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All the news for Thursday 18 December 2014

The Champions Trophy by numbers

Facts and figures that tell the story of this year's Champions Trophy.


(Photo: Grant Treeby)

And so the year draws to a close and the international hockey community takes a collective deep breath and reflects on a fabulous year of top notch hockey.

The past three weeks have seen some of the best hockey players in the world in action at the men's and women's Champions Trophy, held respectively in Bhubaneswar, India and Mendoza, Argentina.

For the 6,000 blue and white-clad fans who packed the stadium in Mendoza, the dream outcome was realised when Luciana Aymar of Argentina was able to raise the trophy on home soil and in her last international appearance.

The script in Bhubaneswar did not follow the same pattern of home team success as India, despite a strong start, were not able to finish any higher than 4th, after losing 2-1 to Australia in the bronze medal match. The honours went to Germany, who defeated Pakistan 2-0 in the final. This victory is a significant next step in German hockey development as the winning side featured seven members of the Junior World Cup winning side from December 2013.

Winning silver was a greAT achievement for the Green Sticks, in fact it was Pakistan's best finish since 1998. Pakistan Hockey tweeted after the event "12 days ago we were convinced we would not even attend the event. Today we've given a podium finish. We are worth it."

A delighted Nicolas Jacobi, the German goalkeeper, said "Champions Trophy winner 2014, great team and great Indian crowd. Thank you India."

The final standings were:

Women's Champions Trophy

1. Argentina
2. Australia
3. Netherlands
4. New Zealand
5. England
6. China
7. Germany
8. Japan

Men's Champions Trophy

1. Germany
2. Pakistan
3. Australia
4. India
5. Netherlands
6. Argentina
7. England
8. Belgium

For Las Leonas, the win in Mendoza means they now join the Netherlands and Australia at the top of the leader board, each team having won the trophy six times. For Luciana Aymar this is also her sixth Champions Trophy gold medal, the Argentine icon has been part of every gold medal winning team.

Germany will be pleased to have broken the ever-tightening grip that the Kookaburras had on the trophy. This victory is German's 10th in the competition, but their last win came in 2007, in Kuala Lumpur. Every subsequent Champions Trophy victory had gone to Australia, so Markus Weise and his team will be delighted to add the Champions Trophy to their 2012 Olympic success.

Both competitions saw the introduction of the four quarters – four sessions of 15 minutes each – and fears that this format would lead to less goals was soon cast asunder as the goals came thick and fast. For the women the average was three goals a game, there were 72 goals in 24 games; while in the men's event it was nearly 4.5 goals per game, with 107 goals scored in the same number of games. The women's goal-scoring average was slightly less than at the World Cup, the men's average slightly higher.

Five men shared the top goalscorer's honours – Chris Ciriello (AUS), Irfan Muhammad (PAK) and Mink van der Weerden (NED) all hit the target with four penalty corners apiece; Florian Fuchs (GER) scored four field goals, and Jeroen Hertzberger (NED) scored three field goals and a penalty stroke.

In the women's competition, Carla Rebecchi (ARG) and Jodie Kenny (AUS) shared the award as they both scored five goals – Kenny from penalty corners and Rebecchi from two field goals and three penalty corners.

The highest scoreline was England men's 8-2 win over Pakistan, while in the women's event, Argentina beat China 7-2 in an exciting, if one-sided encounter.

Discipline on the pitch was good at both venues. In Bhubaneswar, 25 yellow cards and 56 green cards were issued, while in Mendoza 13 yellow cards and 38 green cards were waved.

The most unusual set of scores occurred at Mendoza when the second day of play yielded four matches, each with a 1-1 scoreline. By contrast, over in Bhubaneswar, Day Two saw an amazing 29 goals in four matches. The most productive quarter of any match was the second quarter of the Australia versus Belgium pool match in Bhubaneswar. Five goals in 15 minutes meant the fans that day were in for a goal-scoring treat. Argentina women backed up their own claim that they worked their way into matches, after they scored three goals in the final quarter twice - once against China in the quarter finals and against England in the pool matches.

Player awards

Players of the tournament – Luciana Aymar (ARG) and Moritz Fuerste (GER)
Young Player Award –  Xan der Waard (NED) and Akashdeep Singh (IND)
Goalkeeper Award – Belen Succi (ARG) PR Sreejesh (IND)
Player Award – Moritz Fuerste (GER)
Young Player Award –  Akashdeep Singh (IND)
Goalkeeper Award – PR Sreejesh (IND)

FIH site

Fiji top the standings in the final Hockey World League Round 1 event


(Photo: FIH)

It was an exciting couple of days for the international teams of Fiji, as both the men and women emerged victorious at the Hockey World League Round 1 event in Suva, Fiji.

