LONDON, UK – Streatham Redskins raised a few eyebrows this summer when they snapped up Irish international forward Stevie Balmer, but the speedy winger has proven to be a plus point in an otherwise disappointing start to the season.
It has been a strange start to the 2011/12 campaign for one of the UK’s oldest hockey clubs. Formed in 1938 the Redskins are entering a period of instability as they prepare to leave their rink that has been their home for the entire period of their history, to move to a temporary rink a few miles north in Brixton.
Northern Irish sniper (Iva Dlabkova)
The outer shell of the facility has already been erected and the whole structure will be in place and operational from mid-December until the new Streatham Hub complete with permanent ice rink opens in a few years’ time.
To add to the challenges faced by Head Coach Barry Spours, the team lost a number of key guys during the summer including talisman Joe Johnston and young stars Louis Lockwood and Rupe Quiney who departed for University and Canada respectively.
Big name signings Norman Pinnington and Scott Moody stole the headlines as far as the incoming players to the squad were concerned but with nine games gone it is Balmer who sits at the top of the scoring charts with six goals and three assists to show for his efforts so far.
“Life in London has been great so far and the guys have made me feel welcome” explained the Belfast born sniper.
“It definitely helps that everyone has been so supportive from the fans to the club officials and I am just pleased I have managed to get amongst the goals from the start”
“The lines have changed a few times already this season but things are starting to settle and we are starting to link up better and get a better understanding on the ice, so I am really pleased with how things are going in that respect”
The goal scoring form of Balmer is in stark contrast to his season with the Trafford Metros last year when he found the target only once in fifteen games playing in the English National League North.
“The Northern league was very physical” admitted the 20 year old winger, who made his senior hockey debut at the age of 16 for Dundalk Bulls in the Irish League.
“ENL South is also physical but the speed and skill levels are definitely higher and what sticks out the most is the number of really talented individuals the teams seem to have on their rosters”
Streatham fans (flyfifer.co.uk)
Skating up to five times a week in South London has been a definite plus point for Balmer who joined the team after travelling down to London for a trial in the summer. Crossing the Irish sea by ferry and then driving down to the Capital is not the easiest journey for anyone but Balmer’s family supported him to attend the trials and he stayed overnight in a hotel before returning to Northern Ireland, impressed by the set up in Streatham.
A couple of weeks later and Balmer was back in London and all set for the season ahead.
“After attending the trials and speaking with the Redskins I just decided the move would be a good chance for me to better myself on and off the ice. I am getting lots of ice time and London is an exciting place to be. The club have also helped me get a job outside of hockey and helped arrange accommodation so on a personal level it’s been really good”
Despite Balmer’s goals the Redskins have not had the best start to the season and currently sit in tenth place in the league courtesy of some tough losses, not helped by injuries and the lack of availability of some players.
He shoots he scores (Rick Webb)
The move to the new rink is as unsettling as it is exciting and the feeling around the club is a mixture of sadness and anticipation. Nobody wants to see the history and familiarity of the Streatham Ice Arena bulldozed yet at the same time there is a real feeling that the new facility at Brixton can help increase attendances and also provide the players with better facilities.
“The important thing to remember is that the season is forty games long” said the Irish international who won World Championship gold in Luxembourg with Ireland in Division 3 two years ago.
“We have had a real mixture in terms of performances but I think that we are starting to notice a change for the better recently and I think we may start to shock a few teams soon”
“We all know we have a lot of work to do to turn the season around, but we have guys coming back that will hopefully strengthen us and by the time we hit the ice in the new rink, hopefully we will have been firing for a number of weeks”
“Like any old rink it is sad that it will be taken down shortly, but the most important thing is really keeping the team going and improving as the season develops”
Streatham face a double header weekend at the end of this week with a tough trip to Romford Raiders followed by another tough game at home to Bristol Pitbulls. The Redskins have yet to play league leaders Romford, but they have already been thumped 10-1 by the Pitbulls in the road game at Frogmore Street.
“The game in Bristol was one we would want to forget” admitted Balmer.
“At home we have been playing much better though so there is no reason we can’t start to turn our season around and take revenge for that defeat in their rink”
Streatham fans will be hoping that those sentiments come true and that their team turn the season around sooner rather than later.
If you live in London and you want to watch Streatham in their historic rink before the move to Brixton you are running out of time so for ticket info and a full fixture list please visit www.streatham-redskins.co.uk
Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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