Hockey skates to Geelong

Geelong has won its bid to host the 2014 inline hockey national championships.
More than 500 inline skaters will battle it out for national titles at Geelong’s Arena later this year.
Sport and Recreation portfolio Councillor Jock Irvine said winning the rights to host the national inline hockey championships in Geelong is a great result.
“Inline hockey is a popular sport in Geelong and it’s really fitting that we have won the right to host the national championships,” said Cr Irvine.
Cr Irvine hopes the event will be popular with local skaters and the Geelong community.
“Geelong has a strong inline hockey competition and inline hockey community with hundreds of skaters regularly participating competitively and socially in Geelong,” said Cr Irvine.
Geelong’s strong history in inline hockey includes currently hosting part of the state championships and producing representative players.
“Geelong hosts the inline hockey state titles each year and has produced state and national representatives in the sport,” said Cr Irvine.
It has been nine years since Victoria has hosted the inline hockey national championships.
As well as battling it out for the national title, players will be competing for the opportunity to represent Australia in the 2015 Oceania and world championships.
This year’s national inline hockey championships will be held at the Arena from 26 September to 4 October. Entry is free.