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All the news for Thursday 26 June 2014

Malaysia whip Thailand to cruise into final

By Aftar Singh
   
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia went on a goal spree, whipping Thailand 8-0 to qualify for the final of the World League Round One hockey championship at the Sengkang Sports and Recreation Centre in Singapore.

Malaysia, the Myanmar SEA Games gold medallists, will face Kazakhstan in the final on Thursday. Kazakhstan also had an easy day, outplaying hosts Singapore 5-1 in the other semi-final.

On Wednesday, three Malaysians – Norazlin Sumantri (second and 31st minutes), Nadia Abdul Rahman (seventh and 38th) and Nuraini Abdul Rashid (50th and 63rd) – scored a brace each. Norbaini Hashim (22nd) and Juliani Mohd Din (49th) contributed the other goals.

National coach Mohd Nasihin Nubli was pleased with the big win.

“Our forwards are in top form. We are in the right frame of mind to beat Kazakhstan and stay unbeaten in the tournament,” said Nasihin.

“We won the World League Round One in Kuantan last year and we want to win this tournament as well. However, I have warned my players not to take Kazakhstan for granted,” added the former international.

The Star of Malaysia

Scotland continue Games preparations with Spanish tests in Glasgow



Scotland Senior Women will welcome Spain to the Glasgow National Hockey Centre this week for the final international series on home soil before the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games begin next month.

Taking place from 26-29 June, the Scots will play three senior international matches against the Spaniards, while Scotland U21 Women will play them in a friendly match.

Looking forward to the challenge of facing the World Number 14, Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd said, “Our preparations have solely focused on how we are going to play against Spain. They will be tough opposition and we are looking forward to the challenge.

“Our focus is on how we play, not how Spain will play and worrying about the opposition. We know that when we play our best hockey, then we can win the game.”

The national side go into the games this week off the back of a 1-0 series win over Ireland this weekend, including a 3-1 win and 1-1 draw.

While the results were positive, Shepherd and his coaching team know there is room for improvement, “During the second match on Sunday, we made it harder for ourselves and it was not the performance that I nor the players expect”, said Shepherd. “We almost got a win but we didn’t deserve that. I think Ireland would have felt hard done by.

“Every game is learning experience and we will learn quickly from our mistakes so that we can come into the games against Spain more prepared. We have lots of areas to improve on, I’m confident the players will achieve these improvements.”

With the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games hockey competition less than a month away now, the matches against Spain have been specifically scheduled to give the players the experience of the match times they will be required to play at during this summer’s showcase.

Following the matches against Spain, Scotland Senior Women will compete in the Investec Cup being hosted by England Hockey from 9-13 July. The women’s tournament will feature the hosts England, South Africa and Wales.

Scotland Senior Women: Nicola Cochrane (Edinburgh University), Vikki Bunce (Dundee Wanderers), Morag McLellan (Clydesdale Western), Alison Bell (Grove Menzieshill), Rebecca Ward (Dundee Wanderers), Catriona Ralph (Clydesdale Western), Sarah Robertson (Edinburgh University), Holly Cram (Clydesdale Western), Linda Clement (Grove Menzieshill), Ailsa Wyllie (Grove Menzieshill), Leigh Fawcett (Grove Menzieshill), Rebecca Merchant (Edinburgh University), Nikki Kidd (Canterbury), Susan McGilveray (Clydesdale Western), Nicola Lloyd (Canterbury), Alison Howie (Clydesdale Western), Nicola Skrastin (Clydesdale Western), Emily Maguire (Reading), Aileen Davis (Clifton), Amy Gibson (Old Loughtonians).

Match Schedule:
26 June 15.00 Scotland v Spain, GNHC
27 June 16.00 Scotland U21 v Spain, GNHC
28 June 09.00 Scotland v Spain, GNHC
29 June 11.00 Scotland v Spain, GNHC

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Fulton Names Squad of 22 for Welsh Series.



Ireland’s National Men’s team will take on Wales in two tests this weekend for which Coach Ned Fulton has named a squad of 22. These games will be the first time the Green Machine have played a home international since July 2012 and provide the first home tests under Fulton’s stewardship commenting on the weekend ahead Fulton said “The depth in the Senior men's squad is good and I have chosen a twenty two man squad to play Wales this weekend. The national camp last weekend went well and we are looking forward to the test matches”

The Green Machine will only have a short turnaround time before they host England the weekend after (4th & 5th July) in UCD for a double test series before flying to England to compete in the Investec London Cup pitting Ireland against South Africa, Scotland and England at the Olympic Park, the squad for which will be named early next week.

