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.
.......Andrew Killin,…His Dream? To be the 1st INDONESIAN hockey player in the NHL.
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Monday, June 29, 2015
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.
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.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
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.
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! |
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
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.
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. |
Sunday, January 4, 2015
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.
* 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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)