It’s the Rock-it man
A TEESSIDE Rock-it-eer is hoping to take the sport to the Far East.As Rock-It-Ball continues to have a massive impact across the UK and abroad, Keith Adams is hoping to raise enough money to spread the sport to Japan.Keith, from Thornaby, is aiming to set up a national governing body in the country and to get the schools playing.
Middlesbrough Evening Gazette Saturday December 27th 2008	more...
Rock-It men on the ball with sporting idea
THREE Yorkshire businessmen have invented a new team sport which has soared in popularity in the last year.Rock-It-Ball has been taken up by schools, universities and members of the Armed Forces, and the men behind the game have sold 12,000 sets of the equipment this year.Paul Hildreth, Bob Eldridge and Paul Law said they hope to turn over about £200,000 in this financial year and are looking to establish the game in the Middle East.
The Yorkshire Post Thursday December 18th 2008	more...
A lesson in Rock-It-Ball from world cup winners
A RIPON primary school has received a visit from three world cup winners.Tom Hildreth, Adam Rawcliffe and Chloe Mitchell, who visited Holy Trinity Primary School, are all members of England’s Youth Rock-It-Ball Team, winners of the sport’s first world cup in October.
Ripon Gazette Friday December 12th 2008	more...
Raising the Profile of Rock-It-Ball
A FLEDGLING sport has received a financial boost as players continue to raise the profile of Rock-It-Ball.The 40-strong members of Tees Valley Rock-It-Ball Club have been awarded £1000 from the O2 It’s Your Community fund.Formed last year, the club is one of a growing number to adopt the game, developed in 2005 and expected to become an Olympic sport.
Northern Echo Monday December 1st 2008	more...
Rock-it Fuelled
A TRIO of World Cup winners are spreading the word about Rock-It-Ball. Adam Rawcliffe, Lucy Tate and Chloe Mitchell helped England Youth to win the first World Cup with a 5-0 series whitewash against Hungary.
The Press Saturday November 1st 2008	more...
World Cup Winners at Forest of Galtres
Forest of Galtres Anglican/Methodist Primary School is now trialling the world’s fastest growing sport. Supported by ‘Awards for All’ the York Rock-It-Ball Development Group has been able to loan equipment to the school to ensure the pupils experience the benefits of the sport before deciding whether to invest. Rock-It-Ball can be played by all ages and abilities and has been developed in North Yorkshire. It is already played in 14 countries and is being implemented into Primary and Secondary schools. The England Rock-It-Ball Youth Team recently went to Hungary for the world championships and came back victorious with the World Cup.
Easingwold Advertiser and Weekly News Sat November 1st 2008	more...
2487 Squadron cadets at the World Cup
2487 (Easingwold) Squadron continue to make an impact in the rapidly growing world of Rock-It-Ball. The 2487’s Rock-It-Ball team already has a number of its members acceptedonto the National Program and three of those players recently travelled to Hungary as part of the England squad that was to contest the first Youth Rock-It-Ball World Cup. With favourites England failing to win the Senior World Cup in 2007 there was a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of the Youth Squad and expectations were high.
Wing(ed) Flyer, October 2008, Number 104	more...
Champion Show
Teesside teenagers Matty Carr and Lena Robinson represented England in the first ever Youth World Cup for rock-it-ball.Matty, from Stockton, and Lena, from Billingham, are both aged 17 and travelled with the England squad to Zanka, in Hungary, to take part in the competition and returned as world champions
Middlesbrough Evening Gazette October 22nd 2008	more...
Rocking to top of world
STUDENTS from Easingwold, Joseph Rowntree and York College have become world cup winners. JoRo’s Sterling Oehlschlager and Lucy Tate from York College, joined an Easingwold quintet of Tom Hildreth, Adam Rawcliffe, Jonathon Cooper, Lucie Everard and Chloe Mitchell as members of their country’s triumphant Rock-It-Ball junior team in Hungary.
The Press Wednesday October 15th 2008	more...
Franklin's England Honours.
Danny Franklin of St Thomas A Beckets has just returned from a tour of Hungary as an England champion. Danny was selected for the England Rock-It-Ball Youth Squad and travelled to Hungary last week. Not only did England come out as champions but they broke the world record for most points scored in a game. Congratulations to Danny and well done to the team!......
The Outwood Grange College Sports Partnership Website October 10th 2008	more...
Rock-It-Ball Rocks at Harrow Way Community School!
