Hamilton hosting inline hockey champs

More than 700 inline hockey players will descend on Hamilton shortly for a nine-day national tournament, hosted by the biggest club for the sport in the country.

Hamilton Inline Hockey Club president Noel Wilson says teams are expected from Nelson to Kerikeri.

The tournament runs from September 29 to October 7 at the club's indoor skating arena at Lugton Park in Dey St. Teams range from under 10s to senior men and women.

"Inline hockey is similar to ice-skating hockey, except players wear inline skates. Supposedly it's a no-contact sport, but contact does happen sometimes," he says.