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All the news for Saturday 20 December 2014

Semi-finals bring conflicting emotions to razor-sharp Nolands PSI sides

JONATHAN COOK

Semi-finals day! What a mouthwatering prospect - and so it proved at Noland PSI Nationals 2014 Thursday for the U16 and U18 Sections.

A classic clash was the Boys U18A Section semi-final between last year’s finalists Namibia Hawks and unbeaten Cape Town Seals.

The spirited Hawks, inspired by brilliant captain Ernest Jacobs, clawed their way back to win 6-5 with the winner by Wayne Jeffery a bullet in the last second. Phew!

This year’s standout team and reigning champs Gauteng Gryphons A were too good for a determined Durban Panthers, coming out 9-3 winners in the other semi and there is surely no doubt that Friday’s 11.15am Boys U18A Section marquee match for gold will see the Windhoek lads offer a much better performance than their convincing defeat by the fabulous Gryphons in the Pool match.

There was joy and heartbreak at the same Bel Har court for Midlands Stallions and the talented Gryphons B respectively, the Maritzburg-based side of coach Brandon Swart winning this relegation match in Boys U18A Section by a whisker.

Girls U18A Section semis saw CT Seals coach Brinsley Powell’s slick side beat a game Nam Hawks 5-2 while Boland Foxes edged defending champs Gryphons in a thrilling climax.

The Boys and Girls U16 Sections’ semi-finals had just as much drama, joy and disappointment. See the results on the PSI website.

Friday’s prize-giving is at about 12.15pm following the Boys U18A Section final.

It’s gonna be a chock-a-block-buster of a morning!

All Thursday’s results, final logs and Friday’s medal and relegation matches start times and venues from all the Sections are on the website, as well as other compelling news.

PSI Media release

Gryphons U18A boys retain PSI title in absolute heart-stopper

JONATHAN COOK

PSI Nationals 2014 came to a thrilling close on UCT Court 1 when coach Jean de Wilde’s brilliant Gauteng Gryphons clinched back-to-back U18A Section Boys titles 2-1 on penalty shootout in a mesmerising final against mentor Trevor Cormack’s magnificent Namibia Hawks after the scores were tied 6-6 at full-time.

Coach Brinsley Powell’s classy Cape Town Seals won the Girls U18A Section gold medal after beating coach AJ Spieringshoek’s brave Boland Foxes 5-3 after withstanding a spirited Foxes fightback.

Boys U16A Section saw a classic clash won 3-2 by reigning champs Boland Foxes over Gauteng Gryphons in another heart-stopper.

Gryphons coach Errol Davis’s charges made a great comeback but Keenan Horne’s wily Foxes nailed the winner with just five seconds left for a memorable victory.

At CPUT, the U16A Section Girls title went to coach Michael Joseph’s quality Boland Foxes, 3-1 over Namibia Hawks coach Shayne Cormack’s superb line-up.

* There will be more finals news and award winners plus the PSI South Africa All Stars teams later, or catch it all on the PSI website .

PSI media release

Hauke looking forward to special Leipzig atmosphere



Tobias Hauke is looking forward to a “very special atmosphere” when the Indoor Hockey World Cup comes to Arena Leipzig in early February 2015.

While the German panel has yet to be finalised, the 27-year-old Harvestehuder man is  likely to captain the tournament favourites and is looking forward to a special event.

The double Olympic champion also has two World Cup indoor titles to his name – in 2007 in Vienna and 2011 in Poznan.

And, speaking to the Indoor World Cup tournament website, Hauke said: “Indoor hockey brings a very special atmosphere. Since the tournament was announced for Leipzig, I have been hopeful of playing in the tournament.

“For a long time, with the upcoming Olympic qualifiers in the summer, it was unsure how the team would look for the World Indoor Championships but, after the Champions Trophy, German coach Markus Weise is happy for me to play.

“I was also captain at the 2012 European Indoor Championship in Leipzig. The sports fans of the city and the organizers created an atmosphere that was simply outstanding there!"

