NIHA vs Canada Inline

[MrCanada]

Could someone help me understand the difference between the National Inline Hockey Association (NIHA) and the Canada Inline Hockey Association (CIHA).

Also I would like to understand how namy world championship there is every year, ex:

CIHA web site mentionned a try out for the 2008 FIRS World Championship in Dsseldorf, Germany from July 5 to 12, 2008.

NIHA web site mentionned try outs for the 2008 IIHF World Inline Hockey Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia from June 21-29.

??? Two world events, two Team Canada ???

What's wrong whit us Canucks? One clic did not like the other clic and created there own organization so them and their freinds can participate in world events if that's the case, this is bollock and should not be called Team Canada but Team who ever your little gang name is. As a tax payer and citizen of this big country I do not like it.

And the fact that the teams are already pre-determined before any tryouts because some players pay their way in those events and are friends of friends of friends...(Wow sonds like PIHA but I'm getting away from my point).

Help me understand, thank you.

[Puckdropper1]

To what I can understand the difference are as follows:

FIRS - is the "Federation Internationl of Roller Sports" that has govern roller sports i.e. Speed Skating, Artistic, Hockey (another form of roller hockey) and Inline Hockey.

IIHF - International Ice Hockey Federation - which is the International body of Ice Hockey.

Both organizations have their own world championship which countries send teams to represent them. In the United States FIRS is represnted by USARS (United States of America Roller Sports) and IIHF is represented by USA Hockey.

Thats about it, and if you ask either organizations they will say their event is the most prestage roller hockey event in the world. And there have been years that players have respresented both organizations in the U.S. the same year.

Team Canada has been absent from the IIHF I believe for over 5 years.

That the best I can explain for you.

[MrCanada]

In the United States FIRS is represnted by USARS (United States of America Roller Sports) and IIHF is represented by USA Hockey.

Does these 2 organizations compete with each other, I mean do they pretty much have the same individuals representing them at these world events?

How does it work when the annonce tryouts?

Here in Canada it seems like if your not from Toronto you are out of luck!
Sad because this vaste country as so many good players.

[Puckdropper1]

Sorry, but I really don't know exactly how each of them run their try-outs or announcements. But I think when USA Hockey Inline does their tryout its by invite only, but not 100% sure.

As for the same players, no most of the time they have different players and mainly because of which organization they played in or with in the past.

[DCbullets14]

As i understand it USARS desigantes a tournament each year. Last year I believe it was Torhs and this year it is the AAU Junior Olympics. Which ever players attend this tournement are given an invite to the tryouts. I would bet that a few additional select players are provided with invites but im not really sure about that. That is pretty much all I know hopefully Ill be able to tell you more next week since ill be playing AAU and might be able to get some info for you.

[EagleBC]

Here is some information on NIHA-Canada.

NIHA-Canada is the National Governing Body for inline hockey in Canada as recognized by Hockey Canada and USA Hockey Inline.

NIHA is a registered, non-profit association made up of a volunteer board of directors coming from each of its provincial branches. At present there are 4 provincial branches: BCIHA (British Columbia), HAIL (Alberta), RSM (Manitoba) and OMRHA (Ontario).

In addition, there are associate members located in Saskatchewan, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Recently, NIHA held tryouts for Team Canada to compete at the IIHF Inline Hockey World Championships in Slovakia, June 21-29.

4 tryout camps were held across Canada:
May - Ontario and Manitoba
June - BC and Alberta

Tryouts were open to any player in the country and nearly 100 players participated in this tryout process. The NIHA Board and the Team Canada coaches were adamant that these tryouts be open to all players, and that only players from these selection camps would be selected to the team.

After the tryout process, 13 skaters and 2 goalies were selected for Team Canada including 4 from Ontario, 5 from BC and 6 from Alberta. There were no pre-camp selections, or guaranteed roster spots before the tryouts occurred. Needless to say, the open tryout process produced some nice surprises as players came from all corners to compete, many who were complete unknowns.

Recently the team held a 2-day training camp in Victoria, BC, so that the players could meet and get a few floor sessions together. In addition, they held a couple of team building sessions to further strengthen the team chemistry.

Photos from the tryout camps across the country and the team training camp are available at www.niha.ca and also on the NIHA-Canada Facebook Group. Feel free to visit either of those and drop a line. We are always looking to hear from inline enthusiasts across the country and abroad.

Regards,

Scott Hill
Vice-president
NIHA-Canada

[MrCanada]

Thank you Mr. Hill.

Is fair to say that CIHA is not quite as organised as NIHA?