U15 Extension Programme a success for players, coaches & umpires
U15 Extension Programme a success for players, coaches & umpires
July 27, 2021
Last week was our first Under 15/U15 Extension Programme, where 120+ participants took to the Ngā Puna Wai turfs to sharpen their technical and tactical skills.
Like the U13 Extension Programme that took place the week before last (read the article here), the U15 programme was put together by Canterbury Hockey staff with the support of the Youth Development Working Group (formed in late 2020 to help plan these sorts of events).
The programme provided an inclusive extension-based development opportunity for 13 - 15-year-old athletes, and coaches and umpires of this age group.
For the first two days, split into morning and afternoon groups, the focus was on allowing participants to develop targeted principles and concepts that would benefit them in their long-term hockey development. These included technical concepts (for example, passing and receiving whilst on the move), tactical concepts (for example, creating and utilising 2 vs. 1’s) and mental skill concepts (such as a growth mindset).
On the third day of the programme, the groups took part in a mini tournament to use their sharpened skills. Four boys teams started the day with half field games and then split into two teams in the afternoon for an 11-a-side game. Six girls teams played two 11-a-side games throughout the day.
As well as players, the programme also offered an opportunity for some of Canterbury’s junior umpires to develop their skills. Five umpires attended a ‘Umpires Crash Course’ on day two where they were challenged to think outside of the rules, looking at players intentions and player management. These skills were then put into practice on day three with umpires officiating the games whilst receiving feedback from a selection of Canterbury’s Junior/Community Umpire Mentors.
This programme wouldn’t have been possible without the help of our talented coaches, and Canterbury Hockey would like to extend a big thank you to them!
Coach Developer: Pat Barwick
Coaches:
- Jan McDonald
- Charlotte Lee
- Saasha Masters (Goalkeeper coach)
- Felix Rolls
- Damian Allerby
- Callum McGregor
- Brad Shaw
- Emil Collins (Goalkeeper coach)
- Sam Grimshaw
- Ben Owers.
So, what did the participants think?
“I liked getting to know people from other clubs and see people from previous teams” — Lucas.
“It was good to make new friends” — Isaiah.
“It was great to develop new skills and have different coaches to previous ones” — Leo Munt.
“Game day’s always the best to mix it up and then use drills in a game situation with people you’ve practiced with. Splitting the day into morning and afternoon groups also worked well” — Lucy Easton.
“There was a good ratio of the number of participants to the number of coaches” — Amelia Frew.
“I liked that the programme allowed everyone to come, so anyone from different grades could do it” — Holly Beagle.
There's still more to come for this programme as well! Phase two will happen from 3-7 October as a South Island Tournament & Regional Festival. Associations throughout the South Island will take part in the tournament.