As part of WorldHockey's development drive, young hockey players around the world will join together this Saturday and Sunday, 14-15 May, for the 5th Global Youth Hockey Marathon.

Children and young adults from countries as diverse as Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will take part in special events organised by their national hockey associations. The theme for this year's Global Marathon is ÔÇ£The Big Try OutÔÇØ, which focuses on encouraging young people to become involved in umpiring.

Each national hockey association has received support from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in the form of three ideas booklets; ÔÇ£Hockey Rules OKÔÇØ to develop knowledge of the rules; ÔÇ£Fair Play Exercise BookÔÇØ to promote fair play and; ÔÇ£27 Ideas to Attract Train and Motivate Young UmpiresÔÇØ to recruit young umpires.

This year's target is to have more than 50 nations take part in the Marathon, an increase from the record 48 countries that participated last year.

As part of the promotional drive, the first 50 nations who report on the Marathon event in their country will receive 10 Umpiring Starter Kits. Kits include a set of umpiring cards, a whistle, a hat and a t-shirt from TK, Official Supplier to FIH.

ÔÇ£This annual event is a great way of boosting the morale of hockey associations, especially for the developing hockey nations who have not had the opportunity to participate in an international event,ÔÇØ FIH President, Els van Breda Vriesman, said.

ÔÇ£Not only does it bring the hockey fraternity together, but it is also an opportunity to create awareness of the game and promote youth development - not to mention the fun that is involved.

ÔÇ£The FIH Youth and Club Development Working Group, under the management of FIH Executive Board member, Anne Ellis, are to be congratulated for their efforts in making this initiative happen.ÔÇØ

More information on the Global Youth Hockey Marathon is available from the FIH website's Development section or by contacting FIH Development Manager, Gabrielle van Doorn, via email on fihdevelopment@planet.nl.

Reports and pictures from the participating national associations will be published on the FIH website in the weeks following the event.


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