President of the JHF, Victor Tomlinson (right), demonstrates the stance in hockey to a participant. - Anthony Minott

The Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) is pleased with the turnout of over 200 children in the six to 12 age group for summer youth camps in five primary schools in Portmore, St Catherine.

Just two days after the camp started, there has been a mad rush to play the sport from the overzealous kids.

The schools involved include Independence City, Waterford, Naggo Head, Bridgeport and Belmont Park. Ann-Marie Smith, a director at the JHF and the overseer of youth and school development programme, was present at one of the schools, Independence City, along with JHF president, Victor Tomlinson. Smith was also supported by Camille Palmer of G.C. Foster College.

A passionate Smith told Star Sports that it was a joy to be able to spread the game and hopes to eventually have a vibrant youth programme in Portmore.

"It is a dream of the JHF to have a youth programme in Portmore, I would love for corporate Portmore to buy into the programme and sponsor equipment, such as sticks for the youngsters to play with," the director said. She noted that the enthusiasm for the game shown by the youngsters is high.

"All the schools that we have been to the students are eager to play, at Bridgeport Primary, they are 'hockey crazy', there were about 100 kids, the organisers had to set up 30-minute periods to accommodate the surplus." Tomlinson viewed the youth programme as a way of sustaining the sport in Jamaica. He said that his organisation is committed to having the island's coaches being certified by an international body, as this will allow them to be of a higher quality, and in turn create better players.

The children are taught the basics of hockey, pushing, stopping, passing and dribbling.

The camp will end on July 31 with a 3-on-3 one-day rally at Waterford Primary.