Local boy shines at major U.S. inline hockey tournament

Jack Morton, a 12-year-old student at Holy Family in Heywood, in the prestigious State Wars event held in St Louis.

A young athlete from Heywood has returned home after representing the United Kingdom at the largest inline hockey tournament in the United States.

Jack Morton, a 12-year-old student at Holy Family in Heywood, participated in the prestigious State Wars event held in St Louis.

State Wars is a renowned tournament where the best players from each U.S. state, and select invitational countries such as the UK and Australia, compete over three days in various age groups. The tournament aims to determine the top teams across the nation.
 

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Jack competed for the UK in both the 2011 and 2012 age groups. In the 2011 category, his team narrowly missed out on a semi-final spot, finishing fifth after conceding a late goal. However, it was the 2012 age group that provided a more thrilling journey.

Despite finishing 12th out of 15 teams in the round-robin stage, Jack's team fought through the knockout rounds, defeating top-seeded teams to reach the final. Although the UK ultimately fell to a strong California team, they took home a well-deserved silver medal.

As a goalkeeper, Jack's performance was particularly noteworthy. His save percentages were among the best in the tournament, with a 0.911 save rate in the 2011 age group and 0.898 in the 2012 category. These impressive stats highlight his skill, especially considering the high number of shots he faced.

Jack trains with the Devils Inline Hockey team in Atherton and also plays ice hockey for the Widnes Wild Academy. His achievements are a testament to his dedication and the support he has received from his community.

Before the tournament, Jack had to undertake significant fundraising efforts. He was fortunate to secure £1,050 from the Heywood Township Fund and is grateful to Ye Olde Bubbles in Heywood, which held a fundraising day in March, raising £900. Without this support, Jack would not have been able to travel to the U.S. and achieve his dream.

Now back home, Jack is looking ahead to the next season. As he continues to grow and develop, he is seeking a sponsor to help cover the costs of his ever-expanding kit and to support his ambitions of competing in more international tournaments.