This summer’s EuroHockey HockeyMagic Caravan landed in Budapest to revisit the beautiful Hungarian capital on the Danube having previously dropped in six years ago.
The brainchild of Tomislav Jamičić and Dick Besters, the caravan is made possible with the support of a EuroHockey Solidarity grant as well as from the Hungarian Hockey Federation.
This time, the hosts were from Kaptár SE with some players and coaches from other clubs. For two days, the Dutch-based coaches held some funny and some very practical exercises at Károly Kós Primary School, for the players of Piros-Fehér HC and Kaptár SE
Not only did the children have great fun but a number of domestic coaches participated in the camp to learn from the methods of their colleagues.
The first evening saw Besters and Jamičič conduct a workshop with those coaches to get to know each other, something which the caravan drivers enthused about.
“All coaches were eager to learn and open for new ideas, we had a very good time working together with them. Everybody was speaking English and we also learned some Hungarian words. Igen, a labda egy kocka,” the pair said.
“The two days of the HockeyMagic Caravan with the players and coaches were amazing! Children enjoyed training some new technical skills, playing games of course, but the Magic Circle was probably their favourite.
“There, everyone was challenged on their own level and could take some magic back home. On the second day, we introduced the octopus, blindfold hitting, released the dragon hit and the balls of fire. Our reward were enthusiastic coaches and big similes on children faces!
“A big thank goes to our host Balász Herberth, Hungarian Hockey Federation and Kaptár SE for the organisation. Pitch, materials, lunch, fruits and warm hospitality, everything was smoothly organised.
“Hockey in Hungary may be a small sport at the moment, but the passion and positive energy we encountered there with coaches and young girls and boys, promise a bright future. Have fun!”
Hungarian federation vice president Balázs Herberth added about the visit: “The visit not only provided entertainment and training opportunities for these classes but also significantly contributed to updating the repertoire of coach education.
“The Hockey Magic Caravan 2024 Budapest fit well into the coaching training program of the MGYSZ, which started last year with entry-level hockey coaching and will continue this year with guest appearances by foreign, typically Dutch, coaches.
“Thanks to Tom and Dick for crossing Europe for us and giving us many happy moments. The few days I spent with them were unforgettable not only because of the knowledge I received from them, but also because of their direct, friendly and cheerful nature.
“We hope that we won’t have to wait another six years for their next visit and that we can even meet again next year, so that even more domestic young players and youth coaches can benefit from the knowledge and positive personality of the Hockey Caravan coaches.”
