The Namibia Inline Skating Association (NISA) has caused quite a stir on the international inline hockey scene by accepting an invitation to the World Inline Festival in Edmonton, Canada. A15&U team, the Namibian Pirates, will fly out on 3 July 2003 to face the challenge of world-class competition.

For the first time since the inception of Inline Hockey in Namibia in 1995, an invitation team will be represented at an international event overseas. Canadian coach, Philippe Boudreault, who will be accompanying the team to Edmonton, is mentally and physically preparing the Namibian Pirates for the world class challenge against experienced teams from Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain. Teams from other European countries and the Far East too will be vying for the championship title.

Approximately 104 international teams are expected to participate in various age divisions. According to team manager, Ulrike Rodenwoldt, events of this nature foster the growth and development of the sport globally. Not only does the tournament afford young players an opportunity to compete, but coaches and officials are able to participate in professional training programmes. She added that "international tournaments provide an excellent opportunity to establish and build ties with inline hockey organisations world wide." Representatives of the National Inline Hockey Associations of Great Britain and Australia have already expressed a keen interest to meet up with the Namibians and have congratulated NISA on their decision to send a team to the event.

While the core players of the Namibian Pirates have participated – and won – the 2001 Africa Cup in Cape Town, no team from Namibia has as yet been exposed to international competition of this nature. "Whatever the outcome," Mrs Rodenwoldt said "the fact that a team from Namibia was invited to participate is in itself a great step forward, both motivationally and developmentally, for the sport in Namibia. It is also an opportunity to put Namibia on the map as far as international inline hockey is concerned."

While a number of sponsorships have been obtained, the team has been engaged in various fundraising projects over the last two years to enable them to participate in Canada from 8 – 13 July.