The Blackwood Blaze inline hockey club was established in 1996 in Blackwood S.A. we are based at The Blackwood recreation centre and currently have one of the largest competitions hosting on the largest inline hockey rink in Adelaide.
The Blackwood Recreation Centre got its first taste of Inline Hockey back in June 1993 when a group of Ice Hockey Players started playing Inline Hockey during their ice off season to refine their skills. A number of young children who were present at the Blackwood Recreation Centre on the day for other reasons watched in amazement at a sport unlike anything they had ever seen.
It was not long before the children were asking how they could get involved. Phil Ashby, the then Manager of the Blackwood Recreation Centre, decided to test the interest and distributed a flyer inviting children to come and try the sport one Friday night. That Friday night over sixty children turned up with their skates ready to play. The overwhelming response lead to the creation of the Blackwood Inline Hockey Club.
Blackwood was the first Inline Hockey Club in South Australia, and since that time it has continued to grow and be a leader both in playing the sport and the administration of the game.
In 1996 a District Team was formed, Blackwood Blaze, to compete at Regional Tournaments. The best Players from each age group were selected to compete for "The Blaze", giving Players something to aspire to in regards to developing their playing skills and giving them a platform for State selection. The Blackwood Blaze District Teams used to compete in Tournaments on a regular basis and also took part in the Southern League and Metro Leagues. These Leagues were formed to encourage Players from the southern areas of Adelaide to participate at competition level, these were the Premier Inline Hockey Leagues in South Australia and displayed some of the best Hockey in the Country.
In 2004 a dream came true for the Blackwood Inline Hockey Club, as they moved into the new Blackwood Recreation Centre, which was one of South Australia's finest Hockey venues.
The Blackwood Inline Hockey Club still offers games of Hockey to all age groups, both male and female. The Club has produced many Players and Coaches who have represented South Australia and Australia in National and International Tournaments.
After almost 20 years, the Blackwood Inline Hockey Club is still going strong and is looking forward to what lies ahead...