With?the completion of the UWIHC/UWI Hockey Scrimfest Championships 2013, it can be said that overall the tournament was a resounding success.
The standard of play throughout the competition was generally high and it is fair to say that all spectators who witnessed the local talent being displayed were treated to quality hockey. Of the 44 games played, an amazing 237 goals were scored, which is a fantastic return for a 7-a-side competition.
In addition to the high number of goals scored, it is worth mentioning that the level of discipline exhibited by the teams was exemplary. Despite players having to make their way to the campus from across the island from their places of employment, most matches began promptly and this level of commitment to the cause was truly appreciated.
Still continuing along the lines of discipline, for the entire competition, remarkably there were only five green cards and one yellow card issued to players who committed bookable offences. There were no red cards issued and these factors combined, are a testimony to the level of hockey shown.
I am also proud of the number of current male and female junior and senior national players who participated in the tournament. A number of these individuals would have been in prime condition given that they would have competed at the Junior Pan American Games and the World Hockey League, both of which took place quite recently.
It provided an avenue for them to continue to hone their skills, which would definitely benefit Barbados hockey on a whole and allow them the opportunities to become regional powerhouses once more. It also afforded those aspiring national players the opportunity to compete with the undisputed best players in the island, which would in turn be beneficial in their development.
Apart from the positives, there were a few negatives which surfaced and if addressed, could make the competition even better. One such issue was the difficulty in securing sponsorship.
With most companies having to tighten their finances, it was difficult to find anyone to come on board to help fund the tournament and that proved to be a big stumbling block in the planning stages of the tournament.
One other drawback was the lack of interest from more female teams. Whereas the men’s division was heavily populated by teams made up from players from different clubs across the island, the same could not be said for the women’s division.
Of the five entrants in the female category, two of those teams were composed of UWI-based individuals which meant that the female clubs across Barbados were not completely represented.
Going forward into planning for next year’s tournament, it will be hoped that the tournament can be expanded even further to accommodate more teams and hopefully, it can be on a scale at which it can attract international teams and take the already high-set bar even further.
• Shane J. Lewis is the programme assistant at the Academy of Sport, Cave Hill, University of The West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
