Coastal Pirates get the inline loot

SWAKOPMUND’S Coastal Pirates held off determined challenges from Windhoek and Otjiwarongo clubs last weekend to underline their dominance of Namibian inline hockey, in the final tournament of the 2006 season.

The Pirates took championship titles in six out of nine divisions in this year’s Namibian Ice and Inline Hockey Association (NIIHA) League, in a tournament which showcased an impressive level of skills in all age groups. Players from throughout the country showed just how far the sport has come over the past decade, performing with the type of commitment that has earned Namibia a foothold among inline hockey’s international elite.Hosted by the coastal club, the four-day tournament represented the climax of the competition season.Thirty-seven teams (including three from Maun in Botswana) played a total of 83 games to sort out the final league standings.The home club won the tournament and the 2006 NIIHA league in the 8&Under, 10&Under, 12&Under, 14&Under, 18&Under and Men’s Open divisions.The Ladies competition (both the tournament and the League) was dominated by Badgers from Windhoek; while the Masters division was sewn up by the Cazadores.In the 16&Under division, tournament gold went to the Cazadores, but Kamikaze were the 2006 League champions.PIRATES WIN THRILLER The most anticipated game of the tournament was played on Saturday night between Coastal Pirates and Cazadores in the Men’s Open division.The knife-edge contest set various key members of the Namibian national team against each other, and the teams were never divided by more than one goal.At half time Cazadores led 2-1, but neither team could hear their coaches’ pep talks above the din of their supporters.The 600 or so supporters who packed the SFC venue screamed for their teams for a full two minutes until the whistle blew for the second period.More drama followed before Pirates took command of the game in the final five minutes.They went ahead 4-3 with a blistering slap shot by Basti Faber from behind his own goal line, and that’s how the score line remained.Another cracking game rounded off the event on Sunday afternoon, when Coastal Pirates played arch-enemies Cazadores in the 18&Under division for tournament gold.After a nail-biting 26 minutes, the teams drew at four goals apiece – just enough to secure first place for the Pirates.Some of the most enjoyable games of the tournament were provided by the youngest inliners playing in the 8&Under and 10&Under divisions, where considerable skills were backed up by tremendous enthusiasm.Fortunately there will be one more opportunity to see these young players in action before the end of the season, when Coastal Pirates host a Youth Skills Development tournament.The event will take place from 6-8 October and will bring together players aged 14 and under – for the love of the game.Players from throughout the country showed just how far the sport has come over the past decade, performing with the type of commitment that has earned Namibia a foothold among inline hockey’s international elite.Hosted by the coastal club, the four-day tournament represented the climax of the competition season.Thirty-seven teams (including three from Maun in Botswana) played a total of 83 games to sort out the final league standings.The home club won the tournament and the 2006 NIIHA league in the 8&Under, 10&Under, 12&Under, 14&Under, 18&Under and Men’s Open divisions.The Ladies competition (both the tournament and the League) was dominated by Badgers from Windhoek; while the Masters division was sewn up by the Cazadores.In the 16&Under division, tournament gold went to the Cazadores, but Kamikaze were the 2006 League champions.PIRATES WIN THRILLER The most anticipated game of the tournament was played on Saturday night between Coastal Pirates and Cazadores in the Men’s Open division.The knife-edge contest set various key members of the Namibian national team against each other, and the teams were never divided by more than one goal.At half time Cazadores led 2-1, but neither team could hear their coaches’ pep talks above the din of their supporters.The 600 or so supporters who packed the SFC venue screamed for their teams for a full two minutes until the whistle blew for the second period.More drama followed before Pirates took command of the game in the final five minutes.They went ahead 4-3 with a blistering slap shot by Basti Faber from behind his own goal line, and that’s how the score line remained.Another cracking game rounded off the event on Sunday afternoon, when Coastal Pirates played arch-enemies Cazadores in the 18&Under division for tournament gold.After a nail-biting 26 minutes, the teams drew at four goals apiece – just enough to secure first place for the Pirates.Some of the most enjoyable games of the tournament were provided by the youngest inliners playing in the 8&Under and 10&Under divisions, where considerable skills were backed up by tremendous enthusiasm.Fortunately there will be one more opportunity to see these young players in action before the end of the season, when Coastal Pirates host a Youth Skills Development tournament.The event will take place from 6-8 October and will bring together players aged 14 and under – for the love of the game.