All good things must come to an end, or so the saying goes. Our last day of this year’s New Zealand Hockey Exchange in Queenstown included our 2nd day with the adult group and a potluck dinner with our hosts Sharron and Ross Burns as well as many friendly faces from the hockey community.
Just one adventure at the New Zealand Hockey Exchange
For many of the adults the 2 sessions on Sunday marked their 5th and 6th sessions with us. I really enjoyed seeing some of the players successfully executing skills we worked on throughout the week. I was reminded again how rewarding it can be to pick up a new sport or hobby late in life. Adult players can process the key teaching points and rather quickly implement them into their skill set. Sarah, our enthusiastic goalie originally from Manchester, England was very quick to make such adjustments to her game. I can’t imagine deciding in my 30’s that becoming a hockey goalie would sound like a great idea. She’s had that exact brain cramp, but embraced the decision and is very good! Another real pleasure for Boe and I was to show up at the rink after our lunch break to see Siberian Ivan and Czech Mike dressed in half their gear an hour early taking extra shots in the off-ice shooting zone we set up in the parking lot. They looked like a couple of excited bantam players figuring out how to really shoot the puck!
On our first evening in Queenstown we had dinner with Sharron, Ross, and Callum Burns. It was fitting to end the New Zealand hockey trip the way we started, with dinner at their place. With 10 days in town under our belt, this final pot luck felt a little different. Half a dozen families dropped by, including many of the young players we had coached over the duration. To bring things full circle, we even confirmed that Callum, Harrison, and Max will now join us to train this summer at the Junior Prep Camp in Port Alberni, British Columbia. Before coming to New Zealand we wondered if we’d meet any players that could fit in at Prep Camp, but had no real expectations. We are very pleased to say that these bantam and midget aged boys will not only hold their own amongst the high level of competition at camp this summer, but they may even show a few Canadian boys a thing or two. The Prep Camp is designed to give elite players a chance to train with similarly talented athletes while getting both great coaching, and exposure to Canadian Junior coaches. I sensed that the boys here are as excited about the trip in July as I am to have them join us.
New Zealand Hockey Exchange – A Personal Experience
Our trip to Queenstown started out as an opportunity to travel the world while sharing some of our knowledge and experience. Beyond that opportunity, Boe and I gained an incredible cultural experience and a darn great time. We think Canadians are friendly. The Kiwi hospitality, generosity, and selflessness taught Boe and I a few great lessons. While we coached, we often felt like students. We’ve learned what it really means to host, to share, and to make a stranger feel like a friend. Thank you to all of you in Queenstown and Southern Island New Zealand hockey community, for welcoming us into your hockey world. Tree, Ross, and Charlie… thank you.
