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All the news for Tuesday 2 June 2015

Turning up the heat in Valencia

Who will reign in Spain? Will the old guard of Germany or GB take the honours or is it time for the new kids on the block?



The Women’s Hockey World League Semi-Final in Valencia is a wide open competition, that could see a few surprises. There are some experienced sides taking to the field in the shape of Great Britain, Argentina, China, South Africa and Germany, and it would be no surprise to see any of these teams battling it out for the top three places.

However, all of these teams have their weaknesses and both Germany and Great Britain, in particular, have failed to impress at recent major tournaments. China will be match sharp after their recent participation in the Hawkes Bay Eight Nations in New Zealand and South Africa come to this tournament with several international matches under their belt, but although these nations are perennial competitors on the world stage, neither has yet shown the necessary consistency to win major honours.

Argentina, currently ranked third in the world, is adjusting to a life without Luciana Aymar, while the other top 12 ranked team, USA, is a team that has been making its way up the rankings and now needs to turn all its hard work and careful preparation into tangible results. Neither team fared well at the Hawkes Bay tournament, but the USA will take heart from a test series win over their Pan-Am rivals earlier in the year.

All of which leaves the door ajar for the lower-ranked teams. Canada has enjoyed a good build-up to the event, and has moved two places up the world rankings to number 20 in recent months. The Canadian team has just played a four match series against fellow Valencia competitors Ireland, and both teams will have taken good and bad points form their performances – at the time of writing Ireland were winning the series 2-1.

Uruguay comes to the event as the lowest ranked team competing in a Hockey World League Semi -Final but with several team members now regularly playing club hockey in Europe, the South American team will be no pushover.

And what about home advantage. Spain is ranked 15 in the world and has been steadily rebuilding its squad under the careful tutelage of Adrian Locke. At the Champions Challenge in Glasgow in 2014, the side looked skilful but naive. A year on, a home crowd behind them, opponents who are all feeling the pressure to perform. Could Valencia provide the platform for the the reign of Spain?

FIH site

HWL2015 - Let’s take a closer look at the teams in Pool B in Buenos Aires


Germany's goal keeper Nicolas Jacobi in action (Image: Frank Uijlenbroek/FIH)

Germany, Argentina, Spain, Canada and Austria are playing off in Pool B at the Argentina Hockey World League Semi-Final in Buenos Aires. Let us provide you the key facts on them.

GERMANY – current world ranking 3
One of the undisputed giants of global hockey, Germany have been a powerhouse of the game for decades and the current group is certainly no different. They are the current holders of the Olympic, European and Champions Trophy titles and are always capable of winning every tournament that they enter. Germany’s squad contains some of the most gifted players in the game, including two winners of the FIH Men’s Player of the Year Award – Tobias Hauke (2013) and Moritz Fürste (2012). Another player to watch is 21-year-old rising star Christopher Rühr, the FIH Young Player of the Year for 2013, who has already proven himself to be an explosive game-changer with a very bright future ahead of him. Germany recently faced Pool B opponents Argentina in a two match series in Hamburg, with Moritz Fürste scoring twice in a 4-2 victory in the opener before Argentina leveled the series with a 2-1 win in the second and final match.

ARGENTINA – current world ranking 6
2014 Pan American Champions Argentina have always produced international teams with plenty of talent, but over the past two years the current men’s team has developed into a side that can challenge the very best in the world. Coach and former Argentina international Carlos Retegui – the man who, remarkably, guided both the men and the women’s national sides to Bronze medals at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup - is overseeing the revolution, helping “Los Leones” to realise their massive potential. Key players include free-scoring attackers Lucas Vila, Matias Paredes and Facundo Callioni as well as defender and dragflick ace Gonzalo Peillat, who was named FIH Young Player of the Year for 2014. Argentina are definitely expected to be among the front-runners to grab a place on the podium and secure that all important ticket to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

SPAIN – current world ranking 11
Spain may have dropped down the FIH Rankings Table in recent years but they remain a supremely talented team that should not be underestimated. Under the stewardship of Head Coach and former France international Frederic Soyez, a talented new generation of Red Sticks players are working hard in a bid to return Spain to an era of greatness that culminated in an Olympic Silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. 24-year-old speed merchant Xavi Lleonart is developing into a fantastic attacker, while Gabi Dabanch, Sergi Enrique, Miki Delas, Pau Quemada and brilliant goalkeeper Quico Cortes bring masses amounts of world level experience to the table.

