ATHENS, April 16: For the first time an international hockey development workshop, run by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), is to be held in Athens, Greece from May 27 to 30.

This workshop continues the series of worldwide development sessions, held already in Egypt, the Netherlands, Argentina and Singapore.

The course is for people involved in hockey development planning and implementation in national associations of Africa, Western Asia, Southern and Eastern Europe.

It aims to capitalise on the knowledge that each individual hockey developer holds, and to provide a forum to exchange this knowledge and learn from each other.

The course will cover areas such as analysing opportuni-ties and obstacles for hockey development and planning for sustainable hockey development.

This intensive workshop will also include case study and small group work plus presentations by experts in hockey development. It will focus strongly on sharing international knowledge, ideas and experience.

It will be chaired by FIH Development and Coaching Committee (DCC) Chairman Theo Ykema, while Co-Chairs are: African Hockey Federation DCC Chair Clare Digby, Asian Hockey Federation DCC Fumio Ogura European Hockey Federation DCC Claire Peeters-Monseu.

The facilitators: FIH Development Manager Gabrielle van Doorn, Continental Development Officer (CDO) for Africa Clare Digby, CDO for Asia, Tayyab Ikram, CDO for Europe Norman Hughes. Co-facilitators CDO for Pan America, Jorge Querejeta CDO for Oceania, Gill Gemming.

Theo Ykema commented, “This international workshop will be conducted by experts and will be a unique opportunity for participants to find ideas and inspiration for structural hockey development in their country.

Athens workshop continues excellent series of development workshops we have so far conducted worldwide.”—PPI