This competition was also used as part of my development plan for Ladies, so more important than winning was gaining experience of playing competitive Roller Hockey abroad. Our team was the youngest team in the competition and we had shown signs of a bright future for English Ladies Roller Hockey.

Regarding the games, although we started the first game using the Zone defense I decided during this game to change to man to man restrict which we played for the rest of the competition with a positive response from the girls and this is shown in the results at half time.

Once more it was the fitness and reaction capacity along with the basic skating skills that held us back.

On the final day I was talking to the other team coaches and I am very pleased to say that Bethany Cook was concidered as one of the top three players in the competition – well done Bethany!!

I would like to congratulate the girls for their brilliant behaviour off the rink and great attitude on the rink, which motivated me again to progress the Ladies teams for a future in Roller Hockey competitions they deserve.

A special “thank you” to Kirsty Ingham who did a brilliant job as physio and assistant coach and made my job a lot easier.

Finally I would like to thank Michaela Parfitt for videoing all the games and for supporting Kirsty during my absence on the first day, prior to the first match and all the supporters for uplifting the girls spirits.
Carlos Amaral (Head Coach)