CANADA – current world ranking 16
The Pan American giants Canada booked their place in the Semi-Final phase of the Hockey World League with a solid showing at the Round 2 event in San Diego, where they finished in third place. The Maple Leafs won five of their six matches at the tournament, losing only to higher ranked Ireland in the competition semis before crushing Russia 4-1 in the third place play-off to secure a safe passage through to the Olympic qualification phase of the HWL. Canada recently produced a fine display at the 2014 FIH Champions Challenge in Kuantan, finishing in second place behind Korea but ahead of fellow HWL Semi-Final competitors New Zealand and Japan. Scott Tupper, Mark Pearson and Matthew Guest were star performers at that tournament and are likely to play an influential role for their team in Buenos Aires.

AUSTRIA – current world ranking 22
Austria may well be the lowest ranked team in the tournament, but their epic journey to the Semi-Finals will serve as a reminder to all that they are capable of big things at this event. The Europeans have battled their way through two qualifying rounds to reach this stage of the competition, thrashing all opponents at the Round 1 event in Lousada, before claiming a simply stunning second place finish at the Round 2 competition in San Diego. Despite falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Ireland in the final, the team recorded victories over Russia, Chile, USA and Italy to put the 2015 World Indoor Silver medallists into the Olympic qualifying phase of the Hockey World League. Captained by mercurial midfielder Benjamin Stanzl and inspired by the goals of ace striker Michael Körper, Austria will give it absolutely everything in their bid to seal a first Olympic appearance since the 1952 Games in Helsinki.

@FIH_Hockey
#HWL2015 #RoadToRio

FIH site

Stats Speak

By  B.G.Joshi

Know the teams: Hockey World League-Round 3(Olympic Qualifier-Men), Buenos Aires, June 3-14, 2015

Pool: A
1-Netherlands (NED)
World Ranking: 02.Coach: Max Caldas (Argentina),
Current Titles: Winner of Hockey World League (2012-14),
 In Hockey World League

 Olympic Appearances: 17, Best Finish in Olympics: 2Gold (1996, 2000),
Last time played in Olympics:  London-2012, Rank-2.
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-New Zealand (NZL)
World Ranking: 07.Coach: Colin Batch (Australia),
Current Titles: Winner of Azlan Shah Cup (2015),
In Hockey World League

 Olympic Appearances: 11, Best Finish in Olympics: 1Gold (1976)
Last time played in Olympics:  London-2012, Rank-9.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-South Korea (KOR)
World Ranking: 08.Coach: Shin Seok Kyo,
Current Titles: Champions Challenge I (2014),
 In Hockey World League

 Olympic Appearances: 6, Best Finish in Olympics: 1Silver (2000)
Last time played in Olympics:  London-2012, Rank-8.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4-Japan (JPN)
World Ranking: 16.Coach:  Kang Keon Wook (South Korea),
Current Titles: 0
 In Hockey World League

 Olympic Appearances: 5, Best Finish in Olympics: 1Silver (1932)
Last time played in Olympics:  Mexico City-1968, Rank-13.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5-Egypt (EGY)
World Ranking: 20.Coach:  Ahmed Zakaria,
Current Titles: 0
 In Hockey World League

 Olympic Appearances: 2, Best Finish in Olympics: 12 th (1992, 2004)
Last time played in Olympics: Athens-2004, Rank-12.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pool: B
1-Germany (GER)
World Ranking: 03.Coach: Markus Weise,
Current Titles: Olympics (2012); Champions Trophy (2014); Europeans Cup (2013),
 In Hockey World League

 Olympic Appearances: 17* includes FRG (West Germany), Best Finish in Olympics: 4Gold (1972, 1992, 2008, 2012)
Last time played in Olympics:  London-2012, Rank-1.
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-Argentina (ARG)
World Ranking: 06. Coach: Carlos Retugei,
Current Titles: Pan Am Games (2011); Pan Am Cup (2013),
 In Hockey World League

