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News for 14 March 2019

All the news for Thursday 14 March 2019


2019 FIH Pro League (Men) - Weekend fixtures

15 Mar 2019 11:00 (GMT +1)     ESP v GER (RR)      Estadio Betero, Valencia
16 Mar 2019 15:00 (GMT +11)     AUS v ARG (RR)     Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre, Sydney    
17 Mar 2019 15:00 (GMT +11)     AUS v NZL (RR)     Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre, Sydney

Live streaming and full game replay on https://fih.live (Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

FIH Match Centre



2019 FIH Pro League (Women) - Weekend fixtures

16 Mar 2019 17:00 (GMT +11)     AUS v ARG (RR)     Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre, Sydney    
17 Mar 2019 17:00 (GMT +11)     AUS v NZL (RR)     Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre, Sydney

Live streaming and full game replay on https://fih.live (Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)


FIH Match Centre



Who will shine in Sydney?



The Australia versus Argentina double header in Sydney this coming weekend has all the hallmarks of two classic hockey encounters.

In the opening match, Australia men (World Ranking: 2) hope to continue with winning ways after they defeated Spain 2-1 in their previous Pro League match. However, earlier matches saw the Kookaburras suffer a loss and a losing draw against Belgium and Netherlands respectively. Despite this, wins over Great Britain and Germany ensure Australia sit second in the table at the moment.

Their opponents, currently ranked fourth in the world, arrive in Sydney on the back of a dominant display against New Zealand, but have also shown weaknesses, particularly in their 4-1 loss at the hands of Belgium.

As the league table stands, Australia sit in second place, with Argentina in fourth but the Kookaburras have played one more game than their South American opponents. Head coach of Australia, Colin Batch will be looking for his team to show the same calm and control that saw them cross the finishing line against a combative Spanish side.

The women’s fixture pits another two in-form teams against each other. Australia and Argentina are ranked number three and four respectively in the world rankings. They are two sides with a point to prove after they have failed to win major events in last few seasons, so this encounter is likely to be a humdinger.

FIH spoke to two of the protagonists in Saturday’s match, goalkeeper Rachael Lynch whose performances in the Pro League have cemented her spot as one of the world’s top ‘keepers and Delfina Merino, Argentina’s mercurial striker, whose razor-sharp skills leave defenders trailing in her wake.

“For Las Leonas the FIH Pro League has been interesting and very intense,” says Merino. “We have played some games at home in front of our crowds and that has been great and now we are travelling to New Zealand, Australia and China.

“The whole team is really enjoying this adventure, playing one single, important game at a time, all around the world.”

For Argentina, the FIH Pro League has proved a happy hunting ground so far. They have won two, drawn two and lost only one match – a close encounter with the Netherlands that finished 2-1 to the world number one side. In addition, they have won the shoot-out bonus point in their two drawn matches. The results so far see them lying fourth in the Pro League table.

Australia have had an even better FIH Pro League campaign to date. They are currently in second place behind the Dutch and they have won four of their six games, including a 1-0 win over the Dutch. The blot on their landscape was a loss to the lowest ranked team, Belgium. But generally, the Hockeyroos are in red-hot form and enjoying the rarity of playing international matches in front of large, vociferous home crowds at stadiums across Australia.

Rachael Lynch is a player who is thriving in the intense FIH Pro League environment and she was pivotal to the win over the Dutch, saving time after time as the Oranje attempted to chase down a 1-0 deficit.

“Playing in front of home crowds is always a great advantage to us,” says Lynch, although Australia is so large that she adds that the squad has been on a plane for three-hour long flights for all their home games except one. “So it is not strictly a home and away league for us,” she adds wryly.

“But we have certainly embraced the challenge of the FIH Pro League so far and as a group we have had a lot of fun.”

And so the stage is set for two teams with a great hockey heritage to go head-to-head.

“Australia are a really strong team with fantastic skills,” says Merino. “And playing in front of their crowds will make it tricky for us but I trust in my team and we will fight to make sure we get another three points.”

When the two teams met in the Vitality Women’s Hockey World Cup, it was Lynch’s heroics in the shoot-out that sent Argentina home. If Saturday’s game goes to shoot-out, Lynch says she would revel in the chance to repeat the feat.

Official FIH Pro League Site



Kookaburras Take Extended Team For Sydney Matches

Ben Somerford



Hockey Australia today announces the 22-member Kookaburras team to take on Argentina and New Zealand at the Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre in the FIH Pro League on Saturday and Sunday.

