Hardballhock - USA Rink Hockey Blog

Another fully stocked Rink Hockey Shop! (translated) | O Treininho

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:30:00 +0000

Another fully stocked Rink Hockey Shop! (translated)

http://www.otreininho.pt/loja

Hardballhock

French Federation promoting Roller Hockey for Kids | FFRS - Rolling Together

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:01:00 +0000

French Federation promoting Roller Hockey for Kids

CD cover (source:FFRS)

Because Rolling Together Blog loves to promote the good examples which exist in our sport, this time, we talk about French Federation, FFRS. With an innovating program, the Roller Hockey Committee of FFRS, had published a CD, called by "Le rink hockey à l'école." (The Roller Hockey in the School.). As the title says, this document has the goal to promote our sport in the schools near of Roller Hockey Clubs.

The Committee has defined two main objectives:

1. Introduce the practice of Roller Hockey for more children, hoping the future grow of players.
2. Attract teachers to this sport and hope to see some executives to join the staff of sports clubs (one masterteacher managing a group of children received a pedagogical training that can quickly make the necessary transfers to supervise a team of Roller Hockey).

Watch a brief Video Presentation of the School Program

Discovery Offer 2012

The CD is composed by a part "Discovering Roller Hockey", with a presentation of the sport.
The second part presents two teachers teaching at different levels (beginners and advanced). They were designed for the autonomy of the teacher in the conduct of its meetings. Any kind of qualification is necessary to start skating and therefore don't need permission of the hierarchy.

Discovery Offer 2012

Roller Hockey Committee also presented"DISCOVERY OFFER" to get new members agedunder 13.
The information about this second initiative will be available in all Roller Hockey clubs, Region Committee and the Roller Hockey Committee in LaRoche sur Yon.

The French Federation hopes that these two initiatives will allow the development of Roller Hockey and increase the number of Young Players. We can't forget that France will host in 2015 the World Cup!!!!

source: Rolling Together Blog and ffroller.fr

This is awesome!
Hardballhock

USA Roller Sports "Official Notices" shared with USOC - may help with 2011 Senior dual division player

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:29:00 +0000

+this email was sent Jan. 29, 2012 to USA Roller Sports, the USA Rink Hockey Committee, and the USOC

Hello Mr. Ruger (USOC),

I have continued to look for the answer to your question, "Is there a USARS rule that does not allow a senior goalie to compete in two 2011 National Championship Senior Men's Divisions?”

The National Championship Competition Rulebook apparently hasn't been readily available as a booklet for athletes, families, or sport stake holders, since as far back as perhaps 1993. There have been a variety of versions available but none appear to have been complete. USA Rink Hockey has recently adopted CIRH International Game and International Technical Rules, which have not spoken to USARS National Championship Competitions regarding divisions.

There have been many revisions to the USA Rink Hockey National Competition Rulebook over the years, and those have been made available to the public in parts and pieces via an official, longstanding, USARS process of releasing "Official Notices" as rule changes came up. The official notices have been published to the USA Roller Sports skating magazine and intermittently at usarollersports.org in a variety of forms.

Unfortunately, during the 2011 USA Rink Hockey National Championship Competition, a change occurred that most recognized as a “break in the rules”, when a player competed in both Senior Men’s Bronze and Silver divisions. There was, and continues to be, no National Championship Competition rules publicly available to reference. The “Official Notice” process is difficult to follow and difficult to find.

While it is nearly impossible to be certain how many "Official Notices" have been written changing the rules for USA Rink Hockey, below are "Official Notices" which speak directly to USA Rink Hockey and the Men's Bronze and Silver Division rules:

USA Roller Sports - 2004 Official Notice Bronze Division

Approved the following Bronze Division Requirements

USA Roller Sports - OFFICIAL NOTICE - October 2004

BRONZE DIVISION CLARIFICATION

Players competing in a Senior Division at the current National Championship cannot participate on a Bronze Division Team.

*USA Roller Sports Official Notice 2007

Rule Change - Approved the Hardball Hockey Committee request to replace rules 5 & 6 with the following:

Any athlete who has competed in the World Class or Silver Divisions in the past three (3) years cannot play on a Bronze Team. The only exception occurs if the player has reached 35 years of age, and he wishes to play in the Bronze Division at the National Championships. He cannot play in any other division.