 Olympic Appearances: 10, Best Finish in Olympics: 8 th (1988, 1996)
Last time played in Olympics:  London-2012, Rank-10.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-Spain (ESP)
World Ranking: 11.Coach:  Federic Soyez(France),
Current Titles: 0
In Hockey World League

 Olympic Appearances: 16, Best Finish in Olympics: 3Silver (1980, 1996, 2008),
Last time played in Olympics:  London-2012, Rank-6.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4-Canada (CAN)
World Ranking: 15.Coach:  Anthony Farry(Australia),
Current Titles: 0
 In Hockey World League

 Olympic Appearances: 6, Best Finish in Olympics: 10 th (1976, 2000, 2008)
Last time played in Olympics:  Beijing-2008, Rank-10.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5-Austria (AUT)
World Ranking: 22.Coach:  Tomasz Laskwoski, Current Titles: 0
 In Hockey World League

 Olympic Appearances: 3, Best Finish in Olympics: 7 th (1952)
Last time played in Olympics:  Helsinki-1952, Rank-7.

Fieldhockey.com

PHF yet to start camp for Olympic qualifiers

Kashif Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: With just 19 days left before the 2016 Olympic qualifiers in Belgium, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is yet to set up a training camp for the national team.

The reason for the delay in setting up camp: lack of funds.

“We had planned to start the camp either in Lahore or Islamabad from Monday but we haven’t been able to do so due to shortage of funds,” PHF secretary Rana Mujahid told Dawn on Monday.

“We’re trying our best to start it in the next two to three days. The players are ready to join the camp and talks are ongoing with the government for the release of funds.”

According to PHF’s activity calendar, the national team is slated to leave for Belgium by June 10 and head coach Shahnaz Sheikh said it was imperative to start the camp as soon as possible.

“The camp should’ve begun from today,” he told Dawn. “This is a major tournament for us but I have no idea when we will start training as we [PHF] don’t have funds.

“According to our plan, we have to reach Belgium 10 days before the event begins so the players can get acclimatized and play a few test matches against the US and Ireland but I have no idea whether we will be able to do that or not.”

Earlier in April, the PHF had started a training camp here at the Naseer Bunda Stadium but wrapped it up due to lack of funds and player injuries due to the condition of the Astro-turf at the venue.

The camp was shifted to Lahore before the team went to Australia and South Korea for practice matches but since returning on Friday, the players are still waiting for the resumption of training.

“We are doing our best to facilitate the national squad,” secretary of the Ministry for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ejaz Chaudhry told Dawn on Monday. “We have to provide the funds to the PHF and hopefully the matter will be resolved in the next few days.”

Dawn

Women coach Mathias Athrens: Olympics berth is our first priority

s2h team

With FIH World Hockey League semis just days away, new Indian Women Hockey chief coach Mathias Athrens is geared for his first major assignment with the Indian girls. Athrens who took over the top job last month will have a big task cut out to make India enter Rio Olympics directly.

‘Its our first priority, a top six finish in FIH World League Hockey semis will confirm our participation in the Olympics next year.” The newly elected Indian chief coach muttered.

‘I am very confident of this team and our biggest challenge will be Belgium and it will be our first clash with them during the League. But I think we have a good chance against them.’ he said.

Athrens has interacted with players in camps, practice session that has held under his watchful eyes, as the German born looked determined about his new role as he prepares to face his first challenge with the Indian women’s team. Talking about the Indian girls, the Canadian is quite impressed with their approach and dedication for the game. ‘The team is quite young but we also have some experienced players. The tournament comes at the right time for the girls as they are keen to deliver. What impresses me about this team is their keenness to learn and apply,’ Ahrens added.

The chief coach talking about language problem, Athrens feels its about the on-field combination which brings results rather then language but the Indian girls are making valiant effort to interact in English.

‘The players are very skillfull and are willing to learn new things, off-course language is a barrier but the young Indian girls are making efforts to talk more in English which will increase their personality in future.’ The Canadian said.

India is schedule to participate in FIH World League Hockey semifinals to be held at Antwerp, Belgium from June 20 to July 5.

