Czech Hockey Camp Winter 2015-16

                     

This year I got to go...sortof. I'll explain later. This year Andrew was making his 2nd appearance at the Czech International Hockey Camp in Nymburk. We started off our wonderful vacation by spending nearly a week prior to camp in beautiful Prague. During that stay Andrew got to skate on an outdoor rink where even I joined him on the last day. This was Andrew's first experience skating outdoors. He got to experience the way I used to skate as a kid. He had a blast...and frankly, so did I.

Once we arrived, Andrew felt right at home when he rejoined 3 of his other buddies. Gustav, Lorenzo and Henry. They all decided to wear the same jerseys and clicked on the ice, as well. As camp was in its heyday, I got the call to come back to Jakarta. So, I missed everything from the 30th onward. However, I did get to see the Benicky System Skatemill. Holy Enchilada!!! It was amazing how well this skatemill worked. The way it was able to point out the errors in his skating, it improved him almost immediately. (We have wonderful videos of the Benicky Sysstem I will surely upload). Andrew is progressing nicely in 2 years and 3 months of skating. If I can get him involved in this system more...then I am certain he will jump another level or two).

So proud of the little man. He did really well.

Kevin Yu Hosting Aug 2015 Hockey Camp at Bintaro

This is the 3rd camp that Bintaro has held the past year and a half. The previous 2 were with Gary Tan from Malaysia. This weekend it was with Kevin Yu from Taiwan.
Initially, it didn't go well...and for Andrew,as well. Camp started at 8pm this Friday, and 20 kids were skating around the rink with enthusiasm. That was short lived. The drills were hard, un-orthodox, and extremely long. In fact, none of the kids were allowed to get a water break until 9:10. 70 minutes without restoring their body with fluids. Andrew had been in bed all day long fighting an illness,...and this certainly didn't help. He asked not to go back on the ice. In fact, he pleaded for me to bring him home. Wow!!! Andrew would never normally ask to be removed from hockey, so I knew he was not feeling well.

The next morning, I shot off to work as Andrew made his way back to the rink. I was in communication with Natalie who said that Andrew was feeling better. She also reported that Andrew said the camp day two was "Way better". When I got home from work, I approached Andrew who was in much better spirits. He was so happy that Coach Yu gave Andrew a " 'atta-boy " high-5...that he was determined to tell me about it.
That evening, the camp had such a different feel. Kids were smiling, energy was high, and kids were giving their best effort.

Today is the 3rd day. Camp starting out well. 21-22 kids at camp in the morning. Me?...Starbucks in hand as I overlook from the gantry.

Improved Ice skills but Now Diet Takes Precedence

The past few months, hockey has slowed down to a once a week venture. During the past year Andrew unfortunately has had his problems dealing with a weight gain. An unhealthy weight gain that has forced me to take action. Lose 6 kg before August 1 or no winter camp in Nymburk. Slow progress last week, but he did drop 1 kg. Andrew is finally having fun playing street hockey and roller blading. Both will help him as he progresses in this sport.
Positives: he sees the game better and he isn't so apt to just get rid of the puck before passing. He is becoming stronger on his skates, not falling down with every bump....still needs improvement however. He is getting a bit more savvy with the puck and wants to try new things because his stick handling has improved.
The Indonesian team wishes to go to Malaysia this September...not certain if Andrew will attend. We will see how finances are before we commit.
All in all, there has been progress...I would love to take him out to play with some older kids to improve his skating and awareness. I just have to find the right opportunity.

Life Of An Indonesian Hockey Player: Andrew Pulls In 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze at Skil...

Life Of An Indonesian Hockey Player: Andrew Pulls In 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze at Skil...: I had a sneaky suspicion that Andrew would win the Speed Competition,…which he did do. However, that wasn't a sure thing as you know. He...

Andrew Pulls In 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze at Skills Competition

I had a sneaky suspicion that Andrew would win the Speed Competition,…which he did do. However, that wasn't a sure thing as you know. He could have tripped and slid off his course. You know,…anything could have happened. But, he did win that event.

In addition, he won the Shootout competition. That one surprised me for he was working on that Tomas Hertl and Todd Bertuzzi move of putting the puck between the legs and shooting it high shoulder on the goalie. Surprise surprise…he won.