Both teams finished top of the standings in their respective competitions, ensuring a safe passage through to Round 2 and keeping alive the dream of achieving qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

In the men’s competition, Fiji began in style defeating Samoa on the opening day.  Papua New Guinea were the winners on the second day winning 4-1 over Samoa with two goals from Hussein Lowah.  Fiji then completed their campaign with a win over Papua New Guinea to top the standings.

To find out more information about the men’s tournament in Fiji including results, scorers and tables, click here.

In the women’s competition, Fiji were victorious in all three of their matches, netting 22 goals and conceding just one in their wins over Vanuatu, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.  Tiara Dutta from Fiji, was the top scorer, netting five goals.

To find out more information about the women’s tournament in Fiji, click here.

The winning teams at all of the Hockey World League Round 1 events are guaranteed a place in Round 2 of the Hockey World League, where they will be joined by a number of the highest-placed finishers from the Round 1 tournaments. Round 2 will also see the introduction of the teams placed from 12 to 19 in the FIH World Rankings with the sides ranked 1 to 11 starting their journey in Round 3, where tickets for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as well as qualification for the Finals tournament are up for grabs. 

To learn more about the second edition of the Hockey World League, click here.

Round 1 tournament winners

Men

Sveti Ivan Zelina, Croatia (1-6 July): Russia
Hradec Králové, Czech Republic (2-7 September): Belarus
Nairobi, Kenya (5-7 September): Egypt
Dhaka, Bangladesh (5-7 September): Bangladesh
Muscat, Oman (5-7 September): Azerbaijan
Lousada, Portugal (12-14 September): Austria
Guadalajara (12-14 September): Chile
Kingston, Jamaica (30 September-5 October): Trinidad & Tobago
Suva, Fiji (6-13 December): Fiji

Women

Singapore (21-27 June): Malaysia
Siauliai, Lithuania (26-29 June): Belarus
Nairobi, Kenya (5-7 September): Kenya
Hradec Králové, Czech Republic (5-7 September): France
Guadalajara, Mexico (11-14 September): Canada
Kingston, Jamaica (30 September - 5 October): Trinidad & Tobago
Suva, Fiji (6-13 December): Fiji

FIH site

Hockey Australia statement re: bidding for 2015 Oceania Cup

A message from Hockey Australia's CEO Cam Vale

The following statement has been released by Hockey Australia Chief Executive Cam Vale in relation to the bidding process to host the 2015 Oceania Cup tournament, which is the biennial continental championship for the Oceania region and, in 2015, will be the qualifying tournament for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Hockey Australia was today advised by Oceania Hockey Federation (OHF) that its multiple bids for the Oceania Cup were unsuccessful, with the winning bid being Stratford, New Zealand.

We are extremely disappointed with this decision and, in particular, the process conducted by OHF in determining the successful bid which contained numerous inconsistencies.  I will be taking these concerns up with the International Hockey Federation as a matter of high priority on behalf of our many regional locations that expressed an interest in hosting this event.

Despite Stratford having hosted the previous Oceania Cup in 2013, OHF decided not to support another area in Oceania by considering a different location to grow hockey in the region.

Hockey Australia remains committed to a future that see our national teams competing in a wide range of cities and regions that showcases our far reaching national footprint as a sport.

I do want to thank the numerous Australian locations that expressed an interest in bidding to host the event. The integrity of every single one of these Australian locations in their dealings with Hockey Australia was outstanding, and we will now turn our attention to finding other international test match opportunities for these locations away from OHF and the Oceania Cup.

Cam Vale
Chief Executive, Hockey Australia

Hockey Australia media release

HI sets Dec. 31 as initial deadline to get a foreign coach before Hero Hockey India League


Roelant Oltmans, High Performance Director of the Indian hockey team, who has been entrusted with the responsibility of finding the new coach. File Photo

Hockey India has set December 31 as the initial deadline for receiving applications for the job of men’s national team head coach.

The application process, which began on Tuesday, could be extended into the new year if the governing body is not satisfied with the quality of applicants. However, that may not be an issue if HI’s High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans is to be believed. According to the Dutchman, “already a few people have shown interest.” Oltmans added that it would be preferable if the new coach is appointed in time for the next Hockey India League (January 22).

Oltmans was in the city to launch HI’s first online academy platform. The coaching programme will be made available to coaches at grassroots level who can ensure that Indian kids possess strong fundamentals in hockey.

