Overseas instructors teach camp at Bordentown
Bordentown recently held a field hockey camp, and there were some pretty impressive instructors.
Julie Reisig, the Bordentown coach, had three very accomplished players from across the pond at the camp.
Liam King, from Glasgow, Scotland, plays for the Clydesdale Hockey Club, which is in the top league in Scotland. He also coaches the U-16 Boys National Team.
Lydia Thacker, from Bath, UK, is a midfielder from Loughborough University. She also coaches U-14 boys.
Katie Batchelor, from London, plays for the University of Birmingham and she coaches U-13 and 14 girls. Her father was a professional hockey player and also a coach.
“It has been a great opportunity to come and train with kids from a different country,’’ said King. “We have had to adapt our coaching style over here because we play on a waterbased surface. So, we are trying to bring some things over that we can help you with. The kids have been great and they really want to learn.’’
The game in the United Kingdom is one that is played by both boys and girls and also played at a very high level.
One of the biggest differences in the games is the waterbased field. It makes the game a lot quicker. But, the heat in this country makes it tough to maintain.
“It has really been an interesting experience,’’ said Thacker. “The girls are really eager to learn and this is my first trip over and it’s great to see a committed coach and the structure.”
One of the things the three tried to impart on the players here is that because the fields are a little slower, it’s important that their core skills are always improving.
“The girls are really working hard and doing well,’’ said Batchelor. “In England we focus more on stop hitting, which is more of a consistent hit. So here they really have to work on their hitting.’’
One of the things King, Thacker and Batchelor all agree on is that the game is much more popular in England.
“It’s strictly a girl’s sport over here and if they could somehow get boys interested it would definitely help grow the sport,’’ said King. “The men’s game can be very intense. It is also important for kids to get out and watch the colleges play, and it has to be marketed better. It’s really a great sport.’’
One of the biggest differences, though, is the lack of grass roots programs in a lot of area. When kids are five and six years of age in other countries, they are learning the game.
Too often in this area, the first exposure for some kids is a freshman in high school.
Continuing to bring coaches from other countries is a good idea and one that seemed to work very well in Bordentown.
Pennington Takes Europe Trip
A group of players led by Pennington coach Wendy Morris spent some training time in Ireland and Spain.
“We had an amazing time,’’ said Morris. “We experienced great coaching sessions, including one from an assistant coach with the men’s Irish national team. He was an incredible coach and the girls learned so much.’’
Travelling with Morris were five Pennington players, two from Lawrence High, two from Michigan, three from High Point and a Pennington and Blair alum.
Ewing Hosting Summer League
The Ewing High coaches are hosting a summer league for high school players, and it run to Aug. 10.
They play Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and have players from most of the schools in the area. There are three 20-minute full field games, and they are officiated by referees from the area.
“All the girls really enjoy being out and playing field hockey,’’ said Leslie Conant, the Ewing coach. “We love the atmosphere. Anyone that is interested please come and join us.’’
Any interested player can register at the field and there is a cost of $40.00.
Free Hits
• Morris will be hosting a field hockey camp at Pennington from Aug. 1-5. The camp is for 10-to-15 year olds and more information can be found at http://www.pennington.org/about-us/summerprograms/art-and-sportscamps/field-hockey-camp/index.aspx
• Camps are also being held at Stuart Country Day and all the info is on the Stuart website.
• Pennington’s Ella Arata is a member of the Princeton Field Hockey Club team and won the U-19 National Club Championship at Spooky Nook.
• We want to welcome Nicole Manziano, the new Peddie coach, and Eddie Larkin, the new Hightstown coach, to the coaching ranks in the area.
• Manziano takes over for Alli Treese, who will be doing some coaching at the middle school level for Princeton Day.