Hobart venue transforms to host high-speed action of inaugural Tasmania Inline Hockey Cup

It’s the lightning-fast indoor sport that has been described as “ice hockey on wheels”, and it is ready to take Hobart by storm.

Inline hockey players Mason Pike aged 12, Jason Featherstone and Jordan Beck, aged 12 are primed for the Tasmania Cup at PW1 which has been transformed into an inline hockey rink. Picture: Linda Higginson

It’s the lightning-fast indoor sport that has been described as “ice hockey on wheels”, and it is ready to take Hobart by storm.

Princes Wharf 1 will be transformed into giant rink from Thursday as hundreds of players from across the country descend on the waterfront venue for the inaugural Tasmania Inline Hockey Cup.

Tournament director Scott Beck said the six-day event – which had also attracted competitors from New Zealand — would involve teams from the Under-10 age group right up to Division 1.

Participants of all experience levels would also have the opportunity to learn from internationally recognised coaches, Itan Chavira and Junior Cadiz, during dedicated training sessions.

“All the best inline hockey players from around Australia and New Zealand are coming to the tournament, and it’s going to be awesome,” Mr Beck said.

“The sport is played globally, with its own world championships, and we have a pretty big inline hockey community here in Tasmania.

“But the exciting thing about the PW1 venue is we can actually build a full-size rink and experience the game as it’s meant to be played.”

Inline hockey players from South Australia Chet Strawbridge and Mitchell Johnston, both aged 15. Picture: Linda Higginson

Mr Beck said although inline hockey was not a full-contact sport like its famously high-impact frozen cousin, the two codes did share the same sticks, helmets, and goals.

With free entry for spectators, and food and beverages available at the event, Mr Beck said tournament organisers hoped the Cup would help raise the profile of the sport in Tasmania, and inspire the next generation of players.

“The first matches will start very early in the morning, with play going through to about 10 o’clock at night, so we would just encourage everyone to come down and check it out,” he said.

“People can just come in off the street to see a sport that is actually faster-paced than ice hockey.

“The inline hockey community in Tasmania is so awesome, and when we pitched the Tasmanian Cup concept about 18 months, everyone was super supportive.

“We’ve got heaps of volunteers helping run the tournament, and we hope that everyone who comes and plays here in Hobart over the next week has a great experience, so we can think about doing it again in next year.”

The inaugural Tasmania Inline Hockey Cup will run from 23 to 28 January.

Originally published as Hobart venue transforms to host high-speed action of inaugural Tasmania Inline Hockey Cup