The academy platform will also be available free of cost to registered users. The programme has been divided into three phases. While the basic level was launched on Wednesday, the intermediate and elite levels should be available by April, 2015. The programme has three main categories – skills, tactics and physics.

For the users, 64 skills, video examples and match moments from the HIL each will be available. The video examples are provided with voiceovers in Hindi and English. Moreover, 140 exercise routines are detailed to augment the skill, tactical and physical development of players.

The Hindu

Hockey India starts coach selection process, expects new man before HIL

NEW DELHI: If everything goes according to plan, Indian men's hockey team is expected to get a new foreign coach within a month, that is by the time the third season of Hero Hockey India League (HIL) starts on January 22.

The process for selection of Australian Terry Walsh's successor had already started with Hockey India formally putting out advertisements for the post on Tuesday, the deadline of which ends on December 31.

"The process has just begun yesterday because I and the entire Hockey India staff was busy with the Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar. December 31 is the deadline for interested coaches from all over the world to submit their applications," India's high performance director Roelant Oltmans, who has been entrusted with the responsibility of finding the new coach, said.

"We already have so many people who are interested in the job. If you ask me, I will like the new coach to be appointed before the next HIL so that we can witness and have a fair bit of idea about the players whom he will be working with," said the Dutchman on the sidelines of the launch of Hockey India's Online Academy Platform on Wednesday.

"But in the end everything depends on the quality of applicants."

The high-profile post has been lying vacant since the last one month when Walsh suddenly quit from his position. After guiding India to their first Asian Games gold in 16 years, the Australian surprised all and sundry by resigning from his post citing bureaucratic red-tapism and asked for a greater say in team decisions and support staff.

Walsh had asked for changes in his contract that would give him greater decision-making powers and the ability to work from his home base in Australia, when his presence was not needed in India.

His employer, the Sports Authority of India had drawn up a fresh contract and the issue was on the verge of settling down, till Hockey India president Narinder Batra stalled the process by bringing up Walsh's alleged financial impropriety issue with USA Field Hockey.

Meanwhile, in its endeavour to produce and nurture young talents in the country, HI today launched its online academy platform.

The initiative, coined as Hockey India Online Academy Platform, is a comprehensive programme designed and created with an aim to help the coaches sitting in different parts of the country to learn the new tricks, strategies and developments in the game.

The online hockey academy platform will also help in keeping the coaches abreast with the latest techniques of coaching and they in turn can work towards helping the players adapt to these technical aspects.

The basic level of the online academy platform will go live from Wednesday and can be visited at www.hioap.org.

The intermediate and elite level of the programme is expected to be launched in March and April 2015. It will be available free of cost to all registered members of HI.

"2014 has been an exciting year for Indian hockey. This year we have seen quite improvements in all levels. And to continue on this path, we need to bring knowledge to the academies.

"This online academy will help in bringing consistent developing programmes in the country. It is the first online academy platform in the country," said Oltmans, who is the brain behind the initiative.

The Times of India

With silver medals around their neck the Greenshirts return home


Pakistan players were given bouquets and flower garlands on their return from India after finishing as runners-up in the Champions Trophy. PHOTO: EXPRESS

KARACHI: The Pakistan hockey team has returned home with a silver medal for its second position in the Champions Trophy; a great achievement for the Greenshirts against the odds and a dream come true for the players.

The hockey team which went to India on December 1 through the Wagah Border aiming to finish in the top four was seen off by Olympians and hockey players.

“Leaving through the Wagah Border was a great experience as on the one side we had our supporters to see us off, while on the other the Indians were waiting to receive us,” said goalkeeper Imran Butt, while talking to The Express Tribune. “We were provided security throughout the tournament. They took us to the airport, from where we were given a protocol to our hotel. We were asked to stay at a different hotel than the other teams as we were at higher risk than the other teams.”

The players were not allowed to go out on their own, but only as a team and that too amidst tight security. “We went out to shop just twice,” Butt added.

The goalkeeper also praised the Indian crowd for their support.  “We lost the first three matches but the crowd supported and cheered both teams in all of them,” he said. “Even in the knockout match against Netherlands, the crowd cheered for us.”

Meanwhile, full-back Muhammad Irfan also said the same things, claiming that the crowd supported them, until the semi-final against India. “As we entered the ground for the semi-final, we decided to shake the hands of the Indians in the crowd as a goodwill gesture, and the crowd seemed to appreciate that,” he added. “However, some of them were hooting and abusing us. When the match ended, most of the Indians were silent but some kept on hurling abuses at us and the younger players were not able to control their emotions.”

