WORLD YOUTH HOCKEY PROMOTER FESTIVAL 2008
Victoria, Canada

DAY 1

The 4^th World Youth Hockey Promoter Festival began on Sunday April 27 at the University of Victoria. The University, which is also playing host to the 2008 WorldHockey Olympic Qualifier, opened its doors to 29 International Youth Promoters from 20 different countries that all share the same passion for Hockey. The program was opened with a short speech from Anne Ellis, Chair of the FIH Development & Coaching Council and followed by FHC President Mary Cincinelli who welcomed the participants who we see as our future hockey leaders.

Once the formalities were over the participants formed groups and through team building exercises began their journey of sharing their experiences and learning from each other.

The aim of the week is to encourage these youth in their pursuit of hockey through coaching, umpiring, event management, media and communication workshops. The participants will also partake in a back of house venue tour which will give them to opportunity to gain a better understanding of how things operate behind the scenes of a major event. Each of the participants will be making a short presentation hockey and youth development in their country, and by the end of the week one of these young leaders will be crowned World Youth Hockey Promoter 2008. We hope that this opportunity will allow each of the participants leave the festival with new friendships and a great awareness of youth hockey which can be shared with their clubs and national associations when they return home.

Each day concludes with watching some world-class hockey as the 6 teams from Ireland, Canada, Korea, Malaysia, Italy and Uruguay battle it out for a spot at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.