OUR STORY

In-line hockey began in Rockhampton in 1996. It has grown from just a local competition to having players at national and even international level.

Rocky Skate Club was formed in 1998, incorporating both inline hockey and speed skating under the one banner. The club became affiliated with Skate Australia (formerly Roller Sports Australia), and became incorporated on 11th September 1998. Speed skating closed in 2000, leaving only inline hockey.

Over the years Rocky Skate Club has been successful in securing several grants, the first of which was the Gaming Community Benefit Fund grant mentioned above. Since then it has secured Community Sport & Recreation Development Program grants in 2000 and 2001, Department of Sport & Recreation's Club Development Program grants in 2002 and 2005, and a minor equipment grant in 2004 from Rockhampton's Morning Bulletin and Combined Insurance.

Rocky Skate Club caters for all age divisions, from 6 to 60. The Club started with Juniors (12 & under), and Intermediates (15 & under). Its most successful year was 2002, where Junior, Intermediate, Senior and Senior Beginner divisions were all contested. In the following years the Junior and Senior Beginner divisions folded. However, the Club started a Peewees (10 & under) division in 2005, and with the aid of a Club Development grant from the Department of Sport and Recreation and using the Mighty Pucks Program from Skate Australia redeveloped a Junior division in 2006.

Skate Queensland's State Championships were been held at the Club's then rink at the Central Queensland University Community Sports Centre in 2001, 2003, and 2006. For the championships the rink was expanded to full competition size (50 x 25 metres).

Rocky Skate Club currently operates out of the Exhibition Pavilion at the Rockhampton Showgrounds, Wandal. Entry is via Gate 2 along Exhibition Road, opposite the high school, and is the only facility where inline hockey is currently played in Rockhampton.

A brief look at our history follows:

• Began March 1996 - run by Planet Rollarena (later Rockhampton Skate Centre).
• Rocky Skate Club formed January 1998 - membership 45 (in-line hockey and speed).
• Affiliated with Roller Sports Australia March 1998.
• Became incorporated 11th September 1998.
• Entered State and National level competition in 1998.
• Moved to Central Queensland Community Sports Centre 28th May 2000.
• Hosted the 2001 Queensland State Titles
• Hosted the 2003 Queensland State Titles
• Hosted the 2006 Queensland State Titles
• Moved to the YWCA, corner Robinson Street and Diggers Lane, Frenchville, Rockhampton on 4th March 2007.
• Moved to the Exhibition Pavilion, Rockhampton Showgrounds, Wandal on 27th October 2007.

State, National and International selections have been:

1998 - 1 team States, 5 players Nationals

1999 - 3 teams States, 15 players Nationals

2000 - 3 teams States, 14 players Nationals, 2 players International

2001 - 5 teams States, 21 players Nationals, 3 players International

2002 - 3 teams States, 15 players Nationals, 1 player International

2003 - 5 teams States, 13 players Nationals, 1 player International

2004 - 3 teams States, 10 players Nationals, 2 players International*

* Oceanias 2005 (Australia vs New Zealand - Carrara, Gold Coast, April 2005) - Amy Melksham - Senior Women; Mark Russell - 20 Yrs and Under; Junior Worlds, News Orleans, July 2005 - Amy Melksham

2005 - 3 teams States, 24 players Nationals, 3 players International*

* Oceanias 2006 (Australia vs New Zealand - Auckland, April 2006) - Amy Melksham - Senior Women; Vincent Kemp - 18 Yrs and Under; Shaun Russell - 20 Yrs and Under

2006 - 4 teams States, 8 players Nationals

2007 - 3 teams States, 7 players Nationals