Hockey NZ will be running a Level 2 Coaching Course in Christchurch on the 27, 28, 29th August.
For more information click here to go to the Events Calendar
Regional Coaching Clinics
These clinics have been taking place all around the country over the past 2 weeks.
This year there were six regions holding clinics, Northern, Midlands, Central, Capital, Canterbury and Southern at both U16 and U18 level.
For more photos from these clinics click here or on the image below
Olympic Youth Camp 
Congratulations to Sarah Byers NZU16 TigerTurf player from Canterbury for being selected to represent New Zealand at the International Olympic Youth Camp being held in Beijing during the Olympic Games.
The selection process for this camp was as follows:
In late January applications were called for from players in the Junior Black Sticks and TigerTurf NZU16 sides who were between 16-18 years old. They were required to fill in an application form and write a short essay about Olympism and what it meant to them.
These applications were all of high quality and it was very difficult for Hockey NZ to choose two to be forwarded to the Olympic Academy for further consideration.
Sarah Byers and Ian Daniel of Tauranga were the chosen two who were sent to the Academy.
The Olympic Academy then selected two athletes, one female and one male, to represent New Zealand at the camp and of course Sarah Byers was the female applicant chosen.
Three of the essays sent in are written here below for everyone to read.
How as an athlete, Olympism guides me in the practice of my sport and in my everyday life.
Winning Essay written by Sarah Byers.
The embodiment of Olympism has guided me throughout my sporting career and my everyday life. Maintaining a balance between nurturing the mind, body and spirit has been particularly important in helping me to achieve my goals. This balance leads me to always believe in my uniqueness and the uniqueness of others.
I have been brought up by a family that has always encouraged and supported any personal endeavours no matter how big or small. The most important attribute was to give a hundred percent effort regardless of the amount of natural skill or talent we possessed. In making such big efforts I was always made aware that sacrifices would have to be made but with sacrifice came rewards.
The greatest rewards were not always from winning medals. The ecstasy of winning is undeniable however the achievement of personal successes brings pride and joy, which enriches the spirit in less tangible ways.
I have carried the philosophy of Olympism through to all aspects of my life. Throughout my education I have learned to appreciate and respect diversity in every form. I have been given opportunities as a coach, mentor and currently as a peer support leader at my high school to experience diversity of culture, beliefs and values and to treat people at all times with dignity.
Through these experiences, I have been fortunate to build a greater understanding of people who come from a different background to myself. I believe these differences should be celebrated as they enrich us all. Through tolerance and respect for others we can all share in each others triumphs and feel genuine dismay in adversity. The power of the unifying spirit of a community exalts excellence, effort and achievement in a peaceful society.
We all strive to achieve in life things that bring joy and feelings of pride and self worth. These are not experience in isolation. It is not about the power of one but rather the celebration of a combined effort of many.
‘Swifter, Higher, Stronger’ the Olympic Motto is achieved through the combined spirit and good will of many.
In my sport, it is the combination of coach, manager, team-mates, supporters and family that work together in unity to help me reach my goals. In return, my role is to be committed and determined, maintaining respect for others while being a good role model. This philosophy applies not only in sport but, to all aspects of my life.
Olympism in Sport and Everyday Life
Essay written by Ian Daniel of Tauranga
The Olympic Games are the world’s oldest and greatest sporting festival, and striving for Olympic glory is the dream of many aspiring young athletes. The Olympic experience is certainly a long term goal of mine. To be part of a global community of athletes whose skills have been honed to the highest degree has been an aspiration of mine for 7 years now – ever since I began to play elite grade Hockey. The Olympic Youth Camp provides an opportunity for me to realize this dream.
Throughout my sporting career I have followed the prowess of athletic greats such as Ryan Archibald and Steve Gurney. Their achievements have driven me to study their techniques, learn about their training programmes and emulate their success. They have become role models to me and have inspired me to set my sights on first local then national, and now international participation. By taking part in the national sporting field I have gained a wide circle of friends whose goals are similar to mine, to represent our country at the Olympics. We have to be the very best in our field, to train beyond the point of our endurance, discipline our lives around our training and remain strong when peer pressure tempts us with the teenage scene of drugs, drink and parties.
