Inline Hockey Ireland is committed to improving the future of the sport of inline hockey in Ireland. A key element to this is the successful implementation of a Junior Development Programme. This programme is designed to both improve the level of play for domestic play while also improving the chances of success of Irish national teams at all levels. Due to the makeup of our membership, the programme will focus on the Junior Men (U18) and U16 categories in the 2020-21 season.

If you have any queries regarding the programme please contact 

michael.creane@inlinehockeyireland.org

Structure of Programme

Each season, there will be tryouts to select a development squad, which can be attended by any IHI member that meets the criteria. Players must be registered to IHI for insurance purposes. Players could also be invited to join the development squad based on strong domestic play. The development squad will then have regular training sessions throughout the season.

Plans are under way for 2021 events, with Junior Men's aiming to attend the Roller Games in Cartegena, Columbia, while the U16s will attend the European Championships.

Teams will be selected from the development squad to attend these competitions.

Player Eligibility

Junior Men's: Male players born between 2003 and 2007 that have or are eligible for an Irish passport. For information on whether you are eligible for an Irish Passport through birth, descent or naturalisation please visit, http://citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/irish_citizenship/

U16: Male Players born between 2006 and 2010 that have or are eligible for an Irish passport. For information on whether you are eligible for an Irish Passport through birth, descent or naturalisation please visit, http://citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/irish_citizenship/

Costs

As inline hockey is not yet recognised by Sport Ireland we receive no financial assistance from the government. This means that all costs have to be funded by ourselves. We are committed to financially assisting as much as possible, but we need to be economically sustainable. Therefore majority of costs will fall on the players and their families. However, we will organise fundraising events and source as many sponsors as possible to ensure this cost is kept to a minimum.

Players and parents are encouraged to support fundraising and sponsorship efforts as much as possible.

Management Team

Programme Coordinator - Eduards Bartkevics

Junior Men's Head Coach - Victor O’Brien

Junior Men's Team Manager - Mal Caughers

U16 Head Coach - Janis Kipars

U16 Team Manager - Michael Creane

Junior Men's Assistant Coach - Paul Cummins

U16 Assistant Coach - Ken Moussat

Consultant Coach - Dave Hammond

Parent Representatives - TBC

Current Squads

Junior Men's National Training Squad

U16 National Group

National Team

Frank Balfry, Cork Wolfpack
Gatis Jekabsons, Midland Thunder
Michael Kennedy, Cork Wolfpack
Roberts Kipars, Midland Thunder
Toby McKelvey, Bangor Chiefs
Pauls Mengelis, Midland Thunder
Jamie O'Brien, Kilkenny Storm
Matthew O'Shea, Cork Wolfpack
Ivan Pantepajevs, Flying Ducks
Blaze Shields-Pettitt, Ballymena Vandals

Waiting List

Matthew Graham, Bangor Chiefs
Alfie McFarland, Armagh Stars
Oscars Vitolins, Clare Badgers
Robert Young, Kilkenny Storm

2nd Review Process

Oliver Costello, East Coast Blaze
Adam Donnohue, Flying Ducks
Alex Jones, Ballymena Vandals
Elijus Preisaitis, Midland Thunder