The gym at Harrow Way Community School was an exciting place to be on Wednesday 1st October – it saw the first ever Year 6 Rock-It-Ball Competition! Teams from Roman Way Primary, Kimpton Primary and each of the Year 6 Portway Junior tutor groups arrived, ready to have fun and compete for the ‘Pitts Trophy’, a trophy kindly donated by Sam and Lauren Pitts, formally of Kimpton Primary and now of Harrow Way School.
October 6th 2008	more...
England Youngsters Win World Cup
Students from North Yorkshire have become World Cup winners as part of the England rock-it-ball youth squad. England beat Hungary 4-1 in the five- match final to win the first Youth World Cup since the sport was launched in North Yorkshire in 2006. Coach Craig Buttery said: "That was a thoroughly competent professional and controlled performance by England.
BBC Radio York Website October 2008	more...
Stillington Ace to take on the world
STILLINGTON schoolgirl Lucie Everard is relishing the opportunity to represent her country at the first Rock-It-Ball World Youth Cup. Lucie, 17, will join Easi-RockIt team-mates Adam Rawcliffe, Chloe Mitchell, Tom Hildreth, Lucy Tate and Jonathon Cooper as part of a ten-strong England team that travels to Zanka in Hungary on October 2.
The Press Saturday September 20th 2008	more...
Rock-It-Ball 2012
Again this sport just follows me about wherever I go. At the closing of this year’s Olympic Games BBC presenter Mike Bushell was asked what the next new Olympic sports could be featuring in 2012 and along with skateboarding Mike said that the fastest growing sport across Europe was Rock-it-ball.
The Outwood Grange College Sports Partnership Website September 9th 2008	more...
Easi Awards!
On a cold wet summers day (well, what other sort of summer day is there in Yorkshire?) at the end of August a selective guest list gathered to celebrate Easi’s incredibly successful first year with a party and awards ceremony. This being a Yorkshire club the rain failed to put a dampener on proceedings with the players still taking the plunge into an outdoor pool prior to the awards presentations which, fortunately, were to take place under cover.
Easingwold Advertiser and Weekly News Sat September 6th 2008	more...
HellCats Champions
They’ve done it! Easi-RockIts HellCats won their final two matches of the season to win the first Rock-It-Ball League in style with a 100% record. With captain Adam Rawcliffe, Lucy Tate and Lucie Everard unavailable it was down to the remaining five members of the squad, vice-captain Chloe Mitchell, Chris Durrant, Jonathan Cooper, Callum Watt and James Lawrance to fight their way through two tough fixtures against Tees Valley Spartans and 2487 Jets without any chance of replacement at the breaks.
Easingwold Advertiser and Weekly News Sat August 23rd 2008	more...
York Schoolboy inducted into Rock-It-Ball Hall of Fame
The Rock-It-Ball world honoured its achievers at the weekend. Following the successful conclusion of the first Rock-It-Ball League, members of the Rock-It-Ball community gathered to celebrate and to award the first honours.
Easingwold Advertiser and Weekly News Sat August 9th 2008	more...
Rock-It-Ball!!
On Thursday 19th June, trainers from the England Rock-it Ball team came to the Wyre Forest to support the KS4 G&T festival and to provide INSET training for staff. Rock-it Ball is an relatively new sport, that is increasing in popularity across the world. The fast and frantic game, which consists of four quarters each lasting 4 minutes, requires accuracy, strength and stamina.
Kidderminster Shuttle July 15th 2008	more...
Thornaby is cradle of new sport
A NEW sport which combines lacrosse with dodegball is being played all over the world - thanks to the efforts of Thornaby sports fans. Rock-It-Ball, which was orginally invented in 2005 in North Yorkshire, is in the capable hands of Craig Butley from Thornaby. Craig (51) set up the first Rock-It-Ball league and is personally responsible for publicising the game.
Middlesbrough Evening Gazette July 10 2008	more...
HAPPY VALLEY
TEES Valley Spartans have consolidated third place in the North-east Regional Rock-It-Ball league. Last Sunday they faced Wakefield who were eager to gain revenge for their defeat in the previous match.
Middlesbrough Evening Gazette July 5th 2008	more...
2487 Make History (Again!)
2487 (Easingwold) squadron continue to be at the forefront of the fast-moving world of Rock-It-Ball. The sport, which was developed in North Yorkshire and launched just over two years ago, has now reached the point where a North East regional league has been established to cater for the demand from clubs wanting to play competitive fixtures. The Easingwold squadron has been playing Rock-It-Ball since it was introduced by Cdt. Sgt Tom Hildreth and they seized the opportunity to field a team in the inaugural league. Such has been the impact of Rock-It-Ball among the Easingwold cadets that they fielded a squad of 14 players from which had to select a playing squad of 10 for each game.