Hauke is among a wealth of players from Harvestehuder THC who are likely to play in the competition with Switzerland’s Yanik Kloter, Austria’s Michael Korper, Benjamin Stanzl and Xaver Hasun and Sweden’s Johan and Joakim Björkman likely to take part.

Germany play in a group with Sweden, Iran, the Czech Republic, Austria and Australia.

Euro Hockey League media release

USA Women's Indoor Hockey Prepares for Germany Tour

The U.S. Women’s National Indoor Hockey Team will send selected Senior and U-19 Teams to Hamburg, Germany through December 29, 2014 to January 5.

Team USA will train and play against top Bundesliga German club sides in and around the Hamburg area. Host clubs for the tour will be TG Heimfeld coached by Tobi Bremer (liaisons' contact) and Grossflottbeker HC coached by former German Women’s Indoor Head Coach Michi Behrmann.

"This tour is part of the indoor program’s long-term strategic mission to form strong bonds with the international hockey community whilst continuing to expose our players to top-flight indoor hockey," said Interim Head coach Rennie Milne.

The Germany tour will be all encompassing. The players will train, play, learn, analyze and develop over the eight-day tour. Scheduled matches against club sides will be played in the evenings whilst training will be covered during the daytime. Both players and coaching staff are looking forward to the tour and are excited to get it started.

Returning staff member Matt Jobson will be in charge of the goalkeepers and managerial duties. Erick Enters, newly appointed USA U16 Indoor Coach, will be assisting Head Coach, Rennie Milne, on the tour.

Senior Team

Name                                     Hometown

Maeve Doherty                     Millersville, MD
Caroline Hanks                     Niskayuna, NY
Alexa Hoover                        Collegeville, PA
Maria Keesling                      Downingtown, PA
Elizabeth Mata                      Severna Park, PA
Rachael Milne                       Hatfield, PA
Meghan Plank                      Glen Mills, PA
Mallory Weisen                     Lock Haven, PA
Thalia Williamson                 Oley, PA

U19 Team

Name
Jennifer Bleakney                 Columbia, MD
Lexi Davidson                       North Andover, MA
Olivia Hoover                        Collegeville, PA
Carly Kauffman                     Fleetwood, PA
Meredith Shoulder                Fleetwood, PA
Ava Rosati                            Lower Gwynedd, PA
Brigid Wood                          Plains, PA

Head Coach: Rennie Milne

Assistant Coach: Erik Enters

Manager and GK coach: Matt Jobson

USFHA media release

Women’s Junior Team named for U21 Series with United States

Four-game series begin on February 12, 2015

Field Hockey Canada’s Women’s National Program has named twenty-two athletes to the Women’s National Junior Development Team set to take part in a four-game series versus the American Under-21 team at Spooky Nook in Lancaster, Pennsylvania from February 9-17, 2015.

The athletes were selected from the recently named Women’s National Team Junior Development Squad.

Three members of the touring roster – Lauren Logush (Richmond Hill, ON), Priya Randhawa (Surrey, BC), and Nikki Woodcroft (Waterloo, ON) – are also a part of the Senior Development Squad and will bring international experience to the roster, which comprises mainly of many athletes who be playing their first international matches for Canada.

Upon arriving at Spooky Nook, Canada will begin with two days of training before competing in four games against the American squad, beginning on February 12.

2015 Women’s U21 CanAm Series Roster

2015 Women’s U21 CanAm Series Staff

Robin D’Abreo – Head Coach

Krista Thompson – Team Manager

2015 Women’s U21 CanAm Series Schedule

Game 1 – February 12th, 9:00pm

Game 2 – February 13th, 6:00pm

Game 3 – February 15th, 6:00pm

Game 4 – February 16th, 12:00pm

Field Hockey Canada media release

Men’s national squads announced

National men’s senior and development groups named for 2015



The national men’s senior and development groups have been named for 2015. Next year’s senior squad of 28 athletes will welcome on-board four new faces ensuring a sustainable future for the Australian men’s senior squad, an inclusion of eight athletes will be added into the national men’s development squad.

New inclusions in the 2015 senior list are recent debutants Tom Craig (Lane Cove, NSW) and Matthew Dawson (Central Coast, NSW). The pair recently returned home from the 2014 Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar, India after claiming bronze medals. Craig and Dawson were called up to play their first international test series in Perth against India last month.

