Long serving President of the Guyana Hockey Board, Philip Fernandes said 2011 was a very successful year for the sport locally even as the Board moves to attractive new players this year.
Fernandes, who was recently returned unopposed to serve for another term, reported that Guyana women’s second place finish at the Pan American Challenge tournament in Brazil and the staging of the Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Festival after a one year absence were two of the highpoints of the board’s success.
Guyana’s women have now advanced to play in the prestigious Pan American Cup tournament scheduled for Argentina in 2013 with the top teams advancing to the 2014 Women’s Hockey World Cup.
“We had some high points and low points for the year but I feel that hockey is in a stronger position in the end as compared to the beginning,” he disclosed.
Fernandes noted that the new surface at the National Gymnasium where the Indoor Festival was held, has brought new life to the sport locally.
The board also hosted an International Olympic Solidarity funded Coaching Course conducted by FIH instructor Shiv Jagday who visited Guyana in September last year.
Fernandes participated in the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) Course in Mexico while lone FIH umpire Devin Hooper officiated in the Pan American Games in Mexico.
“Junior development must remain a top priority for hockey as this is the only way to sustain the game. We have continued our schools programme which was started in 2010 and have over 100 children from five schools,” Fernandes reported.
He said the programme has been successful so far but said the board was looking forward to building on the success to increase the number of participants this year.
He said the board needs to improve its financial position so that a fulltime coach could be employed as volunteers find it difficult to conduct training during working hours.
“Trinidad has recently made contact with us to invite male and female under-21 teams to visit them during the Easter weekend where they are hoping to run off a Caribbean international warm up tournament with Barbados, Jamaica and Venezuela as the other countries,” the Board President disclosed.
He said it is important for Guyana to continue competing at international level especially in the Junior division but noted that the exercise is a costly one.
Fernandes said most the local outdoor tournaments were held last year and he looked forward to seeing the return of West Dragons of West Demerara in local competitions this year.
Fernandes and the entire executive were returned to office including long serving Secretary Gregory Sills who was excused from the meeting due to illness and is receiving treatment overseas.
An additional committee member to serve on the board was passed and that position is now held by Jonelle Webster.
The Executive Committee reads Philip Fernandes (President), Ivor Thompson and Rawl Davson (Vice Presidents), Gregory Sills (Secretary), Devin Hooper (Treasurer),Tricia Fiedtkou (Assistant Secretary/Treasurer), Gail Harding, Brian Asregado and Webster (Committee Members).
