KUCHING: The Sarawak Hockey Association (SHA) will be holding a two-day U14 meet slated for next weekend.
This tournament is part of SHA’s on-going development drive.
Even though it will be held at the State Hockey Stadium, it will be based on the indoor rules.
The six-a-side indoor game is geared towards developing the basics of the game like learning how to hit the ball properly.
Lifting the ball is banned unless the player is in a scoring position.
“Basically, the tournament is a chance for us to select players who will play in national tournaments,” said SHA secretary William Lee.
One important tournament is the national U14 championship that will be held in December.
Interest in the SHA tournament is high with teams from outside the capital city wanting to participate as well.
Former international Katherine Lambor, now teaching at SMK Balai Ringin, is one coach who wants to enter a team.
With both boys and girls divisions in the meet, SHA is putting a limit on teams entries.
“We are looking for quality rather than quantity,” said Lee.
The team managers’ meeting is scheduled for next Thursday.
SHA’s development drive has shown results with their third placing in the 2014 NSC D-G Cup the big success.
SMK Penrissen No1’s Shawn Bradley Mathew, a development programme player, was also selected for the 1Mas team for the 2014 FHE Cup in Perth.
There are potential top-tier players in Sarawak as exemplified by Dangerous Lee Matthew, the SMK Penrissen alummi who graduated from Bukit Jalil Sports School and is sought after by top Peninsula clubs.