Today was the first of the roller-hockey clinics that Phoenix are staging in conjunction with the British Inline Puck Hockey Association, so I spent my day at Salford Uni at the Frederick Road Sports Hall. Which for some unknown reason, I'd assumed was on Frederick Road. Silly me. Still, with the concise directions of one friendly but slightly bemused security guard, I was able to get to the Hall in time to see the kids take to the floor.
The aim of the day was to give local kids an introduction to hockey, and all in all the day went very well. There were plenty of kids there, ranging from absolute beginners to local team players, and they all seemed to be having fun.
At this point I'd like to say hello to hockey parent and Blog reader Iain Gillespie, who was at the event with his son Oliver, and with whom I had a nice chat about all things hockey - hello Iain! Iain even provided me with a quote for my article for the official Phoenix site, although my attempts to get a similar quote from Oliver proved unsuccessful. Although to be fair, Oliver was quite enthusiastic when it came to watching the cheerleaders, and telling Iain and myself about the spider he'd found in the corner. But since he's only six years old (Ollie, not the spider), I figured an in-depth analysis on the day was probably too much to ask.
(And at this point I'd like to say sorry yet again to Joe from the North West Under 10s, who I mistakenly thought was a 'young lady'. Sorry about that Joe! Let me state for the record that Joe is unquestionable a chap. And definitely not a girl. Absolutely definitely not. I could blame it on the fact that I'd only had three hours sleep, having coached an Aardvarx training session on Saturday night in Blackburn and subsequently not made it to bed until four in the morning, but it would be pointless, since I just plain mistook him for a girl. Not my finest hour. No siree bob!)
Being at the event also gave me a chance to catch up with Dave Clancy and Brian Worrall, who were there to give the event their support. Dave spent most of his time there being swamped by kids seeking autographs, and so he was like a kid himself (I don't think he ever does 'serious'!). And as for Brian, well.... it has to be said, he looks like he's discovered what a gym is for. He's big, a lot bigger than I remember him from last season. Blimey.
Big Chief Neil Morris and The Guru Samaru were there too, pitching in with the proceedings and generally soaking up the atmosphere. Both of them were visibly happy to be watching hockey again, and Neil seemed quite relaxed and optimistic about the future. I tried to needle some info about the new rink out of Mark, but he was suavely tight-lipped as usual, not wanting to let the Cheshire cat out of the bag just yet but grinning enough to make me think that something's in the offing....
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Hi Richard,
What a brilliant article “Phoenix Find New Strikeforce” you wrote for the Phoenix website, together with the pictures you really summed up the day, also can I take this opportunity to thank Malcolm Tilley (BIPHA) and the Manchester Phoenix management for organising the event.
Your bit here on the blog has got you one 6 year old enemy, Oliver can distinctly remember telling you “don’t mention the spider on any website” and for the last couple of days he has been practising his high sticking move, so for the next event Richard please wear full protective kit.
You were not the only one that spotted the grin on Mark Sarmaru’s chops, he struck me as a man with either his phone on vibrate in his trouser pocket, or his finger on the start button of Manchester’s new rink!!!!
Sorry it’s taken so long to reply, I read your articles last week but I’m either at work or at IceShefield. Thanks again Richard, we look forward to seeing you at the next event.
Iain & Oliver Gillespie
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