Cadet Review Summer 2008, p19	more...
Still at the top and getting better
The following Press Release has been issued by the Rock-It-Ball Association showing once more the tremendous efforts of Easingwold Squadron’s cadets and staff who are becoming national and world leaders in the sport - 2487 Jets, the Easingwold ATC squadron Rock-It-Ball team were in action again on Sunday June 15th in what proved to be one of the most exciting spectacles of the league so far.
Wing(ed) Flyer, July 2008, Number 101	more...
2487 Make History (Again!)
2487 (Easingwold) squadron continue to be at the forefront of the fast-moving world of Rock-It-Ball. The sport, which was developed in North Yorkshire and launched just over two years ago, has now reached the point where a North East regional league has been established to cater for the demand from clubs wanting to play competitive fixtures. The Easingwold squadron has been playing Rock-It-Ball since it was introduced by Cdt. Sgt Tom Hildreth and they seized the opportunity to field a team in the inaugural league. Such has been the impact of Rock-It-Ball among the Easingwold cadets that they fielded a squad of 14 players from which had to select a playing squad of 10 for each game.
Wing(ed) Flyer, June 2008, Number 100	more...
Easi in High Drama in Rock-It-Ball League
Easi-RockIts HellCats and HellFighters were both in action again in the Rock-It-Ball league at the weekend – with widely differing results. The first Easi match featured HellFighters against the up-and-coming Tees Valley Spartans. With key players Chris Price and James Field still unavailable and India international Rocky Pun having moved to Essex, HellFighters found themselves in the position of having no substitutes and giving James Nelson and Helen Mackenzie only their second competitive matches.
Easingwold Advertiser and Weekly News Sat July 26th 2008	more...
Easingwold Rock-It-Ball Clash in League
All three of the Easingwold Rock-It-Ball Teams, Jets, HellCats and Hellfighters, were in exciting action on Sunday June 29th. First up were HellCats who were facing a novice Wakefield team. Inexperienced they may be but they are still well-marshalled by England vice-captain Steve Biltcliffe who always leads from the front. Wakefield however were no match for league favourites HellCats who were able to field an almost complete squad, missing only Lucy Tate.
Easingwold Advertiser and Weekly News Sat July 12th 2008	more...
Thornaby is cradle of new sport
A NEW sport which combines lacrosse with dodegball is being played all over the world - thanks to the efforts of Thornaby sports fans. Rock-It-Ball, which was orginally invented in 2005 in North Yorkshire, is in the capable hands of Craig Butley from Thornaby. Craig (51) set up the first Rock-It-Ball league and is personally responsible for publicising the game. Already more than 20,000 people in the UK play the sport for fun and leagues and tournaments are being continually set up.
Middlesbrough Evening Gazette July 10 2008	more...
Spartans’ courage seals win
THORNABY Rock-It-Ball stars, the Tees Valley Spartans, thrilled fans this week with a courageous win over Wakefield. The North-East’s leading Rock-It-Ball team clinched victory from the West Yorkshire side after a nail-biting final quarter. Despite being led by England vice-captain Steve Biltcliffe, the Wakefield squad were beaten 117-104. And victory was even sweeter as some of the Tees Valley side were still out due to injury.
Middlesbrough Evening Gazette June 08 2008	more...
Future Fitness
ROCK-IT-BALL continues to attract attention from around the world.  It was recently showcased at an international conference in Poland, attracting so much attention it even featured on Polish TV news. Rock-It-Ball is played by two teams, each armed with a Rock-It, which looks like a double-ended lacrosse stick.  Points are scored by hitting an opponent below head height with the ball, or by catching an opponent’s shot.
Future Fitness June 2008	more...
Jets Rock-It into Orbit
2487 Jets, the Easingwold ATC squadron Rock-It-Ball team were in action again on Sunday June 15th in what proved to be one of the most exciting spectacles of the league so far. From a quiet start the cadet team has improved with every game and has gradually moved up the league. This last match saw them pitched against a rapidly improving and strong Tees Valley Spartans team who were brimming with confidence fresh from a victory over Wakefield.
Easingwold Advertiser and Weekly News Sat June 28th 2008	more...
Injury Worry for HellFighters
Easi-RockIts HellFighters have been going well in the NE Regional Rock-It-Ball League but were this week hit with an injury scare. Captain Paul Hildreth sustained a painful injury to his knee whilst running a training session for teachers in Dorset and he is fighting to be fit for the next league matches.
Easingwold Advertiser and Weekly News Sat June 14th 2008	more...
There’s the Easy Way and the Easi Way!
