Coaching Director - Dan Messenger

A former pupil of Scholes First School, Whitechapel Middle School and Whitcliffe Mount School, Dan Messenger has been involved in the sport of roller hockey for the past 24 years. Having played for England at the age of 14, Dan has had a successful roller hockey career playing premier league for Sheffield RHC, Halifax RHC and Manchester RHC from the age of 16. Dan also played for England at the European Schoolboy Championships held in Andorra in 1991.

Dan was the head coach at Halifax Roller Hockey Club for 7 years, coaching players of all ages and abilities. Dan's coaching career at Halifax RHC was successful, evidenced by the U11's becoming NCRHA champions in 2007, and in the same year securing promotion of the Halifax Senior team to the National Premier League.

In July 2007 Dan was appointed as the Northern Counties Regional Coach and Development Coordinator, taking charge of the training, selection process and management of players chosen to represent the NCRHA at inter-regional championships, resulting in a successful campaign at under 11, under 13, under 15 and under 17 at the inter-regional championships held in Peterborough in May 2008 and 2009.

In March 2008, Dan was invited to become part of the national training structure, being appointed as assistant national coach under Carlos Amaral. Since then, Dan has been involved with the coaching of the best young players in the country between the ages of 5 and 17.

Assistant Coach - Pete Atherton

Ive been around Manchester Roller Hockey Club for 24 years. Through my teens and into my mid twenties cycling was my life, racing abroad and in the UK. I always had a passion for roller hockey and when I hung my cycling shoes up the skates came out. Playing in Europe was the highlight in 2001 against flix from Spain. I am still involved with playing and the training of Manchester players seniors and kids.

Dedicated Goalkeeper Coach - Belinda Mason

I started playing roller hockey in 1989 at the age of 16 for the ladies team at Halifax Roller Hockey Club. At this time I couldn't skate to save my life so I thought the goals were the best place for me. However, it wasn't long before my skating and goalkeeping abilities improved, resulting in me being asked to attend England training with the England junior ladies. My first international cap in Eldagsen, Germany quickly followed. I then progressed onto the England ladies senior team playing in 3 European and World Championships.

My determination and commitment to training brought numerous opportunities to play in Europe. I have playing in Italy and Switzerland twice, Spain 6 times, Holland 12 times and Germany 14 times. It just goes to show that being prepared to work hard and always wanting to improve can create opportunities in the sport of roller hockey.

I left Halifax Roller Hockey Club to joinManchester Roller Hockey Club, playing for their senior ladies team. At about the same time I was also asked to be the guest goalkeeper for the Peterborough Roller Hockey Clubs senior ladies team, representing the club at invitational tournaments abroad.

I finished playing roller hockey at 20 years of age. After 15 years away from the sport and after getting in touch with Dan, I now realise that I would have not achieved as much as I did without the help of others. For this reason I have agreed to be the dedicated goalkeeper coach at the Spen Valley Flyers Roller Hockey Club.

Goalkeeper training is often overlooked in the sport of roller hockey, this has hindered the development of goalkeepers at local, regional and national levels for some time. As Goalkeeper Coach, I plan to pass on my knowledge and experience of the game and will deliver tailored training sessions to meet the needs of the individual. I will be working on many aspects such as speed, agility, positioning, fitness, strength and technique. I am also a firm believer that training should be fun, so don't let the thought of a little hard work scare you…I am sure we will have many laughs along the way. I look forward to working with you soon.

One of my favourite and memorable achievements to date is beating an Italian Junior National team in the final held at Bern, Switzerland whilst playing for the England Junior Ladies team to win the tournament.