•amended to blog and communicated Feb.02, 2012 to USA Roller Sports, the USA Rink Hockey Committee, and the USOC

MINUTES USA ROLLER SPORTS ANNUAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING OCTOBER 8-9-10, 2010 – FORT WAYNE, INDIANA

A motion was proposed by the Rink Hockey Committee at the Semiannual Board Meeting that would have changed the ages and divisions for the 2011 rink hockey season. Because the wording raised some question as to interpreted meaning, the Committee was asked to bring it back at a later time in a different format that would be easier to understand. Billy Sisson reported that there was no report on this, since they discussed this change at Nationals and the coaches voted it down.

In conclusion, a USA Rink Hockey athlete cannot look to any official USA Rink Hockey organizational rules in regard to how their National Championships should occur, and it is nearly impossible to know who decided to enact a USA Rink Hockey National Championship change at the past 2011 USA Rink Hockey National Championships. There appears to be no official record that the USA Rink Hockey Nationals change followed the process set forth in General Rules GR 21.00. This is why it is necessary USOC be requested to provide assistance and advice to our National Governing Body that will help USA Roller Sports, and the USA Rink Hockey Committee, answer your question, and to implement USOC policy securing the rights and interests of its USA Rink Hockey athletes.

Regards,

Hardballhock

•Read Email Communications with USARS/USOC in regard to the 2011 National Championship Change

Nistevo is pleased to announce Christina Fritz to the Team| Public Relations and Social Media

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:42:00 +0000

Nistevo is pleased to announce Christina Fritz to the Team| Public Relations and Social Media

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Herne Bay United and the sport roller hockey! | Video

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:53:00 +0000

Uploaded by THEHBUTV

Hardballhock

Riley Dreaney - USARS Rink Hockey Athlete of the Month for January 2012 - view full bio

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:41:00 +0000

Riley Dreaney - USARS Rink Hockey Athlete of the Month for January 2012 - view full bio

Congratulations to Riley Dreaney of Bremerton WA, on being chosen to represent Team USA at the 2011 FIRS/CIRH Rink Hockey Sub-20 World Championships in Barcelos Portugal. He was also a member of the gold medal winning team in the junior division at the 2011 USARS Rink Hockey National Championship. Riley is currently a senior at Olympic High School, and currently skates for the Bremerton Hurricanes.

source:usarollersports.org

Hardballhock

Roller Hockey Tournament Jan. 2012- Texas Style! - Decatur and San Angelo - Bowie

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:59:00 +0000

1/15/12 Decatur White vs San Angelo sub 20s. Decatur makes an amazing comeback to win the game! Way to go DECATUR!!!

1/15/12 Roller Hockey tournament in Bowie, Tx. Sub 20s decatur vs San Angelo. Was the ball in the net?

1/14/12 January 2012 roller hockey tournament in Bowie, Tx. sub 20s. Decatur White vs San Angelo. Tied 4 to 4 on day 1

Videos Uploaded to youtube by psychominou

--Texas USA Rink Hockey grassroots, keep plugging away. They keep doing what they do and they do it well!

Hardballhock

RollerShop Online Store - in English | AWESOME ONLINE STORE

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:55:00 +0000

RollerShop Online Store

ROLLERSHOP

Hardballhock

Hardballhock Blog - Home
Translated International Rink Hockey WEBSITES (English)
Translated International Rink Hockey NEWS (English)
Hardballhock YouTube Video Channel - Unplugged

1997 Hardball Hockey Nationals (Rink Hockey) | A Blast from the past.

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:40:00 +0000

1997 Hardball Hockey Nationals (Rink Hockey)
A Blast from the past. Good Times
Names like the Raiders, the Rolling Ghosts, the Blast, Jeff Gibson, the Ferguson's. the Leni's, the Schmelchers...

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Hardballhock

Ladies Rink Hockey World Championships will be held in Sertaozinho (close to Sao Paulo), Brazil November 10– 17, 2012.

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:27:00 +0000

....looks like:

The Ladies Rink Hockey World Championships will be held in Sertaozinho (close to Sao Paulo), Brazil November 10– 17, 2012.

source: http://usarollersports.org/resources/governance/rink-hockey-comittee/minutes-rink-hockey-committee-conference-call-10-16-2011

Hardballhock

Golo 4-3 Pedro Gil Porto-Barcelona

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 07:10:00 +0000

Video: by jcmaia on May 20, 2011

Hardballhock

Where are the Official USA Roller Sports (USARS) USA Rink Hockey National Championship Competition Rules? | Defining components of USARS National Championship eligibility:

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:13:00 +0000

official usarollersports.org site (circa.Jan, 2012)

Where are the Official USA Roller Sports (USARS) USA Rink Hockey National Championship Competition Rules?

