Roller hockey league scores big at Val Vista Roller hockey league scores big at Val Vista (July 09, 2004)

Facility is home to new enthusiasts
by Derek Ott

The Pleasanton Recreation Department has scored huge with its new youth roller hockey league.

"It's lots of fun, you get to skate fast, play hard, make lots of good friends - and you get to be part of a team," said Josephine "Jo" Lozano, 12, her eyes fiery with competitive joy. Jo lives in Oakley and makes the drive to Pleasanton each week with her family to enjoy league play with the Pleasanton Sharks.

The city began registration for an eight-team youth roller hockey league back in April and the first game was played June 6. The home rink is the new state-of-the-art facility located at the far north end of Val Vista Community Park, near the Stoneridge and Johnson Drive intersection.

Pleasanton's recreation supervisor, Ian Anderson, organized the league and is excited about its start.

"Our league offers competitive roller hockey in a sportsman-like atmosphere," said Anderson, 27. "We encourage no fighting or contact, and teach the kids about fair play."

Anderson said it was his "passion for youth and their love of sports" that got him to start the league.

The new league has two divisions, with four teams each. One division is for third- through fifth-graders, and the other is for sixth through eighth. The games are held Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and each team is allowed to reserve the rink one night a week for practice. All other times on the rink are open to anyone that wants to play. This offers a prime opportunity for adults to get out and show their stuff.

The youth league games offer five-on-five matches based on rules similar to ice hockey. In contrast to ice hockey, the roller hockey league at Val Vista is outdoors and the rink is made with a slick cement surface. The pucks used are lighter than the heavy rubber ice pucks and are covered with polyethylene buttons, which allows them to slide across the surface faster.

Players are suited up with lightweight jerseys, helmets with facemasks, shin and knee guards, thick protective gloves, inline skates and a hockey stick. The league is coed, and although there are only a handful of girls in the league, they play with as much skill and enthusiasm as the boys, said Anderson.

The parents in the crowd are as enthusiastic about the game as the kids. Pleasanton resident Kelly Randall comes out regularly to cheer on his 12-year-old son, Brendan, and his team, the Sharks. When asked his opinion of the league, the elder Randall was pumped up.

"It's as good as it gets," he said. "It's hockey and it is great to have the Val Vista facility so close to our home here in Pleasanton."

The younger Randall is an eighth-grader at Hart Middle School and sports No. 88 for the Pleasanton Sharks. After the Sharks' win last week against the Red Wings, Brendan Randall could be seen at a shady spot, circled up with some of his teammates as they got out of their sweaty hockey gear and talked about the game.

The Sharks are coached by Pleasanton resident Eric Semmelmayer, whose wife Linda can be seen and heard each game-day cheering on her husband's teams. They have two sons, ages 8 and 12, and Coach Semmelmayer pulls double duty by coaching the third- through fifth-grade Sharks as well as the sixth- through eighth-grade team.

There is going to be a fall league, said Anderson, and he is hoping to start a high school league in the fall as well. Sept. 13 is the cutoff day for high school registration, and all high school students are welcome. Anyone interested can call 931-3447 or e-mail him at ianderson@ci.pleasanton.ca.us.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.