Leon Hayward from the Northern Territory has made the step up from the national development squad to next year’s senior group. Leon Hayward also participated in Perth’s India test series showcasing a bright future as an Australian goalkeeper, having previously played for the Kookaburras in the last International Super Series in 2013. He joins his brother Jeremy in the senior squad.

Queenslander, Dylan Wotherspoon will make the transition from the 2014 development squad to the 2015 senior squad after debuting for the Kookaburras in November at the India test series. Wotherspoon was also a representative at the 2013 Junior World Cup.

Supporting the national senior squad, the development squad provides athletes with exposure to international hockey and development opportunities as a pathway into the senior group. Featuring seven new athletes and one 2014 senior athlete, the development squad will provide an opportunity for the athletes to transition into the senior squad if performances within the training environment and at a competition level progress.

Current senior player Kieran Govers’ younger brother Blake Govers has been named in the development squad. Blake had an encouraging 2014 and will now be given an opportunity to press for national selection and to play alongside his older brother in the green and gold.

New South Welshman Flynn Ogilvie, a recent debutant and bronze medallist at the 2014 Champions Trophy, will join Govers alongside 11 others in the development squad, having already had a taste of international hockey with ten international caps under his belt for the Kookaburras.

The 2015 national men’s senior group has a range of quality and experienced players remaining in the group with the likes of Mark Knowles, Jamie Dwyer and Simon Orchard who will play a key role in mentoring these younger athletes.

Next year’s key focus will be on building capacity and competition exposure within the squads, allowing for a deep competitive squad and a strong selection process going into 2016.

Discussing the selected national senior squad for 2015, Kookaburras Assistant Coach Paul Gaudoin said, “The 2015 senior squad has been selected with a strong emphasis on the 2016 Rio Olympics. Through recent training and competition opportunities, some new athletes have been exposed to international hockey and have been rewarded for their performances though inclusion into the national squad.

“The introduction of three new faces under the age of 21 highlights the importance of development and depth in supporting programs in the Australian system and pathway. Dawson, Craig and Wotherspoon showcased strong performances in the Australian Hockey League in October. Matthew Dawson and Dylan Wotherspoon have also backed up recent performances from the Junior World Cup last year.”

The national senior and development groups will be reconfirmed after the World League semi finals in July 2015. The national senior squad will be refined to a maximum of 27 athletes to strive for ultimate success at the 2016 Rio Olympics and beyond.

National Men’s Senior Squad 2015
Athlete (Hometown, State)
Daniel Beale (Brisbane, QLD)
Kiel Brown (Toowoomba, QLD)
Nick Budgeon (Hobart, TAS)
Joel Carroll (Darwin, NT)
Andrew Charter (Canberra, ACT)
Chris Ciriello (Melbourne, VIC)
Tom Craig (Lane Cove, NSW)
Matthew Dawson (Central Coast, NSW)
Tim Deavin (Launceston, TAS)
Jamie Dwyer (Rockhampton, QLD)
Russell Ford (Melbourne, VIC)
Matt Gohdes (Rockhampton, QLD)
Kieran Govers (Wollongong, NSW)
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT)
Leon Hayward (Darwin, NT)
Fergus Kavanagh (Geraldton, WA)
Mark Knowles (Rockhampton, QLD)
Tyler Lovell (Perth, WA)
Trent Mitton (Perth, WA)
Eddie Ockenden (Hobart, TAS)
Simon Orchard (Maitland, NSW)
Glenn Simpson (Melbourne, VIC)
Matthew Swann (Mackay, QLD)
Glenn Turner (Goulburn, NSW)
Jake Whetton (Brisbane, QLD)
Tristan White (Wollongong, NSW)
Dylan Wotherspoon (Mulwillumbah, QLD)
Aran Zalewski (Margaret River, WA)

