England’s 6th place at last weeks European Junior Championship should be seen as a successful step in the rebuilding of England as a force in World Roller Hockey.
“It’s important to recognise the gap in team skills that has developed between us and the top European nations over the last 30 years.” said Kos Galtos, England Schoolboy Coach. “Players in other nations play significantly more matches than ours, against much stronger opponents from a far younger age and the older they get the greater this gap becomes.”
“Our first goal must be to cement the Schoolboy and Junior teams into the top 5 in Europe, which means targeting and training to beat the French, Swiss and Italian’s.”
“To achieve this we must work to develop and share knowledge amoungst coaches and players throughout the country as soon and as often as possible.”
“As we acheive success against ‘target’ nations, which should come sooner in the younger grades as the skills gap less pronounced, we shall prove to players that their opponents have 2 legs, 2 arms and a heart, and that they can be beaten if you know how and do the right kind of training to close the gap. This will in turn motivate players and coaches to put in the directed effort required to acheive greater success.”
This year England has 2 successful championships under their belt (World Schoolboys & European Juniors) and a growing group of young players with the motivation and access to coaching that can see our teams becoming amoungst the best in Europe within the very near future
More info:
Reporter: Kos Galtos