However, coach Shahnaz Sheikh lamented the way the players were treated after the incident. “The players were surrounded by restrictions and were not even able to make calls or talk to anyone,” he said. “The International Hockey Federation (FIH) mailed us two hours before the match to inform us that two of our players have been suspended. The Indian crowd abused us in the final as well, even during our national anthem. They have snatched the title from us.”

Shahnaz also criticised the way his players were overlooked for the awards. “Irfan scored four goals in the championship but did not even get a single prize and the awards of best goalkeeper, best young player and fan favourite were all given to Indian players.”

He added that security was considerably more lax when the side was returning back home. “When we were returning, we were not provided any security and were traveling sans security in a coaster,” claimed Shahnaz. “FIH should take action against this.”

The Express Tribune

Hockey players to be feted

KARACH: Sports patron, organiser and team owner Nadeem Omar has announced to give gold medals to the entire Pakistan hockey team for winning the silver medal in the recently-concluded Champions Trophy and for beating India in the semifinal in front of their home crowd in Bhubaneshwar.

Nadeem, the Chief Executive of Omar Associates and President of Pakistan Cricket Club, lauded the team’s effort for their excellent performance in the Champions Trophy and said the nation should be proud of them.

“Captain Mohammad Imran, chief coach Shahnaz Shaikh and all the members and management of the team deserve high praise for their fine performance in India despite the odds stacked against them,” said Nadeem.

“We assure all the support for hockey in a bid to revive the past glory of this country’s national game,” he said.

He also complimented PHF President Akhtar Rasool and secretary Rana Mujahid for playing their part in the rise of Pakistan hockey team.

Dawn

Winning Champions Trophy silver a great feat: Imran

KARACHI - Pakistan hockey team captain M Imran Tuesday said that winning silver medal in Hockey Champions Trophy in Bhubneshawar, India was a great achievement of the team. "It was a great turnaround and comeback by the team after dismal start in league rounds,” he said on his return from India. He said Champions Trophy was considered the toughest global event of world hockey and securing second spot was a huge achievement in current hockey scenario.

Full-back Imran said his team boosted by the team management came strongly from the quarterfinal rounds. He agreed that quarterfinal format greatly benefitted the team and it changed their fortunes. "Definitely the format introduced in 2012 benefitted and our team played great hockey from the knockout rounds," the Olympian said.

He said the whole team and management deserved the credit for reaching the final of a major event for the first time in 16 years was very encouraging and boosting. He said after back to back three defeat, first chief coach worked out tactics and later he had session with his boys including five newcomers. "The experience gained by the boys in league rounds proved vital in better tactical play which helped good win against the Netherlands and India," he recalled.

He said they gave free hand to players to play their natural game without fear factor. "This strategy worked out well and our new penalty corer drills proved a vital factor in our win against the Dutch team," he added. Imran said despite partisan crowd, team played spiritedly to down India in last four stage.

He expressed the hope that after their good performances team will be rewarded by the government. He said Pakistan played for honor and glory of the country and deserved to be treated well. He, however, said a great hard work is required to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janerio Olympics.

The Nation

Shahnaz dismayed over FIH-IHF’s treatment to Pakistan hockey team



ISLAMABAD: Manager-cum-chief coach Shahnaz Sheikh is shocked at the treatment meted out to the Pakistan hockey team by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and Indian Hockey Federation during the recently concluded 35th FIH Champions Trophy in Bhubneshwar. The FIH put a ban on two Pakistan players for one match each, in the aftermath of Pakistan’s victory over India in the Champions Trophy semifinal. The FIH put one match ban each on Amjad Hussain and Tauseeq Ahmed for misconduct, while Shafqat Rasool was let off with a warning. The duo were not able to represent Pakistan in the final against Germany. Pakistan lost the final against Germany 0-2.

After comprehensively winning the semifinal 4-3 against India, Pakistan players removed their shirts, started dancing in jubilation, and raised obscene gestures towards the crowd. Shahnaz tendered an apology for wild celebrations by the players but India’s hockey chief demanded an action and the FIH succumbed to the IHF pressure and suspended Pakistan players. The IHF also lashed out at the FIH for not taking more action against the Pakistan and threatened not to host world meets in future. “It was a conspiracy against the Pakistan team and I was forced to apologise. And I apologised in the interest of our hockey,” he said on Wednesday. Former Olympian Shahnaz strongly defended his players for their celebration and added that a non-issue was blown out of proportions. He declared it a conspiracy that denied Pakistan to regain the title after almost two decades. Swift forward of his era, Shahnaz admitted that suspension on Tousiq and Amjad affected the performance of the team in the final. “Had the issue not been blown out of proportion, Pakistan team had the chance to win the title against Germany.”

