23 May 2010, SINGAPORE | In conjunction with the World Youth Hockey Challenge 2010 - It's All in the Game and support from the Singapore Hockey Federation (SHF), 130 kids treated the Singapore hockey fraternity with an exciting brand of hockey in sweltering conditions in CCAB here in Singapore.

About 100 spectators made up of parents, officials from SHF and general hockey lovers enjoyed the fast paced action despite the higher than usual temperatures in these parts. The community event brought together 5 hockey communities in the island. Organised by Asia Pacific Sports Management in partnership with the Hollandse School Limited the Community Hockey League (CHL) brought together, Hockey 1 School, Hollandse Club, United World College of S.E.A, Stingers Hockey Club and the Hollandse School teams.

Playing in 4 age categories, the kids truly enjoyed the smaller sided games in comparison to the usual 11-a-side games. In Singapore there is great deal of opportunities for junior hockey development work. Introducing modified game formats at a young age is the key to ensuring that stick-wielding youngsters get the game and ball time they deserve for all their hard work during training.

The CHL aims to develop the network of coaches, coordinators, clubs and schools involved in junior hockey in Singapore to continue to provide modified format competitions that accommodate younger hockey players.

Over 2 fantastic mornings of hockey, the thrills of competitive hockey was experienced by all players and an opportunity to develop their game play in every sense was had.

Players in the Under 7 category played 3-a-side Mini Hockey (4 goals), and the U9 & U11s progressed into 4-a-side Mini-Hockey. Although playing the mini-hockey format was new to many, there was no shortage of action with goals being scored in every single game! Even the youngest players noticeably developed a sense of spatial awareness and team play, making use of every inch of the pitch. The U13s played 6-a-side ½ pitch, allowing them to experience the strategies and playing styles of a full game but on a scale suited to their capacities.

It's noteworthy that each of the communities won in the least a silver medal but truth be told, hockey was the real winner and more games for our young aspirants can only bode well for hockey in general and the development of the game in Singapore in particular.