Match Schedule, National Hockey Stadium, UCD
Saturday 28th June, Ireland v Wales, 15.00
Sunday 29th June, Ireland v Wales, 15.00
Friday 4th July, Ireland v England, 19.00
Saturday 5th July, Ireland v England, TBC

Ireland Squad for Wales Series
22 players from which 18 will be selected for each match

Alan Sothern (Pembroke Wanderers)
Bruce McCandless (Banbridge)
Chris Cargo (Reading)
Conor Harte (Royal Club de Racing Bruxells)
David Carson (Monkstown)
David Fitzgerald (Monkstown)
Drew Carlise (Banbridge)
John Jackson (Reading)
Jonny Bell (Lisnagarvey)
Kirk Shimmins (UCD)
Kyle Good (Monkstown)
Michael Robson (Annadale)
Mikie Watt (Surbiton)
Mitch Darling (Three Rock Rovers)
Maurice Elliott (Pembroke Wanderers)
Paul Gleghorne (Instonians)
Peter Caruth (Monkstown)
Shane O’Donoghue (UCD)
Stephen West (Three Rock Rovers)
Steven Cole (Monkstown)
Stuart Loughrey (Cannock)
Timmy Cockram (Lisnagarvey)

Irish Hockey Association media release

Craig Fulton’s Ireland hockey side face Wales

Nine players brought in to panel with five out from Champions Challenge I squad in Malaysia



Ireland’s men play their first game on home soil since June 2012 this weekend as they take on Wales in a pair of international ties at Belfield with Craig Fulton casting his eye over a much-changed squad.

Nine players have been brought in with five stepping out from the panel that played in the Champions Challenge I in Malaysia in May following an extensive training group got together last weekend.

Experienced players like Conor Harte, Mikie Watt, Mitch Darling, Peter Caruth, Shane O’Donoghue and Stu Loughrey are back in the panel having missed the CC1 with a mixture of injury and exam issues.

Following an ankle injury, Stephen Cole - who played in last August’s European championships - and goalkeeper Stephen West are also back in the panel, taking the place of David Harte, Stephen Dowds, Eugene Magee, Philip Brown and Richie Shaw in this latest selection for games on Saturday and Sunday.

It is coach Craig Fulton’s first full selection in his own right having admitted that he had precious little time to put together his panel prior to CC1 which started just two weeks after he had taken up office.

The following weekend, Ireland will play host to England in a two-test series before travelling to the Investec London Cup where his side will meet South Africa, Scotland and England at the Olympic Park.

Darren Smith’s Irish women’s team, meanwhile, are playing in Mori, Italy in a Three Nations tournament that gets underway today. Aine Connery’s first inclusion for 15 months is the headline while Hannah Matthews is likely to make her debut.

Nicci Daly and Emma Gray return to the squad while Emily Beatty, Chloe Brown, Shirley McCay, Ayeisha McFerran and Katie Mullan are withdrawn from the side that lost their series to Scotland last weekend.

The Irish Times

U21 to play Wales this weekend

Ireland U21 will play Wales National Squad as part of their European preparations this Thursday in UCD at 7pm

Commenting on the matches ahead Coach Johnny Caren said "We are coming into the final preparation phase of our buildup towards the European B Division in Lousada, Portugal. The boys have been working extremely hard, on the pitch, in the gym and on the track so this test against the Welsh men’s national team will be a good indicator as to how far we have come as a squad and will highlight any areas that we have to focus on in our final camp next week in Cork."

"Competing against a senior men's team will stand some of these players in good stead in preparing for playing the likes of Russia and Ukraine during our group stage in Lousada, as they are renowned for having a physical presence during their games."

Team Selection Ireland U21 vs Wales:

        Mark Ingram (Pembroke Wanderers)
        Jamie Carr (Monkstown)
        Lee Cole (Captain) (Monkstown)
        Matthew Bell (Vice Captain) (Banbridge)
        James Lorimer (Lisnagarvey)
        Mark Loughrey (Pembroke Wanderers)
        Darragh Walsh (Three Rock Rovers)
        Peter McKibben (Annadale)
        Nick Burns (UCD)
        Sean Murray (Lisnagarvey)
        Peter Brown (UCD)
        Neal Glassey (Mossley)
        Ben Cosgrove (Groves Menzies)
        Jamie Wright (Portadown)
        Johnny McKee (Banbridge)
        Owen Magee (Banbridge)
        Ross Canning (UCD)
        Jeremy Duncan (UCD)

NO charge at gate.

