After a very successful youth hockey camp last year, it was agreed to organize a camp for young hockey players and beginners again. Children from Lithuania, Finland, Holland spent a whole week in Bubiai under the flag of EHF, Sport Ways and LHF.
Taking into consideration the importance of the camp for the region of East Europe, EHF assigned a grant. According to the strategy of EHF Development of hockey, this camp was put on the same footing as traditional camps of Paris and Barcelona which appear to be of the highest rank.
Nobody was Left Without a Prize
It has been the second year the camp was organized in "Tauras" recreation and supplementary education camping site of Siauliai Municipality. Its head, former leader of famous Siauliai "Tauras" hockey team - Leonardas Sipavicius with his hospitality demonstrated appreciation to hockey. Frank Stofmeel from the Netherlands was appointed a Technical Director of the international youth hockey camp. He is a representative of the biggest organization (Sport Ways) involved in organizing camps. Not only experienced coaches worked in the camp - there was a guest coach from Finland. Kristiina Suninen actively participates in teaching young hockey players, she also brings more and more children to the camp each year.
The programme of the camp consisted of 2 parts: technical-training and social. The first was devoted to hockey sport. Every day children went from Bubiai to the synthetic pitch of Siauliai to have trainings and improve the already acquired skills. Every day during the training sessions Frank Stofmeel taught children a trick of the day.
There were enough prizes for everyone! A winner of the day's training was always awarded!
Children Played Against Coaches
Children played not only hockey but swam in the lake nearby, played soccer, basketball, volleyball. All the participants had a unique possibility to watch matches between 2 national hockey teams - women and girls U-21 were preparing for very important competitions in Spain.
A serious test awaited children on the last day of the camp - they played hockey against coaches. Experience and age won after a long, tiring and persistent fight.
English lessons for different levels were held in the camp as well. Participants improved the skills of English, learnt terms and rules of hockey. Those, who succeeded in answering questions from the book "Hockey Rules OK", were awarded certificates proving sufficient knowledge to umpire the games of respective age groups.
Social programme did not disappoint the children either. The very first evening after having done a number of tasks and having overcome a lot of obstacles, the children were "initialized". Every day there was a new programme and everyone could demonstrate their artistic-creative abilities. Young talents and future stars were revealed in dances held every evening.
Children Got Acquainted with Siauliai Region
One day in the camp was a day of excursions to Siauliai, the Hill of Crosses, Kurtuvenai national park (here children could have a ride). The last evening of the camp traditionally was left for BBQ, farewell, closing and awarding ceremony. The prizes were established by LHF and Sport Ways. Last night absolutely unexpectedly children had to look for the wealth. It took some time - but the wealth was found and divided among all the participants near the camp fire.
The biggest wealth in the camp this year was the children - enthusiastic, creative, lively, smart. We hope their impressions and skills they have acquired will be long lasting. We believe we will meet in the camp next year where we will be able to learn and to experience as lot as well as find many new friends.
The Exam is Over
LHF has passed an international exam - it successfully organized 3 international events one after another: European women championship qualifier, Women U-18 European championship "B" division and international youth camp. Though our hopes were not fulfilled during the first 2 events, the camp left very positive recollections.
