inline hockey in Europe

[hattrickhockey]

Does anyone know what countries in Europe have inline hockey with a puck in Europe besides Sweden and England. Preferably in an indoor rink. It can be a part time facility used for ice during the winter and inline in the spring and/or summer

[RichardGraham]

Hi Hattrick,

All the countries that have played in IIHF Inline Hockey World Championships have puck inline hockey. You might check out www.IIHF.com for specifics.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[MDE3]

Besides what Richard has indicated, there is also www.rollersports.org which lists the countries who play inline under the FIRS banner. There are more countries although not necessarily more powerfull teams from FIRS.
Not all of these countries listed under "National Federations" have roller hockey as a national endeavour, but the majority do. FIRS is the world wide committee in charge of all roller sports not just hockey.

[Superstar9]

Portugal has a few

[DannyG]

I apologize for being mildly off this thread's topic to veer onto another one...

Here's something I just realized...when the International Olympic Committee recognizes which international federation, either IIHF or FIRS, should be responsible for conducting roller hockey in the Olympics, that will pretty much dictate which United States' entity, either USA Hockey Inline (IIHF) or USARS (FIRS), will need to be designated as the National Governing Body (NGB) by the USOC.

As both the IIHF and FIRS have previous Olympic experience handling their various other sports responsibilities, you might consider the decision a toss-up.

I have no special knowledge of how things would stack up in such an international decision. How well do the IIHF and FIRS handle their present responsibilities? Is one set more "important" than the other? Does one set hold more "political weight" than the other? Does one organization hold higher position or favor with the IOC, or the USOC? Would present standing/consideration with the USOC hold any weight in the international decision?

I am now fascinated by the prospect that one of our national organizations might be hands-down the best choice for the job in our country, and this would be taken away from them because of political "connections" of other ethereal considerations that have nothing to do with what's the best for our players.

Oh, well...

Anybody know any thing about this???



<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[MDE3]

I believe AAU/USARS is the official "path to the Olympics" for inline hockey in this country.

[DannyG]

Mike:

Please elucidate...is this your surmise, based on facts at hand? Are you quoting cliche slogan? Are you aware that the IOC has or is presently making a determination in favor of FIRS for establishment of the sport with exhibition status at some olympiad of the future???

What dost thou mean???

Going back, in summary, here's the timeline that must happen...

1. IOC determines which international governing organization is to run it in some, given olympics.

2. The international organization (either FIRS or IIHF) works with it's USA affiliate organization to produce the US national team.

3. All the USOC does is rubber stamp the fact.

4. The National Governing Body is essentially declared de facto in this sequence...

Right???


<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[RichardGraham]

Hi Danny,

I've sent an e-mail out to Gary Del Vecchio of USAHIL and Lou Marciani of USARS to try and see where things stand on this issue. I'll report back when I get a response.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[dcdawgs]

Currently the IOC recognizes FIRS as the organization to bring the sport to the Olympics. The Pan-American games which is recognized by the IOC uses the FIRS National Governing Bodies Team's to compete in the Pan Am games. That's why USAC/RS has the team to compete in the Pan Am games and currently will be doing that for the Olympics (if it ever gets in).

I have done a lot of research into this, and that is the only reason why I know.

The USOC in conjuction with the IOC has to allow USAC/RS to compete in the Pan-Am games as well as the Olympics, unless the IOC decides to recognize the IIHF has the official body for inline hockey.

I personally think that the IIHF should be recognized as the official body for the sport in the Olympics. In my opinion from viewing attendance records, etc., the IIHF Inline World Championships draw more fans than the FIRS World's. From a marketing standpoint, the IIHF is a better fit for the Olympics.

Josh Larson

[Rebecca]

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

I personally think that the IIHF should be recognized as the official body for the sport in the Olympics. In my opinion from viewing attendance records, etc., the IIHF Inline World Championships draw more fans than the FIRS World's. From a marketing standpoint, the IIHF is a better fit for the Olympics.

<hr></blockquote>


<font color=blue>Josh, that was a great post and as a person who doesn't know too much about international play, I really appreciated it.

Could you please elaborate though and tell me what you feel is the difference between FIRS and IIHF that makes one "better" than the other. Or rather, what is the difference in the roles or needs that they fill. Why does one draw a better following then the other? What does either have to contribute to the future that the other lacks?

Thanks


Rebecca

http://community.webshots.com/sym/image5/8/3/85/67580385LGfyvC_ph.jpg

[MDE3]

The IOC does recognize IIHF as one of the officially sanctioned bodies to field Olympic teams already in ice hockey - and I believe on a country by country basis for inline hockey.

