We’re satisfied with players’ eagerness, turnout - Woodroffe

We’re satisfied with players’ eagerness, turnout – Woodroffe

Apr 21, 2009 Sports

– Claim for places on team very competitive – Thompson

Damon Woodroffe

By Rawle Welch
While admitting that the quality of the drills are a bit off which is to be expected in the early stages of preparations, Head Coach of the national Men’s Hockey team Damon Woodroofe said he felt that with the eagerness being portrayed, the team will shortly begin to come into its own. Woodroffe, who along with his Assistant, former national player Ivor Thompson, has been spearheading the Men’s preparations for the upcoming Caribbean Cup Tournament which will be held in Jamaica from June 22-28, both assured in an interview with Kaieteur Sport last Sunday that from all indications so far, the team will be a mixture of experience and youth.

“Most of the guys have been attending the sessions and we’re pretty satisfied with that so far, another encouraging feature is to see how anxious they are to train which makes our job a little easier,” Woodroffe commented. Currently the squad has 30 members, having been reduced from 40 early last week with a further reduction still to be done sometime later.
He added that most of the guys have been on national duties before and was confident that they will be ready to perform their best at the tournament. “Right now because of the size of the squad, I’m just going through the basic drills, but when it is cut we will begin the strategic phase of the preparations,” Woodroffe intimated.

Touching on what they expect to achieve during the competition, the Coach said that they are looking to produce an even better performance this time. Guyana placed third at the last championships among the Men’s after defeating Jamaica for the bronze when the event was held in Trinidad and Tobago two years ago.
“I think we will definitely do better for me the only big threat is Trinidad and Tobago, they have a lot of players on scholarships in the USA and Europe and that obviously give them the advantage.” He did, however, say that they will be working hard to beat every team in the tournament.

Members of the national hockey squad currently undergoing training for the Caribbean Cup Tournament in Jamaica listens attentively to instructions given by Head Coach Damon Woodroffe last Sunday.

Weather affecting on-field preparations –
“The weather has been a definite setback for our on-field preparations such as game simulations etc, but we’ve haven’t allowed it to slow down our momentum, we’ve been doing fitness drills at which ever facility is available and this occurs about 4-5 times per week”
Meanwhile, Thompson in his assessment echoed similar sentiments expressed by Woodroffe, stating that they’ve been doing everything possible to keep the players fit and focused despite the poor weather.
He put the turnout of players at around 95%, adding that he was satisfied with that along with the intensity. In the event of rainfall, Thompson disclosed that wherever possible, they try to increase the time of training so as to keep up with the planned programmes.

Sponsorship
Once again like so many other national sports teams that have been plagued by this issue, the Board also finds itself in this bind and is hoping that the business community even in this time of economic strain come forward and offer some assistance.
Thompson revealed that the claim for places on the team is very competitive, citing that players will have to perform at their best and attend practice regularly to enhance their chances of making the final cut.

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