Stick2Hockey.com

We are more confident under new coach: Anuradha

NEW DELHI: Forward Anuradha Devi says the Indian women's hockey team is a more confident bunch under new coach Mathias Ahrens as it prepares for the FIH World League semifinals to be held later in the month.

The 18-member squad for the tournament beginning June 20 was announced last week and the team currently is training at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Having realised their strengths and areas of improvement in the recent FIH World League Round 2 in New Delhi and the Hawkes' Bay Cup in New Zealand, the team is working on plugging the holes.

"It has been a learning time under the new coach. We are feeling more confident as we realise that while we break the defence chain of opponents, what we need is, to hold on to the ball, ensure clean short pass and cash in on the opportunity," said Anuradha.

"This has to happen in minimum time and we are working on this very closely. This will be our focus and we are hoping we will have things in our favour. We are confident and look forward to our opening match," she added.

India will play their first match of the World League against Belgium on June 20.

The Times of India

The Miller’s Tale: crossing the Atlantic in search of Pan American glory

Adam Miller (USA)

Sarah Juggins


2015 FIH World League R2, San Diego - USA vs. Trinidad & Tobago - Adam Miller (USA). Photo: Paul Winstanley

Adam Miller is on his second helpings when it comes to international duty. The 23-year-old played hockey for England at junior level, representing the country at U16, U18 and U21, but then he decided to throw his hat in the ring for Team USA, courtesy of his dual nationality. The defender now has 30 caps to his name and is already feeling very much at home among his new teammates.

Miller made his debut for Team USA last year, playing in a series of test matches against Mexico, Chile and Argentina. Looking back he says those test matches were the best hockey experiences he has enjoyed so far and his declared ambition is to play in an Olympic Games as a member of Team USA.

We caught up with Miller with just a month to go before the members of Team USA meet up to begin final preparations for the Pan American Games in July. He talked us through what life as an elite athlete entails.

“I am currently based in Cambridge, in the East of England. A typical day for me starts at 6am as I have to commute into London for work. I train every evening after work. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are spent in the gym. These sessions are planned out by Pete Gorka, (Team USA’s strength and conditioning coach), and I try and keep these as varied as possible. Following injuries in the past few seasons, my primary focus in the gym has turned to robustness and injury prevention. While I do focus on strength work as well, I am ultimately no good to the team if I’m injured, so this is my main focus.”

Fitting training into a busy work schedule will play its toll on any athlete’s performance, and Miller is conscious that he needs to eat the right things to get the optimum performance during training. Before leaving the house for his hours’ commute into the capital, he will eat a large bowl of porridge with Greek yoghurt, brown sugar and blueberries. This is accompanied by a protein shake on route to work, and later in the morning he will eat a snack such as fruit, nuts or crackers.

All the athletes are advised by the USOC Sports Nutrition Team, and Miller says one of the nutrition team’s favorite snacks is the almond butter granola snack. With almonds recognized as a good source of vitamin E, protein and fiber, this snack is thought to help the athletes maintain good bone health and recover quickly from injury. With his own history of injuries, protein is high on Miller’s dietary requirements, he eats more protein based food in the afternoon and will have a protein shake with his evening meal.

Living and working in England means that Miller has to do much of his training by himself or with teammates from his club side. He explains what his current training workload looks like.

“The lead up to the Pan American games is unfortunately in the off-season in England which makes it difficult to get regular team training. I get on the pitch every Tuesday and Thursday, where I will complete a MAS session (Maximal Aerobic Speed) which is dictated by my 30:15 score (this is a fitness test which calculates the cardiovascular fitness of sports players. It measures the athlete's ability to recover quickly after a burst of high energy activity. It is designed to provide fitness measures in specific sports which incorporate a lot of stop/start action, such as hockey), before practicing basic stick skills on my own or more complex drills with any friends that fancy coming along. Our team philosophy in build up to the Pan American Games has been “No Off Days”, and so every day I will do 30 minutes of maintenance such as stretching, foam rolling and core exercises. Come June I will join the squad for full time training in preparation for the Pan American games in July.”

