Queechy Penguins are hoping to reap the benefits of keeping their young players engaged with hockey during the lockdown period when the season kick starts in the coming weeks.
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Using social media to communicate through videos of drills and activities during the league's time off, club president Jordan Reid said he wanted to make sure the club remained present in the tough times.
"We've been able to engage our senior GNL players and also the coaches ... they've been posting videos of drills and skills that they can take on themselves or post a video of themselves having a go at and just keeping them engaged with hockey," he said.
"It was something that we wanted to make sure we were keeping them engaged and also it was great for the kids.
"A few reported that they really did miss hockey over the break because it's a great place they can get to see friends and things like that."
Recognising the importance of a strong junior pathway in the club, the Penguins have also taken a look at their youth model and made key changes.
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Although there are question marks over the division three season, Queechy have committed to fielding a side if the competition goes ahead, with young players to still get an opportunity in division two if not.
"There will be a lot more of our male players coming into our senior men's ranks this year and the whole reason for that is we actually noted when we didn't have that pathway there, we were losing quite a few of our younger men's players.
"We didn't have an under-19s side for quite a while and we had a very successful senior division two men's team which probably only had two to three real junior players in it at the time but we have seen a decline in those that actually continued on.
"So we've got to swing that focus back to make sure we provide opportunities for our younger players and keep them engaged with our men's team and they've got a pathway into the club for a future and seeing it as a long-term place that they can come of a weekend and play but also keep developing their skills and as hockey players."
The Penguins have drawn inspiration from South Launceston's recent Greater Northern League success, where several seasons ago young guns were given time to shine, with those players now genuine stars.
A similar model has worked with the club's division two women's side, featuring a mixture of quality youth with experience to achieve success.
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