Joining our club couldn’t be easier. Simply fill out this form, and bring it and the membership fee along with you to your first training session. You can also contact Killian Browne, club secretary, through our contact page.
If you’d simply like to come to a training session and check it out you are more than welcome. You can find out where we train by clicking the “Other Clubs” link in the sidebar and clicking on the placemark over Galway. If you are coming let us know and we will try and bring some extra equipment so that you can play straight away!
Have a question that isn’t listed here? Contact Us and we’ll get back to you with the answer!
Questions
- Galway Bay Lightning Inline Hockey Club
- What is Galway Bay Lightning Inline Hockey Club?
- When was Galway Bay Lightning Inline Hockey Club formed?
- Who can join?
- Does Galway Bay Lightning Inline Hockey Club have a safety policy?
- How much does it cost to join Galway Bay Lightning Inline Hockey Club?
- I’m interested in getting involved in the club but not as a player. Is this possible?
- Inline Hockey
- What is inline hockey?
- What are the differences between inline hockey and ice hockey?
- What are the rules of inline hockey?
- Is inline hockey a good sport to pick up to get fit or stay fit?
- Do I need to know how to skate or be a very good skater to play?
- Equipment
- What equipment do I need?
- How do I know what sizes to get?
- Where can I buy equipment?
- Inline Hockey Ireland
- What is Inline Hockey Ireland?
- Does Inline Hockey Ireland have a website?
Answers
- Galway Bay Lightning Inline Hockey Club
- What is Galway Bay Lightning Inline Hockey Club?
Galway Bay Lightning Inline Hockey Club is the organisation dedicated to promoting the sport of inline/roller hockey within Galway. We are affiliated with Inline Hockey Ireland who are the national governing body for inline hockey in Ireland. [Back to section] - When was Galway Bay Lightning Inline Hockey Club formed?
Galway Bay Lightning Inline Hockey Club was formed on June 28th 2008. [Back to section] - Who can join?
Anyone 13 and over can join and no experience is necessary. You don’t even need to know how to skate, we can teach you. If there is anyone under 13 who wishes to join they can contact us with their details and when we get enough to start a team we will contact you. [Back to section] - Does Galway Bay Lightning Inline Hockey Club have a safety policy?
Yes we do. It is the policy that Inline Hockey Ireland has drafted. You can read a copy of it here. [Back to section] - How much does it cost to join Galway Bay Lightning Inline Hockey Club?
It costs €10 for any playing members to join the club. There is also a membership fee payable to Inline Hockey Ireland, the governing body, to become a registered member. To be a member of the club a person must be registered with Inline Hockey Ireland also for insurance reasons etc. The fees for Inline Hockey Ireland are as follows:- Junior (under 16) €10
- Ladies €25
- Senior €25
- Game Official (Referee) €10
- Team Official (Manager/Coach) €10
- I’m interested in getting involved in the club but not as a player. Is this possible?
Yes of course. We are looking for people to get involved in all areas of the club. Anyone interested in coaching, refereeing or on the administration side of the club is welcome. Contact us for more information. [Back to section] - Inline Hockey
- What is inline hockey?
Inline hockey is basically ice hockey on roller blades. We don’t have many ice rinks in Ireland so ice hockey isn’t possible but we have a lot of sports centres and thats all the inline hockey needs! [Back to section] - What are the differences between inline hockey and ice hockey?
Many persons encountering inline hockey for the first time may already be familiar with ice hockey. Beyond the physical differences between ice skates and inline roller skates, the chief differences between inline and ice hockey are:- No checking. Contact is allowed, but only when aiming to play the puck.
- Played with 4 players (instead of 5 for ice) and a goalie from each team.
- Instead of a rubber puck, the game is played with a non-bounce plastic puck with hard nubs to reduce friction. Lighter than an ice puck.
- Players wear a long and less padded pant specifically made for added mobility in roller hockey and often don’t wear shoulder pads (no checking).
- Absolutely no fighting.
- What are the rules of inline hockey?
Rules for inline hockey can be read here. [Back to section] - Is inline hockey a good sport to pick up to get fit or stay fit?
Inline hockey is one of the best sports to pick up if you are trying to get fit. Training and matches are very intense and you are constantly working your muscles. Think about it, you are working a lot of muscles just to stand up in the roller blades. Inline hockey matches are also very fast paced, even more so than ice hockey so you are constantly on the move. [Back to section] - Do I need to know how to skate or be a very good skater to play?
No, you don’t need to know how to skate to join up. We can teach you. Its actually very easy to skate and within a couple of weeks of starting people are very competent skaters. [Back to section] - Equipment
- What equipment do I need?
Every player will need the following:- Skates (inline).
- Hockey stick.
- Helmet (CSA/HECC approved. Face guard mandatory for players under 18, recommended for everyone.).
- Protective cup.
- Shin Guards. (Inline hockey shin guards)
- Hockey Gloves.
- Elbow Pads.
Everyone is recommended to wear the following:
- Padded Shorts.
- Mouth Guard
- Full Face Protection. (For players 18 and over)
- How do I know what sizes to get?
We could write pages and pages of how to figure out what size you need for a particular piece of equipment and due to different manufacturers making their sizes different it makes it all the harder to explain. What we advise is to come along to sessions and ask to try on other’s equipment. They can give you the best advice on what to buy and you can be safe in the knowledge you are getting the right size if you have tried it on already. [Back to section] - Where can I buy equipment?
Unfortunately there is no shop in Galway that we know of where you can buy gear. Most club members have purchased their equipment off shops on the net and shops in the UK, France and the US/Canada. In the links section of this website there are links to the online shops we have used. Alternatively, the Cork club have a forum for members to sell gear (Link to forum). [Back to section] - Inline Hockey Ireland
- What is Inline Hockey Ireland?
Inline Hockey Ireland (IHI) is the national governing body for inline hockey in Ireland. [Back to section] - Does Inline Hockey have a website?
Yes they do. It is www.inlinehockeyireland.org. [Back to section]
