THE PROGRAMME

Participants

· About 10 to 15 schools based on the response of the management and the staff, the facilities available, and manpower present.

· Approximately 25 students from each school.

Resources

· The resources in the schools will be utilized to the fullest extent possible.

· Technical support will be provided by the foundation.

· Assistance by providing equipment wherever required.

· The school is required to allow the use of its resources in the form of consent on the part of the management and staff, the cooperation of the physical education teacher and the use of its grounds and available equipment.

· Publicity material, programme charts and coaching packs (coaching plans) will be provided.

Duration

7-8 months a year and about 4-5 times a week (excepting the days of the exam or other contingencies).

Coaching

· Initially and periodical workshops for physical education teachers.

· Provision of scientifically prepared and printed schedule of coaching.

· Annual summer camps with the help of qualified experts.

· Periodical evaluation and feedback using audio and video technology.

Resource persons/coaches

· Primary resource persons are the physical education teachers or local hockey players (volunteers).

· Local hockey coaches or deputed experts for periodical supervision.

· Qualified outstation coaches for seasonal camps.

· The Executive (working) committee for overall supervision.

Evaluation

· Personal observation and supervision (Experts ratings)

· Conduct of fitness and skill tests (objective tests)

· Video analysis of playing ability

· Applying psychological aptitude tests and such other methods.

Competitions

· Annual competitions between centers.

· Trophies and prizes for various achievements of trainees and coaches (physical education teacher).

Objectives of Hockey Outreach

1. To produce future champions of the state and nation.

2. To set an example in the country about the district’s ability to create a contemporary sport development plan and in the process create an effective sport development model.

3. To create career opportunities for the talented players.

4. To develop the health and fitness of children.

5. To enrich the child experiences.

6. To involve the whole of the district in bettering the future for their children.

7. To bring about communal and regional harmony in the district.

8. To build a better society by inculcating the spirit of sportsmanship.

BENJAMIN SPORTS FOUNDATION - HOCKEY OUTREACH

(A grassroot hockey development project)

Dakshina Kannada district towers over other districts in Karnataka (possibly with the exception of Bangalore) in terms of economic and educational development. But it is just as laidback when it comes to sports, not in terms of potential, but in terms of management, exposure and ideas. Barring a few individual events, this district is woefully lagging behind in all other sports. Hockey, the national game of India, which was once the cynosure of all eyes in this district, is now totally driven into oblivion. The golden decades of 1970s and 80s through early 90s are still entrenched in our memory, when about a dozen and more teams would fight for the district association league trophy. Most of us who have participated in sports have had our personality, character and future shaped by the sporting events of those times. Sport is not just for excellence, but for character building, personality development and for producing better citizens. The ongoing turmoil in the world, especially in Mangalore has created the need for an outlet to channelize the energies of the children into something worthwhile and at the same time provide an opportunity to them to make a career out of it. HOCKEY OUTREACH tries to do just that. HOCKEY OUTREACH, the brainchild of a few hockey enthusiasts is an unique idea conceived out of necessity to give the same rich experiences to the children (which as a matter of fact is their right) as we the fortunate children of yesteryears had. Sport is the right of every child and Hockey is the medium that we have chosen to do it. We call it CHILD EMPOWERMENT THROUGH HOCKEY.

This programme is an initiative of the Benjamin Sports Foundation, which serves to follow the principles of late Benjamin D’Souza, in empowering the youth. Most of us have experienced the selflessness, honesty and diligence of Mr. Benjamin D’Souza who one can say died a martyr for sport. He always used to say the secret to success is three Ds that is, Dedication, Determination and Devotion. This foundation aims to inculcate these qualities into its programme. This programme serves to work not with the aim of gaining monetary benefit, but only with the desire of enriching the children and youth with life skills through sport. As an outcome of the felt need of sports lovers of the district, this programme is developed towards reviving a dying legacy of the district that is HOCKEY. In due course the foundation will extend its philanthropic services to other games and disciplines as well.

Dear friends, come, join us in this endeavour. Let us give something back to the society, in whatever way possible through this programme. Your goodwill is our investment and the development of a better society through sport is the only profit that we hope to reap. Your help by any means is welcome, be it through sponsorship of equipment, financial assistance, sponsoring tournaments, prizes, providing moral support, volunteering assistance in the coaching programme and most of all by your prayers. Let us make DK one big society in which, each one cares for the other.