banN’S CHAMPIONS I SPOT IS CONFIRMED

There were hopes that Bann would be fielding a team in the European Trophy competition as runners-up in the Irish Hockey League last season.

Normally that would have been the case, with the IHL winners qualifying for the European Hockey League, but because Ireland have slipped down hockey’s European rankings the island has lost its one automatic place for the continent’s top competition.

Instead the sport’s governing body have confirmed that IHL winners Monkstown will play in the Trophy with Banbridge filing the Champions Challenge I slot.

Banbridge will compete in the 2014 Challenge I against teams from Croatia, Gibraltar, Czech Republic, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Switzerland while Monkstown, as 2013 IHL winners, will compete in the 2014 Trophy against teams from Scotland, Italy, Wales, Austria, the Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

While the Challenge I competition is likely to take place in May 2014, there is no further detail available on where this will be held.

- Banbridge Hockey Club, in conjunction with the council are running a hockey coaching summer program. This will take place at Havelock Park from August 5-9.

Primary 5-7 children will attend morning sessions (9am -12pm) with secondary school children (years 8-10) in the afternoon (12.30 – 3.30pm).

For more information visit banbridgehockeyclub.com