High School Inline Hockey

[zipyaj]

Members, Readers and Interested Parties:
While your attention during these times may be easily drawn to Elite / Pro and Collegiate segments and even to the thrills of NARCh Winternationals and other tournament series competing for participation and dollar$, there are those who would ask that you not forget about the basics and what segments have contributed significantly to the popularity you may enjoy today. Namely the scholastic segment (high school / middle school).

As the players who grow up in our sport age and mature, where else will they go but up to the adult levels, if they don't fall out all together. Peak birth years of '89-92 are no longer playing high school hockey. If they're still playing, they're now competing for available rink space with those younger years. And if a rink facility has worked hard enough to promote a decent grassroots program for new youth players, it's the scholastic segment that is again being pinched for attention and rink time.

It may be clear to some that attention to the Elite / Pro and Collegiate segments is the answer for growing our sport by providing a some path to the top of the so-called pyramid. Arguably, if no mid-level of scholastic hockey exists, then the pyramid eventually folds into itself and crashes to its base.

It is this observer's opinion that the experiment started by Richard Graham, Publisher/Owner of Inline Hockey Central beginning in his March 4 2005 post SOPHOMORE SAVIORS? Can the growth of high school inline hockey save our sport? is worthy of your (re)read from front-to-back.

Many have forgotten the value of the scholastic segment's contribution to the reinvigoration and longeveity of the sport. Will you?

BEST!

[zipyaj]

Dear High School and/or Middle School Roller Hockey Fans:
As a result of decreasing numbers in our high school ranks over this past season (down 23% over last year), our League has set on a new path to help disenfranchised high school players [those who want to play but have no team or are insufficient in number to form a “pure” team] by adding a new division into our currrent 4-division format to include Co-op / Combo teams in the 2010-2011 Season. For over a decade, our League has been comprised of "pure" teams only. We are hopeful that this new initiative will help to attract and retain players and replenish enrollment into the League and onto the rinks that we compete upon.

We also recognize the challenges of this endeavor and are undertaking additional research by looking at existing models around the country to eventually arrive at a workable solution for the League and for our sport on the local front.

If you have any experience with or have ideas on this topic, we invite your feedback and collaboration ("crowdsourcing") in developing a beneficial program for our student-athletes. We'll gladly share any results you may request.

Please feel free to respond within this High School forum, or privately through my contact information provided below.

Best!

[RichardGraham]

Hey Jay,

Good luck with this!

[zipyaj]

Ron Krill of Chaparral HS in Temecula recently started a new Facebook page to piggyback on the San Diego Metropolitan League's success and begin a grass roots effort to gain STATEWIDE approval by CIF to recognize roller hockey as an officially sanctioned high school varsity sport. With the help and support of the Anaheim Ducks organization, the IHF (Interscholastic Hockey Federation) and the many California-based high school clubs, teams and programs, we hope to make the case to CIF that roller hockey should be granted this recognition.

Please join their efforts their by lending your support and comments:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/p...1343713&ref=ts


If you're interested in the latest CIF status in the Southland area and either are or want to be part of the IHF High School Roller Hockey League, come join us at our Sept. 12th Coach and Manager meeting to hear Mr. Jeffrey David of the Anaheim Ducks' parent company speak about this topic and what the Ducks may bring to the table as champions to this cause...

Learn more about IHF High School Roller Hockey
and join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/IHF-Hi...48595245158340

Best!

[zipyaj]

A HUGE thank you to Mr. Jeff David of H&S Ventures - the parent company of the NHL Anaheim Ducks, for his presentation to over 65 attendees representing 31 high school clubs at our annual Coach & Manager meeting on Sept. 12th. Mr. David demonstrated the support of the Ducks to help champion this cause as well as the challenges ahead for certification by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for Roller Hockey as a Varsity sport. The bottom line: We (the high school leagues, clubs and teams) need to work together across the state to organize and unify!

[zipyaj]

Thanks to everyone for their on-going support for Scholastic Roller Hockey!

I am pleased to report with an update to our efforts to place new student-athletes onto the Rinks with our new Combo Division - a Leave No Player Behind initiative!

Competition begins the week of Oct. 11th for this new division. We've already signed three teams and over 100 new players are waiting to be assigned to teams from around Orange & Los Angeles counties and the Inland Empire. We learned earlier today that the AAU will be emailing to SoCal members to help promote this campaign. We're hopeful to place 10+ new teams onto the local rinks to both promote new revenues for them and to increase the ranks & interest for High School Roller Hockey!

Playing with classmates for the school colors and mascot is an important part of the roller hockey experience growing up. Please help us to keep our student-athletes on the rinks!

Best!

[zipyaj]

Remaining truly grateful to Richard Graham and his post started in March 2005 and the 1000's of views & comments since...

Best!

[waterboy]

I do believe that In Line Hockey is making a comeback but it takes a number of dedicated individuals to do so. My name is Bob Boucher, owner of ECHO Hockey. We started a program called Travel Lite last year in NC, SC, GA and VA. We had over 35 new teams participate. Travel Lite is for recreational/house league players and the response was great for ages 8-14. However, this year we were able to break into the High School age group. We have enough now to make a separate 16U division in Travel Lite. We are continuing the Travel Lite in Florida this year with plans to go up north next year. In regards to High School age teams, ECHO is including a High School Division at ECHO Nationals in 2011 and also at the ECHO Winternationals at THE SGAA Dual Decks in Snelville, GA in January 2012. Travel age groups have been the norm for years and will continue to be. When my daughters were in High School, they looked forward to playing with their friends from school in a league/tournament. They enjoyed their club teams but High School athletics is something special.

Sincerely, Bob Boucher, Coastal Cup and ECHO Hockey