This season saw a departure from a competitive strategy to a development strategy as the women decided to part with the notion of winning gold in this year’s outdoor season. Instead, the women decided on a developmental strategy whereby all players, especially the multitude of novices who started playing hockey for the first time in their existence, could develop alongside more skilled players, without becoming discouraged. The notion of reaching the gold medal final match, was not far-fetched, but more a matter of had the season been longer and given more fixtures one of the teams could have vied for the position.
2022 once again saw the Warriors women teaming up with Vantaa HC as they did during the 2021 indoor season, in an effort to develop field hockey in Finland. The cooperation has been phenomenal and the ladies were able to field two teams this outdoor season aptly named “Thunder” and “Lightning”. What an incredible feat for a tiny field hockey country!
What made the season even more incredible, is the fact that 3 goalkeepers, new to the sport and goalkeeping, had to be trained so that they would feel comfortable and confident in the goals. The ladies showed steady development over the season and more development will be facilitated during the indoor season. Thank you, Gracie, Katarina and YC. Onwards and Upwards!
Reflecting on the results at the beginning of the outdoor season, the development of both teams are undeniable. Even though Thunder did not make it to the medal playoffs on the 10th of September 2022, the team showed the most overall progression from a coach’s perspective. Lightning played more consistently during the course of the season, and are now facing rival team, ABC, in a contest for the bronze medal.
If you have nothing better to do on the day and you happen to be in Helsinki, come and support the men’s and women’s teams on Saturday, 10 September 2022.
Warriors HC 