A common theme with Team USA hockey players, both males and female, is the importance of being part of the team and always putting team first. Miller is no exception: “Our main aim when we play matches is for every individual to understand their own role within the team. Then our only individual aim is to take care of that role and that role alone. It is our belief in the squad that if we play for the team, with every individual taking ownership of their role, then we will succeed. No level of individual training or training away from the squad can prepare you to know your role and how to play it within the team. This is why being around our teammates in preparation for a competition is hugely important. Plus it’s the main reason why team sports and particularly playing for this squad is so much fun.”

When you spend a lot of time in the company of your teammates, you do become like an extended family. Miller says that when it comes to discussing worries, fears or personal matters he feels that he can trust anyone of his teammates or coaches. “The squad is extremely supportive, honest and open to each other… almost too open,” he laughs. “This has definitely been something that has developed naturally by spending a long period of time chilling out together in San Diego last summer, but we’ve also practiced having open and honest discussions in our team meetings.”

Despite living in Cambridge and working in a nine to five job, Miller still feels that his life as an athlete can take on a ‘bubble-like’ quality. This is common among athletes, who feel they are living an existence that is some way removed from everyday life. Going out with mates, enjoying a few beers and leading a busy social life do not go hand in hand with the lifestyle demands of being an elite athlete. Miller concurs: “I do sometimes look out of the bubble and feel the rest of the world is going on. It is the only thing that makes playing field hockey difficult for me. There are lots of reminders every day that I am missing out on things that my friends and work colleagues are doing.

“But ultimately I’ve set myself personal goals for hockey, and as a squad we’ve set our team goals, and I’m pretty determined to throw everything I have at succeeding at them. So I would say, that rather than being scared of what life is like without hockey, I look forward to doing some of the things I’ve missed out on when I am unable to play anymore.”

The Team USA coaching staff work hard to ensure their athletes are enjoying their time in the ‘hockey bubble’. While not formally labelled ‘team building exercises’ the whole squad will do ‘normal’ things together such as going to restaurants, golf courses or the beach. “A particular favorite is when we watch Top Gun before a tournament, I would probably back teammates Mo Gandi and Mikey Barminski to recite the whole film,” says Miller.

When it comes to the serious matter of a match day, Miller says he has now established a routine that he is happy works for him. As a self-acknowledged hot head, he says that he still needs to work on keeping his emotions in check, but a good pre-match routine is all part of the process.

“I got into a pretty decent routine last summer when preparing for the test matches against Argentina, Chile and Mexico. I try and keep to this as far as possible as I know it works for me. I aim for about nine hours sleep, waking up at least four hours before a match. Ideally, I like to do some muscle activation work in the gym which wakes me up and gets me mentally focused from the get go. I’ll then have a pretty big breakfast of porridge, eggs and fruit. Some people don’t like to eat too much but I hate being hungry before a game. Usually breakfast is followed by a team meeting, after which I then plug in my headphones and blare out disco whilst doing exercises such as stretching, band exercises and foam rolling. I’ll have a coffee and some snacks about an hour before the match and will run through in my head our chosen tactics.

“I can be quite superstitious and so like to make sure I stick to my pre-match routine as best possible which helps settle my nerves as it assures me I have done everything I can to prepare. If I do get nervous then I remind myself to just keep things simple and I go through the process in my head of playing my role in the team. The coaches have definitely helped in this regard, as I feel the playing environment is one where we can go out and compete as if we have no

Pan American Hockey Federation media release

Successful stop in Toronto buoys excitement for Pan Am Games

Shaheed Devji



The Canadian Men’s and Women’s Field Hockey Teams were able to experience a perk of hosting a home games over the past week while in Toronto.

Both teams were in Toronto at the new Pan Am Fields at the University of Toronto to test out the new pitch that will be used when they compete at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto this July

The Women’s National Team hosted Ireland in a four-game test series, during which both teams won twice, and the men had three days dedicated to training.

Early reviews of the Pan Am Fields and the downtown Toronto venue are positive.

“To be right here in the middle of Toronto, with all these historic buildings around us, it’s just an awesome venue,” says Men’s National Team veteran Taylor Curran. “It’s going to be really exciting.”