National Men’s Development Squad 2015
Athlete (Hometown, State)
Kiran Arunasalam (Doncaster East, VIC)
Chris Bausor (Perth, WA) 
Josh Beltz (Old Beach, TAS)
Craig Boyne (Perth, WA)
Tim Cross (Melbourne, VIC)
Tristan Clemons (Bunbury, WA)
Jeremy Edwards (Hobart, TAS)
Blake Govers (Wollongong, NSW)
Kurt Mackey (Lauderdale, TAS)
Nathan McGuire (Perth, WA)
Flynn Ogilvie (Wollongong, NSW)
Andrew Philpott (Melbourne, VIC)
Matthew Willis (Victoria Park, NSW)

Hockey Australia media release

Pakistani players could face stiffer ban: FIH

NEW DELHI: The FIH president Leandro Negre said that disciplinary committee of the parent body could hand out a stiffer punishment to the Pakistani hockey players Muhammad Tousiq and Ali Amjad for making obscene gestures post their Champions Trophy semifinal win against India.

The International Hockey Federation initially let two Pakistani players off with a warning before Hockey India's strong protest led to the two offenders being banned for the final against Germany.

"Whenever such a situation arises, the technical director of the tournament takes the final call. The correct decision was taken after watching the videos and photos of the Pakistani players' celebrations. The matter is with the disciplinary committee now and it will decide what more action needs to be taken against the players," FIH top boss Negre said on Friday.

Reacting to Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh's allegations that it was an "Indian conspiracy", behind punishing his players, Negre said that it was Sheikh's personal view.

"What the Pakistani coach has said is his view. I have my own opinion on the matter. The reaction of the Pakistani players was not polite at all. It was rather provocative. The FIH did exactly what they had to do and took the right decision (to ban two players)," Negre added.

While Tousiq and Amjad were banned for the final, a third player at the centre of controversy -- Shafqat Rasool -- was let off with a warning.

Olympian Shahnaz, after reaching Pakistan, said the team was forced to tender an unconditional apology after Hockey India pressurised FIH to take action strict against players, adding that the hosts did all of this to dampen the team's spirits before the final the following day.

The Times of India

Champions Trophy fiasco: Shahnaz Sheikh writes report to FIH

By Nabil Tahir


According to Sheikh, the report will first be presented to the Pakistan Hockey Federation, who will forward it to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) after studying it. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: Disenchanted with the treatment meted out to the Pakistan hockey team during the recently concluded Champions Trophy, head coach Shahnaz Sheikh has written a report about the chain of events that occurred in India.

According to Sheikh, the report will first be presented to the Pakistan Hockey Federation, who will forward it to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) after studying it.

“I’ve written a report on all the decisions taken against us, which were not only detrimental to the team but are harmful for the future of hockey as well,” Sheikh told The Express Tribune.

While expounding on the details of the report, Sheikh said that the banning of two key players and other hurdles placed in Pakistan’s way were some of the tactics used to pressurise the players mentally.

“Our players took off their shirts and made some inappropriate gestures, but it was all in the heat of celebration and due to the contentious hooting and abusive language used by the Indian crowd,” said the coach.

He further stated that the German players also made the same gestures to Pakistan after scoring a goal, an episode which was neglected by the Indian media as well as the FIH.

“I have requested the FIH in the report that they take strong action against Hockey India’s behaviour for the overall betterment and future of hockey,” he said. “If they cannot bear defeat on their homeland, they should not host any international hockey events.”

The Express Tribune

India conspired against us before Champions Trophy final, fumes Pakistan coach Shahnaz

KARACHI: Pakistan hockey team coach Shahnaz Sheikh has alleged that it was ‘India's conspiracy’ to put pressure on his players ahead of the Champions Trophy final against Germany, which his team lost 0-2. Pakistan players had engaged in wild celebrations after beating arch-rivals India 4-3 in a nail-biting semi-final in Bhubaneswar with some taking their jerseys off while making obscene gesture towards the Indian spectators. As a result two of his players Amjad Ali and Mohammed Tousiq were banned.