Irish Hockey Association media release

U21 Coach Jonny Caren Chats Europeans



How are you preparing for the Championship II?

We have been preparing for this tournament since January 2014.

There has been 4 camps to date along with a Four Nations tournament held here in Ireland competing against Scotland, England and Germany.

There is one more game this week against the Welsh mens team before our final preparation camp in Cork, Ireland with our full 30 man squad before we depart for Lousada on 8th July.

What’s the main objective of Ireland in this tournament?

Quite simply our objective is to win the European B Division and qualify for A Division in two years time. We will be looking to finish top in our group before playing in the final rounds.

Portugal, Russia and Ukraine are the teams you are going to play with in the stage group. Who is the strongest opponent?

It is hard to say as all 3 teams we have not come across at this age group recently. Russia are always a strong team both physically and technically. However with Portugal having home advantage and support I am sure they will be tough to beat.

Irish Hockey Association media release

Ashleigh Ball ruled out of Commonwealth Games after knee injury


Ashleigh Ball, 2nd from left,supports the team while on crutches during their shoot-out against Belgium at the Rabobank hockey World Cup 2014

Ashleigh Ball will be out of action for recovery following her knee injury sustained when playing against Belgium at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup.

Ashleigh Ball has been ruled out of the Commonwealth Games following an injury she sustained in England’s final Rabobank World Cup match against Belgium in the 11th/12th play-off. England won that game after a shoot-out, but just before full-time they lost Ball. Following scans it has been determined that Ball has torn her ACL and sustained other ligament and cartilage damage, and will undergo surgery in three weeks time to reconstruct her knee. It is likely that she will miss the rest of 2014 and will be out for around nine months.

Speaking about the injury and her rehabilitation Ashleigh Ball said, “It's extremely disappointing to get this injury, especially after our struggle at the World Cup and the opportunity we have at the Commonwealth Games to prove ourselves. I have the support of a top surgeon, physiotherapist and strength & conditioning coach, and hope to be back playing as quickly as possible. It has been great to receive some kind messages of support and I'm really grateful for them.”

England Hockey Board Media release

NZ Women named for Commonwealth Games



Momentum gained at the FIH World Cup is expected to build for the New Zealand women’s hockey team named ahead of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, underway next month.

Captained by experienced player Kayla Whitelock the team also became the first to model the new Glasgow 2014 official team uniform.

At a press conference held today in Auckland, New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith welcomed the players, each wearing their new formal team blazers, to the New Zealand team.

“I’m delighted to welcome these outstanding players to the New Zealand team,” said Smith.

Hockey is one of the most exciting events at the Commonwealth Games and we look forward to some exciting matches that Kiwis will get behind. I’m also pleased to see the team in their official team uniform, signaling an important milestone in our Glasgow preparations.”

Coach Mark Hager says the team is confident they have what it takes to bring home a medal from Glasgow. 

“All the teams will turn up well prepared to the Commonwealth Games and we won’t be taking any game lightly, but if we can build on our performance from the World Cup and perform to our best we hope to be standing on the podium,” said Hager.

Senior players Whitelock, Emily Naylor, Krystal Forgesson, Gemma Flynn and Anita Punt have all played over 150 games pulling the team test cap average up to 108, but despite the teams international experience only seven players have competed at a Commonwealth Games before.

“One of the pleasing things is that even though there are a lot of new players in the team since London Olympics, we have higher expectations of ourselves than we did say four or five years ago and I think it highlights that the group has come a long way.”

New Zealand is ranked second in the competition below Australia, following their rise in rankings to fourth following the FIH World Cup.

“There is an expectation based on our ranking that we will medal and we believe it is healthy to have that pressure – I think it will help us perform,” said Hager.

Whitelock said she’s honoured to be leading the team to Glasgow and proud to be wearing a uniform that clearly represents New Zealand and the unique character of the nation.

“I’m very proud to be part of the fantastic team named today, and to receive our official uniform is really special.

