Dunedin Ice Hockey Association

DIHA Newsletter March 2009

From the President

Your Dunedin Ice Hockey Association is going through an evolution, with a new constitution and Board of Directors. In this newsletter and out on the ice members are seeing some of the results of these changes, as we increase the number of games on offer, and bring additional benefits to members via a membership card and discount scheme. To learn more about the DIHA and who runs it, visit the about page. To see our new constitution visit here.

We have a very exciting month coming up, with the Ice Blacks playing a Finnish team this Friday evening, and then coming back in a couple of weeks seeking a gold medal in the Division III World Champs. This is the best hockey you can see live without leaving New Zealand, and the prices are very reasonable.

These events do not run themselves, and as a volunteer-run association we are dependent upon members and their family stepping forward to offer with assistance. The Division III World Champs is an opportunity for the club to benefit financially, as we receive a portion of the profits, which we can then use to make ice hockey more accessible to members, and buy equipment and develop coaches and referees. If you are at all able to help with any of the jobs listed below, please let us know.

Lastly, congratulations to members of the clubs that have been selected for higher honours. Regan Wilson and Harrison King recently travelled to Chinese Taipei and brought back silver medals as part of the New Zealand Under-18 team, and Damion Watson will be taking the ice in April as a member of the Ice Blacks for the first time. Their achievements reflect not only upon themselves and their commitment to their sport, but to the tremendous work that all areas of the club have been doing for a number of years to produce great ice hockey players.

I welcome feedback on this newsletter and the club in general, email me.

Kyle Matthews
DIHA President

News

Upcoming Ice Break

Due to the Division III World Champs and World Seniors Curling, we will have limited ice availability in April. The last regular practice will be Thursday 2 April. There will be a one-off practice on Sunday 12 April (Adult Beginners), and Tuesday 14 April (Peewees@6pm, Midgets@7pm, Juniors@8pm and SNC@9pm). Then there will be no further practices until 4 May.

Membership Cards & Discounts

Thanks to the effort of DIHA Operations VP Callum Wood, and the kind sponsorship of (to date) Alibi Bar & Café, Velvet Burger, R&R Sport, Projenz, and Vital Colour the club is currently distributing membership cards. These not only confirm your membership of the club, but also offer discounts at great venues around town, with more discounts currently being negotiated. For more information see here.

DIHA Seeks Professional Coach

Sadly, the club has not able to retain the services of Jenel Bode, who was our professional coach for the past two years. We wish Jenel all the best as she explores her coaching future elsewhere.

The club is committed to continuing to have professional coaching available via the DIHA. To this end, the Board has advertised for a Professional Ice Hockey Coach – Part Time. If you know of anyone who would be interested in applying for this position, please direct them to here.

Southern Ice Hockey League Schedule

The schedule for all grades for SIHL games is now available at the SIHL website. This schedule may still have changes depending on other events and weather, so stay in contact with your team manager about your games.

We won’t see any SIHL games here in Dunedin until May, but the Midgets and Open grade are both in Queenstown on 4 April, Open in Gore on 19 April, and Peewees in Gore on 26 April. Best of luck to all these teams.

NZIHF Upcoming Events

Ice Blacks vs HC Storm

Friday 27 March 7pm. Tickets $10 from the door.

This Friday the Ice Blacks will be playing HC Storm, a travelling team from Finland who are currently touring New Zealand. Games one and two were close wins to the Ice Blacks, this promises to be a terrific encounter.

Ice Blacks in Division III World Champs

From 10 – 16 April, the Ice Blacks will be playing in the Division III World Champs here in Dunedin, against Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mongolia and Turkey. This is a great chance to see international hockey right here in Dunedin. For schedule and tickets see here.

DIHA Upcoming Events

Club Nights

A new initiative that the DIHA has introduced this year is Saturday’s club nights. Each Saturday teams from peewee to midget will come together to play each other. As the year develops we hope to increase the social element that this offers – we’ll open up the new social area that is currently being built upstairs in the rink to offer refreshments, put on ice hockey movies for the kids, NHL games for all, and make Saturday night hockey night. To see the schedule go to here (games from May onwards will be added soon).

