Swindon Skater Hockey Club have appointed John Devine as their new club coach.

Devine, who has been involved with the Flames for the past four years as a bench coach and also runs the club's beginners sessions, brings with him a wealth of experience.

In the 90s he played for the Swindon Screaming Eagles who competed in the BRHA and GBHI and European Major Leagues.

In 1999 they were crowned national play-off champions and league champions with Devine scoring the winning goal.

He began coaching in 2004 and has achieved multiple national championship qualifications with the Peewee Flames and Youth.

He has also been recognised by the Southern Area Skater Hockey association who appointed Devine as assistant coach of the championship-winning regional team in 2005.

A qualified EIHA level one coach, Devine is currently the coach of the Swindon Flames Senior squad.

Nigel Davies, the club's deputy chairman, said: "We are fortunate to have secured the services of someone with his qualifications, experience and skills.

"John's appointment illustrates the club's commitment to our development programme.

"We are sure that his appointment will be of huge benefit to every player, team, coach and manager as he oversees."

n Swindon Skater Hockey Club's development sides faced their age-group counterparts for the first time in competitive league games at the Farnborough Leisure Centre.

In the first of the day's Swindon v Swindon contests the Peewee Flames Under 12s beat clubmates the Peewee Reds, 15-1.

Four goals from Peewee captain Sam Nobbs, two from Will Harding and one from Jamie Kilby saw the first period close with the Peewee Flames leading 7-0.

Nobbs and Harding added more to their tally in the second and Anthony Bayliss scored a hat-trick.

Reds' efforts were rewarded with a late consolation goal from Jacob Latham, but goals from Ryan Walters, Zac Simons and Megan Sailsbury saw the Flames home.

The remaining all-Swindon clash saw Flames Juniors Under 18s pitted against the club's junior development side, the Reds.

The Junior Flames' preparations were thrown into disarray with the no-show of both their netminders, which forced the drafting of forward Craig Davies as an alternate keeper, but they still won 12-1.

James Bayliss, Luke Swaby and Hannah Archer made it 3-0 by the break. In the second half Tom Poole struck twice, James Townsend, Swaby, Matthew Baxter, and braces from Tom Ireland and Tom Poole saw the Flames power through.

The Reds scored a consolation through Mike Weymouth.

The weekend also saw the Swindon Flames Youth Under 15s face local rivals Oxford Tornadoes and triumphed 8-2 with goals from Connor MacKenzie (2), Jamie Morgan (2), Kyle Coupe (2), Oliver Thompson and Jack Townsend.