“We’ll be clearly recognisable as Kiwis and the black kit really shows we intend to represent New Zealand with pride.”

The uniform is traditional black and incorporates elements representing New Zealand’s special character and place in the world, including a stylized Southern Cross, tui and the letters NZ. It also sends a nod of respect to the host nation, Scotland, with reflections of the St Andrew’s Cross also incorporated in the design.

The Kiwis will face Trinidad and Tobago, India, South Africa and Canada in pool play.  The top two teams from each pool then progress to semi-finals ahead of the final game on Sunday 3rd August (NZ time).

All players are currently based in their home cities and have ten days of training until they depart Auckland to play in a warm–up Four Nations Tournament in Dublin (12-16 July) before arriving at the Athletes Village in Glasgow (18 July).

The New Zealand Commonwealth Games team now will be complete following the namings of the men’s hockey and rugby sevens teams in early July.

NEW ZEALAND WOMEN
COMMONWEALTH GAMES TEAM

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Black Sticks squad named for Glasgow

Momentum gained at the Hockey World Cup is expected to build for the New Zealand Commonwealth Games women's hockey team named today ahead of Glasgow 2014, underway next month.

Coach Mark Hager said the team is confident they have what it takes to bring home a medal from Glasgow.

"All the teams will turn up well prepared to the Commonwealth Games and we won't be taking any game lightly, but if we can build on our performance from the World Cup and perform to our best we hope to be standing on the podium," said Hager.

Senior players Kayla Whitelock, Emily Naylor, Krystal Forgesson, Gemma Flynn and Anita Punt have all played over 150 games pulling the team test cap average up to 108, but despite the teams international experience only seven players have competed at a Commonwealth Games before.

"One of the pleasing things is that even though there are a lot of new players in the team since London Olympics, we have higher expectations of ourselves than we did say four or five years ago and I think it highlights that the group has come a long way."

New Zealand is ranked second in the competition below Australia, following their rise in rankings to fourth following the FIH World Cup.

"There is an expectation based on our ranking that we will medal and we believe it is healthy to have that pressure - I think it will help us perform," said Hager.

The team also became the first to model the new Glasgow 2014 official team uniform.

The uniform is traditional black and incorporates elements representing New Zealand's special character and place in the world, including a stylized Southern Cross, tui and the letters NZ. It also sends a nod of respect to the host nation, Scotland, with reflections of the St Andrew's Cross also incorporated in the design.

The Kiwis will face Trinidad and Tobago, India, South Africa and Canada in pool play. The top two teams from each pool then progress to semi-finals ahead of the final game on Sunday 3rd August (NZ time).

The New Zealand Commonwealth Games team now will be complete following the namings of the men's hockey and rugby sevens teams in early July.

The team is expected to number 235 athletes.

Black Sticks squad:
Sam Charlton
Sophie Cocks
Rhiannon Dennison
Gemma Flynn
Krystal Forgesson
Katie Glynn
Jordan Grant
Rose Keddell
Olivia Merry
Stacey Michelsen
Emily Naylor
Anita Punt
Sally Rutherford
Liz Thompson
Petrea Webster
Kayla Whitelock

The New Zealand Herald

Black Sticks women chosen for Glasgow

MATT RICHENS


SKIPPER: As expected, Kayla Whitelock will lead the NZ women's hockey team at the upcoming Commonwealth Games. Photosport

Most of the New Zealand women’s hockey team which finished a middling fifth at the recent World Cup will get a chance at improving with a medal at next month’s Commonwealth Games.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee announced the 16-player squad today and all 16 chosen were at the recent World Cup in the Netherlands.

The two unlucky players were goalkeeper Bianca Russell and Michaela Curits.

FIH tournaments such as the World Cup allow teams to carry 18 players, two of which must be goalkeepers.

At non-FIH tournaments such at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, teams are only allowed 16 and the common practice now is to take just one goal keeper and strengthen the bench with field players.

The squad will again be captained by Kayla Whitelock and is littered with experience.

Five of the players – Gemma Flynn (175), Krystal Forgesson (210), Emily Naylor (246), Anita Punt (161) and Whitelock (219) have played more than 150 tests each while the 1730 total caps the squad boasts worked out at more than 108 each player on average.

Coach Mark Hager said the team was confident of bringing home a medal.

