AÑSA Foundation and Barys Hockey Club Host Masterclass for Young Hockey Players

Together with young athletes from the Nomad team, professional players took to the ice: Artyom Shestakov, Beibarys Orazov, Semyon Simonov, Railey Walsh, Tyce Thompson. Alikhan Asetov, and team captain Kirill Savitsky. The club’s mascot Barsik also helped create a lively atmosphere on the ice, actively cheering on the young players.

During the session, professional athletes and young hockey players completed several drills aimed at improving skating and shooting skills, played a scrimmage game and practiced penalty shots.

Murat Zhumanbay, Executive Director of AÑSA Foundation:

“Developing youth sports is one of the key priorities of the AÑSA Foundation. We understand that the path to major victories begins with the right conditions and the opportunity to train alongside true professionals. We want sport to become more accessible and for our children to grow up healthy and determined. For us, it is important that the foundation’s support translates into real success and future achievements for the next generation of champions.”

The leadership of the hockey club also emphasized that such initiatives are an important element in developing the future stars of Kazakh sport.

Saken Musaibekov, General Director of Barys:

“Today’s masterclass, organized together with our impact partner, the AÑSA Foundation, is more than just a training session. It is an opportunity for our young hockey players to see how real skill is developed. Meetings like this help young athletes believe in themselves and teach discipline and teamwork. It is especially important for us to create the necessary conditions to support children’s interest in hockey, help them unlock their potential, and take another step toward major sporting achievements.”

For the professional players themselves, such meetings are also an opportunity to remember the beginning of their own journey and pass on valuable experience to the next generation.

Kirill Savitsky, Captain of Barys:

“This is an important event for the development of our young players. At one time we were in their place, and now we are trying to share our experience and teach them something new. The most important thing is that they have the desire to grow and develop professionally.”

The main heroes of the day were the Nomad players, for whom sharing the ice with their idols became the highlight of their training session.

Nurakhmet Abdilsapar and Artur Tskhay, Nomad players:

“It was an amazing experience. It was really exciting to train with the main team. To be honest, we didn’t even know the session would take place. But we were thrilled when we saw Savitsky, Walsh and the other players coming onto the ice. We had a great time and saw the level we should be aiming for. We watched how professionals skate, shoot and make decisions. It was very useful for us.”

The event concluded with a traditional group photo and informal conversations, during which professional players shared their experience with the younger generation.

The AÑSA Foundation, founded by Vyacheslav Kim, actively supports the development of both grassroots and professional sports in Kazakhstan. Since 2025, the foundation has served as the official impact partner of Barys Hockey Club, implementing joint initiatives aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and supporting young talent.