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All the news for Wednesday 10 May 2017

FIH announces finalised Hockey World League Semi-Finals 2017 schedule for Johannesburg



The International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced the finalised schedules for the Men’s and Women’s Hockey World League Semi-Finals 2017 taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa.

20 of the world’s best men’s and women’s national teams will take part in these Hockey World Cup 2018 qualifiers between 8-23 July at Wits Hockey Club.

In the men’s event, Pool A contains reigning Hockey Champions Trophy, Hockey World League and Hockey World Cup champions Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Japan and France. Pool B sees Rio 2016 silver medallists Belgium take on Rio bronze medallists Germany, reigning African champions South Africa, Ireland and Egypt.

In the women’s competition, England – who will contain many of the Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallists who represented Great Britain, will play Rio bronze medallists Germany, Japan, Ireland and Poland in Pool A. Reigning Hockey Champions Trophy and Hockey World League champions Argentina will be up against reigning Pan American champions USA, African champions South Africa, India and Chile in Pool B.

With 16 days of non-stop world class hockey, there’s a number of hugely exciting matches for fans to take in.

Friday 14 July provides a number of highly charged encounters in the women’s competition, with Pan American rivals USA and Argentina going head to head at 16:00 (local time) before European rivals Germany play England at 18:00.

The following day, the men’s competition also serves up some fascinating rivalries. European opponents France and Spain get the day started off at noon before the Oceania showdown between New Zealand and Australia takes place at 14:00. The all-African game between rivals Egypt and South Africa will then give local fans a thrilling start to the evening (16:00) before Rio 2016 medallists Belgium and Germany provide an exciting finale to the day at 18:00.

There’s many more exciting matches throughout the event, with the men’s schedule published on the official event website here and the women’s here.

Ticket information will be announced on FIH.ch on 4 June 2017.

The Hockey World League, composed of four rounds and played over two years, shines a spotlight on the sport around the world. Even the smallest hockey-playing nations have the opportunity to write their own chapter in hockey’s history books. Johannesburg provides the perfect stage for their dreams to become reality in what is a crucial event in hockey’s international calendar.

The top teams from Johannesburg will qualify for two of hockey’s showpiece events – the 2017 Hockey World League Finals and the 2018 Hockey World Cups. Teams will also be awarded FIH Hero World Ranking points, which could prove crucial in relation to qualification for future events.

With so much on the line, fans will no doubt witness some action-packed matches full of excitement and drama this July. To keep up to date with all the latest news relating to the Hockey World League Semi-Finals over the coming months, visit FIH.ch and follow FIH via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Hockey World League
10 teams will take part in each Semi-Final. They are comprised of the hosts plus five teams who qualify based on their FIH Hero World Ranking and four teams qualified through Hockey World League Round 2 events. In total, 20 men’s and 20 women’s teams will be taking part in the Hockey World League Semi-Finals.

WOMEN’S SEMI-FINALS
Women’s FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final, Brussels 2017 (Belgium, 21 June – 2 July 2017)
Pool A: Netherlands; China; Korea; Italy; Scotland.
Pool B: Australia; New Zealand; Belgium; Spain; Malaysia.
Tickets here

Women’s Hockey World League Semi-Final, Johannesburg 2017 (South Africa, 8-23 July 2017)
Pool A: England; Germany; Japan; Ireland; Poland.
Pool B: Argentina; USA; South Africa; India; Chile.

MEN’S SEMI-FINAL’S
Men’s Hero Hockey World League Semi-Final, London 2017 (England, 15-25 June 2017):
Pool A: Argentina; England; Korea; Malaysia; China.
Pool B: Netherlands; India; Pakistan; Canada; Scotland.
Tickets here

Men’s Hockey World League Semi-Final, Johannesburg 2017 (South Africa, 8-23 July 2017)
Pool A: Australia, New Zealand; Spain; Japan; France.
Pool B: Germany; Belgium South Africa; Ireland; Egypt.

