In the III WHF, a discussion took place with a headline “Impact made by the national training programs over development of mass and amateur hockey”. Forum experts shared their views and assessments of the national hockey development programs in their respective countries.

Mr. Roman Skvortsov, a popular television sports commentator at the Match TV channel was moderator of the meeting.

Mr. Oleg Bratash, head coach of the Russian “national Olympic team” spoke about specifics of modern system of players’ training. Apart from other things he shed light on, he focused on such important factor of the coach’s work as efficient contacts with young players’ parents.

Mr. Igor Bordachev, deputy general manager of the “Gennadii and Yelena Timchenko foundation” realizing children’s hockey development programs, put an emphasis on children’s coaches’ prime task consisting in his role in development of the child’s personality. “It is not an absolute prime necessity to coach a professional hockey player. Sometimes it’s more important to make kids understand, acquire knowledge of hockey and enjoy the great game”, - he stressed.

In turn Mme. Susan Kolbenenheier, chairperson of the IIHF Women’s Hockey Committee spoke about support children/junior hockey support program in Hungary, the country she represented. The necessary infrastructure has been developed recently new hockey sections and skating rinks open up.