The world number two Kookaburras will play fourth-ranked Argentina from 3pm (AEDT) on Saturday live on FOX SPORTS 505 and eighth-ranked New Zealand from 3pm (AEDT) on Sunday live on FOX SPORTS 507.

The Kookaburras will take a 22-member team across to Sydney, with goalkeeper Andrew Charter, Tim Brand, Flynn Ogilvie, Josh Simmonds, Corey Weyer and Tom Wickham included at the expense of Johan Durst and Jacob Anderson.

Kookaburras coach Colin Batch said: “The double-header this weekend presents a challenge and we’re expecting two difficult games against Argentina and New Zealand.

“We need coverage across the two matches. We play a sport that is very demanding and the second game is always one where fatigue comes into it. New Zealand will be fresh, so we need to cover that.”

Argentina won 2-1 in New Zealand last weekend to move to fifth spot, while the Black Sticks are winless and last on the Men’s FIH Pro League table but Batch was wary of both.

“Argentina play a different style and have made some changes since the World Cup,” Batch said.

“Whenever you play them, no matter who is in the side, they’re always difficult.

“We always have the rivalry with New Zealand. They can produce some very good Hockey and we’ve seen that in the FIH Pro League although they’ve not yet got the ultimate success.”

WA defender Jake Harvie, who was nominated for the 2018 FIH Rising Star award, will bring up his 50th cap for Australia in Saturday’s match.

Tickets are still available for the Sydney matches by ticketbooth.com.au. Gates open at 2pm AWST.

The Sydney matches are made possible thanks to the support of Destination NSW.

Saturday 16 March 2019 – Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre
Kookaburras v Argentina – 3pm, Hockeyroos v Argentina – 5pm
Sunday 17 March 2019 – Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre
Kookaburras v New Zealand – 3pm, Hockeyroos v New Zealand – 5pm
Tickets by www.ticketbooth.com.au
*All times AEDT

Kookaburras 22-member team:
Athlete (Hometown, State)
Daniel Beale (Brisbane, QLD)
Tim Brand (Sydney, NSW)
Andrew Charter (Canberra, ACT)
Tom Craig (Lane Cove, NSW)
Matthew Dawson (Killarney Vale, NSW)
Blake Govers (Wollongong, NSW)
Jake Harvie (Dardanup, WA)
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT)
Tim Howard (Wakerley, QLD)
Tyler Lovell (Perth, WA)
Trent Mitton (Perth, WA)
Eddie Ockenden (Hobart, TAS)
Flynn Ogilvie (Wollongong, NSW)
Lachlan Sharp (Lithgow, NSW)
Josh Simmonds (Melbourne, VIC)
Matthew Swann (Mackay, QLD)
Jack Welch (Hobart, TAS)
Corey Weyer (Biggera Waters, QLD)
Jake Whetton (Brisbane, QLD)
Tom Wickham (Morgan, SA) *Plays for WA
Dylan Wotherspoon (Murwillumbah, NSW) *Plays for QLD
Aran Zalewski (Margaret River, WA)

Hockey Australia media release



Debutante Named Among Hockeyroos Changes

Ben Somerford


Rachel Lynch will celebrate her 200th cap for the Hockeyroos

Hockey Australia today announces the 19-member Hockeyroos team to take on Argentina and New Zealand at the Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre in the FIH Pro League on Saturday and Sunday.

The world number three Hockeyroos will take on fourth-ranked Argentina from 5pm (AEDT) on Saturday live on kayosports.com.au and sixth-ranked New Zealand from 5pm (AEDT) on Sunday live on FOX SPORTS 507.

The Hockeyroos will celebrate stalwart Rachael Lynch’s 200th cap in Sydney while 21-year-old Adelaide forward Michaela Spano is named to make her international debut.

They will take an extended team of 19 players to Sydney as insurance for the double-header, with Madison Fitzpatrick (ankle) and Rosie Malone (shoulder) returning from injury, with Jane Claxton, Lynch and Spano also added.

Kristina Bates, Penny Squibb, Grace Stewart and Ash Wells all make way.

Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin said: “Michaela is a striker who came across for a Visiting Athlete Agreement for a week in mid-February and impressed.

“She’s been in our Development Squad ticking away and has come from the junior ranks in the Junior National Squad. We’re hoping for big things from her.”

Gaudoin was full of praise for 32-year-old goalkeeper Lynch ahead of her milestone match, having debuted for the Hockeyroos in 2006.

“It’s a wonderful achievement,” Gaudoin said. “Lynchy is one of the most respected athletes, let alone goalkeepers, in world Hockey.

