Devils seek new in-line hockey players

17 Jan 2019 08:50
Published by: Dave Fletcher

Atherton-based in-line Hockey Club the Junior Devils are looking for new members to join their squads, with kids of up to 16 years of age welcome.

The sport is similar to ice hockey, however is played using in-line roller skates in a roller rink rather than on ice.

Mark Stephenson, the Club Chairman, said: “It’s widely known that children of our generation spend far too much time gazing at televisions and playing computer games.

“We should be encouraging them to be more active, with In-line Hockey being the perfect antidote.

“The sport benefits a child in many different ways, including physically, emotionally and mentally.

“As a parent of a young in-line hockey player, I can say with my hand on my heart that this sport has had an incredibly positive impact on my child’s health, social and academic skills.”

Hockey is known as one of the best sports for improving the cardiovascular system, with the alternation between skating and rest allowing oxygen to return to the muscles more quickly.

This helps to prevent injuries which often come through other sports that engage in repetitive movements.

Hockey is also beneficial for children’s physical fitness and wellbeing, with the fast paced nature of the sport burning calories in a fun environment.

The speed of in-line hockey, in which plays develop in seconds and momentum can shift in the blink of an eye, helps to improve participant’s ability to concentrate and make quick decisions by thinking on their feet.

The Devils train at the Northwest Roller Sports Rink (Bolton Road, Atherton, M46 9JG), with skates, pads, sticks, helmets and gloves all available to loan during classes.

Participants need to be able to perform the basics of roller skating before they join the classes, however the standard of skating doesn’t need to be too advanced, as further training is delivered at a later stage.

Skating lessons: Tuesdays at 5.30 – 6.30 or 6.30 – 7.30 for all ages (£4.50 each)

Introduction to Inline Roller Hockey: Saturdays at 9.30 – 11.30 (£5 per hour)

Advanced Training (u8 & u10): Mondays Evenings at 6.00 – 7.15 (£6)

Advanced Training (u12 & u14): Monday Evenings at 7.15 – 8.30 (£6)

More information is available via the Junior Devils Facebook or Instagram pages or by visiting a training session and chatting to one of the coaches.

 

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