For Curran, who is from North Vancouver, British Columbia, making the Pan Am Games roster and playing in Toronto come July would be novel experience. But for a handful of National Team athletes, including Waterloo, Ontario’s Amanda Woodcroft, playing in Toronto over the last week was homecoming of sorts.

“That was the first time my family and friends saw me play (with the National Team),” she says. “It was amazing, I loved having them there.”

MNT Training at Pan Am Fields - May 28

Home field advantage is not something Canada has been able to experience much of over the last few years. For many of the women, like it was for Woodcroft, playing in the test matches against Ireland was the first time they had played an international match in Canada.

“Definitely playing in Toronto, there was an extra little bit that pushed you to show what you have,” explains Woodcroft, who attended the University of Toronto and played on the very site for the Varsity Blues. “It was kind of like we were home again.”

But not for long.

Both the Men’s and Women’s National Teams are off to Argentina (June 3-14) and Spain (June 10-21) respectively to compete in the World League Semifinals, a 2016 Olympic qualifying event.

And as much as their time in Toronto was useful for familiarization of the Pan Am Fields, on which they will find themselves later this summer, it was also a final bout of preparation before a busy summer with high stakes.

“We build up for two years, training every day to play in these big games,” adds Curran, who is a part of the Men’s National Team that is will be competing in Argentina starting this Wednesday. “We’re all really excited to play in games that matter.”

The stakes are high, but after their stop in Toronto, the Canadians are ready. And when they step back into Canada after World League, they will either have qualified for the Olympics or know that the next time they play at the Pan Am Fields, they will have the home crowd behind them in their efforts to get to Rio.

Field Hockey Canada media release

Clements Establishes 2015-16 U.S. Men’s National Team Roster

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –  U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Chris Clements has established the 2015-16 U.S. Men’s National Team Roster. The 24-athlete squad has seen Amarpreet Sidhu (San Jose, Calif.) elevate from the development squad, besides this, there have been no additions to the squad allowing the current experienced players to prepare for the upcoming busy weeks before the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada July 14-26, 2015.

"We have established a core group that we began working with last summer,” said Clements. “Youthfulness is on our side and we aim to have this group together for many years to come. This is another step in our evolution as a program with our long term project that we are executing on a daily basis with the assistance of the US Olympic Committee and USA Field Hockey’s Men’s Foundation. We have a solid group of players and families actively supporting us to gain ground in the international arena, and have seen a steady increase in performance while gaining experience."

2015-16 USMNT Roster:

Kevin Barber (Camarillo, Calif.), Michael Barminski (Ventura, Calif.), Tom Barratt (Greensboro, N.C.), Sean Cicchi (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), Alex Cunningham (Bad Kreuznach, Ger.), Ajai Dhadwal (Agoura Hills, Calif.), Mohan Gandhi (Ventura, Calif.), Alex Grassi (Brookeville, Md.), Pat Harris (Moorpark, Calif.), Will Holt (Camarillo, Calif.), Aki Kaeppeler (Stuttgart, Ger.), Christian Linney (San Diego, Calif.), Manny Martinez (Lakeside, Calif.), Tom McCarthy (East Windsor, Conn.), Adam Miller (Panama City, Fla.), Johnny Orozco (Ventura, Calif.), Chris Rea (San Diego, Calif.), Spencer Reed (Ventura, Calif.), Moritz Runzi (Boston, Mass.), Ranjot Sangha (Sacramento, Calif.), Amarpreet Sidhu (San Jose, Calif.), Paul Singh (Simi Valley, Calif.), Tyler Sundeen (Simi Valley, Calif.), Andrew Zayac (Hayward, Calif.)

Clements also has released the roster that will go on a European Tour, traveling to Den Hague, The Netherlands and Antwerp, Belgium, from June 3-18, 2015.

The USMNT will travel to Europe to compete in seven games as their first preparatory test of the summer in the build-up to the Pan American Games. Team USA’s first match is on June 6 against Cartouche Hockey Club in Den Hague, Holland. From there, they will travel to Antwerp, Belgium to compete against Pakistan, China and India.

“These matches are critical to our program’s development as if any team wants to be at the top, they have to train and compete with the top teams,” added Clements. “Being ranked where we are does not allow for that regular competition so we have created this schedule ourselves. The results will not be the main objective of the tour, but how we meet our match objectives as a team against these opponents will be our main focus.”

