The NRHA Cup Finals is on Saturday 23rd July at the Pier Pavilion Herne Bay and this is for the very last time as it is being demolished in September.
The first Cup Final of the day starts at 10.30am and the last one starts at 4.45pm.
After which the presentations will take place.
We are also having as much Roller Hockey memorabilia as we can get, on display in the Cafeteria by way of a tribute to the Pier.
Anybody wishing to bring items of interest are more than welcome.

A reminder to all that the NRHA AGM is taking place on the 24th July at the Enterprise House Conference Centre, The Links, Herne Bay, Kent. CT6 7CQ starting at 10am.

I need 2 referees for this game.
Apparently, HBU and Manchester are having a complete competitions day involving matches between their U10’s, U13’s, an Artistic competition and a Roller Derby event.
The day will start around 1.30pm and conclude with a Roller Disco.
Any offers to referee this game??
Keith Allen

As part of the trips to Feira for the development of our players and teams, various local Clubs have been very accommodating to arrange games for us in their sports centres. One of these clubs is ACR Gulpilhares. As part of our gratitude for this, I presented a plaque to the Coaching Director, Fernando Almeida, representing the President.

As well as arranging games for us, two of their Management Staff were given permission by the club to be part of Carlos Amaral’s Management Team for our Under 17’s during the European Championships 2010. Therefore, at the same time I presented framed certificates to Pedro Lourenco, physiotherapist and Carlos Pereira, statistician.

Another Club who have been helping us since the Protocol was originally signed is AD Sanjoanense.
As part of our gratitude for this, Kirsty Ingham, Marketing Director for the National Roller Hockey Association of England, presented a plaque to a Director of the Club.

Keith Allen
NRHA President

Five years ago the NRHA signed a protocol with Santa Maria da Feira agreeing their support for the development of English Roller Hockey.

This Protocol was signed by the Sports Co-ordinator of the town, The Feira Viva Director, the President of Club Academico da Feira and myself. This support involves transportation from and to the airport for our players and the free usage of the town’s Sports Centre.

In each of these five years, Carlos has taken players involved in his projects, as well as our National Teams, as part of their preparation for international competitions.

These trips have had a significant influence on the improvement made by
English players and National Teams. On the 20th February, Carlos took a group of players for another of his trips.

By way of acknowledging the important contribution made by the Town Council, I travelled to Santa Maria da Feira on the 21st February. The reason for my trip was to make a presentation to the Council’s Sports Co-ordinator, Dra. Cristina Tenreiro, of a silver plate on which was engraved a message of thanks for their continuing support of the protocol.

Dra. Cristina expressed her gratitude for receiving the plate and stated that she is very pleased that the Protocol is having such a big influence on the development of English Roller Hockey as well as being a huge benefit for the town. Dra. Cristina pledged her continuing support for the protocol for the foreseeable future. At the same time, I presented a plaque to Dra. Cristina for Director of Feira Viva, who unfortunately could not be present. Feira Viva is an organisation who are part of the Council’s structure with responsibilities for the running of the Sports Centre. Without their co-operation none of this would have been possible.

At the same time, I presented a plaque to Mr. Amadeu Pinto, President of Clube Academico da Feira. This Club has been brilliant for us by allowing us time on their rink when they would normally be using it. They also make themselves available for playing games against our teams of all age levels and helping to arrange games for us with other Clubs in the region. The Club and in particular the President has shown us tremendous hospitality in allowing 4 English players to play for their Club for considerable periods of time. This has been an invaluable help to these players not only to achieve an ambition but also to develop their roller hockey skills. Finally, our thanks also go to the Club Co-ordinator, all the Coaches and players for their continuing support of our development plan.

When we first started the trips to Feira, agreements were made with the Hotel dos Loios and Petiz Restaurant where they charged us reduced rates for their services. Without these special rates the trips would have been more expensive and possibly the numbers of players getting the benefit of this Protocol could have been drastically reduced. By way of expressing our gratitude for their help, I presented a framed photo of our Under 17 Team, that won the bronze in the European Championships 2010 to the owners of the restaurant. This team was part of the first group of players that took advantage of this Protocol.

In my absence, Kirsty Ingham, Marketing Director for the NRHA, presented a similar framed photo to the owner of the Hotel dos Loios.

In conclusion, I would like to express, on behalf of Parents, Players, Coaches and the National Roller
Hockey Association of England our deepest thanks to all those who have made these trips possible,
for the friendships that have been made over the years and for the continuing support of our development plan.

Keith Allen
President
NRHA

On Sunday 13th March there will be an Open Training Session for any player who would like to try out for a place in the England Senior Team which will be competing in the World Group A Roller Hockey Championships taking place in San Juan, Argentina in September 2011.
The Open Session will be taking place at the Bushfields Sports Centre, Peterborough between 4pm and 7pm as part of the National Training Weekend.
The National Training weekend is run by Carlos Amaral and has rules that apply to all players.
The dress code is that all the players wear England Training T-shirts, navy blue shorts and white socks.
This provides a very professional image to any of the general public using the sports facilities.
If you do not have the T-shirt or the socks, they are available for £7 each on the day.
In addition, obviously the sports facility has to be paid for, so a charge of £12 will be made to each player, payable prior to going on the rink.
Although the training session starts at 4pm, I would like any of you attending to arrive at 2,30pm, in order for us to have a short meeting.
Keith Allen