The NIHL Championships ended with its last instalment: The Sin Boon Ann Cup on 11 October - 12 October.
A very exciting showdown between Team Monotoners and Team Kinetic Knights in the battle for the Cup. The Knights put up a stellar performance and both teams were locked in a stranglehold. Even after 3 minutes of Sudden Death (overtime), the score was still tied at 2-2. The Monotoners score one in the subsequent Penalty Shootout, and emerged the winner, final score at 3 - 2.
Monotoners clinched the gold, the Cup and were the overall Champions of the NIHL Championships. Goalkeepers from both teams worked very hard and pulled of save after save, in particular Knights Keeper - Martin, who won Best Keeper award for his effort.
Pirhanas lost their midas touch and slipped to third place after conceding to Knights 2 - 3.

Other noteworthy teams include: Team Pyros, who has gone from strength to strength with each tournament. Their improvements were further boosted with new recruits: XX player and XX Player. They thrashed veteran team Strikers 4- 0.

Top 3 Placing:
Monotoners - 1st
Kinetic Knights - 2nd
Pirahnas - 3rd

Best Goalkeeper: Martin (from Kinetic Knights)
Most Valued Player: Bronson (from Monotoners)

How did the Comets Fare?
Thought still fresh from the Playzone tournament in KL the previous weekend, the Comets walked into their matches in a half slumber. They turned in a lack-lusture performance and sleep-wallked away after securing two losses against Team SHC Huskies and Team Astrons.

More reviews from inlinecoach.net, skatelinehockey, and inlinehockey.com.sg .

The National Inline Hockey Leage (NIHL) Championship Series comprises of four tournaments:
- Tampines Tropical Challenge
- Roly Inline Cup
- XXXX
- Sin Boon Ann Cup

Championships #1: Tampines Tropical Challenge Results:

Championships #2: Roly Inline Cup Results:

Championships #3 Results:

- currently unavailable -

More info on NIHL Championships can be found at www.nihl.com.sg

- 19 Oct 2003

Weekend hockey action in KL and a brand new INDOOR hockey rink were enough to lure the Comets to Malaysia's Playzone Tournament. With barely much notice or preparation, they packed their hockey kit and trooped off with Team Strikers to face the competition in Malaysia.

The venue was a new warehouse style indoor hockey rink (complete with dasher boards and fensing) located in Shah Alam. Total of four teams (2 from Singapore, 2 Malaysian). Comets had a rocky start on the first day, possibly due to fatigue having arrived in the early morn by coach. Summary of match results:

Day 1
Comets Vs Malaysia : 1 - 6
Comets Vs Strikers: 2 - 6

Day 2
Comets Vs Strikers: 2 - 5
Comets Vs Malaysia 0 - 2

For a more detailed account of the match events, go here.

Overall it was a good weekend for the Comets. Excellent exposure for the less experienced players - a test of their mettle in their first overseas tournament. For the 'veterans', it was a chance to play in a tournament away from the sun (yes we are sun-shy)and more team bonding action. Captain Angela pampered the team by peeling rambutans for us, what more can we ask? Heh.

*Note: The Comets Adventure Team in KL included two fellow players from Blaze: Valerie & Yunfang.

A little late, but the recipient of WIHC Most Valued Player Award: Quek Yunfang from Team Blaze II gives a short commentary and encouragement:

"It was a great honored to receive this prestigious award. I guessed none the of players including myself expected that I won this title .Hehe .It was so unbelievable.

Apparently, there are players who deserved this award more than I do. Their skills, game sense, stamina had well exceeded mine. I still had a long way to learn before I can catch up with them.

And to the rest of the players, u girls deserved a big round of applause. I was very much motivated by yours’ fighting spirit. Having suffering pain physically and emotionally, they went all out for it, playing hard for the final placing. It’s a great honour to played against them.

Lastly, I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize the unbelievable support we had received from our peers, right there at there spectator stand, going through the moment with us. And also to Skateline and other sponsors for organizing this event. The Women League was a very good start for the players.

Hope that, there will be more teams participating in the next league.

Message to Everyone….

Playing Hockey had taught me perseverance and to view every challenge not as an obstacle but an opportunity to develop myself.
‘Don’t Give Up’ The world is at your feet and it’s up to you to grab the opportunity." - MVP Quek Yunfang from Team Blaze II(NTU)

- 19 October

Our very first local hockey tournament for women teams, the Women's Inline Hockey Challenge 2003, was a success. Indication that the women's hockey scene is finally happening. A total of 6 teams took part: Blaze 1, Blaze 2, TPL, Xtreme, Comets A & Comets B.

Line Up for Comets A & Comets B

Comets A : Yani (C), Angela, Pamela, Priscilla, Siyi, Serena .
Comets B : Emily (C), Kallista, Sharon, Sarah, Sapphire, Liyana, Serena Chia (aka Rick).

Goalkeepers were drafted for the event:
Shufen - Xtreme & TPL
Joey - Blaze 1 & 2

This much awaited event did not disappoint, and the Comets long medalless drought finally ended. Comets A secured second place after a tough fight against Team Xtreme. Comets B put up an outstanding performance despite having no goalkeeper (a player was suited up as gk for their semi final match against Blaze 2 ) and took third place.

