All star weekend - Captains Views

8th Jul 2012 | Posted by The Inferno

We continue our series of features on this years fourms All Stars having spoken to the organisers for the low down on the upcoming weekend we now we speak to the team Captains.

It took a while to track them all down but we finally caught up with all 6 of them to find out how they got involved with the charity weekend, how long they've been playing the game and probably the most important part, their views for this weekend and future events.

Prostate Cancer Care - Martin

I was surprised and honoured to be asked to captain the Prostate Cancer Charity team for the weekend. Having captained the Breast Cancer Care team in Cardiff 2 years ago, I never expected to be asked again so soon - if ever to be honest. Maybe it was due to the fact that I would be 'celebrating' my 50th birthday a few weeks prior to the event.

Anyhow, given that honour, I'm really looking forward to the weekend. It is the one weekend when I get to play hockey. I have never played Rec or any other level - just these charity games. In fact, I enrolled in 'Learn to Skate' lessons at Bristol Ice Rink aged 42 in order to play in my first charity game, that being The Hockey Forum (THF) event. This came about after being persuaded (some may call it bullied) into playing by Cardiff Comets player Fran Frappell (aka Shorty). So I did the skating lessons, plus a few piblic skating sessions at the old WNIR but actually only put kit on for the first time on the day of my first game. Since then I played in all of the remainder of the THF games and every UK Forum All-Stars weekends. What I love about this event is that it doesn't matter what ability you are, the experienced players who have played at a high level encourage the wobbly skaters such as myself. We all appreciate the real reason for the weekend is having fun and raising money for the charities. Of course we'd all like our team to win, but winning comes well behind those other two priorities.

I hope that everyone attending the weekend (in whatever capacity they are there) have a fantastic time. Let's raise a lot of money and let's have fun.

Martin

Breast Cancer Care – Kes Smith

Hi, I'm Kes Smith, this year I've been given the proud opportunity to become the Breast Cancer Care Team Captain, at the All Stars weekend being held in Cardiff.

I have played ice hockey for nearly 4 years now and as a net minder for 3 of those. I've played for Solent Spartans and Romford Tornadoes, both at Recreation level. I'm a big fan of Romford Raiders ENL1 and Carolina Hurricanes for my sins, but wouldn't change that for world.

This is only my second year playing at the All Stars weekend, last year also playing for the same team. I was amazed at the friendships and camaraderie born from this event, and would say that David Grant and Gareth Hubback have followed on in their father’s footsteps and created a superb weekend in which to raise money for some worthwhile charities. It is also a chance to see teams of seasoned players skating in the same team as some people who have never skated before, never mind playing hockey!!

Last year was a huge, success with 5 teams but this year with the addition of another team bringing the total to 6, the money raised and fun to be had is going to be immense!

I, like most know someone who has lost their life to breast cancer and I'm grateful I can do something to help raise money towards trying to beat an awful disease that affect nearly everyone in some way during our lives.

Well, as we say, time for me to stop flapping my gums and start getting ready for the weekend. Hope some of you watching the event this year come take part next year. But whilst your reading this, get your change out of your pocket, do some good with it and come help raise money for some great causes. [:-)]

Dreams Come True team – Rob North

Hi I’m Rob North and I’ve been proudly asked to Captain the Dreams Come True team for Cardiff 2012. 
I’ve been playing Ice Hockey on and off for about 13 years, playing through the junior teams in Nottingham and now at the Nottingham Phantoms at recreational level.

I played on the team last year in Sheffield and met some amazing people, both teammates and supporters whilst playing for a really rewarding charity, highlighted not least by Bryan Hackworth whose story culminated in him being selected for the a net minding spot in the GB team. Having the support and interaction with the people and their families who have benefitted from the charity really brings home the need to raise as much money as possible so they can continue their good work. 

The DCT team this year features quite a few players who I play with up in Nottingham, a good bunch of guys both in the locker room and out on the ice. Of the other team members I don’t know I have been in contact with them and look forward to sharing the ice and the weekend’s festivities with them. I have no doubt that we’ll all get into the spirit of the weekend. 

Hopefully we get a good turnout of support over the weekend to raise as much money for the 6 charity’s that me and over 100 players are playing for,

See you there....

Help for Heroes - Ashley Wiltshire

Hi Guy my Name is Ashley Wiltshire this year i am proud to say i have the honour of being the Help for Heroes Captain. It’s a great honour in its self, but with saying that i feel there is more pressure on me being an ex-serviceman.

I was in the Royal Navy for 7 and a half years in which i served on mine hunter and minesweepers. This charity has helped so many people who i have served with known and become friends with and because of that i very much hope i can do them proud on the weekend. This charity shows that what the guys and girls do out there we still can do something for them if its needed.

I hope that this weekend will beat all weekend more fun more laughs and more money for the number of charity’s there are.

