Page 44 - link magazine

Storm has a team for all ages

Wildcats’ head coach writes for Link Sport
Our fans are awesome
IT ALWAYS amazes me just how
loyal our fans are.
They follow us everywhere, even
the tough places like Sheffield,
Manchester and Peterborough.
It’s great for the boys to come out
and always see some fans there,
waiting to cheer us on.
Every Sunday night they are up
American football club launch and down the country to watch us,
it’s really good. It reminds me of
new sides for young players when I was a hockey mad kid and
SWINDON Storm are now offering used to do the same thing every
young players from the age of week.
14 the chance to get involved in with the best players in the floodlights at Filton Campus on the My mum and dad used to drive me
American football. region between now and Easter, brand new authentic High School everywhere to watch Swindon and
Having run a senior team in the before going on and potentially field, with NFL style goal posts it was really fun.
British national leagues for two representing the National League and college score board giving the We used to go to Blackburn, some
years, the club are now running side in tournaments throughout tournament a real ‘Friday Night teams in Scotland, everywhere. That
Youth and Junior Varsity teams Southern England. Lights’ feel. just makes me realise quite how
which means aspiring players in Young players aged 17-21 Players aged 18 and over will much these guys give up to follow
Swindon have more chance than will take on teams from Bath, then graduate into the Storm us.
ever before to get started in the Gloucester, Bristol and Cardiff senior side as they make a run for I know the guys really do
game. in the ground breaking Bristol the National League Division Two appreciate how much they give
The 14-16 year olds can join Academy Community League, title over the summer. up for us and for that reason they
the youth programme, with a managed by South Gloucestershire Anyone wishing to get involved always like to take time out to
development team who will and Stroud College. can find out more by logging onto acknowledge the support they give
hold combined training sessions Games will be played under www.swindonstorm.org. us.
Aldridge wants Lyle to continue

RYAN Aldridge remains hopeful “What can I say to Stevie with the
netminder Stevie Lyle will opt career he has had,” Aldridge said.
against retiring at the end of the “He is enjoying his hockey and
season after yet a string when he is doing that he plays
of stunning displays Wildcats youngsters well for us which is good.
recently. Glenn Billing, Adam “I don’t think he is
The Welshman Finlinson, Luc Johnson, Toms thinking about that
revealed prior to Rutkis,Michael Stratford, Ben (retiring) right now.
the season that Nethersall and Kyle Smith have I’m not really thinking
this campaign been named in GB U18s squad about it. I am hoping
Volunteers are needed to join Swindon Sports Forum, the could be the last of for the World Championship it’s not going to happen,
in Estonia next month
voice of the town’s sporting community. It provides support his glittering career hopefully he has got
to over 350 local sports clubs ensuring that everyone has the but, after once again another year in him and I
opportunity to participate in sport in Swindon at their level of justifying Aldridge’s belief he would love him to be back next
ability. possesses the best netminder in the year.
league, the Cats coach wans him to “There is no doubt about that, but
The Forum provides: change his mind. that decision is his.”
• Advice on topics such as finance, governance, marketing health & safety
• Access to club, coach and participant funding
• Access to training opportunities for clubs and coaches
To take the Swindon Sports Forum to the next level, we are FEBRUARY FIXTURES @ SWINDON ICE ARENA
looking for people who have a genuine interest in sport and
could gift some time to help with the Forum’s activities such as: Saturday 7 Feb (6pm), EPIHL:
• Attending steering groups and planning for the future Swindon Wildcats v Bracknell Bees
• Organising events Sat 14 Feb (6pm), EPIHL:
• Website development Swindon Wildcats v Manchester Phoenix
• Database management Weds 18 Feb (7.45pm), EPIHL:
• PR support Swindon Wildcats v MK Lighting
• Strategy support Sat 28 Feb (6pm), EPIHL:
Swindon Wildcats v Bracknell Bees
To make a big difference to sport in Swindon
contact the chair David Bell to find out more:
[email protected]
44 swindonlink.com n February 2015