“Her performances over the past 12-18 months have been exceptional. We’re hoping she has another two good games this weekend but we congratulate her on a wonderful achievement thus far and we’re still hoping for big things from her in the near future as well.”

Tickets are still available for the Sydney matches by ticketbooth.com.au. Gates open at 2pm AWST.

The Sydney matches are made possible thanks to the support of Destination NSW.

Saturday 16 March 2019 – Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre
Kookaburras v Argentina – 3pm, Hockeyroos v Argentina – 5pm
Sunday 17 March 2019 – Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre
Kookaburras v New Zealand – 3pm, Hockeyroos v New Zealand – 5pm
Tickets by www.ticketbooth.com.au
*All times AEDT

Hockeyroos 19-member team:
Athlete (Hometown, State)
Jocelyn Bartram (Albury, NSW)
Edwina Bone (Orange, NSW) *Plays for ACT
Lily Brazel (Sydney, NSW) *Plays for VIC
Emily Chalker (Crookwell, NSW)
Jane Claxton (Adelaide, SA)
Kalindi Commerford (Ulladulla, NSW) *Plays for ACT
Madison Fitzpatrick (Cabarita Beach, NSW) *Plays for QLD
Savannah Fitzpatrick (Cabarita Beach, NSW) *Plays for QLD
Rebecca Greiner (Bundaberg, QLD)
Jodie Kenny (Wamuran, QLD)
Rachael Lynch (Warrandyte, VIC)
Ambrosia Malone (Burleigh, QLD)
Georgina Morgan (Armidale, NSW)
Kaitlin Nobbs (Newington, NSW)
Brooke Peris (Darwin, NT)
Michaela Spano (Adelaide, SA)
Sophie Taylor (Melbourne, VIC)
Mariah Williams (Parkes, NSW)
Georgia Wilson (Mahogany Creek, WA)

Hockey Australia media release



Fast Paced Matches Yield Close Defeat for U-16 and Victory for U-20 for Junior USMNT in Chile


Image Taken by Katherine Hennessy

SANTIAGO, Chile - In their second matches of the Chile tour, the U.S. U-16 and U-20 Men's National Teams showed continued progression from just a few days prior. Taking place at the Prince of Wales Country Club in Santiago, Chile, the U-16 game was an even match-up that saw Chile score late in the opening quarter and USA unable to convert on multiple chances as the red, white and blue fell 1-0. The U-20 match saw USA withstand Chile's constant pressure while making the most of their scoring opportunities on their way to a 4-2 win.

"Both teams played with good effort," stated Rugter Wiese, Junior USMNT Head Coach. "We clearly observed areas we worked on in training (on Monday) demonstrated in the game. We will continue to build on that foundation."

U-16 USMNT 0 - 1 Chile

USA started with good connections moving upfield and earned their first penalty corner off a foot in just under five minutes, but the red white and blue were unable to convert. The first frame ended with shared possession, but not before before the host nation found the back of the net in the 14th minute. The first quarter finished 1-0 to Chile.

In the second frame, USA was on the back foot with possession primarily held by Chile. Los Varones earned a penalty corner at the 26th minute mark where the solid attempt on goal was cleared by USA goalkeeper Russell Smith (Camarillo, Calif). USA looked for the equalizer and earned a penalty corner of their own two minutes later but the shot was deflected away. The halftime score was still in favor of Chile, 1-0.

The start of the second half saw a well-organized USA work to keep the ball out of their defensive end. USA produced solid efforts with greater possession and multiple circle penetrations but were unable to make the most of their opportunities.

The final quarter opened with Chile on the move and in charge of possession. However, the collective effort of USA goalkeeper Rafael Martell (Miami, Fla.) and USA’s defensive unit prevented conversions on four penalty corners and a goal attempt late in the game for the host nation. USA held Chile scoreless for the final three quarters as the game finished 1-0 to Chile.

U-20 USMNT 4 - 2 Chile

Immediately after the starting whistle, USA took control of the game with an initial attempt on goal by Christian De Angelis (Doylestown, Pa.) at the 2-minute mark. USA’s Alberto Montilla (Allen, Texas) quickly followed with another shot and a deflection in the 4th minute by Alex Curtis (London, United Kingdom) put USA on the score board first, 1-0. Chile responded quickly in an attempt to gain control but another Montilla-Curtis combo bested the Chile goalkeeper as the first quarter closed 2-0 to USA.

