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Good news for local hockey!
This year’ s Banks International Hockey Festival, from August 21st – 27th, 2005 is perking again with its 20th edition of sun, fun and a little bit of hockey thrown in for good measure.

One of the country’ s top sports tourism events is well on the road to recovery after last year ’ s disappointing level of participation from overseas team due to increased air fares and the clash with the 2004 Olympics.
Festival committee chairman Mark Owen noted that “after having no English teams for the first time last year, we have two this year and one from Germany. The two from England reflect the work we have been there to regenerate the accustomed interest. These initiatives include getting assistance from the eight Barbadian players who are studying and playing in England and arranging for two UK teams two promote the festival by including ‘ Barbados ’ in their names. ”
“Of the UK based players, Rohan Thomas has had two outstanding seasons in which he first played a major role in getting his team promoted to the National League and then in the last s ea son he was the second highest goal scorer in the entire National League. His performance earned him a scholarship to Leeds Metropolitan University and that team is now coming to this year ’ s Festival. ”
“The two teams bearing Barbados in their titles are the Banks Festival team The Old Gold Roosters – who now have a UK version - and the organiser of that initiative Tim Baggett is bringing his regular Riverside over. The Tangos have enjoyed their tours to Barbados so much that they are known as the Banks Barbados Tangos. Both teams will be actively promoting the festival around the UK”
“We expect the result of these initiatives to be even greater next year since teams often plan 18 months ahead, and we expect to be back to the usual level of European teams then. So far we have enquiries from 5 UK teams, 3 European, 1 South African and 3 from North America for 2006 which will be our 21st anniversary. We also have one confirmed from USA and three from the Caribbean this year. ”
“This year we are reducing the amount of night games so we can get back to our usual lively social programme, which includes the opening ceremony and Blast Off at the Banks Sports Club, the reintroduction of the Talent Night and a team Karaoke Competition.
Closing date for entries is August 7th, 2005 and we urge all local teams to submit their information as soon as possible to Mr. Mark Owen on 253-5976 or mowen@sunbeach.net

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