He said he was given tough time by the FIH and IHF for nearly four hours before the issue of ‘wild celebrations’ was settled with an apology ahead of the final. Shahnaz said goal-scoring celebrations were the part of game the world over and his boys were unnecessarily punished by the FIH. He expressed the hope the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) would take up the issue with the FIH for treatment meted out to the national team. He said despite the situation the greenshirts were not provided any security and they travelled on their own from New Delhi to Amritsar. “Treatment of the Indian officials at the Attari Border was also not courteous, which was very disappointing. Travelling without any security could have caused any mishap. But luckily the team arrived safely back in Lahore,” he maintaied.

He called for unity among the nation to deal such issues with India. Shahnaz said his team were unable to perform well in the league round because they were appearing in major international event for the first time in 18 months. “Pakistan did not play badly against Belgium and Australia but I was deeply disappointed with the 8-2 loss against England. But despite three defeats, I had a ray of hope and I am absolutely delighted the way my team made a comeback in the quarterfinal and semifinal.” He said angels were helping his teams when they beat India 4-3 in a highly tense match. He complimented his team for restoring the pride of Pakistan hockey as they came from nowhere to return with a silver medal. “Hats off to my team for their fighting and sporting spirit. My mission is to help Pakistan team to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics,” he concluded.

The Daily Times

Better sense must prevail to keep hockey’s greatest contest going

Anwar Zuberi

Hockey matches between Pakistan and India, be at either side of the border or elsewhere, are fought fiercely and in a do or die fashion. The two nations treat every match as the final even if it’s a pool game. The celebrations that followed Pakistan’s win over India in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar and the subsequent one-match ban on two players besides reprimanding one and apology by team management has intensified the rivalry once again.

Pakistan’s 4-3 victory over arch rivals that also helped them avenge their Asian Games final defeat followed some indecent actions by a few players who went a step ahead by flouting the disciplinary rules.

It was a brilliant victory, indeed, and it would only have been befitting if the players had taken a decent victory lap after the semifinal win.

The two teams displayed a quality game during the stipulated time and in the end the better team won.

This was not the first time that Pakistan beat India on their own turf. The Greenshirts have had many notable victories against India in India during the past and the top of the list remains their brilliant 7-1 drubbing of the arch-rivals in the 1982 Delhi Asian Games final.

The greenshirts also lifted the fifth World Cup at Mumbai but that came about with a stunning 3-1 victory over Germany as India had failed to make it to the final then.

In 1986, however, the two Asian giants who ruled the game for long touched a low ebb when they had to play the classification match for the 11th and 12th positions at the 1986 Willesden World Cup. Pakistan, however, avoided the bottom slot after beating India 3-2.

Likewise, India has also an impressive record against Pakistan, both at home and abroad that include victories in the Olympic Games, World Cups, Asian and SAF Games, Indo-Pak series etc.

Pakistan won the second Indira Gandhi memorial hockey tournament at Lucknow in 1988, their first triumph after the twin debacle at Seoul Asian Games and Willesden World Cup where they failed to defend the title. The greenshirts had blanked USSR 3-0 in that Lucknow final.

However, second and third Asia Cup hockey tournament finals and the Lahore World Cup among others have bitter memories for both the nations, not just on the field but off it too.

The second Asia Cup final played between the two regional giants of the game – Pakistan and India – at Dhaka in 1985 has gone into the annals of the game as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) banned six Indian players for roughing up the umpire after they disputed a goal allowed by him. Pakistan won the final 3-2.

The Pakistan-India clash in the third Asia Cup final played at Delhi’s Shivaji Stadium in 1989 was marred by clashes and stone pelting by a section of crowd. If that was not enough, the bus in which Pakistan team was going to the hotel after winning the Asia Cup for a third consecutive time was chased by some people riding motorbikes who pelted stones at the windows of the bus, injuring some players and team officials.

In Pakistan, slogans were raised against the Indian hockey team at the Lahore World Cup in 1990. This correspondent is a witness to both Delhi and Lahore incidents.

The bilateral series that is in the interest of the two nations has already hit a snag. Incidents such as the one witnessed in Bhubaneswar this week after the high-voltage semifinal can take the two teams to point of no return which will be catastrophic for both the nations.

Its high time that fans on either side of the border realise that emotions running high on such occasions can spoil a good game and create unnecessary tension. The respective federations should also conduct regular counseling sessions to groom and discipline the players in the larger interest of the game. The other solution, of course, is that we stop playing each other which will certainly deprive millions of the game’s greatest contest.