[dcdawgs]

Your right, they do recognize the IIHF for ice hockey, but not for inline. I am not sure why they don't do it for both?

Josh

[MDE3]

Not to jump in and steal any thunder, but Josh seems to be quite right in this. Part of the reason seems to be the strength of IIHF in Northern European/and Russian block countries who already have a strong following for their ice hockey teams. Because of this several of these countries seem to only participate in international inline play through IIHF and piggy back on their success in ice hockey for fan support. In many of these countries it is not politically expedient or practical given the relatively low number of players who only play inline hockey to have two conflicting governing bodies for the sport of hockey. If you take the time to cruise the international websites for the two organizations - you get an idea of the breakdown. As a result of this the events which includes the Northern European and Russian block teams tend to be much more hotly contested - particularily in the past three or four years as the sport has become more popular over there.

If you look back on the record of the various Team USA's in the last six years - many of which were basically the same team for both FIRS and IIHF competitons(not last year however) - you will get an idea of the relative levels of competition. However in the Olympics - teams from both organizations will be present.


Correction to the last sentence "However in the Olympics teams from both organizations will be present." I was operating under the assumption - which at this time seems incorrect - that inline hockey was to be a demonstration sport for the 2004 Summer Games. As both IIHF and FIRS are both sanctioned bodies by IOC for their various sports, I had assumed that countries without an FIRS affiliated organization would send teams through their affiliation with IIHF.

At this point it all seems moot, as I have not yet recieved confirmation from the IOC as to whether the 2004 games will even have inline hockey as a demonstration sport.
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by MDE3 on 06/17/03 02:18 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

[dcdawgs]

Rebecca,

I think that maybe the IIHF is better in drawing fans because their marketing is a little better. I know that on the IIHF website they have inline links, and they post news regarding inline hockey news right up there with the ice hockey news. The same goes for all of the IIHF National Team websites, like USA Hockey, Sweden's, etc. By having the same website, I think maybe they are able to create more of an awareness for the Inline division.

I think because the IIHF is more recognized they get more respect from the fans for inline, than does FIRS, afterall the already represent ice hockey. I mean the IIHF has just an inline hockey division. Whereas FIRS has inline hockey, ball hockey, inline speed skating, roller figure skating, etc.

Those are just some thoughts. Hope that helps.

Josh

[dcdawgs]

MDE3,

You are right. I believe that when the sport gets into the Olympics, both USA Roller Sports and USA Hockey Inline will be represented. I thought it was good at the IIHF 2001 World's in Florida that USA Hockey Inline had the Yoder brothers, Ziggy, along with players like Chris Nelson, Joe Bonvie, etc.

I think that the sport would be better with just the IIHF representing only inline hockey, for International play. The IIHF is the one carrying the load in those Scandinavian and European countries, and I think you nailed that point really good.

You look at Sweden, and the IIHF Inline team has good support from the fans, and has a solid team, whereas there FIRS team has it's struggles, and the same goes for other countries including Finland (where's Finland's FIRS team?). However, it's just the opposite with FIRS being a stronger prescence in Switzerland, Spain, England.

It's a tough decision I guess to stick with just one international body.

Josh

[psfye]

I think you can't give all the power to FIRS or IIHF exclusively because some countries play inline hockey with only one federation. FIRS and IIHF have to aggree and work together so that they a different status for each country.

[DannyG]

I appreciate your thinking, P.S., but that actually is the point...

The IOC designates one, single operating organization, then everybody, and all countries, begin to work with/under the direction of that organization.

Then situations, like a true national championship and national team program in the U.S. begin to develop and emerge, hopefully, for the benefit of all players...we hope.

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[DarkTxabi]

Hi,

i've been playing in a Spanish Team, and we are looking for a good player for the next season (starts at september and finishes at june).

We are playing the national league, and we are very interested in this person.

If you (or someone) are interested in playing with us, send me an e-mail, and we can talk about it.

Thanks for all.

Xavi.

[MDE3]

Is this a "professional League" and if so can the player live off the earnings?

[DarkTxabi]

Is the best league in all the country is a semi pro level (almost players not earn money with it), and then we are looking for someone that earn money for play with the us team and for coach the junior team.

[MDE3]

I know a few who might be interested. Will ask.

[DarkTxabi]

Thanks for it.

when you know about someone, you can send me a private message or a e-mail to [email protected]

Xavi.

[psfye]

France is one of the most organise country and its best league (national 1) is a very good championship...
See some at http://rollerhockeyfr.free.fr