Hockey World League Finals 2017
Women’s Hockey World League Final, Auckland 2017 (New Zealand 17-25 November)
Odisha Men’s Hockey World League Final, Bhubaneswar 2017 (India 1-10 December)
Qualification information here

Hockey World Cups 2018
Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018 (England, 21 July- 5 August)
Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 (India November/December 2018)
Qualification information here

#HWL2017

FIH site

Black Sticks bolster ranks for Gold Coast camp


Photo: www.photosport.nz

The Vantage Black Sticks Men are set to welcome back several senior players during a training camp on the Gold Coast later this month.

Head coach Darren Smith named a squad of 28 players to be part of the trip which will set a strong foundation in preparation for the FIH World League Semi Final in Johannesburg from 9-23 July.

The World League Semi Final is the most important event of the year for the Black Sticks, with World Cup qualification on the line along with the chance to earn a spot at the World League Final in December.

The squad includes players from the National Squad along with some from the Development Squad, who have seen action earlier in the year during the Pakistan series and recent Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

“Following the Azlan Shah Cup we wanted to have the majority of those players training alongside the guys returning from injury and club hockey in Europe,” Smith said.

“The training camp will allow us to observe everyone in a competitive environment so that we can get the right mix for the World League Semi Final.

“Critical towards that tournament is having athletes who enhance the team environment, consistently make the right decisions on the pitch, have the skills to back up that decision making and are physically able to give repeated work rate.

“It will be fantastic to have everyone back in the mix with some players having not played for New Zealand since the Rio Olympics.

“Our sport has a major championship every two years with the 2018 World Cup in India followed by the Tokyo Olympics. The start of an Olympic cycle is the time for an athlete to bring the energy, quality and passion to say ‘I'm hungry to perform in the Black Sticks jersey’.”

Simon Child and Brad Read will miss the training camp after being ruled out through injury.

VANTAGE BLACK STICKS MEN
Gold Coast Training Camp, 30 May - 6 May

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Experienced Black Sticks core return for Gold Coast camp

By David Leggat


Striker Hugo Inglis is one player back in action after European exploits. Photo / photosport.nz

A New Zealand men's hockey squad of 28 will head for the Gold Coast at the end of this month for a week's preparation ahead of the world league tournament in Johannesburg in July.

The group is a mix of players from the recent Azlan Shah tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia and others who have, or are about to, finish their European club commitments in Belgium and the Netherlands.

The group includes three goalkeepers, experienced Aucklander Devon Manchester, North Harbour's Richard Joyce and George Enersen of Canterbury, and two players, classy 18-year-old midfielder Hayden Phillips and Southern midfielder Nick Ross, who both missed the trip to Malaysia through injury.

An ankle sprain kept Phillips at home while Ross broke a bone in his foot in the recent series against Pakistan.

Those back in the fold from European activity include well-travelled players, striker Hugo Inglis, defender Shea McAleese, midfielder Jared Panchia - whose brother Arun captained world No 8 New Zealand at the Azlan Shah in the absence of regular skipper Simon Child - and attacker Blair Hilton.

The idea of the camp is to get some quality training time together, and check out facilities for next year's Commonwealth Games.

Coach Darren Smith want to compare the fitness and skill levels of those players who were in Europe with those who have been back in New Zealand.

Nine of the 28 come from Auckland and North Harbour.

The world league event starts on July 9 and New Zealand are in pool A with world No 2 Australia, 10th-ranked Spain, No 16 Japan and No 17 France.
Pool B contains Olympic runnersup Belgium, bronze medallists Germany, South Africa, Ireland and Egypt.

New Zealand men's hockey training squad for the Gold Coast:

Cory Bennett, James Coughlan, Richard Joyce, George Muir (North Harbour), Marcus Child, Kim Kingstone, Devon Manchester, Arun Panchia, Jared Panchia (Auckland), David Brydon, George Enersen, Nick Haig, Sam Lane, Dominic Newman (Canterbury), Rob Creffier, Shea McAleese, Hayden Phillips, Mac Wilcox (Central), Blair Hilton, Jacob Smith, Harry Miskimmin, Stephen Jenness (Capital), Hugo Inglis, Kane Russell, Nick Ross, Blair Tarrant (Southern). Nic Woods, Leo Mitai-Wells (Midlands).

The New Zealand Herald

Captain Simon Child gone for bulk of the year for Black Sticks

By David Leggat


Simon Child. Photo / File.

New Zealand are going to have to get used to being without their best player for the rest of this year.

