Looking at an old, dusty team sheet from Gemau Cymru just a few years ago, several names instantly jump out at Hockey Wales’ Lee Ible.
Those names have now made it onto Wales’ under 16 squads:
“That’s what it’s all about,” says Ible “We invite players from our 360 Hockey Centres, mainly 13-16 year olds. We only invite those who haven’t been nominated for a national squad. It is very much geared at giving them experience before they get to that level. Gemau Cymru helps prepare young players for what lies ahead as an international player.”
There are seven 360 Hockey Centres around Wales which run from September to April and each offers Sunday afternoon pelatihan for the region’s best players.
“They may have played in a club environment but Gemau Cymru is the first real taste of performance hockey. It is the very first competitive opportunity offered to them by Hockey Wales.”
With between 60 and 70 players, there will be a full day of matchplay so it is a good chance to see the players in action. But Ible refuses to use the term, ‘talent identification’:
“It just sounds as if we pick players for our squads off the back of two hours standing around with a clipboard. Yes, we will be watching the players to see how they respond in a competitive environment but it will just be part of a much bigger picture. We don’t like to rely on a quick snapshot – we prefer to look over the course of a season.”
But Hockey Wales is also keen to prepare players for life off the pitch. And overnight stays are just part and parcel of international duty:
“We have made it compulsory for all players to stay over this year. If they are to become internationals, they need to get used to residential camps and staying away from home for matches.
“It is a big thing though. They might have stayed away from home with school or with close friends, but they might be coming here not knowing many people. We really want to show what life is like as a hockey player.”
Gemau Cymru hockey ambassador Ioan Wall will also be on hand to inspire the next generation. At 16, he became Wales’ youngest ever senior men’s cap. He has since turned 19 and will be talking to the players about his experiences at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Who knows? This year’s contingent may well feature names that belong to a future Commonwealth Games squad.
Gemau Cymru is a multi sport event for the young athletes of Wales. Taking place from 6-8 July 2018 in different locations across Wales, it will provide an opportunity for talented young athletes in Olympic, Commonwealth and Paralympic sports to compete in a high profile multi-sport event while experiencing an athlete village environment. For more information, please visit gemaucymru.urdd.cymru/cy/
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