Get involved
New players are always welcome. Please visit the following links to find out more about being a member of the Dunedin Ice Hockey Association.
DIHA Newsletter May 2012
From the President
It’s been another busy start to the season for DIHA. The introduction of Janos as a full time coach to our programme at the end of last year is starting to show some real benefits. We’re seeing players of all ages and skill levels developing, the club is booking more ice for training and games. Moving to a full time, full year coach obviously has a considerable cost, but the board is determined to not pass these costs onto players and families as much as we are able. We are working with our financial partners – the rink, Dunedin Thunder, Southern Ice Hockey League – to both spread the cost and to make sure that the entire Dunedin ice hockey community benefits from his skills. The recent world champs which we hosted in Dunedin, and which many members of the club contributed to, was a major fundraiser which we will receive a financial benefit from. This money will be used to cover the costs until the growth that we are currently experiencing flows through from kiwihockey and adult beginners, to our peewee, midget, and older grades.
As a club I think we can be tremendously proud of our achievements and the direction that we are heading. Below is a list of our NZ rep players in 2012 – a pretty impressive list for one club! We look forward to continued success and growth.
As always, I welcome feedback on the direction of the club and the issues you are experiencing as players, parents etc. We hope you enjoy the upcoming season!
Pete Wallis
presidents@dunedinicehockey.hellyer.kiwi
New NZIHL web site
The New Zealand Ice Hockey League has a new web site: http://www.nzihl.com/. The web site also hosts the NZJEL (U16) league information. The new site design allows the posting of videos so check it out.
Thunder/Southern NZJEL News and Schedule 2012
Dunedin Thunder have finished their pre-season, losing 10-6 to Southern Stampede in Gore on the 19th, and splitting a double-header with Red Devils 5-0 and 2-4 last weekend in Dunedin. You can see their full schedule on the NZIHL web site, but their first home games vs West Auckland Admirals are only a week and a half away – 9th June at 6pm and 10th June at 4pm.
The Southern Junior Elites are training hard and are stacked with Dunedin’s best U16 players. Their first games are 14th (4.30pm) and 15 July (9am) vs Canterbury, here in Dunedin.
Gear to Donate to Club?
The club is steadily growing, and along with some gear going missing, other bits breaking, we are seeking more gear for our gear room to help kiwihockey and adult beginners grow – sticks, elbow and shin pads, shorts etc. The club has some grant applications in to assist with this, but if you have any gear that you no longer need and wish to donate, please give it to Barrett Wilson, or leave it in the gear room with a note on it.
Friendship Games
Southern Ice Hockey has recently appointed managers and coaches for this team which will travel to North America early next year. Katrina Stevenson (in Dunedin) will be managing the team, Andy Mills (Queenstown) will be tour manager, and Michael Sommers (Queenstown) will be the coach. Many of our older club members have been to a friendship games somewhere in the world, and relate what a fantastic experience the whole trip and tournament are. Eligible ages are kids born between July 1, 1999 – June 30, 2001. If you are keen to be involved, contact Katrina on trinas@xtra.co.nz.
Womens Hockey Programme
Led by Sophia Leon de la Barra, a programme of womens hockey and games is being organised in Southern, but incorporating female players from Canterbury. Any female players who are interested, contact Sophia on uno_mundo@gmail.com.
Erewhon Cup 2012
Dunedin is hosting this tournament (the 75th year that it has been held) in Tekapo this year. Further information will be available soon, but interested players should keep the weekend of 3-5 August free.
Youth Exchange with Hungary
One of the opportunities that has arisen from Janos coming to Dunedin is an exchange programme that he has set up with Hungary.
Eligibility: 3 JEL kids from Dunedin born 1997-If we had more than 3 players who want to come Janos will pick the best 3.
The fees:$ 3500-$4000 depend on air fares . For this amount the Hungarian club will provide everything you need (food ,accommodation, ice time etc.)
The dates are: Around end of September until Christmas 12 weeks but you can stay less if you wish but longer time is better for the players development. I will take over the boys and sort everything out and I will stay 3 weeks.
This is an Exchange programme so the Hungarian players will come back to Dunedin so families can expect to be hosting them here in return.
Apply: Email or talk to Janos (janos@dunedinicehockey.hellyer.kiwi).
Rep Players
Congratulations to the following rep players from Dunedin who have represented NZ in the past few months.
Ice Blacks: Regan Wilson
Ice Fernz: Mallory Handcock, Stephanie Patchett, Zanzee Pielak-Jones
U20s: Regan Wilson, Remy Sandoy
U16s: Josh Hubbard, Jacob Hurring, Joe Orr, Ben Roth, Xavier Aliberch-Wood, Ben Wallis, Hadley Johnston
That’s a fantastic selection of players, and there’s real talent coming through the ranks with so many U16s coming from Dunedin.
