Trans-Atlantic challenge a great success

Sunday, 29th April 2007

Phoenix U-16s 1 - 10 Bradford, Ontario

Despite the one-sided score line, the visit of the Tina Sibbald - Royal Lepage Minor Midgets to the Altrincham Ice Dome on Saturday was a great success.

With Councillor Vivienne Ward, the worshipful Mayor of the Borough of Trafford in attendance, the visit of the Canadian club to Manchester was a perfect demonstration of the sporting links that can be forged on the back of the newly-opened ice facility. The Mayor commented, "this is the first time I've ever been to an ice rink and to watch hockey and I'm totally impressed. To watch these young people playing with such enthusiasm and commitment is marvellous, and to have links to other hockey teams across in Canada just shows what they can do."

The Canadian team who play over twice as many games per season as the Pjhoenix Under 16s do, dominated the game throughout, opening the scoring with only 22 seconds having elapsed, Brandon Vatcher setting them on their way. Phoenix equalised in the 7th minute through Tom Hammond, but the goal merely served to sting the visitors into instant retaliation. Barely had the home fans sat down when Joel Beadle scored the first of his personal hat trick.

The score though was immaterial in the bigger picture of the event. Junior teams from Altrincham have visited Canada regularly for a number of years and this opportunity to re-pay the kindness and hospitality they've always received in Canada was too good an opportunity to let go by.

Phoenix Junior Club Chairman Paul Brown noted, "Everywhere we've gone, we've always met with tremendous generosity and hospitality. Today, we had the opportunity to re-dress the balance a little." Brown added, "Today is a celebration of how ice hockey can transcend borders and cultural differences, and a chance for players to compare experiences and forge new friendships."

The Mayor was present throughout the game meeting the teams as they took to the ice and making the end-of-game presentations. She closed saying, "those Canadian youngsters are ambassadors for their club, their hometown and their country, and our youth will have the same opportunities to be ambassadors for our club, town and country. The mutual and self respect they showed comes from being involved in an organised programme, and programmes like this operated by the Phoenix can go a long way to building the future fibre of our society. I've thoroughly enjoyed being here and I'll be back when the new season begins."

Trans-Atlantic challenge a great success

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