Saturday 30 March 2013

Bulldogs very own Captain Jack . . .

Not a pirate (obviously), this season's Youth Captain, Jack Abbott (make a note of the name because he'll go far) speaks really highly of his team mates, he also speaks very highly of the club and come to think of it he even speaks very highly of the Youth Team Manager . . . and that's his Dad!
In a nut-shell Jack Abbott is an incredibly well-mannered, genuine young man who deserves all the respect he receives. Yeah, he'll be a pretty good Captain we think.


Tomorrows matches are against Ash and Oxford, how do you think the team will perform?
"I know the team will give at least 110%, they did in our opening 2 matches, the final results of both matches no way mirrored how well we played that weekend, we were pretty proud of ourselves, tomorrows matches will have the same committment from everyone in the team so we'll see"

Which team in the league do you want to beat the most?
"Swindon"

Before matches when you all go for a warm-up run, is it true that your Manager (Martin, his Dad lol) runs with you?
"Yep, he came 3rd last time! Alex and I just beat him"

Best hockey moment?
"At last years Youth Nationals, I think we were playing Eastbourne, apart from Becca (goalie) there was only me and Jai on the rink, Jai still scored, it was brilliant"

You're one of our up-and-coming coaching stars, following in the footsteps of Zach, Magic and Ricci, do you plan on training to be a coach or official in the future?
"If I can then yes, definately, I really enjoy it. Coaching our new 'Street Hockey' sessions with Ricci is great fun and I'm learning alot"

Favourite colour?
"White"

Best X-Box game?
"GTA5"

When you get your pilots license can I have a free flight to New York or somewhere?
"No"

So, Heyford may have kick started Jacks love of all things inline but we Bulldogs have made him one of our own.
Good luck and kick much a$$ tomorrow!

GO BULLDOGS

No amount of Easter eggs will make this better

Due to the inconvenience of Easter there isn't any training or street hockey today at Spiceball. This makes us quite sad . . . 
Anyhoo, Happy Easter . . 

Saturday 9 March 2013

Ricci Capel talks hockey

First matches last weekend as Junior Captain Ricci, how was it?
"Pretty good, I enjoyed it"
Even though we didn't win that weekend, how do you think the team did, were you happy with everyone's performance?
"Yes, everyone in the team gave 110%, I couldn't ask for much more than that to be honest, I knew they would put that amount of effort in that's why I have a lot of respect for them, first weekend of the season, we were just finding our feet, we're still going to qualify for the Nationals"
Is that this seasons goal then, to qualify for the Nationals?
"Yeah, that's one of my goals"
Ok, so which team in the league would you most like to beat?
"Definitely Ash, and we will"
You've played at every level, minnow, pee wee, youth etc, for any pee wee reading this what's the difference when you play matches as a junior compared to matches you played as a pee wee?
"It's a lot faster, harder, so much more physical at junior level, by the time you get to play as a junior it's not too much of a shock to the system if you've been training hard and listening to what Tony (Coach) tells you to do . . . it's just very physical and fast at junior level"
You've been selected to try out for Team GB this year . . how did that make you feel?
"I was really glad to be nominated, very proud and of course Jai and Alex R. were invited to try out as well, if all 3 of get picked it'll be brilliant"
You do quite a bit of coaching these days, the Street Hockey Sessions for a start, is coaching something you enjoy? Is it something you're going to keep doing or do you fancy moving into the world of officials, being a ref and stuff?
"No way do I want to be a ref, I enjoy coaching, Jack and I coach the Street Hockey players, it's good fun"
Yes the younger players have a huge amount of respect for you, it's nice to see
So, your bestest ever hockey moment was . . . ?
"Scoring my first goal as a pee wee in 2005"
Your Mum's just told me that you scored the winning goal at the pee wee Nationals in 2005 against Swindon . . . remember that?
"oh yes . . . lol"
Finally, were you really called Pocket Rocket as a Pee Wee?
"No, my Mum made that up"
Oh? Lol, uhuh, cheers Ricci ;-)

Thursday 7 March 2013

Now we can celebrate . . .

Hallelujah!
SASH have finally, and at long last, booked Spiceball Leisure Centre  . . . So;
We, (that's us, the mighty Bulldogs) WILL be hosting the second part of this seasons league at Spiceball, it's official!
Yay!
And about time too . . . ;-) 

GO BULLDOGS

Wednesday 6 March 2013

Carolyns Winning Angels & Devils

from left to right, Lauren, Tom, Ted, Carolyn, Shamim, Victoria,  Max, Ellen and Aimee
Goal scoring duo Ted & Tom Allen
Carolyn with some angels (cough) and devils
Winners!

Monday 4 March 2013

Match reports 03/03/2013 . . .


Sunday was the start of this year’s UK Skater Hockey Season with Junior and Pee Wee teams from Banbury Bulldogs Skater Hockey Club playing in the opening weekend’s fixtures.

Junior League
Swindon Flames 10 - Bulldogs 1
Oxford 9 - Bulldogs 0

Bulldog’s Junior squad were left to count the cost (and goal tally) of some impressive passing from Swindon. The teams looked pretty equal in the match’s opening exchanges but with Banbury squandering some of their early possession due to some below par passing, Swindon took the opportunity to press forward, and after being kept at bay for a while by Banbury’s defence and some top drawer saves from their keeper Dave Ballaam, Swindon’s persistence paid off breaking the deadlock then taking the advantage by swiftly extending their lead. Banbury dug deep but as the game progressed Swindon steadily extended their lead, the only consolation for Banbury being a goal from their captain, Ricci Capel.
The Junior’s second match was a much more evenly contested match, with both teams having shots on goal and fiercely challenging the other for possession. In the end, the deciding factor was a match winning performance by two Oxford players.

Pee Wee League
Oxford Storm 1 - Bulldogs 0
Ash Avalanche Freeze 1 - Bulldogs 2

The two opening matches for Banbury’s Pee Wee team were both thrillers. Banbury’s team which included some new recruits playing in a competitive match for the first time, gave it their all and they should be proud of the effort they put in and how they rose to the occasion.Their first game against Oxford was balanced on a knife edge for minute after minute with both teams coming close to scoring. When eventually the deadlock was broken, Banbury kept attacking and were unlucky not to have scored.
Banbury’s will to win was rewarded in their second match - coming from a goal down to beat Ash thanks to a great team performance, goals from Tom and Ted Allen and an impressive leading display from captain Aimee Wakelin who lead her team to victory.

GO BULLDOGS!