Olympic Legacy: Hundreds take to hockey

If politicians are looking for some sort of Olympic legacy, they need look no further than Powys.

An innovative hockey project has been launched which succeeded in introducing the sport to more than 600 youngsters across the county, including the Welshpool area where Guilsfield and Llanfair Caereinion Primary Schools qualified through to a Welsh finals day tomorrow (Thursday).

The 4689 Hockey Parties were organised by Powys County Council’s Sports Development Team and 109 teams from 33 primary schools.

This is a new route into the sport for youngsters, with the format based not on age but ability, with the size of the playing area and team numbers gradually increasing as the children’s talents improve. This progressive format starts with 4v4, moving to 6v6, 8v8 and finally 9v9.

Not only does the size of the playing area and number in a team gradually increase as the children’s ability improves, but it’s also a flexible and accessible format with no need for special equipment or play areas.

It also introduces children to coaching and umpiring at an early stage and goalkeeping is introduced at the advanced level, with fun-enabling activities to encourage all children to give goalkeeping a go.

In the end, 12 teams made it into the finals with Llanfair Caereinion and Guilsfield advancing to the Welsh Finals to be held in Newtown.

Katie Hamer, Powys Hockey Agent, said: “4689 allows children to play at their own level, at their own pace, with and against others of similar abilities. Utilised properly, it can provide children with the appropriate support and challenge they need to enjoy and succeed in hockey.”

For more information on 4689, visit www.4689.org.uk or contact Katie Hamer on katie.hamer@powys.gov.uk