“Good ice”: how an enthusiast from Nizhny Novgorod region develops hockey in his native village

They say that sport is for everyone. But, unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to play their favorite sport, especially in regions far from the capital. To change the situation and make hockey accessible to every child, Elena and Gennady Timchenko founded a charitable foundation 10 years ago and launched the Dobryi Led project. Within its framework, competitions and festivals are organized, coaches are trained, ice boxes are built, and teams are provided with equipment.

Favorable conditions and additional opportunities for children’s hockey are also formed. This is helped by community coaches – people whose enthusiasm unites children and their parents around them and opens up the world of sport for them in different parts of the country. One of them is Alexander Makov from the village of Elizarievo, Nizhny Novgorod Region. About how the father of three children develops hockey in his native village, in the material “Championship”.

A programmer by day and a coach in the evening

Alexander Viktorovich Makov is 33 years old. He comes from Elizariev, Nizhny Novgorod region. He finished nine grades at the local school, then entered Perevozsky Construction College. After graduation he started working as a programmer in the education department of the Diveyevo district administration. Now he is the head of the information department.

In 2009 Alexander together with other fellow villagers proposed to create a hockey ground in their native Elizariev. The village and district administrations helped with money for materials. And the construction had to be done by the initiators themselves. However, in 2019 it fell into disrepair, the locker room was in a state of emergency. Then a grant of 1.5 million rubles “Good Ice” was allocated for the restoration of the site, which brought hockey out of decline and gave a new impetus with an enthusiastic coach.

Alexander is a sporty, energetic, sociable young man. He himself is engaged, coaches the guys and contributes to the fact that in his native village as many people as possible led a healthy lifestyle. Young residents of Elizarievo appreciate his efforts, respect and support his older comrade. At the same time, he has three children, two of whom are engaged in hockey.

On a voluntary basis

Now there are four hockey teams in Elizarievo: “Elizarievo Tigers”, where teenagers from 11 to 15 years old play, “Youth” with kids from 15 to 18 years old, “Energy-Youth” and “Energy-Veterans”.

Alexander Makov, who has been fond of hockey and soccer since early childhood, now acts as a coach. He trains the youngest team – “Elizarievsky Tigers”. He does not receive money for this, but the desire to instill in children a desire for sport is above all material benefits.

The boys together with their coach monitor the condition of the hockey box, protect it from hooligans. If something needs to be painted, they take brushes and do it. A board has come off the board – skillful hands will always nail it back on. Basically, the guys do everything themselves.

In the near future, the coach plans to unite the two teams “Elizarievskie Tigers” and “Youth” into one, so that they could play for the championship in other districts, as do “Energy-Youth” and “Energy-Veterans”.

Read more about Alexander’s story in the Championship video.

“Good Ice” in Elizariev

It was within the framework of the project “Good Ice” in Elizariev that the old hockey box was completely reconstructed. With sponsorship funds, as well as the joint efforts of local youth and the support of the district administration, municipal and construction organizations, a modern ice rink with safe high fences and a heated locker room for athletes was built in the village.

The ice is always crowded, and family festivals “I Love Dad, Mom and Hockey” within the framework of the “Good Ice” project are no exception. Sports fans from Diveyev, Satis, Elizariev and other neighboring villages gather there. Last year more than 200 people participated in this holiday. Many put on skates and went out on the ice to fight in short hockey matches. Others came to support the players and just enjoy the interesting spectacle.

Alexander notes that the advantages of cooperation with Dobryi Ice for his neighborhood are already quite obvious. But there is always room for growth and something to strive for – this is the principle he follows himself and teaches his charges.