Gulf Scorpions impress in ice hockey tournament

Dubai: Sixteen determined under-12 boys came up with an admirable performance while representing the Gulf region in an ice hockey tournament in Tilburg, The Netherlands, recently.

Though the odds were stacked heavily against them, the Gulf Scorpions still managed to secure an honourable third place in the sixth International under-12 Tilburg Trappers tournament.

Matthew Jones even went on to win the tournament's Best Goalkeeper award.

Tilburg Trappers from The Netherlands, Ama'r Jets of Denmark, Copenhagen from Denmark, Northern Conference of UK, Young Tigers from Switzerland, Amiens from France, Leuven of Belgium and Gulf Scorpions.

The Gulf Scorpions had no sponsors and since it was expensive to get ice on rent, the players could practice together for only five hours.

The trip was not financially feasible, but the parents of the enthusiastic children paid for all the expenses the air tickets, accommodation, food and equipment while KLM was kind enough to make tickets available at a discount.

The Gulf Scorpions lost to runners-up Northern Conference 6-4, but held Tilburg Trappers 3-3, beat Ama'r Jets 3-2 and blanked out Leuven 3-0. They lost to champions Young Tigers 10-0.

Jones is a Grade 6 student of the English College Primary School in Dubai.

"I was born in Vancouver. I started to play in Quebec with the Lorraine Rosemere Hockey Club. My mum was my first coach," said Jones, who practices with the seniors in Dubai and with the Dubai Sandstorms side at the Al Nasr Leisureland.

"I joined a hockey camp in 2002 and I asked my coach if I could be a goalie, but he said the slot was full. Fortunately for me, one player did not turn up and the coach gave me the goalie's equipment and asked me to prove my worth. And I'm happy to have done that," said Jones who idolises Jose Theodore.