Q & A
June Liu, Cypress Recreation and Park District
Youth roller hockey is gaining popularity across Orange County, and Cypress is among the cities encouraging its growth. June Liu, a recreation services manager for the Cypress Recreation and Park District, oversees the sport in that city. She spoke with Times Correspondent Bill Billiter about the new sport.
Q: What is roller hockey?
A: It’s like ice hockey, only it’s played on in-line skates using a concrete court. It is typically played outdoors. We took one multiuse court here in Cypress, an existing tennis and basketball court, then removed the poles and resurfaced it and added a few rebound boards to make it available for roller hockey.
Q: Is it an expensive sport?
A: The start-up cost for equipment is expensive. With the full pads and protective gear, helmet, skates and stick, the total can run up to $250. In Cypress, with a recent grant from PacifiCare, we were able to buy some equipment for use by those youth who can’t afford it.
Q: Is youth roller hockey here to stay?
A: In the past two to three years, there has been so much growth, I feel it is here to stay. One thing that promotes growth is the popularity of the Anaheim Bullfrogs [professional roller hockey team] and the Mighty Ducks. Garden Grove is among the forerunners in Orange County for building this sport. . . .
Q: How have young people responded?
A: I would say they are enthusiastic. It’s a popular recreation program and an alternative to having young people play this game on the streets and cul-de-sacs.
Q: What is Cypress doing?
A: We’re in our second season of a program for roller hockey in partnership with La Palma. We have 130 participants and 13 teams. We’ve modified one of our park courts for roller hockey, and we are working with the Cypress School District to see if a new court could be built on one of their school sites.
Q: How much would that cost?
A: Because a court ideally is 80 feet by 180 feet, there is quite a bit of concrete involved. The building cost could be from $100,000 to $200,000. Some places put in bleachers, and others just have the spectators standing on the sidelines.
Q: Are there enough volunteer coaches?
A: We really put out the call for volunteer coaches, and we got a good response and wide range of ages. . . . We’ve registered our program with the In-Line Hockey Assn., and we’re able to provide training for the coaches.
Q: Are there many injuries in this sport?
A: Relatively few. I describe it as something of a gentlemen’s sport, even though we have girls and women participating.