Top Ranking

Team Xtreme - GOLD
Team Comets A - SILVER
Team Comets B - BRONZE

MVP (Most Valued Player Award) - Yunfang (Blaze 2)

Credit also goes to the goalkeepers for playing so many games.

In all, it was a very good day, not just for the winners but for all the teams that took part. The new teams benefited from the exposure and experience and the 'senior teams' were finally able to play at a more equal footing (as compared to playing against the senior mens). Everyone had alot of fun. A promising beginning for women's hockey.

The WIHC 2003 was brought about by the good people of Skateline.

- 13 Aug 2003

The appointed Captains of Comets A & Comets B, for WIHC 2003, give their comments on the recently concluded tournament and the performance of their respective teams:

YANI (Comets A Captain)

"The weeks that lead towards the WIHC was filled with nervousness and
anticipation, coupled with sweaty palms and lots of excitement. I was really happy and overjoyed that after 3 years of playing hockey, we have now entered the stage of having our first Women's Hockey Challenge. It's a real awesome feeling to play against women teams and i think all the players including myself are greatful to Skateline and the sponsors for organising and supporting women's hockey.

I was impressed by my team's performance. The team dynamics reached an all high yesterday. I personally feel that it's because every woman player has been waiting for an event like this and the chance to play on equal ground.
Even though we didn't manage to clinch the gold, i was sincerely happy and proud that my team was able to reach the top 3, through hard work and sheer determination. I was proud to play alongside Scout, Siyi, Serena, Ange and Cindy because during the last 12 minutes, they played their hearts out. It's a feeling of accomplishment and pride to be able to hold our heads high from the finals.

I was also delighted to see other teams such as TPL and Blaze (1 and 2) taking part. I think they played hard and deserve a pat on the back. i definitely know for sure, they're going to make things harder the next time we meet, and i can't wait to play with them again.

I was especially proud to see Comets B, able to come through to the top 3
placing. They're all catching up on the senior ones, so i guess all of us have to train harder and make sure they don't over take us!
Also, i do look forward to another women's hockey challenge and hope to
see the same teams as well as newer ones taking part!" - Yuliani Abdullah, Comets A

EMILY (Comets B Captain)

" The Women's Inline Hockey Challenge was very good, something that everyone has been anticipating. It definitely signified the increasing numbers of girls/women that has picked up this sport. A great tournament that brought every team closer, moreover it offered a good exposure to all players and the opportunity to compete on fair ground. I believe a big step has been taken to pave the way for Women Inline Hockey in Singapore. My appreciation goes to all those who have make this event so successful.

Playing a game without a goalie, was not easy and the most exciting game took place between Comets B against Blaze 2. It was a neck to neck game and in the end, we lost 4-5 to Blaze. But we were not resigned and never gave up, despite the absence of the goalie.

In fact, in our 3rd and 4th placing game with Blaze, one of our players, Sapphire, volunteered to be suited up as goalkeeper. That of course, lifted the morale of the whole team and we managed to win the game with pride and faith. It would not have happened, without Sapphire sacrificing to play as a goalie. (Great sporting spirit, Sapphire!) Three cheers for her, " Hurray!, Hurray! & Hurray!".
Everyone put in their best for this tournament, be it those who were injured or new to the game.

Hopefully there will be more such women specific tournaments and more teams participating in the near future. Without competition, it is difficult to improve the level of inline hockey in Singapore.

Therefore, I hope those who are playing, would keep on playing and introduce this wonderful sport to the rest of the Singapore." - Emily Kwek, Comets B

- 13 Aug 2003

Year 2003 Hockey Season kicks off with the Skateline Charity Cup!

Results:

Comets vs NTU Pyros (0 - 8)
Comets vs Raiders (0 - 10)
Comets vs Pirahanas (2- 13)

For the official coverage of the event, click here.

The team underwent quite alot of structural changes in recent times. But has this improved their play? We interviewed Georg Kuechler, Head Coach of Team Comets, and this is what he has to say about the team and its performance during the Charity Cup:

"This year will be a hard year for the girls, but hopefully it will bring a lot of improvement.

For many years the girls were short of players, what was a handicap for their development? With a lot effort, they was able to fill their lines up, so that they can look proudly at 2 full lines plus a reserve third line.

If we take a look at the results from the Charity Cup, every one will say:' Where has the girls improved? Last year they had a tight fight against Team NTU, and this year a big loss? It’s right that they lost against Team NTU, but how many men did they have on the rink? It was 4 on 4. Nobody realized that the girls are not playing with a game handicap anymore. That means instead of 4 girls against 3 guys, it’s now a fair 4 against 4.'

As the Coach of this team, i am proud and honoured to work with these girls. Their interest, passion and commitment for this sport, is great and I hope that some of the Mens team will follow their example. "
- Carl Georg Kuechler

- 15 March 2003

Comets Trip to Oceania 2003 - Gold Coast Australia was cancelled due to SARS. We would like to thank our sponsers: Roly, Skateline Hockey and Stamford Tires for their support.