Captain and world class attacker Simon Child missed the Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia, which ended last weekend, and will be absent for the world league tournament in South Africa as he battles a hip injury picked up during the Indian Hockey League with his Delhi Wave Riders franchise earlier this year.

''Initially we just thought it was relatively minor,'' Black Sticks coach Darren Smith said today.

''He had an MRI scan in India and another back here and it's major.

''We've got to let the symptoms settle down and figure out what sort of rehab will happen, whether it's surgery or rest. It's just a time thing, but it's certainly six to nine months out.''

The eighth-ranked Black Sticks returned from Malaysia today, having finished fourth at the annual Azlan Shah, fielding an inexperienced outfit, with 10 players not having played in Malaysia, or been on an overseas trip with the senior squad before.

''We really missed him,'' Smith said of Child, 29, who has racked up 274 international appearances and a record 140 goals.

''Just his presence and working in with the boys. He's been around the block for a while, and brings unbelievable quality in terms of his playing ability. He's a big loss for us.''

New Zealand had an encouraging 1-1 draw with world No 2 Australia to start the tournament, lost 3-0 to India, beat Japan and hosts Malaysia, before losing to eventual winners Britain 3-2 and finally world No 6 India in a poor 4-0 defeat.

But Smith is upbeat about the experience.

''I wouldn't feel I was overly disappointed with any individuals, although there were times we didn't play particularly well. I'm quite positive with how the tour went.''

The absences of experienced Nick Haig, with a broken bone in his foot, and talented midfielder Hayden Phillips, who had an untimely ankle sprain didn't help, but both are expected to be fully fit and in contention for the next assignment, the world league tournament in Johannesburg in July.

Before that there's an eight-day camp on the Gold Coast, from May 30 at which Smith wants all players in contention for the world league to front up.

That includes eight players just back from European club commitments in Belgium and the Netherlands.

It is an experienced core of players, including Shea McAleese, Hugo Inglis, Jared Panchia, Blair Hilton, Marcus Child, Nic Woods, Blair Tarrant and Jacob Smith.

The trip will also be a chance to check out training and playing facilities for next year's Commonwealth Games.

The New Zealand Herald

Indian women's hockey team leaves for Test series against New Zealand

NEW DELHI: With new-found aggression and tactics up their sleeves, the Indian women's hockey team on Tuesday departed for the five-match Test series against New Zealand starting in Midlands from May 14.

The Indian women play the Test Series in New Zealand after a successful outing in West Vancouver, Canada where they won the Women's Hockey World League Round 2 and qualified for the Women's Hockey World League Semi Final to be played in Johannesburg.

The team led by Rani features an experienced mix with the likes of Sushila Chanu, Ritu Rani, Deep Grace Ekka, Sunita Lakra, Vandana Katariya, Namita Toppo, Sunita Lakra, Navjot Kaur, Lilima Minz, Monika, Renuka Yadav, Nikki Pradhan, Savita among others.

The team also has new dragflickers in Gurjit Kaur, newcomer Reena Khokhar who made her debut against Belarus in the Five-match Test Series earlier this year and Udita, who will be making her debut.

"There is a lot of difference in how we play now. I believe we have improved in our fitness, technique and man- to-man marking," said Rani ahead of their departure.

"New Zealand Tour will be a good preparatory tour for us ahead of the World League Semi Final and this exposure will help us improve and also understand our weak points."

The team, under newly-appointed Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne, began the season with a 5-0 win against Belarus in Bhopal.

"Playing five times against a higher ranked team like New Zealand will open up areas that we require to work on in the next three months ahead of the World League Semi Final," said chief coach Sjoerd Marijne.

The team's performance has been on an upswing post Rio Olympics last year. They were crowned champions at the 4th Women's Asian Champions Trophy apart from a series of wins this year.

Marijne feels a good outing in New Zealand will only help the Indian eves to improve their confidence level ahead of the event in Johannesburg which also happens to be a World Cup qualifier.

"Playing with good pace, handling pressure in crunch situations and coming up with really good defence apart from emphasis on fitness was some of the focus areas during the 21 -day camp in Bengaluru," he said.

"I believe if we work our plans well then we stand a good chance against New Zealand."

