Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Bay’s season to remember
Roller hockey
Herne Bay Roller Hockey Club went into the 2015-16 season with high hopes of a strong showing from their junior section but results surpassed all expectations.
Four league titles and six cup victories – including three national titles – made for a busy end-of-season awards night.
The club has four teams, ranging from under-11s to under-17s, which have taken part in two regional leagues – a local South Eastern Counties (SEC) League in which Bay fields two teams against local rivals HBU, Maidstone and Invicta and the Eastern Counties (EC) League in which the club plays as a guest team, requiring regular six-hour round trips to assorted venues.
The club have also competed in all of the main cup competitions as well as enjoying several overseas trips.
Bay’s under-11s are still relatively new to the sport but have already had great success, securing the EC League title at the first attempt, winning all 18 of their matches.
The youngsters also experienced their first taste of international roller hockey with training and matches in St Omer and an invitational tournament in Tourcoing, both in France.
These experiences were all brought to bear in their bid to win the National Cup, resulting in a 5-2 victory over Maidstone.
Several of Bay’s under-13s are already experienced roller hockey players having represented England overseas in international tournaments.
This team are now also National champions, having overcome Letchworth 4-0 in the final.
As well as finishing runners-up in both SEC and EC Leagues, Bay’s under-13s also won the prestigious Jubilee Cup in a two-day tournament in Soham.
The under-15s team finished in the top two positions in the SEC League, went unbeaten across 16 matches in winning the EC League and are also National Cup winners following a 7-1 victory over Cottenham. This team will now represent England in the Under-15s Eurohockey Cup for the second consecutive season, returning to Barcelona in October to compete against national champions from across Europe.
The club also fields an under-17 team comprising the same under-15 players and enjoyed success in winning the SEC League title and only narrowly missed out in the National Cup final against an older HBU team.
Much of the club’s on-rink success can be attributed to a small but dedicated group of volunteer coaches operating under the leadership of Mick Harris, who is also club chairman.
Following significant growth, Herne Bay RHC now have almost 100 junior players from age four upwards, making it the largest junior club in the country as well as the oldest in the world (the club was founded in 1910).
Chairman Mr Harris said: “The club has worked hard in recent years to stimulate interest in the sport both on and off the rink.
“However, limited availability of rink time in the local area means training sessions are being squeezed and alternative venues are currently being explored.”
Several businesses – including national firms British Airways and Jutexpo as well as local supporters’ Crown Imperial and Howdens Joinery – have recently made generous donations to assist with equipment and training costs as well as sponsorship of the u-15s’ trip to Barcelona.
The club are appreciative of all their sponsors and continues to seek financial assistance to help provide roller hockey to even greater numbers of children.
If you are able to help the club in any way, contact hbrhcsec@btinternet.com