The Ibbotson brothers Caleb and Joeb earned themselves NZ caps again when they represented NZ at the Inline Hockey Junior Olympic Games and USARS Club Competition held in Hawaii during the July school holidays.  

This was an exciting opportunity for them both to be involved at the highest level in this sport. According to the boys, the facilities in Hawaii were ‘second to none’! With two staggered, full sized rinks of the highest quality in one building it made for great hockey and great viewing.

Selected as Goalkeeper for the U18 Boys team, Caleb, due to injury woes in the squad, ended up Keeping for the U23 Mens’ Team as well and played back to back hockey all tournament. His U18 team finished 4th in the international section. The improvements showed throughout the club competition as they ended up winning the 3rd and 4th playoff to finish up with Bronze.

The U23 team opened strongly with a 3-1 win over Team USA, then lost narrowly to Team Hawaii and Team Canada (eventual winners). Another win over USA took them to the quarter final where they took out the Bronze over Columbia. This same team won the bronze in the Mens' international and then won the Silver division (Plate).

Joeb's U14 Team competed with the top teams, losing very closely to the likes of USA. After pushing USA to the limit they struggled to get good results later in the pool play and finished the international section in 6th. In the club competition they continued to improve and completed their tournament with a 4th in the ‘A’ division (tier 2 for their grade).

Well done to both our young international athletes!