Hvad går initiativet ud på?
FField hockey is a popular sport in many countries worldwide, but in Denmark it is represented only on a small scale. A year ago, following summer vacation, a small group of adults voluntarily began to offer field hockey lessons to interested students of the Aarhus Academy of Global education (AAGE). The DHU stimulated the initiative by offering sticks and balls to the school. There was a lot of interest from the kids and these lessons contributed to the development of the student’s hockey skills even to the point that teams could be organized. For their activities two parents received the development award from the DHU. Since the start of this initiative, more than sixty (60) kids have been involved in the field hockey training sessions. Given the school’s total population of around 230 students, this means that about 25% of the student body, ages 6-16, are playing field hockey. Trainings are given at AAGE twice a week. Trainings are given by parents and older experienced kids from the highest classes. The older children give hockey training as part of their Social Activity. The school supports these activities by reserving its gymnasium for regular field hockey training and practice sessions. The older kids train in the evenings at the Marselisborg Hockey klub which was close to being shut down due to a lack of members. Since this summer three (3) new teams participate in the Danish outdoor League: U18 girls, U14 boys, U10 kids. In November the klub will participate in the Danish Indoor League with 5 teams: 1 League, U18 girls, U14 boys, U10 kids, U8 kids. The also newly formed U6 kids team will play an internal competition. Danish hockey has about 10 hockey klubs of varying size. To the different competitions on average 45 teams participate, of which about 30 youth teams. By participating in the Danish hockey league with 4 youth teams, within one(1) year the new klub delivers 10-15% of all teams. Apart from participating in the competition, the teams attend tournaments, where they meet hockey players from other teams/countries. For the kids and their families, special activities are organised like friendly matches, family days, hockey diploma sessions etc. It all makes that the kids feel well at the school quicker, and make friends easier. The AAGE hockey klub is the most international hockey klub in Denmark: kids have more than 15 different nationalities.
Hvordan kommer initiativet foreningsidrætten til gode?
The Aarhus initiative inspires the Dansk Hockey Union (DHU) and can also offer inspiration to other Danish associations of sports that are small in Denmark, but very popular in other countries of the world. The initiative supports the vision of the Danmarks Idraetsforbund (DIF) to develop all sports in Denmark, which will make that more people will be active in sports. The Dansk Hockey Union already has the below-mentioned benefits from the cooperation between The Aarhus Academy for Global Education (AAGE) and Marselisborg Hockey Klub (MHK): Increased number of members. This year the MHK has shown a fast growth of the number of active youth players. From Spring 2015 to October 2016 the number of youth players has increased from 7 in spring 2015, to 30 in the beginning of 2016, and more than 60 currently. More teams in DHU tournament, and thus also more hockey experiences for members of other clubs. After summer vacation three youth teams started in the tournament (U18 girls, U14 boys, U10 kids), and for the indoor competition a U8 team will be included. More integration between Danish kids and kids from expat families. The hockey klub offers kids from expat families the possibility to meet and make friendships with Danish kids. These Danish kids can be students of AAGE, but also Danish kids coming from other schools. More fun in the local klub and therefore easier to keep kids in the klub. At first when new players came to the klub, it was difficult to keep them, but now we have kids of all age groups, and we have teams participating in the tournament, we directly can place them in a team, and let them participate in the activities. More girls playing hockey. The percentage of female members at the MHK is 43%, which is significantly higher than in other Danish klubs. Old members of the hockey club coming back due to more activity. They come back to play them-selves, but also to support the klub by for instance giving training to the young kids. Young players from hockey-countries coming to Denmark are increasing the level of technical skills. New ideas to increase the number of members in other hockey klubs. The close cooperation to the school is part of the success. But there are special activities that are also supportive in the growth pro-cess.
Hvorfor skal dette initiativ vinde Danskernes Idrætspris?
The ambition to build a Field Hockey Club in Aarhus started in September 2015. It started with revitalization of the existing, almost dead hockey Club by improving the number and quality of trainings. Additionally, it was attempted to get in more members. The decision to offer hockey trainings at the International School proved most successful. Quite soon after trainings started about 30 kids got involved in Field Hockey. This allowed them to participate in the DHU competition outdoor 2016-2017 with 3 teams. After summer vacation new trainings started and now about 60 kids play field hockey at the school. This allowed the Club to participate with an extra youth team in the indoor competition. The ambition is clear: to have a youth team for every age group for both boys and girls, and to also have men and women teams. Apart from the players, the parents and old players who become active in the klub, will profit. They will enjoy being part of it by giving training and helping to organise activities and the klub itself. Their experience will be a general benefit to Danish society as these people will be able to use these new acquired skills in more situations. As a result of the growth of the klub and the personal development of voluntary staff, there will be more positive energy in the klub. As artificial grass is essential for outdoor hockey, the klub supports the initiative to have a multi-purpose artificial pitch that can be used for more than one sport. The initiative is inspiring to the staff, parents and children at the School. The trainings and extra activities are highly appreciated, and children are proud to be part of the hockey. The younger girls look up to the U14 girls team that won the Cup’O earlier this year. Hockey is a key activity in the integration of kids from expat families and Danish families. By training together along the same rules, by spending time together when playing matches, and going to tournaments, they get to know each other better, which leads to a better understanding of different cultures. An important milestone is also that the PE teacher has decided to take up hockey in the curriculum of the school. She designed specific teaching plans for U12 students) and U14 students. She teaches them coaching and leadership skills, by using hockey as the sport.