Dawn

EHL stars on mark for Spain, Poland, NZ and Canada

EHL players were among the goals in the last week as the winter break from club action welcomes in a series of international fixtures around the globe.

In Alicante, Spain shaded a thrilling 5-4 result against Poland in the first game of their three-match series. Polo’s Xavi Lleonart got the only goal of the first quarter but Krystian Makowski – of Pomorzanin Torun – beat Quico Torres to tie things.

OZ’s Gabriel Dabanch restored the Spanish lead for 2-1 but Grunwald Poznan man Karol Majchrzak once again replied for 2-2 at half-time.

His club mate Pawel Bratkowski then made it 3-2 from Poland’s second penalty corner. Spain, though, turned the tide from there on as Albert Beltran, Dabanch and Atletic Terrassa’s Marc Salles netted the next three goals for a 5-3 lead. Bratkowski did get one back but too late for the Poles to nab a draw.

In New Zealand, HC Bra’s Joe Bartholomew powered home a penalty corner for the Blacksticks against visiting Canada in their series in a 4-0 win in game one.

Racing Club de France’s James Kirkpatrick got on the board for Canad in game two but his side fell 3-1 as the world number sixes ran up a series whitewash.

These games are among the warm-up games for round two of the World League for Poland and Canada as they start their bid to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Euro Hockey League media release

Women's National Team roster selected for New Zealand Tour

Twenty-one athletes to take part in training camp and test matches abroad

Field Hockey Canada and the Canadian Women’s National Field Hockey Program have selected 21 athletes to travel to New Zealand in January for a tour, which will include a training camp and test matches.

The touring Women’s National Team consists of two goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders, and five forwards. The roster comprises of members from the 2015 Women’s National Team and Senior Development squads, which were named earlier in December.

Five athletes – Alex Thicke (North Vancouver, BC), Beckett Frisch (Calgary, AB), Katarina Angus (West Vancouver, BC), Rosie Beale (Victoria, BC), and Steph Snyder (Waterloo, ON) – will likely make their first international appearances for Canada in the test matches versus New Zealand.

The trip to New Zealand will be the Women’s National Team’s first major activity of 2015 and will serve as key preparation for World League 2, which takes place in March and is step towards 2016 Olympic qualification.

The New Zealand training camp will take place from January 19-30th. The camp will be followed by three friendly matches, and three official test matches against the New Zealand National Team, which is ranked fourth in the world.

Canadian Women’s National Team New Zealand Touring Roster

New Zealand Tour Schedule 

January 19-30 – Training Camp

January 31 – Match 1 vs. NZL “A”

February 1 – Match 2 vs. NZL “A”

February 3 – Friendly vs. NZL

February 5 – Test Match 1 vs. NZL

February 7 – Test Match 1 vs. NZL

February 8 – Test Match 1 vs. NZL

Field Hockey Canada media release

Coaching Forum Brings Together Coaches of All Levels to Learn from Top U.S. Coaches

The 2014 USA Field Hockey National Coaches Forum held at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa. this past weekend was a great success in bringing together an assortment of talent to collaborate on their passions: coaching field hockey. A total of 116 coaches from 21 different states gathered to learn a variety of best practices and skills from a generous U.S. Women’s National Team Coaching Staff. U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Craig Parnham, U.S Women’s National Team Assistant Coach and U21 Head Coach Janneke Schopman, USA Field Hockey Director of Performance Science Dave Hamilton and USA Field Hockey Performance Analyst Nate Franks all gave presentations to the group of astute students.

“It was fantastic to see coaches of all levels from across the country come together and be actively involved in learning from the U.S. Women’s National Team Coaching Staff,” said USA Field Hockey Senior Manager of Coach Education Liz Tchou. “Craig, Janneke, Dave and Nate went above and beyond to share best practices, videos of drills and practice plans among the USA Field Hockey coaching community.”

“I have been a coach for 26 years and have attended many clinics, and this one was at the very top,” said Kim Barbacci, Assistant Coach at Wyoming Seminary High School. “The knowledge of the staff was outstanding and the ability to interact with the staff was the difference maker.”

Saturday’s sessions featured several classroom presentations by Parnham, Franks and Schopman. Parnham focused on the past year for the U.S. Women’s National Squad and discussed areas both on and off the pitch, technical and tactical focuses and culture and environmental developments. Franks covered practice and performance analysis, including World Cup statistics. Schopman looked into talent development in the U.S. and implementation of the Junior High Performance programs. The day concluded with a presentation from both Parnham and Schopman on the transferability of skills from training settings to match play.

