WORLD YOUTH HOCKEY PROMOTER FESTIVAL 2008
Victoria, Canada

Monday 28 April, 2008

Day 2 of the World Youth Hockey Promoters Festival
(through the eyes of Group 1)

The day started with a short presentation on Oceania by Gill & Tina. They explained that no country in Oceania has a border with any other neighboring country they are all Islands. However hockey is organized successfully across many of the islands despite poor quality pitches and resources. Australia and New Zealand are the main hockey playing nations. Hockey faces competition from many other sports however it is very popular with Australia winning 3 Olympic Medals. We were also introduced to food, music and other sports from this region. This was followed by a quiz based on the presentation and the 2 highest scoring groups were awarded with prizes from Oceania!

Following that we began to share the experiences of the promoters through their presentations. It was great to see such a variety of activity from Poland, Trinidad and Tobago, Hungary, Germany , Scotland, Wales, Mexico, USA, Croatia, Hong Kong, Tanzania and Ireland.

In the afternoon we attended a coaching workshop where by we coached each others group and exchanged views on what was working and what needed improvement.  We played a few games and everyone had a great time playing and learning new coaching techniques.

Back in the room we learnt about the countries that have set up National Youth Panels and what they have achieved with this. Many of the Youth Panels have come along many different paths.

In addition to all this everyone has mixed really well with each other, making new friends and socializing about field hockey as well as learning about the cultures and the back grounds of the other participants. Lots of laughter and smiles all around!

Thanks You FIH and FHC for giving us the opportunity to attend this event.

Jay Bharat Lodhia, Tanzania

Rebecca Daniels, Wales

Rebecca's project

Simon Hoffmann, Germany