In 1996 I first got involved with the international scene when asked to be the Manager of the England Senior Team with Carlos as the Coach.
Since then Carlos and I have worked very hard to build relationships with the CERH. the European Governing Body of Roller Hockey, the CIRH, the World Governing Body of Roller Hockey and the Roller Hockey Federations of Countries all around the world.

I believe that this hard work has earned England respect for what it is trying to do to develop and grow roller hockey in this country.
This respect is evident when top stars of roller hockey, Vitor Hugo and Pedro Alves, are willing to give up their busy lives to come to England for our Cup Finals day. They demonstrated a standard of hockey ability and finesse that many in England may not get the opportunity to see.
This respect is evident through the agreement between the NRHA and the town of Santa Maria da Feira, who welcome us into their town, offer us free transportation and rink time in order for us to improve our standard of play. Their Minister of Sport stated that “It is an honour for us to offer something back to the Country that gave us roller hockey in the first place.”
This respect is evident through the agreement between the NRHA and the Royal Spanish Federation who have recently offered us 2500 euros to assist with the costs of our Ladies when they go to Alcorcon, Madrid for the European Championships because the cost of the hotel accommodation is so high.
This respect is also evident through the offer, again from the Royal Spanish Federation, of equipment to Carlos to help him with his full time job to develop roller hockey in England.
This respect is evident through the invitation that we have now received to be part of the group to discus coaching standards and future suggested changes to the rules.
This respect is evident through the 3000 euros that I negotiated with the President of the CIRH for a new under 23 annual event that I tried to set up.
The 3000 euros was to assist the host nation with the cost of staging the event.
The event did not take place due to the various nations not being able to be involved at that time.
These offers are not made to everybody.
It takes many years of contact to build up the trust of these people. It takes time for them to be convinced that our interests are for the long-term future of roller hockey and not just a short-term fix.

These people are important to us.
They can help us where our own Government cannot.
However, we must show that we are prepared to help ourselves as well.

This we have done through our National Development Plan, which Barbara Brookes, President of the USA Federation, is adopting in America.

This we have done through our National Training Weekend, which is still only two and a half years old, yet look how it has developed and what it has achieved.

This we have done by taking teams of all ages across to Spain and Portugal, showing how we are developing the young talent in this country.

This we have done by showing the improvement in the quality of our National teams at the recent World and European Championships. As I said in my Presidents report for the AGM, “When was the last time that an England Senior Team were beating the mighty Italians?”

This we are doing by getting Carlos Amaral in place to work full-tine for the growth and development of Roller Hockey in England.

Please, please, please don’t throw all this away by reckless and negative postings on the World Wide Web.

You may think that it is mischievous fun, but it could be extremely damaging to the future of your sport in your Country.

Keith Allen
President – NRHA