Playing Hockey in a Developing Hockey Country

So I talk about sustainable development in a developing country, and how to balance between the industrial growth with an ecological sustainability facade, and how SD can be too easily compromise when there is an alternative mission of economic prosperity. Anyway, to draw a parallel, hockey here in England is at it's infancy. The core about hockey that appeals to most man is the speed of the game, fast moving puck, physical hard hitting plays, get in your grill, shove you while you're down type play. It's what us fans entice, watching players play on the fine line of intensity and skill. However, I've realize that at the core of the game where all fans across the world can appreciate, in developing countries, many of the basic necessities are not considered.

For one, changing room large enough to fit a team would be good to start off. As our team went to the Coventry arena, we notice, yeah, the rink it's a bit smaller, and it's not really "design" for hockey as you walk thru narrow passages with your bags and etc. But over all it's.... it's hockey... so whatever. But then, we realize both change rooms combined were not large enough to fit our team of 15. So we had to use the male washroom, set up some chairs, and change next to the fountain of urinals and sinks... Definitely a new team experience when your team is meeting between periods next to the sound of a Chinese water fountain.

Now, we joke about the change room on Saturday, but Sunday, this is a whole different story. First of all, drove about 3 and a half hour one way to get to our game, pretty much like the Leafs taking a road trip down the 401 to face the Sens. But of cause this is a slightly lower caliber hockey. But when we got there, it was literally an ad-hoc type arena. It seem like they built the rink, and just added pieces of brick around the rink to make an arena. I mean, it looked completely authentic to a small town small rink in northern Ontario. But with a small details they over looked, no boards in full contact hockey (actually not as bad as i thought it was going to be), blue line to blue line was about 5 strides on skates. And once you cross the blue line, you're pretty much at top of the slot for a great shot. Now for the facilities, roof was about 30 ft high, 2 change rooms, and an add-on shower which use to be a toilet stall. Now if you haven't picked it up, 2 change room sounds great, but what happens when the team before is changing out of their gear and you're about to play while they're changing? Ummm... good question.....

So what prompted me to post this blog was this.... on Sunday, our team was demoted to change from a Men's Washroom with chairs on Saturday, we changed in the stands on Sunday. Yup, out in public space, spectator area, that was the only area we could change. Absolutely hilarious. And most of you who's been in to a hockey change room knows this isn't like getting ready for baseball. Anyway, sorry to leave you with such imagery, but it was absolutely an experience. However, I must give credit to the guys running the rink, the ice was hard, it was solid, and good to play hockey on; the Zamboni driver was also quite quick and fast.

BTW, our first win 8-7! Go Blues!

Oh one more thing I like to add, driving in the UK is far more fun than I imagined. The turns, th round abouts, and the tight streets! Absolutely a blast. And... get this, my van I was driving, had a sixth-gear! Renault! Nothing like jumping into the deep-end when you are trying something new... left hand rules and left hand shifting.... great challenge! not to mention keeps you awake as you drive 500 miles over the weekend into the wee hours of the night.