The U13 players took the Metodika Cup very seriously as it was obvious to the coaches that the players have improved tremendously since October.
“During the past six months the players that participated in the development program have improved tremendously.” said assistant coach Zita Gebora, during the end of season tournament. There were 12 goalies, 36 defenmen and 51 forwards called in for the one day event in the Tüskecsarnok and split into six even teams.
Glen Williamson and his coaching staff worked with over 160 kids in the U13 age group between October and February. The staff was not able to invite every player that participated in the one day minicamps throughout the season, but Gebora mentions that the kids have been waiting for this since the middle of the season and used this as additional motivation during the season.
“It was great to see the players using the knowledge that they picked up during the camps, in the tournament. Everyone took the competition seriously including the theoretical and mental tests. They all had a great time, during the placement games they were all cheering for each other from the stands.”
The tournament worked out the best for the Farkasok (Wolves) who got past the Oroszlánok (Lions) by the score of 2-1. Bivalyok (Buffaloes) took third place and had the best results in the theoretical test. Medvék (Bears) finished in fourth, however they ended up taking first in the physical fitness test.
The best goalie award went to Dávid Csibi and Bence Gáspár, goalie coach Csaba Székely gave his opinion on what he saw overall all with the goalies. “I have been shocked by how much the goalies have improved and developed during the season. This includes both the U13 and U14 age groups I worked with. I try to watch when I say that someone has talent, there are a number of kids that have the basic skills and knowledge that is necessary, but there are a number of factors before someone can becoming a great adult goalie. There needs be a tremendous amount of work to be done to help their development. The difference between goalies really become evident when you look at how much do they work with them at the club level. The goalies that get coaching a on a weekly basis are more advanced. Unfortunately there are still clubs that are unable to provide more than a monthly goalie training, if that. There is no reason to be disappointed as anyone can still get to the top at this age.”
Winning team roster:
Doszpoth Attila, Straubinger Zoltán, Horváth Donát, Illés Krisztián, Kálmán-Tilhof Benedek, Lengyel Ákos, Boleska Dániel, Siklósi Zalán, Bella Botond, Dobos Mihály Bendegúz, Klár Zalán Károly, Sántha Viktor, Császi Barnabás, Gyuró Dávid, Bárdos Bendegúz, Patonai Csanád, Kovács Benedek