The Times of India

Rani to lead India for the New Zealand Test Series, even as Sushila Chanu joins after recovery



Recovering from injury, former captain Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam will join Indian women's team as Deputy to Rani Ramphal. Rani will lead the 20-member Indian Senior Women’s team for the New Zealand tour, where a Five-Match Test Series will be to be played at Midlands starting May 14.

Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam is is making her comeback after nearly eight months of rehabilitation due to an injury.

The team includes a mix of experienced and the young with the defence line formed by Deep Grace Ekka, Udita, Sunita Lakra, Namita Toppo, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Gurjit Kaur who also doubles up as the team’s only drag flicker. The goal will be kept by Savita who had a fantastic outing at the Women’s Hockey World League Round 2 where she was adjudged the goal keeper of the tournament.

Rajani Etimarpu will travel as the second goal keeper in the team.

The midfield will be formed by the experienced Ritu Rani, Lilima Minz, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Renuka Yadav, Nikki Pradhan and Reena Khokar. The forwardline features Rani, Vandana Katariya, Preeti Dubey, Sonika and Anupa Barla.

Recently, India won the Five-Match Test Series against Belarus nd returned victorious from the Women’s Hockey World League Round 2 beating Chile in the final.

Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne, the newly-appointed chief coach for the Indian women’s team, is confident the New Zealand tour will help the team gain the required exposure ahead of important tournament lined up in June. "The goal of the tour is to play well against a higher ranked team and experience on what level we are now. If we can execute the plans we have focused on through the camp, I am confident we can notch up good results. Doing well against a team like New Zealand will bring a lot of confidence to the team,” expressed Marijne". The team has been put through the grind in a 21-day camp at SAI, Bengaluru where the team trains three session a day.

Marijne says the emphasis was on fitness and scientific advisor Wayne Lombard has been working with the team one session each day. “The focus of the camp was on fitness, improving individual technique as well as developing our defensive structure.”

TEAM

Goalkeepers
1. Rajani Etimarpu
2. Savita

Defenders
3. Deep Grace Ekka
4. Udita
5. Sunita Lakra
6. Gurjit Kaur
7. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam (VC)
8. Namita Toppo

Midfielders
9. Ritu Rani
10. Lilima Minz
11. Navjot Kaur
12. Monika
13. Renuka Yadav
14. Nikki Pradhan
15. Reena Khokar

Forwards
16. Rani (C)
17. Vandana Katariya
18. Preeti Dubey
19. Sonika
20. Anupa Barla

Stick2Hockey.com

Danielle Hennig named “Champion” of Game Plan program

Shaheed Devji


2017 Women’s World League Round 2 West Vancouver. Canada Women’s National Team vs Trinidad and Tobago. 12-0 Win. (By Blair Shier, April 4, 2017)

Women’s National Team defender Danielle Hennig has been named Game Plan Champion along with five other Canadian athletes across the country.

Hennig joins swimmer Benoit Huot, canoe/kayaker Michael Tayler, cyclist Monique Sullivan, kayaker Una Lounder, and fencer Joseph Polossifakis.

Game Plan is a program, created in partnership between the “Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN), and Sport Canada to provide the best resources this country has to offer” to National Athletes, and aims to help them live holistic, successful lives on and off the field of play.

“They offer a lot of really valuable services that help you in life outside of sport,” says Hennig, a 26 year-old native of Kelowna, British Columbia who has played 132 games for Canada’s senior women’s field hockey team.

“I’ve definitely used some of their services to help with my professional development,” she adds. “I’ve been in contact with the Game Plan adviser to do some career exploration and got help with my resume. And then also just done some workshops through them to build other skills, like public speaking.”

As Champion for the coming months, Hennig will act as an ambassador for the program in the community and on social media, spreading the message of what the program can offer to athletes.

First and foremost, Hennig says she can start by doing that ithin her own sporting community.

“I know when I first came into the team there was lots of things that I didn’t know about what we had access to and ways you could find help,” Hennig explains. “If I can do that a little bit and promote the program within our own field hockey community, within the National Team, and then if it’s beneifical to some other athletes too then that’s great.”

Athletes can access resources for support in areas include career, network, education, skills development, and health. For more about Game Plan, visit the website here.

Field Hockey Canada media release