Swiss Hockey: Thank you Silvia for finding time for us, we really appreciate it. “J&S manager” – what exactly does that mean? What are your tasks at Swiss Hockey?

Silvia: As J+S training officer, I am committed to ensuring that our J+S coaches can attend land hockey-specific training and further education courses. My area of responsibility also includes recruiting and supporting the team of experts, i.e. the people who can be deployed as course leaders.

We have a service agreement with the Federal Office of Sport, which also obliges us to adhere to certain structures. The teaching materials for all sports in Switzerland that are affiliated with Y+S are currently being standardized. As the person responsible for training, I am involved in creating the areas specific to land hockey.

Swiss Hockey: Wow, a very broad and challenging area of responsibility. What goals are you/Swiss Hockey pursuing with your involvement?

Silvia: Youth and Sport is one of the biggest sponsors for Swiss country hockey clubs. My aim is to support the clubs with the implementation so that they can register their teams with Y+S. This includes communicating with the Y+S coaches, but also providing training and further education opportunities so that the clubs have enough active Y+S coaches in their ranks. On the one hand, this helps the clubs, but it is just as important for Swiss Hockey. This is because our classification at Swiss Olympic is based on the number of juniors from all Swiss field hockey clubs recorded in the NDS.

Swiss Hockey: And what is already going well from your perspective? What could be better? Where can the Swiss Hockey Family (clubs, members, volunteers, etc.) help you?

Silvia: I’m only in my second year in office, so far a lot of things have been new and we’ve had to keep agreeing internally who is responsible for what. I’m very pleased that many experts have actively taken on a course management role. This brings variety to the training structure and we can offer a wider range of training courses.

My work is often linked to the commitment of the Y+S coaches. The Swiss Hockey Family could support my work to the extent that every interested coach contacts the Y+S coach at their club and is registered for courses by this person (and then also reliably fills out the attendance lists in the NDS 😉)

Swiss Hockey: We are also happy to help you with an appeal at this point: ALL INTERESTED TRAINERS PLEASE CONTACT YOUR J&S COACHES!

Silvia, in addition to your commitment to Swiss Hockey, you work as a school principal, raise your two children and play for the LSC’s Ladies 2 and Seniors. How do you manage it all?

Silvia: I have a great network. My husband and I are both employed part-time, so we can split the tasks at home and supplement the grandparents. Field hockey has always been a good balance and I still really enjoy playing.

Swiss Hockey: Network. Family. Fun. That sounds like a great recipe. And with Christmas just around the corner, the question is: What would you wish for Swiss Hockey & your work?

Silvia: I would like to see the work of the clubs and Swiss Hockey spread across more shoulders. Finding volunteers has become more difficult in recent years. Be it at board level, but also as helpers in the clubhouse, referees, coaches, etc. If every club member were to take on just one small task, the workload could be reduced and every club would be healthier.

Swiss Hockey: Yes, we can only agree with this wish. An article like this doesn’t write itself … 😉 Silvia, thank you once again for the exciting insight into your work and thank you for your unreserved commitment. We wish you and your family happy and peaceful holidays and a happy new year