"All the teams will turn up well prepared to the Commonwealth Games and we won’t be taking any game lightly, but if we can build on our performance from the World Cup and perform to our best we hope to be standing on the podium,’’ Hager said.

"One of the pleasing things is that even though there are a lot of new players in the team since the London Olympics, we have higher expectations of ourselves than we did say four or five years ago and I think it highlights that the group has come a long way.’’

New Zealand is ranked second in the competition below Australia, following their rise in rankings to fourth following the FIH World Cup.

"There is an expectation based on our ranking that we will medal and we believe it is healthy to have that pressure – I think it will help us perform,’’ said Hager.

The Kiwis will face Trinidad and Tobago, India, South Africa and Canada in pool play.  The top two teams from each pool then progress to semi-finals ahead of the final game on Sunday 3rd August (NZ time).

All players are currently based in their home cities and have ten days of training until they depart Auckland to play in a warm–up Four Nations Tournament in Dublin (12-16 July) before arriving at the Athletes Village in Glasgow (18 July).

The Black Sticks women’s side have won two medals at the Commonwealth Games since hockey was introduced in 1998 at Kuala Lumpur.

They were beaten by Australia in penalty strokes by Australia at the last Games in Delhi and won the bronze medal in Kuala Lumpur.

At Manchester and Melbourne, New Zealand was beaten in the bronze medal match.

The men’s Commonwealth Games team is likely to be announced on July 8.

Black Sticks Commonwealth Games Squad (women): Sam Charlton, Sophie Cocks, Rhiannon Dennison, Gemma Flynn, Krystal Forgesson, Katie Glynn, Jordan Grant, Rose Keddell, Olivia Merry, Stacey Michelsen, Emily Naylor, Anita Punt, Sally Rutherford, Liz Thompson, Petrea Webster, Kayla Whitelock.

Stuff

Hockey NZ banking on Comm Games medals

MATT RICHENS


NOT TALKING: HPSNZ boss Alex Baumann said it was too early to comment on NZ's hockey teams' World Cup performances. Photosport

Next month's Commonwealth Games could be make or break for Hockey New Zealand. With millions of dollars being poured into the sport from the government, a mediocre performance could hit the organisation's pockets hard.

The two Black Sticks teams have met their funding key performance indicators at the World Cup in the Netherlands, but not excelled. They fell short of their main goal of winning a medal.

The women's side played off for fifth and sixth last night while the men play tonight for seventh and eighth.

Falling short of the medal games in Scotland could lead to High Performance Sport New Zealand reassessing the two teams' funding and if they really are medal prospects at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

HPSNZ boss Alex Baumann said it was too early to comment on the sides' World Cup performances, but a full and proper debrief would be done at the end of a big season.

He said the sides' funding was not solely based on their on-field performances, but that was obviously a key aspect. Performing well on the world stage has a roll-on effect for both teams.

The better they play, the better competitions they get into and the more other top countries want to play them. The more top level competition the New Zealand sides play, the better they will be. Medals will be a bare minimum in Glasgow.

The men's competition will be missing Germany, Netherlands and Belgium, the world's second, third and fifth ranked sides. That leaves the Kiwi men, ranked No 6, as the third ranked team.

The women, ranked No 5 in the world, are also third in the Commonwealth, though a quirk in the draw means they are the top ranked team in their pool while England (No 3) and Australia (No 4) are on the other side of the draw.

Adding to the four medals New Zealand has won at the Games in the past - a silver and a bronze for each team - will go a long way to ensuring the HPSNZ money keeps rolling in ahead of Rio and will also prove the sport is worthy of the $2.3 million it received this year.

Stuff

Black Sticks go mental for Comm medal quest

MATT RICHENS

Resting players' minds as well as their bodies will be crucial if the New Zealand hockey teams are to win medals at next month's Commonwealth Games, says Hockey New Zealand's high performance boss Terry Evans.

Less than six weeks after finishing their World Cup campaigns, both the men's and women's Black Sticks teams will line up again at another major event.

Physically and mentally both squads have been preparing for the World Cup for months.

And while both sides achieved their funding key performance indicators, neither won medals in the Netherlands as hoped.

"The physical part of the recovery is one we can mange relatively easily," Evans said.

"We have the right people in place surrounding the team and we can make sure both the men's and women's teams are well recovered physically before the Commonwealth Games. But mentally it's tougher and that can be more important at this level."