Second quarter began with high pressure from Chile but the hosts were unable to score thanks to the strong stick of Colin Hennessy (Marlborough, Mass.). Quickly following their first scoring attempt, Chile earned a penalty corner and converted on a deflection to cut the goal margin, 2-1. USA regained momentum and earned a penalty corner in the final minute that Montilla sent into the back of the goal to extend the lead to 3-1 for USA.

Determined to add a goal to the scoreboard, Chile earned a penalty corner early in the third quarter but USA defender Eric Velge (Brussels, Belgium) trapped and cleared the shot. Chile’s subsequent penalty corner attempt was also turned away. A late scoring attempt by De Angelis hit the side of the net as the quarter finished 3-1.

In the opening minutes of the final frame, Chile had the upper hand with two penalty corners but were unable to finish. The host nation kept pressure on and was able to break into the circle and found the net to make it 3-2. USA increased their effort in response and after a scuffle in front of the goal, Curtis tucked the ball past Chile's goalkeeper to finalized the game at 4-2.

Today is another off day for both teams before playing their third match tomorrow, Thursday, March 14 at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 am ET and final game Friday, March 15 at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. ET. For more information regarding the Junior USMNT vs. Chile series including the schedule, results, rosters and more, check out the official event page by clicking here.

USFHA media release



U.S. Masters Sending Two Teams to 2019 Grand Masters Hockey European Trophy this Summer in Belgium



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – This summer the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Masters Teams will each be sending an O-60 team to Antwerp, Belgium for the 2019 Grand Masters Hockey (GMH) European Trophy. Taking place June 19-29, more than 70 men’s and women’s international teams will be competing in different age categories that range from O-60 to O-75.

U.S. O-60 Men’s Masters Team Head Coach Ian Wilson (Glasgow, Scotland) is preparing the team with a strenuous individual fitness program. The squad will also participate in the Triangular Tournament in Vancouver, Canada with Australia and Canada at the beginning of June, two weeks prior to the start of the tournament.

To prepare for the European Trophy, the O-60 women’s masters will have formal weekend practices from March 30-31 and May 4-5, as well as a few “mini” practices to get turf time. Just prior to the start of competition they will play a friendly match with England’s O-60 and an O-65 women’s team.

U.S. O-60 Men’s Masters Roster:

Peter Bale (Portland, Ore.), Andy Cannon (Atkinson, N.H.), Chamkaur Gill (Placentia, Calif.), Dieter Hillert (Encinitas, Calif.), Peter Jones (Stamford, Conn.), Todd Koch (Quakertown, Pa.), Sankar Ramani (Fremont, Calif.), Alexander Rooks (Belmont, Mass.), Mahesh Saraswat (Northridge, Calif.), Alva Serrette (Lagrange, Ga.), Jaswinder Singh (Woodland, Calif.), Manmohan Singh (Aliso Viejo, Calif.), Jeff Starfield (Marblehead, Mass.), Arvinder Virdee (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Donny Watson (Glasgow, Scotland), Lawrence Zappone (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

The O-60 men’s team will be led by head coach Wilson and assisted and managed by Amir Akhtar (Tuttle, Ok.). On this squad are nine athletes that represented USA at the 2018 FIH Grand Masters World Cup last summer in Barcelona, Spain. Bale, Gill, Hillert, Jones, Ramani, Serrette, M. Singh, Starfield and Zappone all helped the team to the highest finishing Pan American nation with 13th place. Hillert and Jones were also part of the U.S. O-50 Men’s Masters Indoor Team that recently led the team to a sixth-place finish at the 2019 World Masters Hockey Indoor World Cup in Hong Kong.

USA sits in Pool A with Ireland, Southern Cross, The Netherlands and Welsh Dragons. Pool B features Alliance (mixed nations), England LX, Germany, Scottish Thistles and Sixtiberians. They will open up European Trophy play on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 6:30 a.m. ET against The Netherlands.

U.S O-60 Men’s Masters Schedule:

Thursday, June 20        USA vs. Netherlands        7:30 AM ET
Saturday, June 22        USA vs. Welsh Dragons        4:00 AM ET
Monday, June 24        USA vs. Southern Cross        12:45 PM ET
Tuesday, June 25        USA vs. Ireland            7:45 AM ET

U.S. O-60 Women’s Masters Roster:

Diane Angstadt (Middletown, Pa.), Deb Atkins (Quarryville, Pa.), Jane Cygan (Quakertown, Pa.), Loretta Di Pietro (New Haven, Conn.), Sandra Galea-Martinez (Lakeside, Calif.), Cathy Jackson (Wilmington, Del.) Anne Keating (New York, N.Y.), Linda Kreiser (Middletown, Pa.), Lorraine Lewis (Bethesda, Md.), Susan Mota (Flemington, N.J.), Jeri Myers (Parkesburg, Pa.), Janet Powers (Towson, Md.), Pat Rudy (Mill Hall, Pa.), Pam Sherry (Collegeville, Pa.), Debra Wile (The Villages, Fla.), Josephine Worthington (Owings Mills, Md.)

