A couple of months ago whilst I was skating around a somewhat empty re-fresher’s fayre, trying to amuse myself, I got talking to Hannah and Catherine at the SIFE table opposite me. While I’m not sure I can still remember what SIFE is or does, I know I managed to convince some more people to come and try inline hockey! If not to prove a point! As Hannah pointed out she had a crutch, and while I initially had to give the ‘I don’t want you to hurt yourself’ speech, she saw it as a challenge, and one that I was happy to accept!
So I sent everyone that had signed up the e-mail about the next training, slightly dubious if she would actually turn up... Cue Hannah arriving at training!
Challenge well and truly accepted! And I got her skating as you may have read. Success! So with the success of Hannah's experience, she thought she’d up the challenge...
Cue Suzi!
I didn’t realise at first that Suzi was deaf. While I was initially thrown by this, because I hadn’t been expecting it, Suzi wasn’t going to let this stop her and so neither was I!
Though she tried to get out of it when there wasn’t enough skates, I made sure we got her some and I think we’re both proud to say that she was skating by herself by the end of the session (There’s video proof!). All it took was a supportive attitude and a little encouragement. I’ve since bought more skates so there’s now no excuses, and with her powerful shot, id be scared for anyone going up against her!
Having both Suzi and Hannah come to the sessions has really helped me to think about the ways in which I was coaching. One of the things that I really needed to think about in the session was not talking to fast and to make sure all of my instructions were clear, sometimes have a BIG problem with that (not that’s it’s a problem for me, because I can understand what I’m saying, but no one else can!). However, everyone seemed to know what was going on and was doing the right thing so... result!
Further to the speed of my instruction, It made me more conscious of my general communication with the players, not just to Suzi but to everyone. I made sure that I was talking to the individual and not just in their general direction. It was hugely beneficial to be more visual and put more effort into demonstrating the techniques, which I think helped, if Suzi’s powerful shot is anything to go by!
I’m really glad that we both got to experience this and I hope that it shows other people with disabilities, that they are able to go out and do things that they may not have thought possible. If anyone want to come and try inline hockey I’ll be more than happy to help!
Stephen Haskins is a coach at Reading Knights In-line Hockey Club. For more information on Reading Knights, or if you fancy giving it a go, take a look: http://www.rusu.co.uk/sports/6235/
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