Evans said the teams would have a short break when they get back from the World Cup and would be encouraged to relax and recharge.

"But these aren't the type of people who are going to have cocktails on the beach, they're still elite athletes with a big tournament around the corner.

"What you don't want them to do is relax too much, because it's a difficult process to start back into. It's about getting them refocused on the next challenge so when that first match of the Games starts, they're back at their peak."

Adding to the difficulty in relaxing for some is the fact the Commonwealth Games squads have not been named yet. They have a July 7 deadline - extended by the New Zealand Olympic Committee due to the World Cup - though could be named before that date.

So while the squads are meant to be resting some will be stressing over whether they get to go to Scotland as part of the smaller, 16-person squad.

Motivation for the Games was simple, Evans said.

While the tournament doesn't sit as high on hockey's priorities as the World Cup or the Olympics, it's a big chance for New Zealand to medal and to do so with the country watching.

Senior players Phil Burrows and Krystal Forgesson said two events close together can work well for the players.

"If you play well in the first tournament, you can take that confidence to the next event," Forgesson said.

"And if you don't play well, then you can use it as motivation to work harder at the next one," Burrows added.

Evans warned, however, that it was an easy trap to fall into to start thinking about medals.

"I appreciate it's going to sound like a big old cliche, but they really do have to take it one game at a time and that's something we drum into them. After the World Cup, the next important game is the first at the Commonwealth Games, not a semifinal or a medal game."

New Zealand is obviously not the only country backing up from the World Cup to the Commonwealth Games.

Evans warned some of the nations that didn't qualify for the World Cup could be equally dangerous.

"You've got a team like the Indian women who aren't at the World Cup, but they are very competitive. Then even some of the teams further down the rankings, they'll be well rested and well prepared and will probably see New Zealand as the type of game to really get up for.

"They would love to take the Black Sticks as a scalp. Those are the matches you just can't afford to lose so you have to really be on your game.

"That's where being mentally fresh and right on form is crucial."

Stuff

NZ Commonwealth Games uniform unveiled

By Patrice Dougan


Kayla Whitelock and team mates wear the hockey team's new formal wear for the Commonwealth Games. Photo / Greg Bowker

They may not be seen draped on fashion queens Cara Delevingne or Kate Moss, but it was clear which items of the New Zealand Commonwealth Games uniform were hits with the women's hockey team.

"The puffer jacket's definitely number one. I think Rhia [Dennison]'s got some great casual pants on, and I love Kayla [Whitelock]'s grey hoodie," said Rosie Keddell.

"So probably hoodie, puffer and track pants [are my favourites] -- can you tell what I like to do in my spare time?"

The 20-year-old was speaking at the official unveiling of the Commonwealth gear this afternoon, donning her black shorts with a blue stripe, black singlet and black puffer jacket.

"I'm sure we'll be using it a lot, it's probably not going to be that warm [in Glasgow]," she said.

Her thoughts were echoed by team captain Kayla Whitelock, who also named the hoodie, puffer jacket and track pants as her items of choice.

"But to be honest it all looks pretty good," she said.

"I think it's really sharp. It's very comfortable and lots of different styles that you can either lounge around in or train hard in, so it's awesome."

It was a sea of black sports gear, with touches of silver and blue -- the silver used to highlight the New Zealand name and logo and the Kiwi inspired designs, glinted in the sunshine. While the blue brought a touch of the Scottish flag, a nod to the host country.

The formal wear was also black, with the girls looking smart in black New Zealand merino wool skirt suits, with a white New Zealand Commonwealth Games logo stitched into the breast pocket of the blazer, and a white shirt.

"I really liked it," said Kayla, 28, about the suit. "It's really comfortable as well, the fit of the skirt and the shirt is good, and even the blazer's really comfortable as well, so it's very good."

Comfortable was a common word among the girls, who extolled the comfort and feel of the clothes.

"When you live in it 24/7 it's always good to be comfortable," said Kayla.

Rosie said: "They're really comfy, and I think it helps so much when we're playing to have gear that you don't actually notice when you're running around."

Both the casual and training gear, designed and produced by Peak Sport, and the formal wear, designed and produced by the Uniform Group, were made in China. But neither of the girls were concerned.

"I'm not bothered at all, I think most of my clothes are made in China," said Rosie, who praised the companies for being economical with their money.

