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Junior Ice Hockey In Lancashire

Blackburn Ice Hockey Development Association (BIHDA) offers the opportunity for children of all ages to participate in the world's fastest indoor team sport. The BIHDA currently have six teams playing in English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) leagues throughout the North of England at venues as far south as Coventry in the Midlands to Whitley Bay in the North East. Two additional teams, Under 10s - Merlins - and Under 14(2) - Harriers - have also competed in recent years. Current teams are: Under 12s - Sparrowhawks; Under 14 - Kestrels; Under 16(2) - Firehawks; Under 16(1) - Eagles; Under 19(2) - Icehawks; Under 19(1) - Thunderhawks.

Home games are played at Blackburn Arena on Grimshaw retail park in Lower Audley, Blackburn. The season runs from September through to April with team training taking place weekly throughout the year with a two-week break in the summer. Newcomers are always welcome with the Association running A and B teams in a number of the age groups. Children as young as six years of age take part. It's all about taking part and enjoying the experience. The physical contact aspect of the game is not permitted until players reach the Under 14s age group. For those players who show a real talent for the sport, there are opportunities to represent the North of England and a number of players are currently in the national squads at their individual age groups. A number of players from the Development now play for Blackburn's Senior Team - the Blackburn Hawks - in the EIHA first Division

Development and Training

Before progressing to trials for team selection, all newcomers are required to complete a course of skating skills training and assessment followed by puck and stick handling. These two courses are the basic, required skills prior to moving into the holding group for team selection or team trials. Skating Skills sessions Skating skills training sessions take place on Mondays between 8 and 9pm. Assessments take place at approximately 4-6 week intervals. All skaters are required to attain level 5 skating skills. No hockey equipment is required at this stage although ice hockey skates will be required prior to progression to the stick handling sessions.

Stick and Puck Handling session These sessions take place on Mondays between 6 and 7pm. Helmet, gloves and, of course, a hockey stick are required at this stage. These items are normally available for hire on a per session basis. On completion of both of these courses, players will then progress to one of the following: Team training selection - if any places are available for the individual's personal age group and the player is deemed of a sufficient standard to be considered for a place with a team . Full ice hockey kit is required for these sessions. Times of team training session can be found on the individual team's page. Holding session - For players' continued training to attain the required level for team selection assessment. Full ice hockey kit is required for these sessions. Training takes place on Fridays - 7pm to 8pm. All training sessions cost £6 per session. Skating skills sessions are normally taken by the BIHDA coaching coordinator - Bobby Haig.

Tuesdays sessions for team players

Tuesdays Specialist sessions for team players and the 2nd family member is half price. FREE Entry to Hawks Games All registered BIHDA players will get free entry to all the Hawks games providing they produce their 2005-6 club membership card. FREE Entry to BIHDA Home Games.
All Associate members get Free entry to BIHDA games plus a discount on Hawks games. To become an Associate, fill in an Associate Membership form. Hand it in to any member of the BIHDA committee or team manager.

Teams for 2005 / 2006

The following teams will be entered into the league for 2005/06
Merlins u10s Sparrowhawks u12 Div 2 Eagles u16 Div 1 Firehawks u16 Div 2 Thunderhawks u19 Div 1 Icehawks u19 Div 2
The BIHDA would like to invite potential players to try out for the teams, please contact any member of the BIHDA committee. If players have not registrated yet, then you need to do so now. For the under 10s to be confirmed we need more under 10s.

Hockey School

Blackburn Hockey School 22nd August to 26th August 2005 The Blackburn Hockey School 2005 is open to EIHA registered players (2005-2006 season) from 5 to 18 years of age. The school aims to improve all participants by using training methods from Europe and North America. It is intended, not only to improve the fitness and individual skill level of each player, but also to increase players’ knowledge of teamwork and play systems. On the ice, participants will be split into two groups depending on age and/or ability. Each of these groups will then be divided into two further groups forming four ‘teams’ of players (Maximum 12) for the duration of the hockey school. There will be a strong emphasis on teamwork and togetherness as well as fun and enjoyment. We don't train kids who slack off and we don't make players so that viewers can bet on them with the latest apps for mobile betting. Off-ice sessions throughout the week will incorporate drills and games to work on the overall fitness of players. Classroom sessions will work on aspects such as the rules of the sport, the role of the referee and linesmen in games, drills and constructing a training session, nutrition and selecting and looking after equipment. Each participant will be provided with a lunch each day and will receive a hockey shirt at the end of the week.

BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW

With a £20 Deposit other £95 to be paid by August 8th 2005. Places are limited to 48 Skates and 4 Netminders. Book quickly to avoid disappointment. For more information see Eddie Cooper or any member of the BIHDA committee. If there are any parents knowing of any potential sponsors that can help out with a few areas of the camp. Ie Trophies and awards for the kids and also pucks, cones and general training equipment. As the BIHDA are trying to keep the cost minimal any donations would be gratefully accepted. In exchange for this I will be placing sponsors names or company on the hockey school training shirts by way of thanks.

Bob Hall

Bob Hall has regrettably had to resign from the position of Ice Hockey Co-Ordinator, due to pressure of work. The man before him was fired for using ipad bingo app for internet gambling during work. Bob has been promoted to an area management position within his company which leaves him with little time to devote to ice-hockey. Bob will not be doing any team coaching for next season for the same reason. The management committee thanks him for the good work he did in the short space of time, and wishes him well for the future, However, he will still be around the rink whenever he can as his three sons are still very much part of the Blackburn scene. Furthermore he has volunteered to remain on the management committee in the newly created position of parents' spokesman - see further down for more details. Eddie Cooper has been appointed as Bob's replacement. Bob will be keeping in touch with Eddie on a regular basis with any help and advice needed.

It is fairly common knowledge that Bobby Haig is shortly to return to live in Scotland , joining his brother John in the family business. Whilst he is to remain as player-coach to the Hawks, which will involve a tremendous amount of travelling, he will be unable to continue his BIHDA duties beyond the end of this month. Eddie Cooper is to coach the 19a team, and Danielle Smith will take charge of the Monday night beginners' skating skills sessions. Danielle has been helping Bobby on this for the past twelve months. I'm sure we send Bobby back to Scotland with our best wishes and thanks for his efforts in the past. A parents' sub-committee is to be formed at the start of next season comprising a parent representative from every team. It is envisaged it would meet on a monthly basis to report to the management committee via its chairperson. Bob Hall has volunteered for this role initially, and to help get the project off the ground. This is seen as way of improving communication to and from the members, which has been an area of regular criticism in the past.

COACHING STAFF are as follows:

Eddie Cooper head coach Peter Tapp Level 2 Coach Robbie Smith goalie coach Off ice trainer Anthony Kinder

DAILY SESSIONS (subject to slight alteration)

On-ice Plan
8.00am-8.45am all players on split ice to work on skating and stick skills. Goal tending training included. 8.45am-9.45am Session 1 full ice 10.00am-11.00am Session 2 full ice Off-ice Plan
9.00am-9.45am Session 1 (half kit) 10.15am-11.00am Session 2 11.30am-12.30am Session 3 1.00pm-2.00pm Session 4 Classroom Plan
11.30am-12.30pm Session 1 12.00pm-1.00pm Session 2 Lunch
Players will be provided with a lunch each day. £115 Price includes: On & Off Ice Training 8.5 Hours Ice Time Classroom Sessions Lunches Hockey School Shirt

Mondays Shooting Skills

Monday night shooting skills session (9 - 10 pm) is discontinued due to lack of interest.

Tuesdays sessions for team players

FREE Entry to Hawks Games

All registered BIHDA players will get free entry to all the Hawks games providing they produce their 2005-6 club membership card.

FREE Entry to BIHDA Home Games

All Associate members get Free entry to BIHDA games plus a discount on Hawks games.
To become an Associate, fill in an Associate Membership form.
Hand it in to any member of the BIHDA committee or team manager.

Associate membership form (in word format)

Associate membershipt form (in.pdf format)

Coach and managers application (in word format)

Coach and managers application (in.pdf format)

Coaches code of conduct (in word format)

Self Declaration Form (in word format)

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Blackburn Eagles Kit Sponsor EIHA Under 16 Division 1