The two Easingwold Rock-It-Ball teams, Easi-RockIts HellCats and HellFighters, were in action again at the weekend with both teams winning their games but the HellCats obviously don’t believe in doing things the easy way!
Easingwold Advertiser and Weekly News Sat May 31st 2008	more...
2487 Make History (Again!)
2487 (Easingwold) squadron continue to be at the forefront of the fast-moving world of Rock-It-Ball. The sport, which was developed in North Yorkshire and launched just over two years ago, has now reached the point where a North East regional league has been established to cater for the demand from clubs wanting to play competitive fixtures. The Easingwold squadron has been playing Rock-It-Ball since it was introduced by Cdt. Sgt Tom Hildreth and they seized the opportunity to field a team in the inaugural league. Such has been the impact of Rock-It-Ball among the Easingwold cadets that they fielded a squad of 14 players from which had to select a playing squad of 10 for each game.
Easingwold Advertiser and Weekly News Sat May 24th 2008	more...
Easi Lead the Way
It’s here at last! After training since September Easi-RockIts had their first league outing at the weekend and all the hard work paid off spectacularly. During their training the Easi players had played in the first inter-school tournament and provided the opposition at an England training session for BBC TV but the aim always was to compete at a high level and with the launch of the North East Regional League as the sport’s first league Easi finally had their chance. The North East Region Rock-It-Ball League takes place at Ripon Leisure Centre on alternate Sundays from May 4th to the end of July and features teams from the North East area and from North and West Yorkshire.
Easingwold Advertiser and Weekly News Sat May 24th 2008	more...
TOM ROCKETS TO THE TOP
Easingwold air cadet, Tom Hildreth, has been awarded a prestigious honour in the fast-growing sport of Rock-It-Ball. The International Rock-It-Ball Federation has launched its Hall of Fame, designed to honour and thank those people who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of the sport, and Tom is one of the first nominees. Tom is recognized not only for his skills as a Rockiteer but also for his efforts to develop the sport – whether that’s at school, his squadron or helping coach juniors on a Saturday afternoon.
Air Cadet May/June 2008	more...
Families enjoy new sport
THE masterminds of a new sport have launched a club for families. Paul Law from Romanby, is one of the three inventors of Rock-It-Ball, along with Bob Eldridge, from York, and Paul Hildreth from Easingwold. More than 30 families turned up to the launch of the Northallerton Families’ Club at Hambleton Leisure Centre recently. The event was supported by Sainsbury’s as part of its Top Activity programme.
The Advertiser (Northallerton) May 19th 2008	more...
Future Fitness
A Yorkshire schoolboy has been recognised for his skill in the growing sport of Rock-It-Ball. Tom Hildreth of Easingwold School is one of the first two nominees to be included in the Rock-It-Ball Hall of Fame for his achievements as a Rockiteer and his support of the sport.
Future Fitness May 2008	more...
Rock-It-Ball Hits Ripon
RIPON was the centre of Rock-It-Ball history at the weekend as the sport reached yet another milestone. Rock-It-Ball is played by Rock-Iteers, using fast sports balls and ‘Rock-Its’ - poles with moulded scoops on each end. Players use their Rock-Its to throw balls at their opponents to score points. Just over two years old the sport launched its first league as the North East Regional Rock-It-Ball League kicked off at Ripon Leisure Centre, the occasion expertly managed by officials Craig Buttery and Ian Crosby.
Ripon Gazette May 7th 2008	more...
Rock-It-Ball’s the future!
IT may have been a difficult year for some sporting teams in Halifax but one club is hoping they can bring some cheer when they compete in a new regional league. Halifax Strikers will take on teams from across Yorkshire and the north east in Britain's first Rock-It-Ball league. The sport – a cross between lacrosse, dodge ball and hockey – has grown massively since its invention in 2005. It is now played in more than 2,000 schools.
Halifax Evening Courier May 3rd 2008	more...
Rock-It-Ball helping kids to fitness
A fast new ball sport developed in Yorkshire is encouraging youngsters to dodge, catch and fire their way to fitness. Mary Ferguson found out more about Rock-It-Ball, making waves in schools throughout the UK. TV personality Keith Chegwin is publicly backing the fast track health and fitness benefits for children engaging in the sport and has put his name to the ‘Cheggers Rock-It-Ball’ a special signatured introducgtory package of two Rock-Its and a foam ball.
Future Fitness April 08	more...
