuals and clubs to
keep active and involved in our sport. We will achieve this increasing local competition, state
and international representation for players and officials.

In summary: our focus will be Recruit, Develop and Retain to ensure a foundation for
success is in place and that Roller Hockey can continue for years to come. I indicated earlier
this strategy is simple and direct and something we can all contribute to - our journey will
take a number of years and I encourage you all to participate and be active in Roller Hockey
where you have the passion and willingness to participate.
I look forward to the months and years ahead and hearing from you 
Regards
Stephen Hoey"

Text copied from Skate Australia

2013 Victorian Roller Hockey League Comp 
To prove this new Era of Australian Hockey will start in 24th February the 2013 Victorian Roller Hockey League Competition.The venue of this League will be Skate Victoria Rink "Exhibition Pavillion, Greaves Reserve, Dandenong Showgrounds, Dandenong".
According with the plan there will be 6 teams disputing the trophy: Mordi with 2 teams (the second a young team), Warrnambool, Lisport, Melbourne and Dangenong; and it will run for 6 months (1 League Day each month).

Don't miss the opportunity to LIKE the Australia Facebook Page and read all about this sport in Australia!!

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2013 World Cup U-20 organization flies from Colombia to Germany

preliminary World Cup logo (designed by Tim Graumann)

When everybody was expecting to see news from Colombia about the preparation of 2013 World Cup U-20 , today an unexpected news appeared on rh-news website: Iserlohn in Germany will host this World Cup.From 26.10. until 11.02.2013, Hemberghalle will receive the best of the future of our sport.
The confirmation of this change of plans was done this morning by Mr. Harro Strucksberg to ERG Iserlohn president, Ralf Henke. 

 

According to Iserlohn website Argentina and Colombia lost the the application process, despite the great efforts by CIRH governing body. Thusthe competition returned to Europe, to Iserlohn. Ralf Henke doesn't want to appoint more reasons for the host city change, but is sure that they want to welcome both Argentines and Colombians national teams.

40 years after the Senior Championship of 1973 in Iserlohn, finally the Forest City will host a roller hockey major event again . We, fans would like to see, almost all the next list of countries at the world cup: 

1. From Europe: Spain (actual champion), Portugal, France, Italy, Netherlands, Andorra, England, Switzerland,Austria, Israel (hopefully).
2. From America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Mexico and USA. 
3. From Asia: India, Japan and Macau 
4. From Africa: Egypt, Angola, Mozambique and South Africa
5. From Oceania: Australia and New Zealand.

"But it also means that now a lot of work in the next ten months, waiting for us," Henke also know that with the commitment by the FIRS great responsibility rests on the shoulders of the Germans. Because the cycle of - the last World Cup was held in Portuguese Barcelos - actually the South Americans would have their turn. "They could not agree, however, there were some inconsistencies across the Atlantic," Henke has brought in experience, so was waiting with the Tournament award relatively long.
During eight days Iserlohn will be the hub of roller hockey world, because the best U20 young players will be there: the 19-year-old Portuguese rh player Helder Nunes, the 17-year-old Frenchman Carlo Di Benedetto, or Italian Giulio Cocco apply (17) as a rising star, where a large international future is predicted.

After the 2013 A World Cup country change from Mozambique to Angola, due to financial problems, now it's the U-20 competition to have their own problems. We hope that all this incongruities don't deviate roller hockey countries and federations from the main Goal, a better future of Roller Hockey.

All info from:
ERG-Iserlohn.de 
RH-news.com  Tweet

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!!!!!!!

Source of news:
http://rink-hockey.net/ Tweet

The Future CIRH President as an Imperative Way of Roller Hockey Development

 

We know, it's time of Olympic Games, but there's something strange for Roller Hockey Lovers, a dream that only in Barcelona 92 was possible to come true... Roller Hockey in Olympic Games. This was possible at that time due to the big efforts of one REAL Roller Hockey Lover, somebody that wasn't afraid to stand up and say, I love this Hockey, I want it as Olympic sport, so let's do it!!! Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch will have forever a special place due to his courage and capabilities to turn our dream real. After 20 years our sport is different, with a lot of challenges to face. FIRS is now more concentrated to see another roller sports in Olympics. Something must be done as soon as possible or roller hockey will be forgotten forever as a great and wonderful sport.

