- Home grown hockey international pleased with progress as she returns for coaching camp.
- Herbert and fellow England cap Brett Garrard took sessions for school children at Les Quennevais during summer break.
ENGLAND and Great Britain hockey centurion Beckie Herbert outlined the importance of giving youngsters access to international coaching recently when she returned to the Island for a three-day coaching camp with Living Hockey.
The UK based organisation, run by England international Brett Garrard, put on sessions for over 50 children at Les Quennevais, and while the Surbiton star said such initiatives will provide motivation for those capable of playing on a national stage in years to come, they are also important to highlight the wealth of possibilities elsewhere.
‘But it’s not just about becoming an England international, it’s sometimes about the opportunities hockey can open up. Even here we had coaches who have played in Holland, Germany, New Zealand and the US – all of that could open up for these children if they stick with it.
‘The infrastructure for the game here is pretty strong and I think the fact that we have over 50 kids here in the summer holidays, before the hockey season has started, is a positive reflection on how the sport is in the Island.’
Herbert – a 2006 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist with England – also spoke of her recent omission from the international scene, and said she will hold on to ‘slim’ hopes of playing for her country again.
‘I do find it tough watching and not being part of it, but it was a decision taken out of my hands in 2014. And while I haven’t closed the door on it I’m at the mercy of other people’s decision making.
‘But I’m still really enjoying my hockey and that makes you realise it’s not the be all and end all. I’m going out to play in New Zealand and that’s obviously not something I’d be able to do if I was playing internationals … every cloud has a silver lining.’
