By LES PEARSON

IT IS time to get your skates on as some of the state’s best inline hockey players descend on the region for a tournament this weekend at Barmera.

Barmera Inline Hockey

secretary Colleen Gale said after visiting the Riverland last year, the Pro IHL (Inline Hockey League) based in Adelaide was keen to bring the sport back to the region once more.

Six teams from the league will be taking part in a

round-robin tournament as two minor rounds of the league’s regular season throughout Saturday and under lights that night.

Mrs Gale said the Barmera rink is the only outdoor facility of its kind in the state.

She said the state league players enjoy the change

of venue.

“It’s a different atmosphere outside under lights and a

different surface too,” she said.

A handful of locals are expected to be competing, including Matthew Chapple, Ben Tanner, Ryan Selga and Trevor and Ben Marcusson.

Mrs Gale added the invitation is open for others to join in.

“If there are any senior players out there wanting a game, by all means come along and bring your gear and we’ll see if we can get them on the court,” she said.

The sport has a strong history in the region, although in recent years interest seems to have dropped.

“It is one of those sports that is starting to go by the wayside,” Mrs Gale said.

However, she hopes with this weekend’s exhibition, more players may become interested.

“It’s not like ice hockey in the sense that it’s not as rough and inline hockey tends to have more rules,” Mrs Gale said.

“It is similar to ice hockey, without the excessive violence.”

Inline hockey is a fast sport without an extensive amount of body contact.

It is played with inline skates (roller blades), a hockey stick, puck and protective equipment including gloves, helmet, elbow and shin pads.

Hockey can also be played on roller skates, which is usually known as roller hockey.

Mrs Gale said new players are welcome to come along and try the sport, all you need to begin is your own skates, the club can loan you the other gear.

“It’s a fast paced game but if you can skate, you can play,” she said.

There is a gold coin entry fee for this Saturday’s games, while canteen facilities will be provided.

The inline hockey rink is situated near the Barmera skate park.