Thus CIRH appears as one of answers to turn this challenges opportunities of growth. In a year of president elections it is important to know who is cheffing this important Confederation, and also who wants to take the leadership of the actual president, Mr. Harro Strucksberg. Mr. Harro is from Germany and at the same time is the president of German Roller Sports Federation. During his presidential mandate was confronted with a lot of problems for example: the boycott of some countries to World Games (the way to reach Olympic Games), the Catalan victory in B World Cup and consequent place in A World Cup together with Spain, the Mexican Scandal, concerning the participation of an inline hockey team in Acobendas 2010 Women's World Cup, the substitution of San Juan as host city in place of Maputo (Mozambique) and now the problem with Argentinian Federations. In other hand he tried to improve roller hockey in other places of the world, for example with the creation of an African Roller Hockey Federation chaired by Joaquim Coimbra or the organization of the Roller Hockey Club's World Cup in Angola and Reus, that due to lack of candidatures disappeared.

A new candidature to CIRH presidency was announced by one of the main Roller Sports Federations, concerning roller hockey, the Spanish one, country that is at this moment the most powerful. Mr. Carmelo Paiagua is candidate as a response to Spanish attempt concerning international representativity in Roller Hockey. At this moment it is president of Spanish Federation, and has achieved several positive aspects. Who takes a look in Spanish website and all Internet strategy of this federation, can understand that is one of the best in roller sports. It is the unique federation which has weekly videos of all goals in National Championship. Furthermore had created big events as "Copa del Rey" or "All Stars Game" that are growing year by year. In last year conquered a position on TV with weekly  OK LIGA live broadcasts. However faces a big problem, roller hockey is excessively concentrated in Catalonia and is being a big challenge to turn it as a "Spanish Sport". For example the disappearance of CP Tenerife from Spanish championships and the low number of non Catalan teams from OK Liga are examples of this negative aspect. About the ideas of Mr. Cardenal to CIRH there's any public plan released until now, but of course there's a big expectation around it.

 

At least there's another candidature, this one from a somebody from Portugal. As Mr. António Aguiar referred to Macao's newspapers, is possible that the Women's World Cup in Brazil could symbolize a new Era in Roller Sports, with the end of the sad command of Mr. Sabatino (actual FIRS president). According to news, the president of Macao Roller Sports Federation, told that "there's a lot of people unsatisfied with Mr. Harro work during the last 10 years. Roller Hockey lost a lot of players", he says.  Until now there's any other news about this candidature, but assuming that Mr. Aguiar could have a special place in this leadership, could represent "fresh air" in roller hockey world. Coming from a small region, where roller hockey has a lot of problems, Mr. Aguiar could have the advantage to take the necessary importance to the challenges in countries where roller hockey is a vestigial sports, or even doesn't exist. For example this candidature means that Asia will not be forget it in CIRH decisions. But of course from Macao the news are not so perfect. Who takes a look to the panorama of roller hockey in this region sees that as "the number of players in the World decreased during Mr. Harro Era", also the same happened with Mr. Aguiar command in Macao. Further Macao's Championship doesn't exist since 2006 and the same happens with clubs having young players.

As Rolling Together wrote each candidate has their positives and negatives aspects, but all of us have one thing in mind, the next president must love our sport and defend as nobody did before, and must be sure that we are leaving in the XXI World Wide Web!!!!

Roller Hockey needs an excellent President to reach the way of Olympic Games!!


PS: Rolling Together will try to interview all the Candidates to CIRH presidency and develop this important topic, so if you have some question to our candidates send it to rkh.xaral@gmail.com

Source of article:
Hoje Macau Newspaper
Spanish Roller Sports Federation Tweet