Wanted: ace coach

IN one of the hottest places on the planet … one of the coolest games in the world is growing in popularity … but an SOS (Save Our Sport) has gone out to find a new inspirational coach.

Ice-hockey has been attracting a growing number of devotees in Bahrain and a league is under serious consideration based at the rink in the Funland Centre, Manama.
Gulf Air pilot Anthony Johnson, a licensed Canadian coach, has been leading the ice-hockey revolution over the past two years.
He said: “I’ve always prided myself on trying to make the sport ‘fun’, as well as developing the skills of kids. If they’re not having fun, I take it as a personal failure as their coach.
“They have to want to come back each week and look forward to learning and playing the sport.”
In June, a GCC-level youth ice-hockey tournament was held featuring a Bahraini team against the Saad Falcons from Saudi Arabia.
In addition, many of the newcomers to the sport have participated in tournaments in Al Ain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Unfortunately, Mr Johnson will shortly be leaving the island to take up a new post in Dubai and the search is on for a replacement.
He added: “I’ve been making inquiries to find someone who does not necessarily have a background in the sport, but is someone who is willing to commit to weekly practices, continue the annual tournament in Bahrain and has the right demeanour to coach these kids”
Ice-hockey has been growing in popularity in Bahrain since its introduction in 1991.
An ardent sports fan and a hockey player himself, Shaikh Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al Khalifa opened the ice rink in 1990.
A few Canadian expats started playing but now the young rule the ice. Philip Dixon, father of one of the players, Will, 12, a Year 7 student at St Christopher’s School, said: “My son took to the game very quickly, he enjoyed the speed and technicality involved in the game. Coach Johnson has been a great coach and is committed and passionate about the game.”
Kieran Kruger, 12, a Year Six student at St Christopher’s School, said: “I got to know about ice-hockey from a friend. I haven’t played the game before but I think this is really fun. I like playing rough games and I like to tackle.”
Christian Trzebinski, nine, a Year 4 student at St Christopher’s, added: “I have been playing the game like forever and have been practicing by myself as well. During the last tournament, I was the goalie. My team was very educated and everybody loved it.”
Ice-hockey clinics are held at the centre every Saturday and the hockey team started with a dozen students and now has 28 players participating on a regular basis.
Coach Johnson said: “We have children from Canada, US, South Africa, Australia, UK and Bahrain. In other words – it’s a real ‘league of nations’.”
Shaikh Mohammed said: “Though the ice rink isn’t too big, we can still have three by three or four by four games here as well as training sessions. A few years ago a group of the expats who used to play here, along with two Bahrainis, won a championship in Al Ain. It goes to show that the size isn’t as important as other factors like equipment, trainers and a lot of practice.
“We are hoping to get a Bahrain-based trainer who will be able to continue promoting the game.”
Adel Rasti, 40, general manager at the Funland Centre, said: “We are now getting an excellent response from the locals and as a result have separate junior and senior teams. They are good players.”
A committee is now likely to be formed to discuss future initiatives and to help find a replacement for the popular coach. Mr Rasti added: “We are in correspondence with the sports authorities to form a federation to be able to assist the players better.”

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By Shilpa Chandran
shilpa.chandran@gulfweekly.com