USMNT European Tour Roster:

Michael Barminski (Ventura, Calif.), Tom Barratt (Greensboro, N.C.), Sean Cicchi (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), Alex Cunningham (Bad Kreuznach, Ger.), Ajai Dhadwal (Agoura Hills, Calif.), Mohan Gandhi (Ventura, Calif.), Alex Grassi (Brookeville, Md.), Pat Harris (Moorpark, Calif.), Will Holt (Camarillo, Calif.), Aki Kaeppeler (Stuttgart, Ger.), Christian Linney (San Diego, Calif.), Manny Martinez (Lakeside, Calif.), Tom McCarthy (East Windsor, Conn.), Adam Miller (Panama City, Fla.), Johnny Orozco (Ventura, Calif.), Chris Rea (San Diego, Calif.), Spencer Reed (Ventura, Calif.), Moritz Runzi (Boston, Mass.), Ranjot Sangha (Sacramento, Calif.), Amarpreet Sidhu (San Jose, Calif.), Paul Singh (Simi Valley, Calif.), Tyler Sundeen (Simi Valley, Calif.), Andy Zayac (Hayward, Calif.)

USFHA media release

Wapda top hockey event with 14 points

LAHORE: The ongoing 3rd All Pakistan Fatima Jinnah Gold Cup Hockey Tournament has entered into an interesting stage in Multan, according to a report issued by the Pakistan Hockey Federation.

Wapda top the table with 14 points followed by Army (11 points) and Punjab Colour (10 points).

Punjab University Club is fourth on the table with nine points.

However, all three teams have to play one match each to complete the single league which keeps the hockey fans guessing as which team will play the final with Wapda.

On Tuesday, PU Club will face Sindh while Army and Punjab Colour would lock horns in the last match of the league.

If Army win the match, it would certainly play the final against Wapda.

In case of Punjab Colour’s victory it will move to the second top position and will play the final.

Earlier, Monday turned out to be a quiet day in the tournament at the District Sports Ground as both matches ended in draw.

None of the teams could score a goal. An interesting encounter was expected in the first match between Punjab Colour and Punjab University Club but both were cautious and maintained a defensive approach throughout the match.

PU Club did try to exert pressure in patches during the second and third quart amid good moves which earned them five penalty corners also but they failed to convert.

Punjab Colour too wasted two penalty corners. Zahid Hameed and Munir Ahmed supervised the match.

The second match between Wapda and Punjab White couldn’t be played because of intermittent rain.

The tournament jury after consultation with officials of both teams decided to award one point each to both sides.

Tuesday’s matches:

Punjab University Club vs Sindh, Army vs Punjab Colour.

Dawn

WAPDA secure place in final


Wapda needed just a point from the contest after leading the league with 14 points and the draw. PHOTO: EXPRESS PHOTO: EXPRESS

KARACHI: Wapda strolled into the final of the 3rd All-Pakistan Fatima Jinnah Gold Cup Women’s Hockey Tournament after heavy showers stopped play and ended the contest between Wapda and Punjab (Whites) in a draw.

Wapda needed just a point from the contest after leading the league with 14 points and the draw, which awarded both teams a point apiece, was enough to take them to the final. The other match between Punjab (Colours) and Punjab University Club ended in a draw as no team was able to score.

Punjab (Colours) are on third place with 10 points and Punjab University Club on fourth with nine points, while Army is second with 11 points.  All three teams have to play their final league-stage fixture to decide the other finalist.

The Express Tribune

Dan Shingles aiming for victory when Team GB face Australia at the Olympic Park

IF HE gets the chance, Dan Shingles is promising to rid himself of some bad memories when he faces world champions Australia at the Olympic Park, on Saturday week (June 13).

By Graham Wilson


Dan Shingles says Team BG's Australian opposition are in top form. GETTY

The match is a special one-off test before Great Britain’s World League Olympic qualifying tournament starts in Antwerp, Belgium, seven days later.

Reading half-back Shingles knows all about their dangerous foes having been part of the England squad trounced 5-0 in the World Cup in The Hague last year.