Sporting Honour for York Schoolboy
Tom Hildreth of Easingwold School has been awarded a prestigious honour in the fast-growing sport of Rock-It-Ball. The International Rock-It-Ball Federation has now commenced its Hall of Fame which is designed to honour and thank those people who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of the sport. 2008 will see the first two nominees inducted into the Rock-It-Ball Hall of Fame and Tom Hildreth was one of the few nominees who made it through to the committee stage. This week the committee returned its unanimous decision to honour Craig Buttery of Thornaby and Tom Hildreth of Newton on Ouse, near York.
Easingwold Advertiser and Weekly News March 29th 2008	more...
Tom Rock-Its into sport hall of fame
A SCHOOLBOY from a North Yorkshire secondary school has scooped a top honour in an up-and-coming sport. Tom Hildreth, pictured, of Easingwold School, has been awarded an honour in the fast-growing sport of Rock-It-Ball. The International Rock-It-Ball Federation has now opened its Hall Of Fame, which is designed to honour and thank those people who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of the sport.
The Press March 25th 2008<	more...
Rockitball on Rise
STAND by for Rock-it-Ball to boom in York schools. The all-action combat game devised by three North Yorkshire businessmen has just received £8,000 of Lottery funding to make that happen. One of its founders, Dr Paul Hildreth, said: "We are thrilled. The money will be used to buy equipment and coaches which will be available on loan to schools in York.
The Press March 21st 2008	more...
Hambleton News
Easingwold is at the forefront of the fast-moving and fast-growing world of Rock-It-Ball as the successful ‘Easi-RockIts’ club takes hold. The club’s junior section meets at the Galtres Centre every Saturday with sessions for older players at Easingwold School during the week.
March 2008 p24	more...
It’s pure world gold for stars of Easingwold
EASINGWOLD School have won the world’s first inter-school Rock-It-Ball tournament. Made up of several players from the Easi-RockIts and Easingwold Air Cadet clubs, the York pupils defeated rivals from Outwood College (48-22), Beckets (71-23) and Crofton High (63-16) to emerge triumphant in a West Yorkshire School’s tournament in Wakefield.
The Press Wednesday, February 20th 2008	more...
Easingwold School Rock-It-Ball Champions
Players from the Easi-RockIts and the Easingwold Air Cadet Rock-It-Ball teams combined to give Easingwold School a resounding victory in the country’s first inter-school Rock-It-Ball Tournament last week. Fortunate to be able to call on experienced players from Easi-RockIts and the Air Cadet team, a number of whom already play at international level, Easingwold School was invited to enter a team into a West Yorkshire Schools Tournament organised by England international Steve Biltcliffe, a School Sports Co-ordinator in Wakefield.
Easingwold Advertiser and Weekly News. Sat February 16th 2008	more...
Rock-It-Balling Around
Tuesday evening saw five Year 11 teams Crofton, Outwood, Cathedral, Becket and Easingwold from York engage in England’s first ever Inter-School Rock-It-Ball Competition at Lightwaves Sports Centre. Although Rock-It-Ball is a relatively new sport to a number of these High Schools the pupils quickly picked up the idea and began to give Easingwold, who have their own independent team, a run for their money.
The SSCO Program at The Outwood Grange College Sports Partnership Website	more...
Juniors up and rocking!!
Easi-RockIts continue to lead the way in the phenomenon that is Rock-It-Ball. Not content with the Seniors being one of the leading groups in the country Easi-Rockits are now the first to set up a dedicated Junior section.Having run a couple of taster sessions in 2007 the first ‘proper’ Junior session took place at the Galtres Centre on Saturday 19th Jan. Chloe Mitchell and Tom Hildreth, two Easi-RockIts who have made it to international level, attended to assist the Junior players who took great delight in scoring points against them.
Easingwold Advertiser and Weekly News Sat February 2nd 2008	more...
Picture perfect
Aiming high: Steve Biltcliffe, a schools sports co-ordinator in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, plays Rock-It-Ball for England. He was introduced to the new fast-moving sport through a summer camp and it has been a hit with pupils
Times Educational Supplement - the TES Magazine January 25th 2008, p4	more...
My Sporting View
A teacher whose promising hockey career was ruined by a savage attack on the field has resurrected her love of sport with an exciting new game.Alex Chambers landed in hospital and her attacker in court after the incident while she was a teenager.
School Sport Magazine Issue 18. Jan-March 2008	more...
Rock-It-Ball
The newest of ball sports was founded in the North East in 2006 and now, quite rightly, we have international honours being awarded in Teesside. Alex Chambers has made history by becoming the first female Rock-It-Ball player to be selected for the senior England squad. Alex, who lives in Yarm, is a schools sport co-ordinator with the Stockton Schools Sport Partnership and is currently taking the game into schools around the Teesside area.
The Circuit Issue 61, In circulation up to 2nd January 2008	more...