Marathon Report

The Global Youth Hockey Marathon is one of the FIH’s great success stories. Positioning hockey as a “Sport for Everybody”, this year’s event attracted countries from around the world along with new faces and innovations. Gabrielle van Doorn, the FIH Development Manager reports.

Forty five countries from five continents participated in this year’s Global Youth Hockey Marathon, held on 13-14 May. The theme of the 2006 Marathon was “Hockey, a Sport for Everybody”, aligning itself with the title of the FIH promotional DVD, which was launched last year.

In all parts of the world, new people were introduced to the game through special and fun events which focused on the technical and social aspects of our sport.

A number of countries used this Marathon to invite minority groups within their national hockey family. Venezuela and Hong Kong focused on disadvantaged groups, and Oman and Pakistan involved women. In Argentina and Ireland, boys form the minority and they were consequently made the main target group of this year’s Marathon. In New Zealand, England, Oman, UAE, Panama and Poland, events were organised for people with a disability.

From the countries mentioned, above a jury, consisting of members of the FIH-DCC Working Group Youth and the FIH Youth Panel selected the following prize winners:

Venezuela, for its programme for underprivileged children and its continued mass participation programme

Oman, for its invitation of women (for the first time!) and disabled athletes to the Marathon

Argentina, for its big event to promote boys hockey

These countries will receive an equipment kit from the FIH official supplier TK, consisting of 75 sticks and balls, which they can use for follow up activities with these specific target groups.

As in previous years, many young people were involved in the organisation of the Marathon. In Wales, the young “Hockey Activators” were the main organisers and in neighbouring England, the Hockey Youth Panel took charge of an event for 600 young people and 1200 visitors.

Marcin Grochal, a member of the FIH Youth Panel, organised an innovative event in Poland.

Asked why he has been involved in the organisation of this event for four years, Marcin said: “It is nice to organise such a big event for so many kids. Every year we add new things and new entertainment possibilities. You work hard for three months and then it all comes to life over three days. It is fantastic to see something happening which you helped to create”.

All the participating countries must be complimented for the brilliant exposure which they received. This year’s Marathon was covered by many local and national newspapers and 37% of the countries who participated appeared on national TV.

A compilation of the TV coverage can be found in episodes 14 and 15 of the WorldHockey TV magazine.

As can be read in the reports posted on the Fih website, the participating National Associations do not see this Marathon as a one-off event and will continue to attract new target groups, making our sport more and more a Sport for Everybody!