wic or firs

**canstralian** · 10-25-2005, 09:07 AM

Just wonderin what you people think about the Junior/senior world championships compared to the WIC for 2006. There is a lot of confusion in Australia about which to go to since most good players (at least those that play RSA and AILHA rules) get chosen to go to both and they overlap this year by a couple of days. Who goes where and why? I'd appreciate any comments from players or coaches in Canada or any other country.

**canstralian** · 10-27-2005, 08:31 AM

Is anybody out there???

**boardman** · 10-27-2005, 01:36 PM

The World Championships run by FIRS are run by a body recognised by the IOC, World Games and other International Bodies and have supported Womens' Championships for some time, but in the end its up the the NGB and players as to whom they think are important or do they want to just play hockey!

**canstralian** · 11-03-2005, 07:49 AM

Thanks boardman. There are 2 associations for inline hockey in Australia. One is linked to FIRS and one isn't but the one that isn't firs recognised (AILHA), is somehow in charge of the WIC which is run by people from canadainline which is a firs organisation. It's all very confusing to people here. There are not enough players in Australia to divide between them so most of the Skate Australia players (firs) play both and the good ones get selected for both and the good ones with money play in all the competitions. Next year, conflicting times and distances between continents makes it difficult for people to do it all, so players in Australia are having to choose. There are strong lobbies on both sides so I thought it would be interesting to get the point of view from people outside the country. Thanks for your input.

**WelshTimeKeeper** · 11-13-2005, 04:07 AM

Hi Canstralian

You have asked a very interesting question and I have to admit it has not produced as many answers as I was expecting! That's life.

Were you aware there is a UK based women's inline (& ice) website & discussion forum at: <A HREF="http://www.womens-ih.com " target="_new">http://www.womens-ih.com </A>

Another UK based inline hockey website that has a women's section in the forum is: <A HREF="http://www.inlinehockey.co.uk" target="_new">http://www.inlinehockey.co.uk</A>

You could ask your question again on either, or both of those forums. I can't guarantee any higher number of responses, but I get the feeling that both sites are visited by a number of current and former GB Ladies Team Members - from the various GB national representative bodies.

John.

**DannyG** · 11-14-2005, 07:59 PM

I, for one, am tired of the IIHF v. FIRS argument...

There is no Olympic roller hockey.

FIRS will continue with the World Games and the Pan An Games, as well as the FIRS annual world championships, men's and women's.

IIHF will continue with its world championships, and hopefully get a women's program to join its men's.

Hopefully both will set up a legitimate Junior championship for both girls and boys...

Hopefully both will also set up a masters/seniors set of international championship play for 30 & over, 40 & over, 50 & over, and 60 & over...

In each situation, one organization will get there first, one will follow.

I continue to support USA Hockey InLine and its programs. I encourage others to do the same.

I respect anybody who chooses to support AAU, USARS, or any other organization, but I encourage all to fully understand what any given organization stands for, and how it treats all of the inline hockey community.

Sincerely,

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

**canstralian** · 11-18-2005, 07:29 AM

thanks for all of your responses people. I appreciate it. If you want to read about all of the 'interesting' debate in australian inline hockey check out puckhandlers gossip board. The battle of words can be interesting.

**boardman** · 01-25-2006, 08:38 AM

Danny's reply show just how confusing things are getting, this is not a debate about "ICE" V "ROLLER" this is two roller bodies trying to be top dog. Wait! Before you chew me out again Danny, there is room for more than one association as I know only too well from my home country.
But if one association tries to under mine another because it thinks its better then by using those tatics they prove they are not. Play what ever events that the associations want but but don't try up-staging each other, even the USA has at last come to see that coordination of events and governing bodies is the way forward.