Improvement sought in hockey standards

Press, 19 February 1986, Page 42

Improvement sought in hockey standards

By

KEVIN TUTTY

During and after the P. 0.5.8. national men’s hockey tournament in Christchurch last September, concern was expressed by several coaches and members of the New Zealand Hockey Association at the decline in standards of the game in New Zealand. One team, Auckland, stood out like a beacon in

that tournament. Its skills were so superior, especially in the pool games. Canterbury played well only in patches, and Wellington was but a shadow of former years and testament to the fact that artificial turf is not a magic panacea for the

game. At the annual meeting of the N.Z.H.A. in Christchurch in November, the association’s coaches and several of its members met to discuss ways of improving standards and to establish New Zealand firmly as one of the

world’s leading hockey nations. The first step to an improvement in those standards will be this week-end when a seminar for provincial coaches — of both senior and junior teams — will be held at the Pioneer Stadium in Christchurch.

About 25 coaches are expected at the seminar which will be addressed by the New Zealand coach, Trevor Blake, the national director of coaching, Pieter Jongejan, Selwyn Maister, who with his brother, Barry, coaches the New Zealand junior team, Kevin Towns, the Auckland coach and a New Zealand selector, and Brian Maunsell, the former New Zealand coach.

A vast range of topics will be discussed, and demonstrated where practical. Among the topics are: the provincial coach’s range of responsibilities; basic coaching techniques; tactical considerations; psychological preparation and guidance of a team; and training sessions.

Barry Maister was involved in an earlier seminar in Wellington a year ago. That one, he said, had produced some valuable information, but not too many conclusions. It was decided to hold another and aim for some positive conclusions. Throughout the weekend players will be used to demonstrate the various coaching skills. Notes taken during the two days will be available to coaches before they leave.

The seminar will not be an instant cure-all for New Zealand hockey, but it should give coaches more confidence in all aspects of the game and show them that there is no substitute for hard work and dedication.