While Kayla said: "It's all labelled with New Zealand and all the logos are pretty special on each piece of clothing so that makes it ours."

A spokeswoman for the New Zealand Olympics Committee said it was confident all the items were produced in factories where everything was "appropriate".

The clothing New Zealand athletes will wear at the opening ceremony is still under wraps, and won't be unveiled until the ceremony.

The New Zealand Herald

U.S. Head Coach Craig Parnham Establishes 2014-15 Women’s National Team Roster

Parnham announces 30 players to U.S. National Squad following Women’s National Tournament

LANCASTER, Pa. – Its colors beckon a response of pure passion and pride. The American flag embodies a coast-to-coast fighting spirit of undeniable heart, of sacrifice and of grit that is recognized worldwide. For 30 top-tier field hockey athletes that very essence will now be threaded into a globally-prized jersey to commemorate their newfound spot on the U.S. Women’s National Team. Days of intense evaluation at the Home of Hockey’s Spooky Nook Sports complex in Lancaster, Pa. during the 2014 Women’s National Championship lead to the solidification of a new squad.

The 30-athlete roster features 11 Olympians, including two-time Olympians Lauren Crandall (Doylestown, Pa.), Rachel Dawson (Berlin, N.J.), and Katelyn Falgowski (Landenburg, Pa.). Through countless years of extreme dedication to the sport, speed and strength, seven new competitors have also cemented their positions on the team.

“The Women’s National Championships has provided a great opportunity to watch a number of players across a full week of tournament hockey to compete for selection for the Women’s National Team,” said Parnham. “It has been pleasing to see the effort from the players and the improvements from game to game. We have selected a squad that sees some new faces and the coaching staff looks forward to working with the group as the Women’s National Team moves forward in the next stages of its development. I would like to thank Spooky Nook Sports for hosting the event and all of the coaches, umpires, parents and support staff who have contributed to the smooth running of the Women’s National Championships over the past week.”

The 2013-14 squad rounded out the competitive year with two successful tours. With the completion of the 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands, where Team USA placed in the top four amongst the world’s best 12 teams, and as newly dubbed Champions Challenge victors, the United States is out to make a statement. A vision has been established and the journey to international greatness is underway.

Congratulations to the following athletes that have earned the distinguished honor of representing Team USA:

Lauren Blazing (Chapel Hill, NC), Marie Elena Bolles (Phoenixville, PA), Natalie Cafone (Fairfield, NJ), Lauren Crandall (Doylestown, PA), Chrissy Davidson (Reading, PA), Rachel Dawson (Berlin, N.J.), Casey Di Nardo (Virginia Beach, VA), Katelyn Falgowski (Landenberg, Pa.), Stefanie Fee (Virginia Beach, Va.), Laura Gebhart (Mount Joy, Pa.), Melissa Gonzalez (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.), Kelsey Harbin (San Marcos, CA), Rayell Heistand (Hamburg, Pa.), Jackie Kintzer (Robesonia, Pa.), Michelle Kasold (Chapel Hill, N.C.), Kelsey Kolojejchick (Larksville, Pa.), Ali McEvoy (Gilbertsville, Pa.), Jamie Montgomery (Lewisburg, Pa.), Katie O’Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa.), Lauren Pfeiffer (Mt. Laurel, N.J.), Hannah Prince (Gorham, ME), Katie Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.), Julia Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.), Paige Selenski (Shavertown, Pa.), Kathleen Sharkey (Moosic, Pa.), Caitlin Van Sickle (Wilmington, Del.), Michelle Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.), Alesha Widdall (Whitney Point, N.Y.), Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.) and Emily Wold (Freehold, N.J.)

USFHA media release

Bloemendaal move to replace retiring trio

In the Dutch off-season transfer market, Russell Garcia has been busy finding recruits to step into the breech to replace stalwarts Eby Kessing, Nick Meijer and Ronald Brouwer who all finished their careers with the club.

The Hoofdklasse runners-up have moved quickly by bringing in Australian star Matthew Swann while Daniel Aarts arrives from Tilburg. In addition, Jord Beekmans has been elevated from the second team squad with Floris Feenstra stepping up from the youth system but replacing such experience will be a tough ask.

For Oranje Zwart, meanwhile, hockey.nl are reporting that it looks increasingly unlikely that they will hold on to Pakistani trio Muhammad Rizwan, Fareed Ahmed and Rashid Mehmood.