Easton Cup

Between the World Champs and the Senior Curling World Champs, we have virtually no ice in April. Why not kick off ice hockey returning by playing in the Easton Cup – a Senior Non-checking tournament from 8 – 10 May, in Dunedin. All players 16+ are welcome, enter your existing DIHA team, or form one from other players. For more information contact Larry Martin, and ask to be sent an entry form.

Dunedin Ice Hockey League

Our in-house social non-checking league is returning again, with six teams to be playing a seven week competition beginning in May. All players sixteen years and up are invited to play in an open league. To sign up contact Kara Ross. More information and entry forms available at the DIHL web page.

Oldtimers

A wonderful way to both continue your involvement in ice hockey as the bones get more brittle, or to take up the game as a beginner without having to worry about the crash and bash of playing with kids. Over the past year Dunedin has begun building an oldtimers tradition, with regular weekly games, and oldtimers teams fronting up for the DIHL, and Club nights. Players of all abilities (males must be 35+, women 30+) welcome, contact Al O’Connor to sign up.

Coming up for Oldtimers, a tournament in one of the most stunning ice rinks you’ll ever see, outdoor at Tekapo, 7 – 9 August, and the Masters Games right here in Dunedin in February 2010. See the latest oldtimers newsletter here.

Middletimers

Middletimers is a game designed for beginners who are just learning the game, and struggle to play against better players in a DIHL-type environment. With referees, goalies and a scorer however, it’s a proper game of hockey in a supportive environement and a great way to make the transition from beginners hockey to playing the game. Middletimers is just winding down for a few months, but to sign up for the next round, contact Kim Meredith-Jones.

Women

There are insufficient female players involved in our area to form a womens ice hockey league. All female players above beginner level are invited to play for the Southern Ice Hockey League Womens Squad team. This team played in the Southern Ice Hockey League Senior Non-Checking tournaments, and is the basis for the Southern Womens team that has won consecutive gold medals at Nationals. To sign up contact Jan Goulding (Team Manager).

Get Involved

Division III World Champs – Volunteers Needed

The organisation of April’s Division III World Champs here in Dunedin takes a lot of work, particularly during the days of games. The club is looking for volunteers to sell tickets, merchandise, help with security, assist with statistics through recording plus/minus, faceoff, shots, distribute posters and flyers promoting the event, cleaning, driving officials to and from the rink. Volunteers will not only help return money to the club through ensuring that we have a successful tournament, but also will be given free tickets or tournament passes. If you able to help during the period 10 – 16 April, please contact Joyce Miller.

Coach Training

In early April we are pleased to be hosting the Ice Blacks as they prepare for their tilt at a gold medal. While they prepare, the Ice Blacks coach, NZIHF National Coaching Coordinator Jeff Bonanzo has offered to run a basic coaching session. This will be run across a couple of evenings in the week 6 – 10 April. All players and parents welcome to come and get the first step of their coaching qualifications. Email DIHA President Kyle Matthews and indicate your interest.

Referee Training

In May the DIHA will be hosting the NZIHF Referee-in-Chief who has offered to train additional referees for the club. Referees are vital for the future of our sport, and all that is required is skating ability, patience, and a willingness to give back to ice hockey. Some games are even paid! Email DIHA Referee-in-Chief Michael Mitchell and indicate your interest.

Scorebox Training

Just as important as referees and coaches are our wonderful scorers and timekeepers. There is no glory if your shorthanded goal doesn’t end up in the stats! The club is seeking people willing to learn the skills required to sit in the scorebox and run the time clock or a score sheet. Training takes place on Saturday evenings (club nights), the scorebox is the best view on the ice, and it is also heated. Contact Joyce Miller to sign up.

Dunedin Ice Hockey Association Newsletter is sent to all members of the club. To include material send it to Kyle Matthews. For more information visit https://dunedinicehockey.hellyer.kiwi/.