I hope to see you guys on the day let’s bring the noise and bring the fun 

Lots of Love 

Ash x

DCF/ICE HOCKEY PLAYERS BENEVOLENT FUND - Jason Davies

Started at the rink about May 87 heard a rumour of Devils B Side 100 turned up, nobody could stop! Week later everyone had to have a helmet started with Satans. First Cardiff ENL equivalent too old then moved Cardiff Bears (Police team). Stopped when left for University and became a Stripey. Some incredible stories from ex officials but can’t be repeated.

Moved to London in 93, played Rec while there at the Ally Pally. Moved back to Cardiff and picked it back up in 04 with Titans, Lightning, and now playing for the Eagles. 40th birthday a match with lightning followed by a game for the Eagles the same night and started celebrating his birthday half an hour later- hockey is my life. Will play until I can walk no longer. 

Went to high school with Hubbs and known him since the 80’s and met David Grant at the EIHL playoffs and got talking after a few beers and mentioning the tournament but sounded like it was about a hockey forum but obviously he meant the tournament. Wires crossed and now finally realised what was happening. The tournament has grown from strength to strength. Myself and Janu from the Lightning and the Eagles last summer to raise money Clic Sargent raised over £3000 in just over 6 short weeks. What Dave and Gareth have achieved is amazing.

Being invited to play last year was an honour and something I wanted to do again. Still looking to do something with Janu again in the near future. Huge amount of pleasure knowing someone is benefiting from the hard work done by all involved and the friends/family who donate towards this. I can’t praise the people involved from on ice to everyone behind the scenes for all the work with this going into it’s 5th year.

Looking forward to the weekend, on home ice, I know the local bars and will show everyone about. My ritual at playoffs is to do the alouette song and if people want to hear it then they will get it. I will do this only if people dig deep and put into the bucket that I will pass round.

Jason Davies

Ty Hafan - Lucas Howell

In the absence of skipper, Dom Curran, the Inferno were eager to speak to a suitable replacement, to provide a few apt words, in the lead up to the 2012 UK Forums Allstars weekend. Not being able to find a ‘suitable’ replacement, they have settled for some nonsense from me!

I’m Lucas Howell – a Rec hockey player from Cardiff. A few people may recognise me as a veteran defenceman for the Cardiff Ice Hounds, as I have been with the team for quite a few years now. But I actually started on the ice with the Cardiff Titans, back in the 1990s. I got into ice hockey, off the back of inline roller hockey. One of the Titans suggested I’d like the drinking involved with Rec hockey and I was sold. I gave up for a few years whilst concentrating on getting married, becoming a dad, etc. but some free tickets to a Cardiff Devils match stirred an unexpected feeling. It hadn’t awoken an urge to watch the Elite League hockey (I’m an old school Super League fan!), but instead a desire to try my hand in the Big Blue Tent. I was put in touch with the Ice Hounds and the rest, as they say, is history.

And so onto the UK Forums weekend. It’s my first ever time and I’m so grateful I’ve been able to get involved. Sure, I get to meet hockey people (some new friends, some old) and have the criac. But more importantly, I’m able to raise money for a really worthwhile charity, playing for Team Tŷ Hafan.

From the point of submitting my application to register, there was no doubt that I wanted to support Tŷ Hafan. Being a proud dad of two strong healthy sons, I really appreciate the work that Ty Hafan does, supporting life limited children and their families.

It is for this reason that I’ve tried to concentrate on the important thing about the weekend first – raising as many hundreds of pounds I can for them - so I can enjoy the hockey (and the ‘social’!) with full pride that I may have helped to make a difference. I’ll be proud to pull on the white and green Team Tŷ Hafan jersey next weekend.

As for my hopes and expectations about the weekend, I hope that the 2012 fund raising efforts, makes last year’s fantastic total, look like pocket change. It would also be great to see as many people as possible come down to the rink and support the teams and their charities. But on a more personal note, I just hope I have the mental and physical strength to survive the off ice activities!

Cheers,

Lucas

Weekend Schedule

Friday 13th - 19.00 Hockey Night Debate and Charity Auction Venue.. Future Inn Cardiff Bay

Saturday 14th - 14.00 BBQ at BBT Rear Car Park 16.30-21.00 On Ice Action.

Sunday 15th - 14.00 BBQ at BBT Rear Car Park 16.30-21.00 On Ice Action.

Also there is a  private area booked for an evening party at The Walkabout Cardiff on the Saturday Night. We have confirmed that Hockey Tops will be allowed.

These weekends are a great chance to meet new people from around the UK who all share a passion for Ice Hockey. So you will be more then welcome to join us.

Costs for spectators -

Hockey Night and Auction - Non-playing Adults £5 kids and players free.

Adult Admission for the whole weekend - £5 Donation, Kids free but donations appreciated

Adults Admission Daily - £3 Donation, Kids free but donations appreciated

Anyone who would like to donate anything to the raffle or auction can do so by contacting Hubbs91@gmail.com

We hope to see you all there and let’s try and raise much money as possibly for some very good causes