I can't believe the comment posted regarding the ENL 2 team, surely parents and other players should be encouraging players who want to play in Cardiff? Would Hockeydad like his son's team being slated by someone hiding behind an alias? I know a lot of the ENL lads and know how hard they worked last season and even as soon as the season finished they were already planning off-ice training sessions to ensure they are on top of their game in time for next season (I was approached by a number to write training programmes, diet plans and for hockey specific off-ice training exercises). These slurs are completely without justification. The ENL 2 team (as far as I was aware) was set up to give MORE players the chance to play a higher standard of hockey, ENL 2 is a big step up from junior development, not only with the age difference, but the skill level is very good too.
What would people rather; their child being given a chance at playing ENL in ENL 2 with a group of guys who's ultimate goal is to play ENL 1 then for the Devils, or to have one ENL team so the chances of playing good quality (ENL) hockey are reduced even further? The reason Sheffield, Nottingham etc do so well is because they have more rinks, they import players and they are far bigger cities than Cardiff, meaning a larger population and essentially being more attractive to prospective signings. I know players who play for Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham at ENL 1 and its no suprise that these areas have thriving inline hockey leagues along with having the benefit of additional rinks which increases the training opportunities for players across ALL ages. Also, in Manchester, Nottingham and Sheffield, there is NO natural progression from U18 to ENL, only the best players from the Jr Development teams get selected to play ENL.
To compare REC and ENL is ridiculous, as someone posted previously, there are players in teams such as the titans who would probably make ENL 1 or ENL 2 but choose to play REC hockey as they have families and jobs and cannot give those teams the full commitment they deserve, some players play for FUN or use it as a reason to get out of the house and socialise with their friends while learning new skills and developing fitness, surely that is the whole idea of sport?
I have worked with elite athletes in both hockey and professional boxing and if a player is good enough, his age will not matter, he will be noticed by the coaches and be put in the relevant team, that is the purpose of trials. The name Ben Davies keeps popping up; a fantastic player who I believe played a few games for the Devils at age 16/17. Did Ben's dad tell Gerard Adams to stop signing players like Brad Voth and Mike Hartwick so his son could have a better chance? PI doubt it very much, Ben probably worked his butt off in training (along side studying in school) and waited for his time to prove himself. No player in any sport has a god given right to be in a team just because they are old enough and I for one sure as hell would not be happy if I thought the only reason I was in a team was because I was the right age.
If Hockeydad's son trials and gets in, I wish him (the son) all the best, but to slag off guys who are trying hard to improve and get into ENL 1 or who play Rec hockey is disgusting. The fact that some of the guys who played ENL2 played Rec the season before is down to the fact that there was NOWHERE else for them to play! It was either play Rec or not play at all. Players play because they love the game so stop slagging people off and put your energy into developing the sport or promoting the sport or anything positive that will help hockey in Cardiff and South Wales!
Dom Browne