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An initiative to introduce hockey to junior school children will continue for another three years after RG Falla agreed to continue its financial support.
Guernsey Hockey LBG’s outreach programme sees coaches going into all of the junior schools and teaching year 5 or 6 pupils the basics of the sport. RG Falla has now extended its original three year sponsorship for a further three years.
‘Hockey has always been a very popular sport in Guernsey but before the outreach hockey programme was introduced, the first time youngsters played was when they went to secondary school. Often by that age, they have already developed a passion for another activity and so as part of the development of the sport, we wanted to find a way of showing primary school children what a great sport hockey is,’ said coach Mike Kinder.
‘But buying suitable equipment, ensuring there were qualified coaches and hiring venues for competitions comes at a cost and so the support from RG Falla has been absolutely vital. I have every confidence that some of those youngsters we have taught over the last three years will follow in the footsteps of our successful senior mens and ladies teams.’
Mr Kinder and assistant coach Katy Taylor spend time in every junior school teaching around 1,000 youngsters each year the rules of the sport and the different skills needed. To ensure they put what they have learnt into practice, a number of tournaments have been organised.
In December, the first indoor hockey tournaments were held involving children from La Mare de Carteret, Vale, Beechwood, Castel, Blanchelande, Vauvert and Forest Schools. This has been followed by three other tournaments including the Year 5 competition on 1st May. The season will culminate with the annual RG Falla Outreach Hockey Programme tournament on 15th May when Castel School will be hoping to defend their 2014 success after a 2 – 0 win over fellow finalists Vauvert Lions.
‘This year’s tournaments will be particularly special as it will be the first time the youngsters will have played on the new pitches at Footes Lane and of course, the new stand, which was built by RG Falla, will make it easier for the youngsters to support their classmates and watch the games taking place.’
RG Falla joint managing director Graham Brook said the company was happy to continue its long association with the sport.
‘Providing youngsters with opportunities as possible to try new sports has many benefits from encouraging them to keep active and healthy through to teaching them how to support each other as a team. The hockey facilities locally, which RG Falla is proud to have been involved with, are excellent and through the dedication of Guernsey Hockey and the coaches, I am sure the future of the sport is very bright,’ he said.