The event he was winning, until the puck went off course was his stick handling. He got a little fumbled up toward the end. However, he managed to take home the Bronze. The silver was for an event I didn't think he stood a chance of placing…Target Shooting at the goal. Not an easy task for a 9 year old that hasn't played more than 17 months. Good job….actually, GREAT job Andrew.

Target Shooting

2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze

Look at the happy boy!

Andrew Preparing For Skills Competion @ Bintaro

Jayson Daze Blatt, the coach of the Jakarta team,…has his challenges set ahead of him.

1) His biggest challenge is to not let parents intimidate him into HOW he should run his team.

2) Visa issues (just like all of us Expats), it can be tedious and quite eventful (to say the least).

3) Getting children motivated enough to play. Some will start,…then quit within a few weeks or months.

4) Encouraging a new batch of kids to play? Where do they get the equipment from? How do they avoid traffic to come to practice 2 days a week?

I'm certain there are more challenges, but these are the 'striking' challenges…especially #4 and #5.

Getting hockey equipment isn't as easy as going to your local pro-shop and buying them. There is a pro-shop in Bintaro Jaya Xchange run by Sherly who does her best to supply the shop with decent equipment and supplies. But, …..be prepared to pay double of what you would normally pay in the States (maybe, even more than double).

Fortunately, I have an entire setup for a youngster who wishes to play. However, that interest since May for Andrew's old equipment has been ZERO.

We are not merely going to give it away, but we will certainly offer a fair deal so that a parent isn't overwhelmed with the initial expense.

Andrew has been taking a few private lessons since his return from Nymburk, but what has peaked his interest, is the Skills competition, similar to the NHL's version prior to the All-Star game.

Andrew has bene practicing and we shall see how he does. I'm not really worried about him doing well or not well. That isn't going to alter his progress, what I am interested in , is the fairness of the event. How much political nonsense goes into this?

There is supposed to be a tournament in Hong Kong (I believe it is in May), but there are a lot of factors on whether Indonesia should participate.
* quality of the team
* the coaches
* cost
* is it worthwhile?

At this time, it appears that Gary Tan isn't going to be doing any other camps in Jakarta. I don't know what the reasoning is behind this, but the boys did really well with this camp. If Gary isn't the coach, hopefully they can replace him rather than simply eliminate it from their spring and summer repertoire.

Skills Competition at Bintaro will be on the same day.

Czech International Hockey Camp Was A Success

As Andrew wraps up his first international hockey experience, we have learned a few things.
* This camp was more vital to his growth "as a young boy", than it was to hockey.
* He absolutely adores hockey.
* He is very sociable and loves making friends.
* He is not TOO far behind the European boys, despite only skating for 15 months.

Lukas Tramba and his group of very qualified coaches, taught 16 10-U boys (oh…1 young lady)

to play the game of hockey.  5 of the days (except for the initial Grand Opening Day and the last day), the children could be on the ice for up to 3 times. Morning session, Afternoon session and late night Free Ice time. Wow,…that's a lot of ice time. 

This enjoyable experience allowed Andrew to do a few things.

* experience SNOW…he's from a warm tropical country,…snow and ice are foreign to him.

* experience a different country and a different culture. 

* allowed Andrew to have a break from the hectic Jakarta life he's been experiencing of late.

* Allowed his mother (Natalie) to have a nice solid break…as well as getting to see her son succeed at something that he enjoys.

Andrew has areas of growth, and it was shown on his report card. 

*Average skating and his hands with the puck are average.

I think a small percentage of that problem were his T-Blades. Wonderful for zipping around the ice, but terrible for hockey maneuvers. Due to the little amount of blade, if the cuts aren't perfect, it will knock Andrew off his edges quickly. We would see that throughout the year where he was falling due to trying to stop in the corners. Bamm! There he'd go. Falling. Well, lucky for this little boy, he was given a wonderful X-Mas present in Nymburk…Bauer MX3 skates. (Damn those things are expensive). With continual practice on ice and roller blading, by next winter, he should be another level ahead. (please don't grow out of those skates too soon!!!)

Certificate and Report Card

The next 3 days Andrew will get to experience Prague with mom. I want him to soak it all in. I'm certainly hoping he has another level of "drive" when he returns. He has already told the boys,… "See you next winter".