Shahnaz, a former Olympian alleged foul-play and also said that a "small incident" was blown out of proportion. “The way the incident of our players celebrating after the semi-final win over India was blow out of proportion and the manner in which we were put under pressure before the final against Germany is a confirmation of Indian conspiracy. They didn't want us to win the title,” Shahnaz was quoted as in an interview. Shahnaz also complained that the team wasn't provided with any security as they were returning by bus crossing the Wagah Border. “It was a long drive and there was no security escort given to us which was strange because in the past buses have been stoned and harassed on this route. More importantly, soon after we beat India in the semi-final, the attitude towards us changed and it added to the pressure on us before the final,” fumed Shahnaz.

The Indian media and Hockey India had lashed out at the Pakistan players after their over-the-top celebrations but the celebrated player of his time defended the incident. “It was natural action on their part and it wasn't done with any wrong intention. They are youngsters and they got emotional and carried away. But the way the incident was blown out of proportion and the way I was pressurized to submit a public apology was an awful experience,” said Shahnaz.

He went on to allege that even India's behaviour after their Asian Games triumph was not at all sporting. “When the Indians beat us in the Asian Games final, they also celebrated in a big way and they made signs but we accepted all that in sporting spirit because such celebrations are done at spur of the moment. It's not meant to convey any message," added Shahnaz. He said he would like to see the Pakistan Hockey Federation take up the matter with the FIH. “The Indian hockey officials after the CT semi-final, literally bullied us and the match officials to ban two players which made a difference to us in the final,” he concluded.

The Daily Times

India conspired against us before CT final: Pak hockey coach


Pakistan hockey team coach Shahnaz Sheikh   

Pakistan hockey team coach Shahnaz Sheikh made allegations that it was “India’s conspiracy” to put pressure on his players ahead of the Champions Trophy final against Germany, which his team lost 0-2.

Pakistan players had engaged in wild celebrations after beating India 4-3 in the semifinal with some taking their jerseys off while making obscene gesture towards the Indian spectators. As a result two of his players Amjad Ali and Mohammed Tousiq were banned.

“The way the incident of our players celebrating after the semifinal win over India was blown out of proportion and the manner in which we were put under pressure before the final against Germany is a confirmation of Indian conspiracy.

They didn’t want us to win the title,” Sheikh said.

“It was natural action on their part and it wasn’t done with any wrong intention. They are youngsters and they got emotional and carried away. But the way the incident was blown out of proportion and the way I was pressurised to submit a public apology was an awful experience,” said Sheikh.

He went on to allege that even India’s behaviour after their Asian Games triumph was not at all sporting.

“When the Indians beat us in the Asian Games final, they also celebrated in a big way and they made signs but we accepted all that in sporting spirit because such celebrations are done at spur of the moment. It’s not meant to convey any message,” said Sheikh.

The Hindu

Pakistan to world hockey: ‘Unite against India’s overbearing attitude’

by Mihir Vasavda


Pak coach Sheikh was not happy with HI’s handling of the ‘celebration incident’. (Source: PTI)

Days after tendering a written unconditional apology, chief coach of the Pakistan hockey team Shahnaz Sheikh has claimed that it was forced upon him by Hockey India and International Hockey Federation (FIH) after spending ‘tough hours’ with them. He also called on the other nations to ‘unite against the overbearing attitude of India in world hockey and how they were trying to influence the game.’

Sheikh further alleged that the entire episode was a ‘conspiracy’ to ensure Pakistan did not beat Germany in the Champions Trophy final last Sunday in Bhubaneswar.

“What happened in Bhubaneswar was a conspiracy against our team, a clear case of victimisation where an apology was forced upon us which I submitted in the interest of Pakistan hockey,” he told the Associated Press of Pakistan in an interview.

Shahnaz strongly defended his players for their post-match celebrations and added that a non-issue was blown out of proportions to victimise Pakistan players. After beating India 4-3 in an epic semifinal clash in front of a packed Kalinga Stadium, the Pakistani players indulged in lewd celebrations. Sheikh ran on the pitch and slapped his second goalkeeper Amjad Ali while ordering the rest of the team to leave the field.

The FIH, after initially not imposing any sanctions on them, suspended Ali and midfielder Muhammad Tousik while reprimanding Shafqat Rasool. However, they acted only after Hockey India threatened not to host any international tournaments in the future. Sheikh said he was given a ‘tough time’ by Hockey India and FIH officials during the hearing, and accused them of using ‘pressure tactics’ to force an apology out of him.

