Wein has high hopes for Jamaica

Melton williams, staff reporter

INTERNATIONAL Hockey Federation master coach Horst Wein has challenged Jamaica to use different coaching methods.

Wein, a German who is here on a two-week stint to conduct coaching clinics on behalf of the Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) and Jamaica Olympic Solidarity, believed that too much emphasis is used on the "traditional style of coaching".

"Forget about the traditional style of coaching which was teacher oriented and technique oriented. Jamaica's coaches should less instruct and more stimulate the potential of the athletes," Wein said.

However, after seven days in the island, Wein predicted the sport should improve here with time.

Wein, who has a Master Degree in PE, based his predictions on the fact Jamaica has the necessary facilities at its disposal.

According to Wein, "the problem was that for two decades they didn't have the facilities. But now after receiving it we will see a boom in Jamaica hockey and considerable improvements in years to come."

In 1998, Jamaica became the third country in the region to acquire a synthetic surface and since then other hockey dignitaries have predicted improvements.

President of the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) Antonio von Ondarza, who was here for the official opening of the turf, challenged the JHF to make the necessary moves to improve the sport to the highest level.

Ondarza said local players had 'no excuses' now to continue their poor form with the presence of the newly-laid astro turf playing surface.

Wein, who has coached the German and Spanish national hockey teams, gave Jamaica passing grades for talent but said "they are lacking a tailor-made programme".

Wein advised the JHF to tackle its rebuilding process in two phases: 1) the development of coaches 2) introduce hockey "They should first develop coaches who are able to teach in a primary school with a programme which is tailor made to the age-group and secondly start to coach them young," said Wein.

Wein, who has authored 31 sports textbooks, has contributed one of his best sellers 'The Key To Better Hockey' to the JHF.

The 380-page book has a detailed plan to develop young hockey players.

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