Hamilton opened up Sunday’s sessions on the pitch speaking about the U.S. Women’s National Team’s journey so far, the NCAA model of field hockey in the U.S. and training considerations. Schopman went on to demonstrate the proper execution of the drag flick and the shootout. Hamilton also covered principles of a proper warm up before Parnham and Schopman lead the group through the core exercises utilized by the U.S. Women’s National squad on a regular basis.

“The intention of the forum is to engage with coaches from across the country to share ideas and experience,” said Parnham. “I hope that the discussions will have sparked some ideas that will continue the growth of coaching within the sport.”

On breaks between sessions, the wheels were turning full speed in the minds of the passionate group of coaches. The weekend facilitated an incredible open learning environment, allowing for the collaboration and sharing of information, experiences and tips between coaches of all levels, skills and abilities.

“The 2014 National Coaches Forum was an exceptional event,” said Pace University Coach Valerie Hixon. “It was an excellent opportunity to share ideas, strategies and viewpoints in a community environment while maintaining the intent of advancing the sport of field hockey. The forum was filled with passionate coaches looking for inventive ways to mentor athletes and teach the game. It was truly an inspiring event that not only increased my excitement to get onto the field, but also to be more engaged with USA Field Hockey! What a fantastic group of coaches, trainers, analysts and support staff we have at all levels!”

“We want to give a big thank you to Lyndsay Warner, the entire Spook Nook Sports staff and all of the coaches who attended for helping to make the 2014 National Coaches Forum such a wonderful weekend,” said Tchou. “We look forward to digesting the feedback, improving upon the program for 2015 and seeing how each and every one of you takes the information learned from this weekend and implements it onto your own turf!”

It’s also necessary to extend many thanks to Teamzilla for supplying all of the weekend’s participants with a t-shirt, Zag Sports for sponsoring the social on Saturday evening and Sport Write!

"I am positive that this was the best coaching education moment I have been a part of through USA Field Hockey throughout my entire time in the States since 1998,” said University of Delaware Head Coach Rolf Van de Kerkhof. “I think it was great that the event was opened up to high school coaches and hope that USA Field Hockey welcomes this coaching group in years to come. Together, we have to develop coaches and the game so that it is irrelevant what hockey level the coach is acting at. Perhaps when numbers and interest raise, there may be more specific guided program towards a certain hockey level, but for now this is a very good start."

USFHA media release

Gold Coast Mayor welcomes Futures

Mayor of Gold Coast visits Hockey Australia's National Development Camp



Some of Australia’s most promising young hockey players have chosen the Gold Coast as their training ground, with Hockey Australia’s National Junior Development taking up residence for a fortnight.

Around 50 boys and 50 girls, six of them from the Gold Coast region, are participating in the training camp at Keith Hunt Park in Labrador, home of the hockey competition for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games™ (GC2018).

The camp participants are part of the National Futures Program, with many considered potential prospects for the 2016 Junior World Cups, to be held in India and Chile.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate met with some of the players and coaches on Tuesday to welcome them to the city.

“The City of Gold Coast provided some incentive funding to bring these camps here as part of our Sport Plan, which aims to make our city a sporting events capital as well as strengthen sports at a grass roots level,” he said.

“Hockey is one of the big legacy winners from the Commonwealth Games, with the redevelopment of Keith Hunt Park to transform it into a world-class facility with international-standard pitches. It is due for completion 12 months out from GC2018 and will be capable of holding 5,000 spectators.” 
 
Commonwealth Games Minister Jann Stuckey said it was great to see GC2018 inspire future sports stars.

“GC2018 will prove to Queenslanders ‘anything is possible’ and already athletes across the state are daring to dream about representing their country at what will be the biggest sporting event in Australia this decade,” said Ms Stuckey.

“Following GC2018, new and upgraded infrastructure across the coast will provide first-class facilities for local athletes to excel. GC2018 infrastructure will also attract more training camps and sporting events, growing visitation to the city and supporting our economy.”

Michael Crooks, Hockey Australia’s National Talent Pathway Manager, said the camps had been built around the Gold Coast as it aligns its junior development over the next four years with the Commonwealth Games.

“The priority focus during the camp is on skill acquisition in a training environment with the opportunity to put those skills into practice in matches. This camp features on-turf training sessions and development workshops on a range of other elements, including education on nutrition, anti-doping, team dynamics and psychology,” he said.

