photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation / Richard Yow
To address the needs of the time and to further contribute to and invest in the ice hockey ecosystem, 17 IIHF member national associations from Asia with over 40 participants in total came together in Bangkok, Thailand. They were there to attend the first onsite week for the newly established Youth Hockey Director Program, which is foreseen to run over two years.
The IIHF Development Department, along with the IIHF Asia Office, defined the learning outcomes, and participants will be able to identify their shortcomings while increasing their understanding of hockey industry standards, best practices and principles. The result, at the end of the educational series, will be a complete assessment of the current MNA Youth Hockey Development Program in the form of a strategic plan/analysis, with recommendations of improvement to each association President and General Secretary.
Member National Associations Key positions as target group
“We in the IIHF Development Department are focusing on the key positions inside an MNA for specific areas, and the Youth Hockey Directors are one of them," said IIHF Development Director Kalle Valiaho. "And it is the IIHF's job to provide the required learning environment and to educate the people who take on responsibility to develop and implement the programs back home.”
A great experience for everyone
Indonesian national team coach Brandon Po-Yun Hsiao highlighted the learning methods for this onsite week: “There was a huge spectrum of learning modules, and it was really a great experience for everyone. We were at all times engaged in the conversations and presentations. which optimized the learning experience.”
A general youth hockey survey among the Asian members back in May, a more individualized and specific participant survey, and the ongoing need for Youth Hockey Directors to be aware about administration and sport-specific matters formed the foundation for this kick-off.
“The follow-up is now very important," said Harald Springfeld, IIHF Sport Development Manager for Asia. "As a first step, we focus on strategic planning and development, leadership and human relationships, as well as coach development. Each participant will work on individual and member-specific action cards, which will then be discussed and further developed in the weeks and months to come.”
The IIHF Development Department, along with the IIHF Asia Office, defined the learning outcomes, and participants will be able to identify their shortcomings while increasing their understanding of hockey industry standards, best practices and principles. The result, at the end of the educational series, will be a complete assessment of the current MNA Youth Hockey Development Program in the form of a strategic plan/analysis, with recommendations of improvement to each association President and General Secretary.
Member National Associations Key positions as target group
“We in the IIHF Development Department are focusing on the key positions inside an MNA for specific areas, and the Youth Hockey Directors are one of them," said IIHF Development Director Kalle Valiaho. "And it is the IIHF's job to provide the required learning environment and to educate the people who take on responsibility to develop and implement the programs back home.”
A great experience for everyone
Indonesian national team coach Brandon Po-Yun Hsiao highlighted the learning methods for this onsite week: “There was a huge spectrum of learning modules, and it was really a great experience for everyone. We were at all times engaged in the conversations and presentations. which optimized the learning experience.”
A general youth hockey survey among the Asian members back in May, a more individualized and specific participant survey, and the ongoing need for Youth Hockey Directors to be aware about administration and sport-specific matters formed the foundation for this kick-off.
“The follow-up is now very important," said Harald Springfeld, IIHF Sport Development Manager for Asia. "As a first step, we focus on strategic planning and development, leadership and human relationships, as well as coach development. Each participant will work on individual and member-specific action cards, which will then be discussed and further developed in the weeks and months to come.”