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Inline Hockey Central features Skills Award Scheme

IHSAS NEWSLETTER Vol. 1 Issue 1 4/10/01

Current Subscribers 368 From 11 Countries

Web Site Launch

This is the first newsletter from the IHA Skills Award Scheme Web site to which you are subscribed

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In this issue………

1.An overview of the IHA Skills Award Scheme
2.A view from the club scene
3.Future issues

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1. An overview of the IHA Skills Award Scheme web site

The IHSAS web site has got something for everyone who is interested in grass roots development of the sport of inline hockey. Registration to the Scheme couldn't be simpler and is made through the renowned Worldpay secure credit card server. Complete details of the Scheme and how to register can be found by clicking…www.ihsas.com/scheme.htm

For details of a SPECIAL SITE LAUNCH OFFER click this link…www.ihsas.com/special.htm

All the clubs and Local Authorities and International Associations who are registered on the Scheme have their own page. Is yours registered? Find out more…www.ihsas.com/members.htm

Links to the latest coaching and league/tournament software can be found here…www.ihsas.com/software.htm

There is a specific section where a selection of manuals and books are recommended for the discerning coach, player and parent. 18 books are currently recommended and include 'Coaching Youth Hockey' and 'The ABC of Coaching' in the Coaching Books section, 'Hockey Drills for Puck Control' in the Drills section and also some novels for that ideal present. All the books can be purchased through any of the 5 Amazon book store sites around the World with links to all 5 with the usual famous Amazon discounts. Click here for further information…www.ihsas.com/resources.htm

'Blades of Sand in the lead' (11/8/01)…….

For the kids (young or old!) there is a selection of online hockey games which you can play and rate. Your favourites will stay and the ones you don't like will be dumped and replaced with others. Are you a 'Slapshot Superstar' or a 'Goalie Guru'?. Click here to find out…www.ihsas.com/games.htm

2. A view from the club scene

Every newsletter will feature a report from a club, league or association from around the Globe. The first report is from Malcolm Tilley who helps to run a club in Derbyshire, England called Glossopdale Devils. Malcolm has chosen to write about how the Skills Award Scheme has benefited his club and also helped to take young children off the streets. If you would like your club, league or association featured in a forthcoming edition, then please email news@ihsas.com

Your report doesn't have to be about the Skills Scheme, it can include anything you want and don't forget, at the moment the newsletter goes out to people in 11 different countries around the World!

Here is Malcolm's report……..

IHA SKILLS AWARD SCHEME - FINDING THE FUTURE STARSe we had squads at 4 different levels; Under 11; Under 14; Under 18 and Senior. It seemed a very simple way of attracting 'new blood' into the Club whilst providing an opportunity for existing players to improve their skill level

The Scheme administrators had obviously done a great deal of work already with Local Authorities and in the main, they had all taken the scheme on board. There were numerous examples illustrating that the scheme would always pay for itself - therefore no financial risk to the Local Authorities and no financial risk to the clubs adopting the scheme. From a wider viewpoint, the more clubs that work with this scheme then the higher the skill level of the players coming through.

Our Club decided we would get the ball rolling as the local authority were not in a position to run the scheme themselves (even though the unique way that the scheme is structured, with the clubs themselves that actually providing the coaching staff for the authority).

Like many other In-line Roller Hockey clubs, we are not cash-rich. We have a small amount of funds that generally gets used to provide essential equipment, supplies of pucks etc. and as there was no financial risk with the way the Scheme was structured our limited funds were not at risk. We decided to take a realistic approach by working closely with the local Leisure Centre - who were very supportive from the very start - and their assistance ensured that we did not over-extend ourselves. We launched a 15-week scheme with the intention of extending this providing there was support.

To advertise the scheme we began with some local press coverage announcing what the scheme was about. Most local newspapers are keen to promote new sports - especially those that provide continual growth and especially if you are prepared to write the material yourself! In addition, we produced some fairly basic leaflets which gave all the relevant information. These were displayed at two leisure centres and distributed to some of the local schools. All of this was supported by some colourful posters - again displayed at the local leisure centres.

The response was fantastic, we had around 22 kids join the first sessions all of varying ability but what struck me was the raw enthusiasm that seemed electric. After four years of coaching I had forgotten the real reason that I started. It wasn't for the glory of winning trophies, it was because right in the very beginning, I saw how much the kids enjoyed learning and what a 'kick' it gave me when they actually achieved their goals. Some of that, as you know gets eroded over the years and it's easy to lose sight of the positive aspects of the sport.

Some six months further on from when our scheme commenced, I still have 15 of the original 22, many of whom are about to form the basis of an Under 10 squad to enter in our local league. In just over a month's time, we will be starting the second scheme. We hope, like last year, that this will provide another crop of youngsters bursting with enthusiasm. It's the kind of passion that rekindles the same enthusiasm in ourselves. If all goes well, this year's Under 10's will become next year's Under 11's and this year's IHA Skills Award Scheme entrants will become next year's Under 10's.

I know this might be a little idealistic, but if more clubs can follow a similar course then the future of the sport is guaranteed. Who knows, in a few years time it might even become an Olympic sport?

Malcolm Tilley

If you have any feedback on Malcolm's report, please feel free to email me news@ihsas.com and we'll feature your comments in the next issue

3. FUTURE ISSUES

Do you have a hockey tip? The next issue will feature some of your best tips. Get your name in the newsletter and send in your tip to news@ihsas.com

Coaches Corner - Coaching manuals, can you recommend a good coaching manual as a general reference book? Let the World know what your favourite is by emailing news@ihsas.com

That's all for now - don't forget to send your info for inclusion in future issues

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