Young Bulldog Alfie McAlinden heading to Nova Scotia with Ireland Under-13s

CANADA-BOUND: Under-12s Bulldogs Alfie McAlinden is heading over to Canada later this week as part of the Ireland Under-13 team.

BRADFORD BULLDOGS Under-12s youngster Alfie McAlinden is gearing up for a fantastic trip to Nova Scotia after being selected for the Ireland Under-13 team.

Alfie will head off to Canada next week to take part in the Honda SEDMHA Under-13 tournament, playing a number of games between March 26 and April 3. 

While there, the Ieland team will train and stay with players from the local Bedford Blues hockey team. 

“I’m so excited to get going in Nova Scotia,” said Alfie, who joined the Buldogs back in laste 2022. “It’s literally the best country in the world for ice hockey. 

“The tournament will be tough for us but we go there as a new side with young players who are looking to make an impression and enjoy every minute.’

Alfie’s trip - he flies to Toronto and then on to Halifax, Nova Scotia soon after, has been made possible thanks to a substantial donation from local firm Galeforce Scaffolding, which is run by Sam and Aimee Clarke, the parents of Bulldogs’ Under-10 George, one of Alfie’s best friends at Bradford and a team-mate on the Under-12s team.

The family, from East Ardsley, Leeds, have also set up a Just Giving page for anyone willing to help cover the costs - https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/alfiemc18?utm_term=w9dZGvEqe - and have also been doing various activiites to raise funds themselves. 

Sam Bacon, Alfie’s Under-12 coach at Bradford, said: “Alfie is a genuine standout of a player in so many ways, and he completely deserves this amazing opportunity. 

“As a player he’s smart, hard working and a real leader, and I think he’ll be a huge asset to the Ireland squad. 

“The whole club wish him nothing but the best, and are so excited to celebrate his success and achievement in Canada.”