(USARS Official Controlled Publications)

Defining components of USARS National Championship eligibility, including:

USA Rink Hockey Divisions
USA RInk Hockey Age Groups
USA Rink Hockey Ability Levels

Similar to the:

2011 USA Roller Sports Figure Rules
2011 USA Roller Sports Speed Rules

If you are able to share the Public Official Current or Past USA Rink Hockey National Championship Competition Rules please comment :-)

Read Email Communications with USARS/USOC in regard to the 2011 National Championship Change

Hardballhock

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 2012 | :-)

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:09:00 +0000

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Hardballhock

An Awesome Idea! Quick answers to quick questions in a Downloadable Brochure. (HRIV) | http://www.hriv-rollhockey.de | Cool Kids Play Rink Hockey

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:47:00 +0000

http://www.hriv-rollhockey.de/

A great Rink Hockey Informational Brochure to answer frequently asked questions.

Children, adolescents, parents, teachers, and stakeholders will find quick answers in the Roller Hockey brochure that can be downloaded as needed and shared. Printed brochures can also be ordered from the Hessian Sports Federation (HRIV).

An Awesome Idea! Quick answers to quick questions.

For more information in regards to the (HRIV) Grassroots effort to grow rink hockey follow this link to translated information: HRIV-RollHockey

Hardballhock

Merry Christmas to all! | A Christmas Eve Game: Santa's Gift Jump and the Nerdiest Christmas Trees Ever :-)

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:52:00 +0000

Link to the Game

A Christmas Eve Game: Santa's Gift Jump
(Game is loading while the Advertisement plays)

HOW TO PLAY: Direct Santa with the mouse and catch the gifts as they are dropped.Click to Jump, Double-Click to Jump Higher. Careful though, the gifts could land on your head. Ouch!

Also please enjoy...

Photo's of the nerdiest Christmas trees ever

Hardballhock

Rink Hockey puts the ball where you want 2

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:21:00 +0000

Video | thanks to jckiler1

Hardballhock

Hardballhock Blog - Home
Translated International Rink Hockey WEBSITES (English)
Translated International Rink Hockey NEWS (English)
Hardballhock YouTube Video Channel - Unplugged

The following email(s) from John W. Ruger - USOC Athlete Ombudsman, were CC’d to most of the USARS Executive Committee and USA Rink Hockey Committee: 11/29/11

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:46:00 +0000

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NwZMT5gSp5S3V7uiAxwnigpk12kswkHSOu28saFwUSQ/edit

_____

•Read Email Communications with USARS/USOC in regard to the 2011 National Championship Change

Hardballhock

USOC assistance requested to provide advice and help to USA Roller Sports and the USA Rink Hockey Committee | National Championship Program Change

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 01:01:00 +0000

Where are the USARS USA Rink Hockey National Championship Competition Rules? e.g. USA Divisions, USA Age Groups, etc.

This email was sent in response to USA Roller Sports' reply to an email sent to them earlier in regard to (Goalie Competed in Two Divisions...)

Dear USOC,

USA Roller Sports (USARS), i.e., Mr. Hawkins, and Mr. Sisson, have been very helpful providing an Official USARS Protest Form and advising the form must be filled out completely, including names and signatures. Mr. Hawkins quoted USARS General Rules (GR 12.00), and shared USARS has a long-standing protest procedure that they feel are protecting the rights and interests of USA Rink Hockey athletes. The official long standing protest procedure however, is problematic for several reasons in regard to the USA Rink Hockey Program change allowing a senior goalie to compete in two 2011 National Championship Senior Men's Divisions. The process in this case becomes a barrier that interferes with the rights and interests of USA Rink Hockey athletes.

Firstly, the process Mr. Hawkins describes is based upon the questionable assumption that USA Rink Hockey athletes want to file a protest and that the athletes have at their disposal the information necessary to submit an Official Protest “in proper form." Without public availability of official USA Rink Hockey Championship organizational rules at usarollersports.org, or during the National Championships, how would an athlete with any certainty, beyond someone’s "differing memory,“ indicate “what USARS rule or rules are alleged to have been broken,” in order to properly complete an official protest form?

