Skate of the art: Jack McQueen, in goals, with Geelong Roller Hockey Club counterparts Kelli Finn, Luke Aparicio, Liam Finning, Felix Will, Jake Aparicio, Jordi Aparicio and Ashlie Aparicio.
By John Van Klaveren
GEELONG is known as a football town but it is quietly generating a reputation for hockey in certain circles.
In fact, Raul Aparicio said Geelong was now a leading inline roller hockey centre.
“We probably have the best and biggest contingent of players in Australia per capita,” said Raul, who runs Geelong Roller Hockey Club.
Inline roller hockey regularly attracts more than 200 players at local level across 30 teams.
“Geelong has more teams playing locally than the entire state league combined. We also boast a number of players in the Australian side,” Raul said.
More national representatives could be on the way. Ten Geelong players have just made selection to a Victorian team competing at Australian Inline Roller Hockey Championships.
More Geelong players than ever will become state representatives at the championships in Adelaide from September 28 to October 6.
The Geelong state players are Felix Will (under-13), Ashlie Aparicio (women and under-17), Kelli Finn (women), Ash Booth (under-15 and under-17), Liam Finning under-17), Jordi Aparicio (under-17), Jack McQueen (under-21), Jake Aparicio (men), Luke Aparicio (men) and Matt Archibald (masters).
The selections come hot on the heels of Geelong hosting a recent Victorian Inline Roller Hockey Championships.
Geelong teams won both the first and second division gold medals, Raul said.
Players then participated in tryouts for state selection at roller hockey centres around Victoria.
“All the players now need to do some fundraising to participate in national and international competition.”
Raul said the sport was attractive to players because it rewarded speed and agility.
“The emphasis is on skills instead of being big and crashing into people. We have a number of mixed teams in which the girls can compete against the boys on an even basis.
“The game is quick and players will sub in and out a lot. They’ll jump on, go absolutely flat stick for 90 seconds and then have a rest.
“It becomes addictive because you’ve only got a short time and you need short, sharp, intense focus, but it’s a lot of fun – almost like a live video game.”
Raul said the risk of injury was small because contact was from jostling for position rather than collisions, like in football.
“The standard in Geelong has improved because there are more players and teams but we also have entry level leagues where there’s little or no skill required.
“There is some coaching and training for various teams available as well as training camps.
Raul said more information was available at rollerway .com.au/hockey or by phoning 0411 33 55 44.
