(Photo: Gebruiker)

The FIH recently concluded its 2011 Youth Development Program with the theme of Age Fit. In total, 38 national associations took part in the program with the aim to focus on youth teams of all levels.

At the end of the program, the FIH named it’s award winners for the 11th edition of the Youth Challenge. Bangladesh, Malawi, Myanmar, Poland, Afghanistan and Fiji were selected as this year’s FIH Youth Challenge prize winners.They included the global theme “AGE FIT” in an exceptional way in their activities.

Below is a summary of each of the winners’ programs. For an overview of all 38 nations that took part, please click here.


Bangladesh:
Invited 600 players and their coaches from all over Bangladesh for a full day of AGE FIT activities in the Hockey Stadium in Dhaka. After the official opening, AGE FIT instruction booklets were given to the coaches and teachers and AGE FIT T-shirts handed out to the young players.  

The favourite AGE FIT drills were displayed and then all young players could start practicing skills, drills and games appropriate for their age group:

  • 5-6 yrs: basic motor skills without stick, running, turning, jumping, balancing, how to hold and move the ball and stick safely
  • 7-8 yrs: basic hockey skills, carrying the ball in different directions, passing & receiving, 1v1 competition
  • 9-12 yrs: ball possession, build up play, goal scoring
  • 13-14 yrs: non ball possession, PC, circle defense, girls 6-a-side tournament

The event was closed with a short Marathon inside the stadium, including Chief Guests from BOC, the Ministry and the Airforce.


Brazil:

Brazil organized its Youth Challenge in various sport complexes and schools in Rio, Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre and Sao José dos Campos.
191 juniors, often from poor communities, enjoyed their first introduction to the game of hockey. 6 coaches & 3 players of the national team conducted skills sessions and organized playful games with hockey-, tennis- and foam balls. Website photographers, local news papers and TV channels all covered the event.
As a follow up on the event the hockey association of Brazil organized a 7-a-side Hockey Festival in Diodorus and junior competitions and festivals in partnership with local federations. For the teachers coaching literature was provided in Portugese, based on the Age Fit program.


Malawi:
Organized AGE FIT activities in 3 hockey centres in Lilongwe (clay pitch), Zomba (grass pitch) and Blantyre (grass pitch), giving 950 young players in the age group 5-18 a learning ful and exciting weekend. The youngsters enjoyed the following activities:

  • 5-7 yrs: passing through tunnel, around square, mini hockey, with lighter balls & tennis balls
  • 8-9 yrs: tackling, pushing & receiving, 2v2 tackling, 3v3 on four goals posts (be creative!)                                  
  • 11-13 yrs: drills on scoring (incl. reverse stick), 1v1 on two goals, defending posts                     
  • 14-15 yrs: labyrinth, games of 4 goals, flick over the river, 6v6. Skills devt & set pieces

Not only the young players were entertained, also the coaches and teachers were invited for a Coach Forum, to discuss the need and wish for age specific coaching. Outcome of the discussions were: “adapt the game instead of the child” and use age appropriate time, space, materials and coaching language to really make an impact.

The media coverage of this years’ Youth Challenge in Malawi was fantastic. The Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC TV)), All for Jesus (AFJ TV), The Nation, the Daily Times newspaper and MBC Radio 2 all covered the event.


Myanmar:
Organized a different program for each age group, on the Theinbyu hockey pitch in Yangon. 

  • 3-5 yrs: intro of hockey
  • 6-8 yrs: basic skills competition
  • 9-12 yrs: 3v3 competition
  • 12-16 yrs: 6v6 competition

Lunch was provided to all and at the prize giving each participant received a stick. Aim of the event was to develop and promote hockey under the banner of the AHF & FIH. The electronic and printed media covered the event (see ppt Myanmar 10th slide)

 

Poland:
rganized the XVI International Mini Hockey Tournament in Gasawa.  28 boys and 18 girls teams (450 players) enjoyed age appropriate hockey matches and lots of fun additional sports activities in carnival atmosphere around that:

  • Physical fitness test (like long jump, sprint, pull ups)
  • Beach hockey mini hockey tournament at Chomiaskie Lake
  • Scuba diving in a round swimming pool at the lake
  • Karaoke contest
  • Intro to the traditional outfits & weapons of the warriors of Biskupin
  • Signed photos by coach Nat Team
  • Awards for 3 best players & teams


Afghanistan:
Organized the Youth Challenge event on a grass and clay surface in Kabul. With the support and attendance of the NOC and local government match and skills competitions were staged for the different age groups and their teachers. Aim was to save the youth by giving them the opportunity to get involved in hockey. The media was present and covered the event.

 

Fiji:
Organized a fantastic event, not only on the Youth Challenge weekend but also leading up to the Challenge. In the first half of May a 3 day Youth Coaching workshop was conducted by CDO Gill Gemming and 3 Fijian facilitators. The workshop included theoretical and practical sessions on the different age groups.

On the 14th and 15th of May the newly appointed development officer of the Fiji Hockey Federation staged a full weekend of activities based on age groups studied in the workshop:

  • 1-4 yrs: fun with balls, stick & water slide
  • 5-6 yrs: stealing balls, passing, dribble relay, 2v2
  • 7-8 yrs: shadow game, passing, dribble & push on goal, 3v3
  • 9-12 yrs: relay, passing & games 9v9
  • 13-19 yrs: presentation & discussion on drugs in sports, w-up, passing, dribbling one hand, full field game, trying out umpiring