Hockey in Bahrain

[Winger11]

Hello all,
I am about to move to Bahrain for just over a year and know Funland has an ice rink there and from what I hear they do offer some hockey. Can anybody tell me about the hockey? Is it all pick-up, are there leagues at all? If so, co-ed? Do they need any youth coaches at all?

On another note, are there personal instructors? I have some skills I really want to work on and make sure I am learning correctly so when I return to the US I can play in leagues and be competitive.

Trying to make the most of my year there and hopefully also assist with youth hockey to give me some experience and not waste my certs. Any help would be appreciated and if I am lucky, I'll see folks on the ice in a few weeks.

[mymslcr1]

I wanted to know if you ever found out if there was hockey in Bahrain. I will be heading out there later this year and want to play also.

[Winger11]

Hi mymslcr1,
There is indeed hockey here in bahrain. I am happy I brought my goalie gear since they needed some goalie help.
The adults play 2x a week at night and on average we have about 20 or so folks who play each time. Faces do change a bit, but there are about 12 faithfuls that are there each session (myself included). The rink is small, so they play pond rules and normally 3 on 3 or 4 or 4 depending on how many people are at the rink. Unfortunately for me, no intermissions, so I am dog tired at the end of 1.5 hours in the net.
Sessions are about 1.5 hours, though we have the ice for a 2 hour block, so it can last closer to 2 hours near time for tournaments. They take part in tournaments, and will be heading to Dubai in a few weeks for the tourney there.
I am going to be in the area until beginning of next year, so if you want to talk to me about hockey here outside of the forums I will be happy to answer questions and get you hooked up with everybody once you arrive.

[fan75]

Do any local play or is it mainly expats from Canada, US, etc?

[Winger11]

We have a mixture. I would say roughly 65-70% of the players are expats. The rest are locals.

[Winger11]

Just an update to anybody coming over to Bahrain and wants to play. The group is building nicely and playing good hockey (especially for the size rink we have right now).

The team took 2nd, "B" Division in the Dubai tournament last week and from what I am told had a smaller roster, so I am proud of them and hope next time I can go too.

I am trying to build a webpage so people won't have to be lost looking for hockey like I did when I got here. It's in it's infancy, but the site is www.bahrainhockey.com Hate to say that around here not many use the website at all, so the MB is umm...empty. Maybe that will change when people start seeing that we really do enjoy hockey here.

[mrjhockey]

Can someone hook me up with whoever is responsible for the adult hockey in Bahrain?
Moving in June, bringing my gear and would love to keep the blades hot.

[Winger11]

Mrjhockey, unable to PM you...

[Winger11]

Email sent via the bahrainhockey website email.

[mymslcr1]

I am excited to play hockey with you guys, see ya in july!