Assistance from Sports Council for Youth Development
18 July 2004

Arising out of the Development workshop by Ms. Gabrielle van Doorn in Trinidad last October, the Barbados Hockey Federation has solicited the assistance of the Barbados National Sports Council in order to assist with the development the Youth Hockey.
Retired member of the Barbados Defence Force Col Deighton Maynard was approached to head this programme.
The following circular was sent to Primary and Secondary Schools in Barbados:

To All Physical Education Teachers of Primary and Secondary Schools
At a recent meeting between the Barbados Hockey Federation and the National Sports Council, a joint initiative was conceptualized towards the development of Hockey at the Youth Level.
The general objectives of this initiative are:

To promote and encourage the playing of hockey within the primary and secondary schools.

1. To have more individuals trained in the teaching of hockey.
2.  To enhance the quality of junior hockey players in the future.
3. To improve the basic skills of junior hockey players.
4. To enhance the overall development of hockey in Barbados.

The programme will be divided into Four (4) Phases:

Phase I:
Training Course in teaching and coaching of hockey for all interested Primary and Secondary school Physical Education teachers.

Phase II:
Vigorous training and coaching of students within the Primary and Secondary schools throughout the island.

Phase III:
Competitions

1. Indoor 6-A-Side Competition
2. Schools’ League Competition
3.  Penalty Flick Competition
4. Skills Competition

Phase IV:
Selection of players for further development and dissemination into local hockey clubs.
To this end we are inviting all interested Physical Education Teachers or other members of your staff, to sign up to be part of this programme. You can contact Mr. Michael Jules at the National Sports Council at 430-7724 or Miss Monica Cumberbatch at 421 6008.
We look forward to a favorable response from you as we seek to move the sport of hockey in Barbados to a higher level.

Yours Sincerely,
Michael Jules
Senior Coach, National Sports Council
and Monica Cumberbatch
Barbados Hockey Federation

The response has been encouraging, as 29 schoolteachers had registered. In the meanwhile, Col Maynard invited a cadre of local ex- Nationals players and coaches to assisted in training the teachers in phase one of this project. Sessions have been encouraging and are scheduled to end this week with certification.

We attach pictures of one of the sessions.

Report by:
Monica Cumberbatch
18 July 2004