The ADFA Guards first-grade side (front) MIDN Sam Fairall-Lee (middle L-R) OFFCDT Chris Baker, OFFCDT Nathan Kirby, OCDT Troy Larkins, OCDT Joel Waterhouse (back L-R) MIDN Gideon Creech (team manager), OFFCDT Matt Gordon, OCDT Eric Bettanin, FLGOFF Peter Simpfendorfer and OCDT Daniel O'Brien.

AIR Force Officer Cadets at the Australian Defence Force Academy are getting their skates on to participate in the growing sport of inline hockey.

The ADFA Inline Hockey Club (IHC) was established in 1999 by Officer Cadet Fernando Lay.

Three years down the track, the club has grown from less that 20 members to more than 35, with no less than 12 Air Force people involved.

One of them, Officer Cadet Nathan Kirby, is the club president and one of the most experienced members of the club's first-grade team.

The club has improved vastly on the local scene, winning the ACT Inline Hockey Association competition in 2001.

The three ADFA Guards teams train twice a week and play in the local competition once a week. In addition, the club has a number of social players who participate once a week in a less formal environment. The aim of social hockey is to provide a platform for less experienced players to improve their individual skills.

Inline hockey is one of the fastest growing sports in Australia. Derived from ice hockey, the inline version is played on an indoor court or rink with two teams, each consisting of four players and a goaltender. Games are split into four quarters of about 15 minutes in length.

The club's steady growth and success has resulted in vital support coming from senior staff within ADFA. Inline hockey is now classified as a "tier one" sport, meaning it is seen in the same light as more established sports such as rugby and soccer.

For further information about the club or the sport contact OFFCDT Nathan Kirby on (02) 6268 6224 or email n.kirby@student.adfa.edu.au