Last year’s inaugural season for the Colorado Middle School Inline Hockey League was a huge success. Nineteen teams participated throughout Colorado and more teams are anticipated this year.
The league has a strong focus on sportsmanship, teamwork and discipline. According to Gilbert Hernandez, President of Rocky Heights Nighthawks Hockey Club, “We provide a venue that enables kids to better assimilate into the middle school; kids develop a sense of school spirit and camaraderie with competitive play amongst other schools; this program offers kids an additional sport and meets a community need as school budgets are increasingly cut and activities slashed.”
Three types of teams are sanctioned in the league, to ensure parity and encourage kids at all levels to play. Practices are held once or twice a week in the early evening hours with games falling on the weekend. Ten regular season games will be played, followed by playoffs and a championship game. Through a nomination process, there will also be an 8th Grade Showcase and a Scholastic All Star Game.
All boys and girls in grades six through eight, living in the Castle Pines North area, or attending Rocky Heights Middle School are welcome to try out for the 2005 Colorado Middle School Inline Hockey League. Tryouts are being held at the Soc’ n Roll Indoor Sports Center in Monument, Colorado on both Sunday August 21 from 3pm until 5pm and Monday August 22 from 7pm until 8pm. Players will be assigned to teams by August 28 and an informational meeting with parents and players will be held shortly after teams are determined.
Community support is vital to the league’s success. Corporate sponsorships are being sought and parent volunteers are always welcome. For more information about the league refer to the website at eteamz.active.com/rhnighthawks or call Gilbert Hernandez at (303)814-2973.