“We’re grateful to the Australian Commonwealth Games Association for its support in helping us fund opportunities to develop these young athletes in the lead up to GC2018, and to the Mayor, the City of Gold Coast and the entire Gold Coast community for making us so welcome. Without the generous support of Gold Coast Hockey Association, Labrador Hockey Club, The Southport School and Griffith University, this camp would simply not have happened.”

Cr Tate said as a result of the camp being held on the Gold Coast, male and female teams from both New Zealand and Japan, along with a men’s team from India, were all visiting during the fortnight to play the national youth development teams.  

Former Kookaburra Matthew Wells, Olympic gold medallist and current Queensland Academy of Sport men’s hockey head coach, is leading the men’s camp. Olympic bronze medallist Craig Victory, also a former Kookaburra, and currently Australian National Junior Coach, is leading the women’s camp.

Local school children will also benefit from the camp, with a number of coaching clinics on offer from older participating athletes.

Read more about the National Development Camps in a feature story by Gené Stephan on the More Gold Coast website.

Adapted from City of Gold Coast media release

Hockey Australia media release

Terengganu to compete in MJHL

By Aftar Singh


Coach K. Dharmaraj (right) feels that the time has come for KLHC to compete in the MJHL to produce a bigger pool of players for the future.

KUALA LUMPUR: Terengganu, fired up by their double in the just-concluded Malaysia Hockey League (MHL), have entered a team – Terengganu Juniors – to compete in the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL).

Terengganu team manager Mohd Saberi Salleh said the MJHL would be a good avenue to produce talented players for the state.

“We want to be a dominant force in hockey. We are participating in the league in preparation for the 2016 Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak. Our target is to win the Sukma gold in two years’ time,” added Saberi.

Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC), the league and overall runners-up in the MHL, have also entered a team for the first time.

“We have featured in the MHL since 2000 and the time has come for us to compete in the MJHL to produce a bigger pool of players for the future,” said KLHC coach K. Dharmaraj.

The other team making their debut is SMK Tun Hussein Onn of Batu Pahat.

The league, for Under-19 players, begins on Jan 16 with a total prize money of RM145,000. It has attracted 31 teams, the same as last season.

Ten teams will play in Division One with the rest competing in Division Two, which will be divided into three groups.

Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)-Thunderbolts are again the favourites to win the double – Division One and overall titles. They were the double winners for the last three seasons.

Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) executive competition secretary Hashim Mohd Yusoff said they would meet next week to decide the 10 teams in Division One.

The Star of Malaysia

African record for Sharkia Hockey Club

Sharkia team played six games before the final round, in which the team won five, and tied in one.


Sharkia Club continues its hockey achievements by entering the Guinness Book of Records as the club won the African Championship Hockey League, its 26th edition, making the 23rd African win in history, 12 consecutive African titles, a sports record in the Encyclopaedia of World Sport.

Sharkia Club continues its hockey achievements by entering the Guinness Book of Records as the club won the African Championship Hockey League, its 26th edition, making the 23rd African win in history, 12 consecutive African titles, a sports record in the Encyclopaedia of World Sport.

Sharkia Club continues its hockey achievements by entering the Guinness Book of Records as the club won the African Championship Hockey League, its 26th edition, making the 23rd African win in history, 12 consecutive African titles, a sports record in the Encyclopaedia of World Sport.

Sharkia Club won the title following a win against the Egyptian Police Club (former winner of the title), with 1 goal to 0 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in the presence of an estimated 5,000 to 20,000 fans who filled the stadium.

Four Egyptian teams took part in the 26th edition of the African Cup of Club Champions hockey (men and women) in Zimbabwe: Sharkia team (men and women), Police Sports Association team (men), and Shams team (women).

Sharkia team played six games before the final round, in which the team won five, and tied in one. In the first game, the team won against Hamilton, Zimbabwe’s champion, in the second against Malawi’s champion, Genetrix, in the third against Hypo, Zimbabwe’s champion, in the fourth the team had a tie with the Police team, in the fifth the team won against Police Machines, champion of Nigeria, and in the sixth against Trastis, Ghana’s team.

Meanwhile, the women’s team won the Kenya Women hockey title after winning against the host team in Zimbabwe by 7 goals to 0, maintaining the title, which it won last year in Ugandan capital Kampala.

Sharkia team followed its African dream in 1988 by winning the first African Clubs Championship which was hosted in Egypt in Police Sports Association Club. The team carried on with the African winnings in consecutive championships, year after year, with a total of 23 out of 26 African championships, as well as 19 wins in the local league and six Egyptian cups. The team made it to the Guinness Book of Records and became the first Arab team to be in the records and have a distinct place globally.

Daily News Egypt