As the FIH Academy continues to make the most of online opportunities, the next exciting webinar aimed at hockey development across the globe focuses in on the game of indoor hockey.
Despite the cancellation of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup due to the on-going pandemic, the Indoor Hockey Huddle is going full steam ahead.
Long recognised as both a thrilling format of the game and a place where real skill development can happen, indoor hockey is going from strength to strength in many parts of the world.
Among the many examples of indoor hockey initiatives are the Pro Series Indoor Hockey Franchise (PSI) in South Africa; Indoor Hockey UK in England; the massively popular Indoor Hockey Championships in the USA; and the club scene in European countries, with Complutense HC in Spain yet another European club that is developing the indoor game alongside its outdoor counterpart.
The Indoor Hockey Huddle gives a chance for participants to tune in and listen to an online debate featuring speakers from all of these examples. Moderated by journalist and founder of The Hockey Site Ernst Baart, the talk will provide both information and inspiration for anyone seeking to develop their own Indoor Hockey offering, whether in a school, club, state or national setting.
It is not just participation which will be at the focus of this discussion. The panelists, guided by Baart, will also examine how the sport, which is renowned for its atmospheric indoor conditions and vocal crowds, can make the most of its appeal to spectators.
Joining Baart will be Ross Willis, who is currently working with Hockey Ireland on its national indoor programme. Willis is an expert in developing the indoor game as he is tournament manager of PSI South Africa. This is a programme of tournaments, clinics and coaching sessions that has brought indoor hockey to more than 25,000 hockey players across South Africa.
Madeline Hoeppner is Director of Events at USA Field Hockey, where the annual National Indoor Tournament has age group competitions ranging from under 10 through to senior and masters players.
William Davey is operations director of Indoor Hockey UK, which is tapping into the appetite for indoor hockey at club and school level in the UK, and Nacho Usoz is Head Coach to the first team at Complutense HC in Madrid, where indoor hockey is developing alongside its outdoor counterpart.
Whatever your level of interest in this fast and exciting game, the webinar will provide ideas, inspiration and a heap of practical measures to introduce or develop indoor hockey in your own environment.