“Whatever happened after the semifinal naturally played on the minds of our players in the final against the Germans,” he said.

Pakistan lost the final 2-0, eventually settling for the silver. Sheikh said the goal-scoring celebrations have been the part of the game the world over and his players were unnecessarily punished by the FIH. He also expressed hope that the cash-strapped Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will take up the matter seriously with FIH for the biased treatment meted out to the national team.

Sheikh also alleged that his team was not provided any security by the Indian officials when they travelled 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 said.

Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra said the coach’s opinion did not count for much and unless the PHF president gives a written apology, they will not play bilateral or trilateral series with them.

Indian Express

Black Stick women lack ruthless streak, says Anita Punt

BRENDON EGAN

   
LETHAL: Anita Punt was a big threat for the New Zealand hockey team this year, scoring 39 goals. Warwick Smith/Fairfax NZ

Black Sticks captain Anita Punt has mixed feelings about 2014.

Individually, Punt was a standout during New Zealand's exhausting 46-game season, producing the most consistent play of her career.

The 27-year-old scored an impressive 39 goals and has developed into a deadly drag flick weapon at penalty corner time.

She has risen to third on the New Zealand women's all-time goal-scoring list with 69 strikes, eight behind Katie Glynn and Krystal Forgesson, who have 77.

From a team perspective, it was very much a case of what might have been for the Black Sticks women.

A fifth place finish at the World Cup and third at the Commonwealth Games were viewed with disappointment.

New Zealand's youthful squad showed promise at the year-ending Champions Trophy in Argentina. They fell short of a place in the final, losing their semifinal to Australia on penalties.

Punt said it was frustrating to again miss out on playing in a final at an elite tournament.

She felt the team needed to develop more of a ruthless streak in elimination games and remember they did not come around every day.

"We just have to learn that when you get to the semifinals, you have to cherish them. They're really hard to get into.

"When we get there, we need to learn to grasp the opportunity and dig deeper, so we fight harder."

Crashing out of another major tournament on penalties was gut-wrenching for Punt and the team.

It has become an all too familiar sight for the Black Sticks women. They were also knocked out on penalties in the semifinals of this year's Commonwealth Games and the 2012 London Olympics.

Punt said the Black Sticks took penalties at every training session and generally fared well.

Before the Champions Trophy, during their home series against Australia and the United States, they ironically shot penalties at the end of games as practice.

Punt did not feel the Black Sticks needed to bring in specialist coaching or carry out additional mental skills work.

"I don't feel that pressure. I feel quite confident going into them. I'm not doubting myself.

"I don't know what it is. At the last little second, we're not clinical on the final execution. I don't know how you train that, because in training we're getting them in."

Punt believed the Black Sticks were tracking nicely 20 months out from the 2016 Rio Olympics.

With Kayla Whitelock and Emily Naylor taking time out from the international game, Glynn injured and Gemma Flynn unavailable, the Black Sticks were missing several of their best players for the Champions Trophy.

Add in the retirements of Forgesson and goalkeeper Bianca Russell, and New Zealand was missing over 1000 caps of experience from the side, who competed at June's World Cup.

Despite the heartbreaking semifinal exit to Australia, their young side held their own. They drew with World Cup and Olympic champions, the Netherlands, in pool play, and were convincing 3-1 winners over England in their quarterfinal.

"I think it's given me the belief we could do really well again at Rio. The girls didn't take a step back. Normally, against the stronger teams, like the Dutch, we take a step back."

Punt believed it was vital the New Zealand squad were involved in a centralised programme in the months before the Rio Olympics to reach their potential.

She said it was difficult heading away to tournaments when they only had limited training time with the non-Auckland based players.

Punt, who has played 185 tests since her debut in 2009, is poised to join an elite club next year.

Just four New Zealand women's players have reached the 200-game milestone - Naylor, Whitelock, Forgesson and Suzie Muirhead.

Punt's high number of games speaks volumes about her commitment to the black dress and today's hectic international hockey schedule.

"In my first year, I only got 10 caps. I got [to] 150 last year. To get 200 next year is really exciting."

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