TORHS AND NARCH 2011 BY HELEN GEORGE
Posted by Claire Dibb on 17th August, 2011
GHBI Team Dangl made the trip of a life time this year to compete in both the prestigious TORHs and NARCh tournaments flying out to Dallas with BA on 2 July returning on 27 July from Miami. TORHs was held at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, training facility for the Dallas Stars and it was just as fantastic as the organisers had promised, with our team hotel, The Hilton Garden just across the road from the arena. Our younger players were able to play for other US teams in their own age groups and the Bantams (Sam Jones & Alex Downs) secured a Gold Medal in the Gold Bantam Division and also winning the 2 on 2 tournament, well done boys (Alex Downs awarded MVP and Top Goal Scorer). The highlight of TORHs was the Gold medal at Men’s Gold Division, winning 2:1 after a tight and thrilling game. A first for a UK team at Men’s Gold Division and a superb achievement for all involved. On 11 July we left Frisco with our U Haul truck full of kit and three vehicles so we could travel in comfort to Baton Rouge, our first stop on the road trip to Fort Myers. It turned out to be an interesting place and one that we will never forget. Next stop New Orleans and breakfast on Bourbon Street. Biloxi was the next town for us to sample. Destin was our next stop and this is definitely a place to return to, the beaches were great and it was a good place to swim and relax. Then onto Orlando for two nights and the parks - a choice of Universal Islands of Adventure with Harry Potter or Wet and Wild.
16 July and time to head to Fort Myers and the most amazing apartments on the gulf coast and prepare for NARCh. Again our younger players played at their own age group with American teams. NARCh is widely regarded as the most prestigious roller hockey tournament in the world and it’s certainly the largest, bringing in a staggering $14 million to the local economy. The Germain arena is a fantastic facility and a popular venue for players. Dangl 21’s team made the final of the Gold Division and won the silver medal, another first for a UK team at NARCh Junior Gold Division and the Men’s team came away with a bronze medal at Silver division after a very controversial decision in the semi final where the DVD showed that our goal in the final 0.8 seconds was within time against the team that went on to win the gold medal, a tough decision for us but still a great achievement and yet another first for a UK team.
26 July and time to make the last journey of our road trip to Miami to drop off the vehicles and board our plane to London. It was an unforgetable experience and we made so many friends along the way and have opportunities to visit them in America and play as guests for their teams. If we had written the script for this trip before we left it couldn’t have worked out better (well other than the Gold at NARCh!)
Many people have asked the cost of the trip. Each person pays for exactly what they have, but as a guide a player without parents paid a total of £1831 for the following:- Scheduled Flights on BA to Dallas and back to London from Miami, Tournament Fees for NARCh and TORHs, 1 Weekend Warrior Insurance, 2 Hockey Shirts, 1 Hockey Pants, I pair Shorts, 1 Hat, Player Insurance, Fuel and Tolls for the whole trip, hire charges and drop off fees and use of vehicles throughout the trip, Water on the bench, Bed and Breakfast at all hotels (except Orlando). So the only money the players needed was money for lunch and dinner and spending money.
Like all trips, this could not have happened without the great work that our parents put in, so a huge thanks to them all. Anyone for TORHs and or NARCh in 2012?
Helen George 2011
GBHI ARE MINDFUL OF THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE AND ARE AWARE OF THE NEED TO SELECT CAREFULLY THE TOURNAMENTS PEOPLE ATTEND. DUE TO THE FANTASTIC REPUTATION HELEN GEORGE HAS AT BOTH TORHS AND NARCH PROVIDING EXTRA BENEFITS, SHE IS OFFERING THIS AND THE CONTACTS SHE HAS ENABLING HER TO GET UNRIVALLED PRICES TO ANY GBHI AGE GROUP WANTING TO ATTEND EITHER TOURNAMENT NEXT SEASON. WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR COACHES AND MANAGERS SHORTLY TO BE PART OF THIS EXCITING OPPORTUNITY.