GBR Universities Ice Hockey Team - Open Trials
I am pleased to announce the first open trials for Team GBR Universities (men) in preparation for the forthcoming 2013 FISU World (Winter) University Games. The 26th Winter Universiade will be taking place in Maribor, Slovenia in just 573 days!
I can confirm that Matt Bradbury will be returning as Head Coach, with Mike Urquhart assisting. Drew Marshall will be continuing his role as Fitness Coach.
Pleasingly, I have been receiving emails from some very talented players who are currently playing EPIHL or EIHL. The open trials will be an opportunity for all prospective players to prove to us that they have what it takes to represent Team GBR at the prestigious WUG - billed as second only to the Winter Olympic Games. In addition, it also gives us the opportunity to identify any players that are not already on our radar.
- The details are as follows:
- Team GBR Universities Ice Hockey - Open Trials
- Ice Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA
- Friday 16th September 2011
- Registration 10am (de-brief 17:00)
- 2 x 1.5 hour on-ice sessions
- 1 x 1 hour off-ice assessment
- All players require full kit (including half visor and current club shirt with surname for id purposes)
- All players must bring: shorts, t-shirt and RUNNING trainers
- All players must meet the BUCS / FISU eligibility criteria (below)
- Cost £10 per player
- Lunch not provided
Finally, Team GBU will be looking to play a number of challenge games against EPIHL teams during the 2011/12 season, and EIHL teams during the early part of the 2012/13 season.
Many thanks for your time and continued support with Team GBU.
Kind regards,
Simon Hopkins.
BUCS / FISU WUG ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
BUCS currently applies the following regulations when selecting representative teams to participate in FISU competitions:
FISU Regulations 5.2.1
Only the following may participate as competitors in a FISU Sporting Event:
- Students who are currently officially registered as proceeding towards a degree or diploma at the university or similar institute whose status is recognised by the appropriate national academic authority of their country (e.g. the Department of Education in the UK). BUCS has adopted a minimum level of qualification for eligibility for FISU events. This is set at level 4 of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England Wales and Northern Ireland or equivalent.
- Former students of the institutions mentioned in (i) who have obtained their academic degree/diploma in the year preceding the event.
FISU Regulations 5.2.3
All competitors must satisfy the following conditions.
- be a national of the country they represent (therefore hold a full 10 year UK passport)
- be at least 17 and less than 28 years of age on January 1st in the year of the event.
- Students studying abroad are eligible for selection provided they satisfy FISU regulations 5.2.1 and 5.2.3
- Students attending courses franchised out from an institution [complying with FISU Regulations 5.2.1 (i)] are eligible for selection providing they also satisfy FISU Regulation 5.2.3.
GBU @ Swindon Wildcats
Last Wednesday the Swindon Wildcats were in action against the Great Britain University Team. The game was part of an early preparation for the GB side, eventually working towards the Turkey 2011World Winter University Games. The game saw some top talent from the university side, including Cardiff Devils' Ben Davies, Coventry Blazes' Tom Ledgard and Swindon's own Sam Bullas.
As to be expected the game was not a highly intense, hard hitting affair however the game saw some great plays by both sides and good potential especially from the younger GB players. Team GB opened with some early chances and tested 'Cats goalie Chris Douglas several times. He and the rest of the team stood strong until the 15th minute when a peculiar play saw the puck find the back of the net. A pass like shot saw the puck drift through a screen of players and past the skate of Douglas before crossing the line for GB's first. Two minutes later and with some good play around the net, Swindon's Aaron Nell responded with a wrist shot past the blocker of the GB's netminder for the home sides first of the night. The period was bought to an end three minutes on and the score stood at 1-1 after 20 minutes.
The second period saw much of the same as the first and both sides began to press forward looking for further chances on goal. Seven minutes in and the home side then got that chance when local player Wayne Fiddes received the puck in front of goal. Once picking his spot, a wrist shot aiming 5 hole made its way past GB's Alan Levers for Swindon's second of the evening.
The second period went on and with it the ambition of the GB side to grab that next goal rose with it. The physicality also rose from here especially from the Wildcats' defenseman however at 36:51, GB University's Will Weldon doubled his teams score with a poke check and quick shot into the opposing net. The last four minutes of the period saw no further talking goals by either side and both teams went into the locker room with the score at 2-2.
The final period saw a different approach by both sides and throughout the last twenty minutes it looked as if both had really settled into their game. Longer passes, set plays and harder checks all made for a more exciting game. Penalty kills were swapped by either side and before long Swindon had found their third of the evening when import Jozef Kohut hit a rapid shot past GB's Levers and into the net. This caused a timeout to be called by the visiting side however nothing looked to prevail when the 'Cats then found another for the evening through defenseman Jan Krajicek. A hit from the point from previous scorer Aaron Nell led to Krajicek deflecting the puck and past the netminder, in a well executed play.
Swindon netminder Glen Jackson was called into action shortly after to rest Wildcats' Douglas and with it, saw Jackson have his fair share of shots. Multiple chances by Ben Davies eventual Man of the Match. Luke Piggott tested Jackson but he held his own for the rest of the period. Eventually the period came to a close and the home side earned the win but against an enthusiastic and eager side who have a lot of potential for the future.
Man of the Match: Steven Whitfield, Ben Davies
Scott Gummerson: Swindon Wildcats Online
pressoffice@swindonwildcats.com
Team GBR - Men
With Harbin well and truly gone - but not forgotten, Team GBR - Senior Development Squad, have to start looking towards the 2011 World (Winter) University Games (http://www.universiadeerzurum.org/).
Head Coaches from all BUIHA D1 clubs are asked to select up to three players and recommend that they attend the squad training session / selection camp on Friday, 30th October 2009. Candidates are asked to arrive at Ice Sheffield no later than 09:45 to register (bar). There is a £10 administration fee per player. Players must be UK Passport holders, currently enrolled in higher education and aged 18-26. There will be two on-ice sessions: 10:30-12:00 & 14:45-16:15.
Notification of attendance should be emailed to: Simon.Hopkins@nottingham.ac.uk (Team Manager) no later than Weds 28th Oct.
Good luck!!
TASS awards are yet to be confirmed for 2009/2010. Candidates should have played EPL, EIHL or represented Team GBR (U18s, U20s or GBU).