Migi Kokan Hockey Carnival

MAIEM, SEU NGAPA, WELCOME

“Migi Kokan” Carnival on Waibene (Thursday Island)

Background

Various hockey-type games were played in many areas of the Torres Strait and Papua and New Guinea. A hockey game called kokan, which was played on Mabuiag Island, was the name of the ball itself. This ball was 6–8 centimetres in diameter.

The game was played over a long stretch of the sandy beach. The kokan was hit with a rough bat or club, baiwain or dabi, which was usually cut from a piece of bamboo 60–85 centimetres in length on which a grip was cut. On Mabuiag Island the game was played by both genders. 

(Australian Sports Commission, 2008)

“Migi” is an island language word for small.

This carnival is the result of a partnership between Hockey Queensland and Tagai State College. It marks the beginning of incorporating hockey into the college’s sport program and a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Tagai and HQ to confirm each organisation’s commitment to a hockey program in the Torres Strait.

The traditional 11 a side game of hockey has been modified to lesser number on a smaller field to compliment the limited resources  and facilities available in the Torres Strait communities.  

Initially in  2008, Hockey Queensland trained 5 coaches from Thursday Island, Horn Island and the Northern Peninsula Area to deliver clinics and coaching to students in years 4,5,6 & 7.  As part of the program ,  further coaching courses are planned each year to advance the program  in consultation with communities. Tagai College and other community organizations.  

In term 4 each year, Tagai Campuses Horn Island, Thursday Island and Our lady of the Sacred Heart (T.I.) have play in a round robin, after school competition. Hockey Queensland generously sourced and donated 6 sets of goalkeeping gear to assist us in running this competition.

Students involved in this competition are joined by N.P.A. students for the Migi Kokan Carnival which is the culmination of this year’s hockey program.

It is anticipated that as the Program Develops, Island competitions will be formed     across the Torres Strait and the Migi Kokan competition will grow stronger and benefit the youth of the Torres Strait, 

Hockey Queensland will be identifying players from this carnival to invite to regional camp. In 2009, the program aims to select a girls and boys team to represent the Torres Strait at the 2010 State Championships. 

It is an exciting time to be involved in sport in this region,

The development of partnerships that benefit Torres Strait students is paramount importance to the Remote Program.