Joel McFadden of the Sydney Bears recently represented Australia at the Under 20 Division 3 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. This was Joel’s third occasion of representing Australia at the international level.
After spending Christmas with his family Joel departed on Boxing Day to Toronto Canada for an intense 1 week pre tournament training camp at the internationally renowned “Teen Ranch” training centre. The camp consisted of a busy schedule including early morning training sessions followed by exhibition games at night against tough Canadian teams.
The small break for New Year’s celebrations was quickly forgotten with the team departing for Istanbul on New Year’s Day. Facing stiff completion from team including Bulgaria, New Zealand, North Korea (DPR), Turkey and Iceland, Australia headed into the weeklong tournament charged and ready to take home the Gold Medal.
The first game of the tournament saw Australia stomp Bulgaria’s by a score of 11 to 1. The game was put away with a score of 4 to 1 after the first period. Joel’s impressive play making saw him pick up 3 assists on the night.
Game 2 saw Australia face off against their arch rivals New Zealand. Playing a similar style to Australia the All Blacks challenged hard in the first period with Australia on top by a score of 1 - 0. The offensive skill of the Australian’s was the turning point in the second period with the team scoring 4 unanswered goals ending the hopes of the All Black. Heading into the third period with a 5-0 lead Australia let their guard down and New Zealand score the only goal of the period making the final score 5 – 1.
Game 3 was to be Australia’s toughest opponent, North Korea. Unable to match the Australian physical size the Korean’s for forced to take penalties leading to 4 powerplay opportunities for the Australians. Converting on their fourth attempt Australia finished the period in front 1 - 0. The second period saw North Korea score 2 goals in the first 10 minutes taking the leading. Backs against the wall Australia regained the lead with 2 powerplay goals to finish the period ahead 3 – 2. With only 10 minutes to go Korea leveled the score 3-3 sending the game to overtime. It took the Australians less than 2 minutes to score and clinch the game 4-3.
The Gold Medal game saw Australia faceoff against the hard hitting Icelandic Team coached by former Bears player “Josh Gribben”. Jumping out to an early lead Australia finished the first period in front 1-0. With the goal medal in their sights Australia quickly added another 2 goals to deflate any chance of a come back. The final period saw Iceland score in the final 8 minutes but Australia held on for the win and ultimately the Gold Medal.
Going undefeated in the tournament not only saw the Australian team receive Gold Medal Honours but a promotion to Division II for the World Championships 2011.
Teen gives them stick
Daniel Spina is one of the state's most promising young sports stars.
Hills Shire Times
06 Oct 09 by Nathan Klein
Picture: JOE MURPHY
DANIEL Spina is making tracks in his chosen sport of ice hockey.
After he signed up for the sport four years ago, the 17-year-old has excelled and progressed up the ranks to become one of the state’s most promising young stars.
The Norwest defender is this week’s Junior Sports Star nominee.
“It’s hard to get to this level because you’re competing against every other kid that plays in the state,” he said.
“I played up my age a lot and a coach saw me and asked me to try out for NSW.
“I worked really hard for it. I’m on the ice three times a week and in the gym two or three times a week. I love it.”
A Pittsburgh Penguin fan, Spina said representing NSW in the under-19 squad was a brilliant experience despite losing the gold medal match to Victoria.
“We lost 2-0,” he said.
“Every state competed in the national championships except Queensland. We cruised through to the final.”
The talented defender said once you get past the initial hurdle of buying all the equipment, the sport was fun. “My gear cost me about $1000 all up, but I didn’t buy everything all at once,” he said.
“In my first year I just bought the basics, like skates and gloves, and after that I got a lot more stuff because I knew I wanted to take up the sport seriously.”
Although ice hockey players are a rare find in Australia, the sporting community involved could not think of anything better to do during the winter.
“I played soccer for 12 years but I really loved ice hockey as soon as I started,” he said.
The Friendship tournament is an international event that is held every two years. The Tournament provides an opportunity for younger players to compete at an international level against players from other nations.
One major objective of the Tournament is the formation of friendships. It is a chance to meet players from different parts of the world and learn about their countries and their culture.
The Friendship Tournament’s program is designed to develop character, sportsmanship, teamwork, physical fitness, self-reliance, and self-discipline.
The competition involves 16 teams from USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Germany, Russia & Japan. It is played over 8 days involving 70 games.
NSWIH is sending its team, the Ice Crocs.
Congratulations to the 4 Bears who have been selected to represent the Ice Crocs in the Friendship Games in Japan in April - Mackay Doran, Saxon Air , Ryan Persson, and Cian O’Reilly. The whole Bears Club hope these 4 boys have a wonderful trip and enjoy the experience of playing ice hockey in Japan.
All the best and good luck on those bullet trains!
