Welcome to the exciting sport of roller hockey!
Swansea Sharks Junior Roller Hockey club welcome all new members, and play in the South Wales region of the BIPHA league. The league matches are played in 2 venues, Penyrheol Leisure centre, Gorseinon and Ebbw Vale Leisure centre.
Players compete in age groups ranging between under 10 and seniors (ie over 21), Currently, Swansea Sharks compete in the under 12 and under 14 age groups. The age group that each player plays in is determined by their age on 1st January. Girls and boys play together in the same team, although girls are allowed to play down an age group, with under 14 girls playing in our under 12's team.
Each team plays with 4 outfield players and a netminder, and the games are overseen by 2 referees. The games are split into 3 periods of aproximately 12 minutes, with younger players playing slightly shorter periods and older players playing for longer. Much like football, the team with the most goals wins !
Safety & Protective Equipment
Roller hockey is a fast game played with a hard plastic puck, so protective equipment is important. The hockey kit required includes helmets and shin pads, and must be worn in training as well as at matches. Despite the players wearing lots of protective gear, and the game appearing fast and furious, very rarely are players hurt when playing the sport.
Buying the various types of protective gear can be expensive, especially when bought new. However, new players can purchase second-hand if they know where to look. The club also operates a kit share scheme, where new players are able to borrow the necessary protective gear to get you started. Players wishing to borrow kit must give adequate notice (ie at least 48 hours) along with relevant size information, to enable any kit to be provided. Please contact us for more information &/or to arrange to borrow kit.
Training & fees
Training sessions are held at Penyrheol Leisure centre, Gorseinon on every other Friday evening, between 7:45 and 9:00pm. Our coaches are trained and qualified, and are CRB checked like all our club offcials. New volunteers or parents willing to help deliver any aspect of our club activities, including training, are always welcome.
Players pay £5 per session for training. New players may attend their first training session free of charge, so that they can see if they like the sport, after which they will be required to register as a club member and pay training fees by direct debit. Players also have to pay £3 each time they play a match.
Further infomation
All players must sign our code of conduct which requires, amongst other things, respect for club offcials and fellow team mates. Bad behavior will not be tolerated.
Parents of new players MUST sign a medical &/or consent form before players can participate in training sessions.
Players must be fully paid up BIPHA and club members before they are allowed to play in league games.