Secondly, the "name of the protested person" might be the official or officials who made the USA Rink Hockey Program change allowing a senior goalie to compete in two 2011 National Championship Senior Men's Divisions. Now, and during the National Championships, the decision has been surrounded by confusion and assumptions among the Meet Directors, officials, USA Rink Hockey athletes, and sport stakeholders. There were no official proposals made to the public, no official announcement made publicly to the USA Rink Hockey athletes, no official documentation presented during or after the championships, and no official voting results made public during or after the championships of the changes. It appears that the National Championship’s Organizational Structure still isn’t able to officially and publicly announce who "the protested person" was or might be. How would an USA Rink Hockey athlete at a minimum, provide “the name of the protested person" on the Official Protest Form as required by the GR 12.00?

Thirdly, General Rules, (GR 21.00), defines a program change as "Any change in events, divisions, requirements (except international CIPA or CIC events) or age groups to be skated in USARS Regional and National Championship competition.” Therefore, it appears any change made to a USA Rink Hockey National Championship would have had the nine (9) regions, USARS Discipline Committee, and the USARS Board of Directors involvement. There are clearly records and photos indicating a goalie competed in two divisions. However, unless an athlete or complainant can review the USA Rink Hockey Championship organizational rules, how can an athlete know with enough certainty to file a formal protest that a change occurred? On behalf of the USA Rink Hockey community, perhaps USA Roller Sports and the USA Rink Hockey Committee would answer the question for USOC, “Was there any documentation showing an official process described in the General Rules, GR 21.00, was followed in regard the USA Rink Hockey Program change?

Finally, trying to decide whether to file an official protest in regard to the USA Rink Hockey Program change, as a USA Rink Hockey athlete, requires the athlete ask questions and provide answers about committee members decisions, another teams coaches actions for example, or about inappropriate actions or lack of actions by a Director. The USA Rink hockey athlete risks retribution and could even be labeled as a troublemaker. But the decision to stay silent can also equal tacit consent to activities that may be damaging, unethical, or simply against official rules. Such is the dilemma of a USA Rink Hockey athlete, in a small community, who is considering whether to be a complainant and attempt to meet the minimums set forth in the USARS General Rules (GR12.00).

In conclusion, a USA Rink Hockey athlete cannot look to any official USA Rink Hockey organizational rules in regard to how their National Championships should occur, and it is nearly impossible to know who decided to enact a USA Rink Hockey National Championship change at the 2011 USA Rink Hockey National Championships. There appears to be no official record that the USA Rink Hockey Nationals change followed the process set for the in General Rules GR 21.00. This is why it is necessary USOC be requested to provide assistance and advice to our National Governing Body that will help USA Roller Sports, and the USA Rink Hockey Committee, answer some of the questions mentioned here, and to implement USOC policy securing the rights and interests of its USA Rink Hockey athletes.

Hardballhock

+this email was sent Nov. 27, 2011 to USA Roller Sports, the USA Rink Hockey Committee, and the USOC

Read Email Communications with USARS/USOC in regard to the 2011 National Championship Change

Hardballhock

Great Penalty Shot | Stick Handling

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:47:00 +0000

Video : thanks to JOAOCOSTA8 and João Filipe M Costa

Hardballhock

Response from USA Roller Sports to the email sent to USOC | Goalie competed in two divisions

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:57:00 +0000

This is the response from USA Roller Sports to the email sent to USOC and our National Governing Body (NGB) USA Roller Sports in regard to (Goalie Competed in Two Divisions...)

Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 5:44 PM

To all concerned,

Normally, I don’t answer what I consider an anonymous email, but since “Hardballhock” has copied everyone except Scott Blackmun, I guess I should reply.

USA Roller Sports (USARS) did sanction the 2011 USARS Rink Hockey National Championships approximately four months ago in Salt Lake City, UT. Below is the third email communication I have received from “Hardballhock” regarding the Championships and the alleged rule violation(s). Regarding communication via the “official sport website” (www.usarinkhockey.com), a blog, social media, and athlete comments, I must confess I am in the dark. First of all, the official website for USA Roller Sports and all the various disciplines (including rink hockey) under USARS is www.usarollersports.org. USA Roller Sports has not bestowed on www.usarinkhockey.com, the status of official sport website for rink hockey, therefore does not monitor, review or post to the website or it’s associated blog and is unaware of any athlete comments that may appear there.