Olympism encompasses the Olympic ideal in that it stands for the achievement through training and following the sporting prowess of others. It stands for global friendships that are developed as a result of participation. It stands for international goodwill through sporting competition, and it promotes worldwide understanding and tolerance that hopefully contributes to world peace.
As a young athlete, Olympism plays an important role in underpinning my athletic activities and my everyday life. Being a student who plays multisports – hockey, volleyball and speedway-means that my life is full. I strive to excel in all fields, being guided by the ideals of Olympism.
I order my life to attain these ideals, for I cannot influence others until I am in control of my personal life. Strong personal determination creates the inner drive to develop the physical and mental fitness, focus and concentration required to excel in my chosen sports so that when I train and play the balance of body, will and mind interacts. When physically tired, the drive to succeed provides the will to keep going and to dig deeper within myself. From this effort comes the immense satisfaction and joy of playing sport for regardless of a win or loss I know that I have done my best and given all.
Olympism offers athletes from differing backgrounds and cultures the opportunity to compete as equals, respecting the dignity of each other in the spirit of sportsmanship. 2800 years ago the first Olympics were held in Olympia, Greece. Athletes of that era could never have imagined how far the games would progress from those first early contests. Where man continually strives for higher levels of performance within the context of sportsmanship, global understanding and international goodwill, barriers of race, politics and beliefs cease to exist.
I would love to be a part of the vision of educating youth through the Olympic ideal.
Olympism:
Essay by Daniëlle Jacobs of Auckland
Pierre de Coubertin, establisher of the Olympic movement, had a vision of a united world sharing the same philosophy for life without boundaries set by race, ethnicity, gender and religion. For me, just as for him, the Olympic movement is more than just sport competitions; Olympism is a wonderful opportunity to experience and establish intercultural relationships with other nations. Olympism creates common ground for interaction, and is a framework for world peace.
Although the world is divided by the overshadowing clouds of conflict, discrimination and hostility, a common passion has always brought mankind together despite their many differences: the love and language of sport.
As an athlete and hockey player, my sport activities are guided and supported by Olympism, the Olympic movement and philosophy, teamwork, friendship and respect for others.
I have been blessed with many gifts and talents and I want to express my gratitude by developing my talents to their full potential. I want to share my skills with others through coaching, no matter what their age, race or culture.
Through my leadership positions as Sports Captain, Prefect and 1st XI School Hockey Team Captain, I always promote fair play and healthy competition. While leading by example, I motivate and show others that if you put your heart and effort into all that you do, the benefits and joy you experience by trying new things and doing what you love are endless.
Developing physically, emotionally and intellectually in all aspects of life ensures that you live a balanced life to the full. Understanding the potential that you are capable of and acting on it allows you to overcome all obstacles and make your dreams a reality.
As a sportsperson and positive thinker, I believe that anything is possible. I will always support my team and community members in discovering their true potential, experiencing and acquiring new skills every day, as well as encouraging a love for excelling in hockey, co-curricular activities and education, as I do. Through encouragement I would love for them to learn more about themselves and about others, while participating in fair competition.
By setting an example on the playing field for my peers as well as the spectators, I want them to see, understand and be inspired by the Olympic motto: “Citius Altius, Fortius” (“Swifter, Higher, Stronger”).These words inspire excellence in sport and all aspects of life, and thus help us all to display the true Olympic spirit.
As a citizen of the multicultural society of New Zealand and the world, I want to help bring everyone together, like all the intertwining colours of the Olympic rings, red, yellow, blue, black and green, to form a strong chain of unity.
It is vital that the youth of today establish unity through the Olympic movement. Through our positive role modeling and influence on this world, we can inspire peace, generosity and tolerance for young and old, encouraging the people of the world to stand together as one.
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We will look to continually update this with drills and downloadable resources, links to your Regional Development Managers, and course information |
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Brad Jensen National Coaching & Development Manager |
Nicola Connell Coaching & Development Assistant |
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Craig Gribble National Umpire Development Manager |
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For further information please contact Nicola Connell: nicola@hockeynz.co.nz |
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