TALENT ON THE RISE IN J-LEAGUE
TIME may have been called on the hockey season for now, but the signs are there that the sport in Townsville has a bright future.
The inaugural J-league round kicked off on Friday night prior to the postponement of the 2020 campaign.
Regional coaching director Nathan Doherty was impressed with the calibre of talent that was on display. The concept was born from a desire to harness a crucial development age group, with rule changes aimed at heightening the skill levels of teenagers working towards senior levels.
Introducing a conversion rule after a goal was scored was a point of difference, leading to bigger scorelines and a broader range of aggressive play.
As far as Doherty was concerned, this was the best way to enhance the capabilities of the region’s talent.
He said even in the concept’s first outing, the players were already adapting and changing their perspectives on game play situations.
“For me whatever format we get our kids moving the ball faster and reacting to an unfamiliar circumstance that’s how we’ll turn our players into the best,” Doherty said.
“We’re getting rid of any level of complacency in the age group, and that’s what makes it successful.
“It made the game very interesting to watch and tested the skill levels of quite a few of the players.”
It was a proud moment for Doherty to see the competition come to fruition — a credit, he said, to the association’s mentality to continue growing the sport in the current climate.
While Doherty said it was unfortunate they could not keep playing for the foreseeable future, the organisation would undergo extensive planning in the next couple of weeks in preparation for an impending return.
“We roll with the punches like any other association and we’re happy to be united on a joint front of Queensland sport that looks after, not only their active and healthy clientele, but also the at-risk members,” he said.
“They’re all equally important, so if we can protect our members and plan for that return we’ll be ready when the sport’s ready to return.”
Wild Fires 9 def. Cyclones 1 Tsunamis 3 def. Lightning 0
Tsunamis 2 def. Cyclones 1 Lightning 3 def Wild Fires 0