“Hardballhock” seems to be knowledgeable in regards to USARS General Rules and USARS Sport Specific Rules regarding rink hockey, as well as the Ted Steven’s Olympic Sports Act, and the constitution and bylaws of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). However, if “Hardballhock” will review the USARS General Rules, they will find that there is a long standing procedure in place regarding protests of this nature which protect the rights and interests of our athletes. Specifically beginning with GR12.00, they will notice that a protest may be filed with the meet director or directly with the National Headquarters. Either way, it shall be in writing on the appropriate form, signed by the complainant (a current USARS member) and “at a minimum, contain the name of the protested person and a brief statement of the facts upon which the protest is based. It must be clear from a reading of the protest what USARS rule or rules are alleged to have been violated.” I have attached a protest form to this email in order for “Hardballhock” to follow the procedure of filing as stated in the USARS rules. If such a protest was filed with the meet director of the championships, it has not been forwarded to me.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I understand that protests of this nature should go through the proper channels with the NGB including filing of the protest and any appeals that may follow prior to appealing to the USOC. USA Roller Sports will follow through with this matter once the proper documentation is received as stated in our rules as “Hardballhock” is so familiar with. In the event the decision of the USARS Membership/Eligibility Committee (and any subsequent appeal) is unsatisfactory to “Hardballhock”, USA Roller Sports is more than willing to discuss this matter with the USOC.

If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please include your name with your contact information.

Richard

Richard J. Hawkins

Executive Director

USA Roller Sports

4730 South Street

Lincoln, NE 68506 (additional Contact information retracted for this posting by Hardballhock)

-----------------------------------

The next email was received the following day after the previous posting

Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 8:37 AM
Subject: Broken Rule

Hardballhock,

I have just received your email (forwarded from Richard Hawkins) and his response to your complaint. Richard attached a formal complaint form to be filled out and returned, please do so and your complaint will be addressed through the proper channels.

Thank You
Bill Sisson

-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------

There is reference in the email(s) to an attachment that was not attached - I have included a link to what I believe to be the 2011 Official Protest form here (Nov.17 - A reply email from Mr.Hawkins provided the advised attachment and it is the 2011 Official Protest Form)

Read Email Communications with USARS/USOC in regard to the 2011 National Championship Change

Hope this helps,
Hardballhock
-----------------------------------

This email was sent to the USOC in response to: Goalie competed in two divisions at 2011 USA Rink Hockey National Championships - Both Bronze and Silver

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:22:00 +0000

This email was sent 11/12/11 to the USOC in response to: Goalie competed in two divisions at 2011 USA Rink Hockey National Championships - Both Bronze and Silver

Hello Michelle, Gary, John, and the General Counsel Office of the USOC,

A fun video. - Geneve RHC - Try it and enjoy :-)

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:29:00 +0000

Video Shared by http://patinslover.blogspot.com/ via AntunesPedro

:-)

Hardballhock

USA Rink Hockey Conference Call - October 16, 2011 - Minutes

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:44:00 +0000

Rink Hockey Conference Call

October 16, 2011

Minutes

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Cool kids playing rink hockey - Rollhockey HRIV-Sportart

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:09:00 +0000

One good idea to build up numbers and systematic sustainability of their sport.

This is the motto of a nationwide campaign to help rink hockey gain more attention with youth in Germany.

This is the link - it is translated from German to English. The link offers additional info and contact information for clubs in Germany who are looking for ideas and tools to bring in new athletes.

Rollhockey HRIV-Sportart

It follows that if a sport is to grow or even maintain its numbers, its youth should be a priority.

Hardballhock

One explanation for a Goalie competing in two senior divisions at the 2011 USA Rink Hockey National Championships - was to help a perceived shortage - however, there was no shortage - quite the opposite was true

noreply@blogger.com (hardballhock) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:53:00 +0000

One explanation for a Goalie competing in two divisions at the 2011 USA Rink Hockey National Championships - Both Bronze and Silver was to resolve a perceived shortage of teams competing in Silver Division; "would you have preferred to play a team or not play a team at all", was posed to frame the explanation. The idea was further expressed as necessary given the current economy and player numbers.

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