As a part of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace earlier this week, Hockey Australia announced that it would take the successful Hookin2Hockey programme over to India with the aim of encouraging 1,000 children and coaches to take part in the sport.
Hockey Australia has been working together with the Department of Foreign Affair and Trade and TATA Steel to develop a hockey programme for the Asian Sports Partnership which will run out of two centralised locations – Jamshedpur and Rajgangpur.
The scheme will be delivered locally with Hockey Australia coaches leading school clinics and junior development to help re-build hockey participation in the school environment.
To ensure the legacy of Hookin2Hockey in these areas, the development of local coaches will be included as a part of the sessions, with all equipment used to be gifted to the programmes by Hockey Australia.
A Gala competition will be held in September at the conclusion of the school clinics to further encourage participation and the future of hockey in Jamshedpur and Rajgangpur.
Hockey Australia Chief Executive, Cam Vale said: “As a leading sporting organisation, we are delighted to be able to take our Hookin2Hockey programme to India as a part of the Asian Sports Partnership.
“Being able to help develop hockey at a grass roots level, and hopefully assist in the on-going up take of the sport in Jamshedpur and Rajgangpur is something that we’re very proud of.”
This is the latest in a series of projects that are using hockey as a tool to promote peace and well-being within communities. Such work provides evidence that hockey can bring people together, overcome social problems and help educate people to live better, healthier lives.
To read about some of the other projects highlighted by the International Hockey Federation on International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, click here.
For more information about this partnership, visit Hockey Australia's website: www.hockey.org.au