CONGRATULATIONS
SYDNEY BEARS PLAYER SELECTED - Joel McFadden
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL YOUTH TEAM
Joel McFadden has been selected into the 2009 Australian National Youth Team.
Joel and the National team will be attending a week long training camp from Wednesday
18 February in Newcastle. The team will leave for Taipei City on Wednesday 25 February.
This team will be representng Australia at The IIHF Under 18 Division III World
Championships in Taipei City, Taiwan from 27 February until 5 March 2009.
Well done, Joel, for making the team and Sydney Bears Club members wish the team a successful Championship.
THE MOSMAN DAILY
Amigos help win bronze
02 Oct 08 by Jessica Campion
Picture: GOOD NEWS BEARS:The bronze-winning under-11 Sydney Bears.
THE three ice hockey amigos Daniel Coffey, Jack Pedersen and Ben Horton, all 9-year-olds from Mosman and their under-11 Sydney Bears teammates won bronze at the Atoms Round Robin Finals last month.
The Bears’ medal standing was secured by two draws in the nine-game tournament with top seeds Central Coast and Canterbury.
It was a changed team from the one that suffered an 18-1 first-match hiding against the Central Coast in March.
The Bears finished with 16 points on the finals ladder, behind second-placed Central Coast Cyclones on 17 and Norwest Senators in first place on 19.
Claiming bronze was a big achievement for the Bears who came last in the July tournament and sixth overall in the recent 2008 season premiership.
“It’s a huge improvement we shocked everyone,” coach Daniel James said.
“It’s the same team, there’s just been lots more training and as you go through the season you do get better.
“The team all said they wanted to take home a medal, and a medal they got.”
The 2008 season is now finished but the Sydney Bears will start recruiting for 2009 soon. Visit www. sydneybears.com.au.
Where are they now ?- Channel 7 clip - July 1997 Agros Cartoon Collection:
WHAT A TEAM !
Here are Scott, Stuart and Nic doing their Officials duties at a recent Atoms game. Just proving that The Bears can show great teamwork just as well in Stripes as they do in Bears Red. It’s with the dedication of young players like these guys, who willingly give up their free time, that the games are able to go ahead. Keep up the good work boys.
Nic is the longest playing member of the trio and has been playing Ice Hockey for 11 years. He comes from a family that are dedicated to Ice Hockey. Nick gained his Linesman Certificate in 2006 and has begun to officiate at games this season. He is just about to turn 17 and puts himself in goal for our Midget Team, along with Stuart.
Scott is the youngest at 13 and earned his stripes in February this year. He plays for our Bantam Team and is currently trying out for the Kurt De Fris State Team. He was picked as the reserve for Ginsberg last year. Since starting Ice Hockey in 2005, he has put in a great deal of hard work and become a valuable asset to the Bears Bantams.
Stuart, also nearly 17, has been playing since 2005 and has really thrown himself into Ice Hockey. He gained his Linesman last year and Lined as many games as he played. This year, he has passed Level 1 Referee and also Level 1 Coach. He aims to be a Goalie Coach and is currently working with our Atoms Goalie. As well as being Goalie for our Midgets, along with Nick, he is also playing in East Coast Super League as the Reserve Goalie.
Johanna, Hugh, Debbie and David are the proud parents of this wonderful Trio in Stripes. Just like all other Ice Hockey parents, they have long since forgotten the meaning of the words ‘a sleep-in’ or ‘a weekend off’ but would never deny their kids the chance to fulfil their dreams.
All Parents, Players, Coach’s, Officials and Volunteers are to be applauded for their efforts in proudly supporting their kids and The Sydney Bears, a club well worthy of praise for it’s long standing contribution to Ice Hockey in Australia.
As for me, the author of this piece, well you better watch this space. I also gained my Beginner Linesman early this year and with the unfailing belief and hard work of John Harvey, my dedicated and sometimes frustrated coach, I’ll be out on the ice soon in Stripes with my whistle at the ready.
By Debbie Clemie
7th May 2008
BEARS REPRESENTED IN AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL YOUTH TEAM
Joel McFadden has been selected into the Australian National Youth team. The team will be representing Australia at the IIHF under 18’s Division II World Championships, which will be held in Meribel and Courchevel, France from 29 March until 5 April 2008.
Prior to the World Championships, the team will be training in Toronto, Canada for nine days. They will be also playing some games in Canada at the CANLAN Etobicoke Ice Arena.
Joel is a committed member of the Sydney Bears Ice Hockey Club. He plays in the Bears Midgets team and has been invited to play for the Bears AIHL Team during the Wilson Cup. He is Assistant Coach of the Bears Pee Wees team. Joel’s contribution to ice hockey is on many levels and the Sydney Bears is certainly a stronger Club due to his input. We wish Joel all the best in the World Championships and for a safe return to Australia.