The O-60 women’s team will be led by head coach Ashley Johnston (Phoenixville, Pa.) and managed by Joyce Angstadt (Fleetwood, Pa.). Five of the rostered athletes were on the U.S. O-55 Women’s Masters Team that competed at the 2018 EXIN Masters World Cup in Terrassa, Spain. Angstadt, Aktins, Keating, Kreiser and Lewis all helped the team to a sixth-place finish.

The women sit in a pool with Alliance, England LX and The Netherlands LT. They will have crossover pool matches with the two teams that sit in the 65+ pool, Alliance 65 and England LX 65, along with one team from the European Cup side, England National 60.

U.S O-60 Women’s Masters Schedule:

Thursday, June 20        USA vs. Netherlands        11:15 AM ET
Saturday, June 22        USA vs. England            1:00 PM ET
Monday, June 24        USA vs. England National 60    12:45 PM ET
Tuesday, June 25        USA vs. England 65        11:15 AM ET
Wednesday, June 26    USA vs. Alliance             10:30 AM ET

For more information regarding the GMH European Trophy including the full schedule, results, rosters and more, check out the official event page by clicking here.

USFHA media release



Kingswood face tough Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey title defence


The Kingswood College squad which will defend their title in the PE North tournament of the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge in Graaff-Reinet on Friday is (from left) Naledi Mabusela, Qayiya Noguduka, Amy Mills, Zoe Fraser, Taya Trivella, Olivia Walker, Megan du Preez, Zinathi Mbenyana, Robyn Koch, Ciana Daniels, Bridget Mildenhall, Carina Kemp, Lukho Mbenyana, Basadi Sithole. Absent: Lushana van Heerden.

Kingswood College are geared up for their title defence but know they face a stiff examination when the opening leg of the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge gets under way on Friday.

The Port Elizabeth North tournament will take place at Union High in Graaff-Reinet, with the host school one of the strong contenders to regain the title they won in 2017.

A total of 11 schools will compete in two pools, striving to become the first qualifiers for the provincial finals to be held in late July.

Kingswood, from Grahamstown, are the defending champions but coach Bevan Bennett said they realised the competition would be keen this year.

“Overall the opposition looks much stronger this time and we have [Grahamstown rivals] DSG in our pool, so it will certainly be a tough battle to end top of the section,” he said.

“Similarly, Union High will be a difficult side to beat in the other pool.”

The nature of the tournament, in which matches are limited to 20 minutes, means there is little room for error. Bennett said the side which scored first often went on to win.

“You have to be on your game from the start and if you get an early goal it puts you in the driving seat,” said the Kingswood mentor.

“A lot of success depends on how well you start the match and if you can maintain that throughout the 20 minutes.

“You need to be accurate in your attack and if you get an early goal you treat it like the last 20 minutes of a game, with a lot of concentration on your defence.”

Kingswood tactics ahead of SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge title defence

Bennett said it was about mixing an attacking mind-set with a sharpness in defence because “conceding a goal through one error can be very detrimental”.

He said the players loved the event, while it gave the coaches a perfect opportunity to test their squad members in a pressurised environment.

“Coming at this early stage of the season it’s a chance to see who has come through the ranks and how they deal with the challenge of playing in a tournament of this nature.”

While the season is just starting, Bennett said the team had spent three weeks together.

“We had some good competition in East London last week and we are getting better but we’re not quite the finished article yet,” he said.

“We have quite a few players back from last year, so there is a fair degree of continuity in the squad.”

SPAR EC sponsorships and events manager Alan Stapleton said they were looking forward to the forthcoming tournaments.

“SPAR Eastern Cape is excited once again to be able to support the Hockey Challenge,” he said. “There will be some tough, competitive weekends ahead, with heaps of camaraderie and friendship thrown in.

“Some innovation and new ideas should make the 2019 Hockey Challenge just that little bit more interesting and enjoyable.”

The teams taking part are: Pool A: Union High, Volkskool, Cradock High, Riebeek, PJ Olivier; Pool B: Uitenhage High, Gill, DSG, Kingswood, Victoria Girls’, Brandwag.

Fullstop Communications media release for SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge

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