The Belfast Junior Giants U14 team played their first ever away match to Kilmarnock in the first of a series of friendly games organised by the club for all age groups. This would prove to be a challenge not only to the players but to coaches and team managers. After many months of hard work by coaches, Rob Stewart and Mark Morrison, the team were ready to face their new challenge with confidence.
Several members of the team were able to make the late night Friday night training on the evening prior to the game and made it home in time to have their kit aired and dried before a very early start the following morning.
After a few last minute changes to the roster, the team, consisting of 13 players together with coach Mark Morrison, team managers and supporters, boarded the coach at 6am on Saturday morning at Dundonald Ice Bowl. One unpredictable factor in the planning stage of any trip organised for this time of the year is the weather. Fortunately the harsh winter conditions of the previous year were not repeated and the planned travel arrangements were not hampered. The party left Belfast on the 07:30 sailing with Stenaline. This in itself was an adventure for the players, and a chance to meet and bond with other parents who were accompanying the team.
The party travelled to the Rivergate Shopping Centre at Irvine where they had several hours to spend at leisure. After some shopping and eating, the coach proceeded onwards to its destination at the Galleon Centre, Kilmarnock – to be on time for the 3.30pm face-off against Kilmarnock Lightning.

After a warm welcome by Kilmarnock’s coach, committee representatives and parents the team were shown to their changing area where coach Mark Morrison finalised the plans for the organisation of the team on ice.

There was a sense of pride amongst parents and supporters of the Under 14 team as they entered the ice rink at Kilmarnock captained by David Sally, assisted by Jack McKillen Murphy and Jamie Scott. For this first match the team had been given the opportunity to vote in their own captain and vice-captains.
The under 14 team also included net-minder Chris Boyd, Jamie Clarke, Aaron Foster, Ross Hancock, Peter Hanna, Dylan Kennedy and Ben Murdoch. They were joined by three members of the under 12 team – Gabriel Bisaillon and Avery Rebek and net-minder Artem Muskulidi.

Kilmarnock got off to an early start in the game scoring against the Junior Belfast Giants after 1.29. Fortunes changed in the first period for the Juniors after captain David Sally put the puck past the Kilmarnock net-minder on two occasions at 10.43 and 11.45 leaving the Juniors ahead at 2-1 at the end of the first period.

Just over seven minutes into the second period Kilmarnock equalised the scores, and then took the lead with two more successive goals. Junior’s Under 12 player Gabriel Bisaillon scored against Kilmarnock at 27.04 which left the team with a deficit of only one goal as they entered the third period.

The Juniors appeared to succumb to the many hours of travelling earlier that day and they were showing signs of tiredness on ice as they began the third period. They conceded a further three goals to Kilmarnock during the third period, but there was an air of excitement amongst the team and their supporters as assistant captain Jamie Scott scored the team’s fourth goal in just under four minutes from the end of the game.

The final score – Kilmarnock 7, Junior Belfast Giants 4.

A special mention should be made of two players who received injuries during the game – David Sally and Ben Murdoch. After some minor treatment and some rest both boys, through their determination and resilience, returned to the ice to resume play in the game.

This was the first competitive match the team had played and they did themselves proud. Their outstanding performance can now be analysed by coaches to identify areas for further development in future games. The final score did not reflect their efforts on ice. There were many favourable comments and words of encouragement received from representatives of the Kilmarnock team and their supporters.

Of course there can’t be thirteen Man of the Match awards and on this occasion Chris Boyd, net-minder, picked up the award for an outstanding performance throughout the match.
On return to Belfast only one question seemed to be on the lips of the players – “When is our next trip to Scotland ? ”
Well done Under 14’s!!!!!

A word of thanks to all those who helped make the day both a safe, successful and enjoyable one for all who travelled with the Under 14 team. A special word of thanks to the following for providing for every player, a selection of fruit from Country Fresh, Patrick Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth and water for the players from Gleeson Group.

Your support is invaluable and is very much appreciated.

Thanks again and see you all again next year for the return game

SNL training 11:30  – 12: 30 (invitation only)

Junior Giants training 12:45 -1:45 ( No LTP’s) Remember this ice time is not included in your monthly fees.

Coach Rob

We are trying to organise friendly games for all age groups in Scotland in 2012.

Coaches and team managers have now been assigned to each age group as listed below;

COACH TEAM MANAGERS

U10s Stephen Hamill Glen Ferguson
Glen Ferguson Kate Morrison

U12s Mark Morrison Martin Oakman
Robert Bisaillon Robert Bisaillon
David Lloyd

U14s Rob Stewart Chris Scott
Mark Morrison Vincent Sally

U16s Rob Stewart Colin Wilson
U18s Mark Morrison Rosemarie Coleman

Your email addresses will be passed to the appropriate coaches and team managers who will contact you with all the information on the game/dates and costs.

training will start back on Tuesday 30th August

PLEASE NOTE TRAINING TIMES MAY CHANGE AT ANY TIME

Training times will be as follows

Tuesday nights under 10s 5.30-6.30 ******THERE WILL BE A 15 MIN CROSS OVER*******
Tuesday nights under 12s 6.15-7.15

Wednesday nights learn to play 6.15-7.15
Wednesday nights recci 10.15pm-11.15

Friday night UNDER 14,16,18s 10.15-11.15 ******SUBJECT TO CHANGE*********

Sunday under 10s,12s, 5.15-6.15
” under 14,16,18s 6.15-7.15

The Junior Belfast Giants will be holding Renewal Registrations and on ice player evaluations on the following dates:

Under 10’s Monday 22nd August 2011 5.45pm – 6.45pm

Under 12’s Tuesday 23rd August 2011 5.45pm – 6.45pm

LTPs & Goaltenders Wednesday 24th August 2011 5.45pm – 6.45pm

Under 14’s Thursday 25th August 2011 5.45pm – 6.45pm

Under 16’s & U18’s Friday 26th August 2011 5.45pm – 6.45pm

The cost will be £10 per player. Players must be on the ice at the allocated time in order to complete the evaluation.

NB: There will be no late night session Friday 26th August 2011

Please refer to the attached spreadsheet, check the age held on record for your child (note: this is the age they will be on 31st December 2011) and make a note of the age group they will be playing in for the 2011 to 2012 season.

For those of you who have already registered with IHUK & IHNI you will only have to confirm there are no changes to the details already supplied and pay your annual insurance premium.

We are pleased to inform you that despite increases in insurance premiums we will not be increasing the £15 insurance premium paid by players last season.

As this is a new season, each player MUST pay their Insurance Premium in full before they will be allowed on the ice.

For those LTPs who have not already registered you must now complete your registration forms for IHUK and IHNI and pay the appropriate £15 fee plus your £15 annual insurance premium. If you have not already registered please complete the attached Registration form and bring following documents with you to the appropriate session as set out above:

A copy of your birth certificate (Please note the ice Bowl will not make photocopies for you)
2 passport sized photographs with the players name clearly marked on the back
If you have any queries regarding any of the above please email one of the following and someone will reply to you as soon as possible.

Paul@juniorbelfastgiants.com
Nicky@juniorbelfastgiants.com
June@juniorbelfastgiants.com