OZ clubman Harry van Hout says that should they not return, their replacements will probably not be filled by foreign players, saying the club are looking to promote youth players. To this end, Bram Huybregts has been elevated while Joep de Mol comes in from Push. Their other transfer has been the goalkeeper switch of Vincent Vanasch coming in to replace the retiring Mark Jenniskens.

Euro Hockey League media release

Manzoor wants seniors-juniors hockey series in August

KARACHI: Chief coach of Pakistan juniors hockey team Olympian Manzoor-ul-Hasan has said that he will be suggesting a series between Pakistan seniors and juniors to be played in August which could prove beneficial in preparing the players for the Asian Games in September.

“The series between Pakistan seniors and juniors will benefit both the teams ahead of the Asian Games in Incheon,” Manzoor said in an interview here at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium on Wednesday where he is supervising the training camp to groom 51 boys for future assignments.

He said he is submitting his proposal to Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Rana Mujahid in the next few days.

He said the series between the two teams will be good for Pakistan senior team in their preparation for the Asian Games where Pakistan will be defending their crown.

“At the same time the series will enable the Pakistan junior string to gain valuable exposure against the experienced seniors,” said full-back Manzoor who represented Pakistan in 1973, 1975 and 1982 World Cups.

He said he had accepted the challenge to train and coach the Pakistan juniors probables with fellow coaches Qamar Ibrahim, Kamran Ashraf and Mohammad Irfan but it was very difficult to bring in the results in a short span of time.

Commenting on the progress of the training camp, he said the month-long training camp will conclude on Friday. He said a big effort is required to prepare the boys for the 2016 Junior World Cup being staged in Canberra.

Manzoor further said the juniors will also be taking part in the World Youth Olympiad being held in Nanjing, China in August.

Dawn

Canterbury trio to feature at Youth Games

By Brendon Egan, The Press



Three of Canterbury's top young hockey players are ready to embrace the sport's exciting new format at August's Youth Olympics in China.

St Bede's College's David Brydon and Christ's College's Dominic Newman, who are both 17, have been named in the New Zealand boys' side.

Christchurch Girls' High's Catherine Tinning, 18, is the lone South Islander to be selected in the New Zealand girl's team.

Hockey will be played under five aside rules at the Youth Olympics, which is a fresh concept introduced by the game's governing body, the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

With only five players on the field, side boards and no penalty corners, the game is played at a quick pace. It also makes it more viable for smaller countries to compete and develop their play, as sevens rugby has done for the 15-man code.

Five aside consists of three 15 minute periods, with teams allowed to select nine players in their squads. It is also played over half a normal sized turf.

Newman and Tinning got a taste of Hockey5 at a qualifying tournament in Vanuatu in March and they believed it had the potential to catch on in coming years.

"It's very intense. It's pretty tactical. You can use the boards. It's pretty full on," Tinning said.

Brydon was unable to compete in Vanuatu due to his rowing commitments, but impressed enough in trials to gain a place in the New Zealand side.

He said one of the biggest adjustments was having to quickly shift from attack to defence and vice versa.

"The speed [is probably the biggest difference]. It's a lot more hectic. Surprisingly, there are tactics behind it."

Fitness and agility is paramount in the five aside version and Hockey Academy South high performance manager Chris Leslie said the trio suited the game perfectly.

"Dominic and David both carry high workloads, are quick, and have got a good skillset. They're very skilful for their age," Leslie said.

"Catherine is a midfielder/striker. She's a good athlete. You have to be a good athlete."

The New Zealand sides are yet to find out who their pool opponents will be in China, but Tinning was confident in her team's ability.

"We've got lots of versatile players. We've got players who are really good and can score goals. Our attackers can also defend. Fitness is really good."

Newman and Brydon, who both play as midfielders, will be determined to help New Zealand build on their Oceania qualifying title win, where they beat Australia 5-3 in the final.

New Zealand men's coach Dave Kosoof said the Youth Olympics would provide the young players with a glimpse of what it was like to be involved in a global sporting event.

"It will be an opportunity of a lifetime for these players. The organisers do try and replicate the real thing and give athletes a taste of what an Olympics is like which is great."

There will be 10 nations competing, with two pools of five nations in each group.

Hockey New Zealand Media release