He knows of the firepower of Australia’s lethal corner striker Chris Cirello and a bit of 18-year-old striker Blake Govers, who won the England premier play-off title for Wimbledon at the end of the season, and has since been called up by the Kookaburras.

“That last match against them does not bring back the most pleasant of memories and I still have to watch it in training videos,” said Shingles.

“They were absolutely in top form. We were just not in it from the start.”

But Shingles says the scenario has changed.

“We are playing our best hockey now,” he said.

“The margins are small at this level but we are looking for the gold medal, both at the World League which will get us Olympic qualification and then at Rio. We have the players to do it.”

Shingles is what they term a blocker at penalty corners – the man who has to clear the danger after the first runner goes out to put off the shooter.

And it takes some doing to counter Australia’s “Big Dog” Cirello, who hit seven goals in the World Cup including a hat-trick of corners in the 6-1 crushing of the Netherlands which fired his team to final glory.

“He is a big talent,” said Shingles. “We study all the opposition and we are trained in every role but it is daunting task to stop him.

“Somebody has to go as first runner and it is shared around because you cannot keep getting smashed on the shins. 

“You can see the ball as it comes down at you at 90 to 100mph but it is a lot down to instinct and training, using your reactions.

“It is also down to the goalkeeper because of the sheer lack of time.

“He is expected to save and then you clear the danger, remembering you are well outnumbered by the attack as they are running in.”

Shingles came up against Blake Govers just the once in the second half of the national league where Reading came sixth but went on to win the cup.

“He is certainly a talent. He also flicks at corners but his instinct for goal is outstanding. You cannot take your eye off him for one second.

“He is quick at getting the shots off. I hope I will be marking him, he is big and difficult, you want to come against the best.”

But GB have their own corner talents in Ashley Jackson and Mark Gleghorne. What they will not want is the injuries they suffered against Australia in a pre-World Cup warm-up at Bisham that affected defender Iain Lewers and Jackson’s corner striking.

London club Indian Gymkhana have given notice of their intentions in the national league for their upcoming centenary season after signing up three-times Olympian Simon Mason as their director of strategy and Guildford coach Ian Jennings as performance director.

Kamal Naqvi, the chairman of Indian Gymkhana, said: “We are delighted to bring in two such distinguished and passionate figures from the English hockey community to the Gymkhana Hockey Club and it marks a turning point in our development as we approach our club’s centenary year.”

Hockey television commentator Mason said: “I can’t wait to begin working with them, the chance to be part of something special that could have a lasting effect on a club with an international reputation is unique.”

Jennings said: “The future undoubtedly has some challenges within it, but the potential at Gymkhana is huge and I welcome the chance to be part of their vision and future successes.”

Daily Express

Guildford Hockey Club coach Ian Jennings quits

Era over as coach departs Broadwater, ending a relationship which goes back to the early 1980s

 By Richard Spiller


Seeking new goals: Ian Jennings is ready for a fresh challenge after leaving Guildford. Steve Porter

Ian Jennings has ended a relationship going back more than three decades after quitting as Guildford coach.

“It’s the perfect time for change and finding new opportunities,” said the 53-year-old, who first played for the club in 1982 – in their London League days – and then returned in 1990 for a 15-year spell in charge.

His prowess at the centre of midfield – setting up many opportunities for Danny Hall to show his scoring talents – and fervour on the training pitch ensured they became one of the top four sides in the country.

The former Army fitness instructor, awarded a military MBE and known universally as Jenno, then left to coach in Australia, returning six years ago to find them in Conference West where they finished fifth last year.

“It’s been a fantastic time and I’m particularly proud that 15 players, including Danny, reached international level through playing at Guildford,” he added.

“It’s sad that I’ve had to make this decision but I wish the club well and I think I leave Guildford’s men’s and women’s sides in a much better state than when I returned in 2009.”

Club secretary Tony Carney responded: “For many years Jenno’s personality, enthusiasm and commitment were the key to Guildford’s success in hockey’s top tiers. We wish him every success in the future”

At the heart of the split was a difference of opinion about the way forward, Jennings desperate to return to the Premier Division while others at Broadwater were keen to emphasise the community aspects of its operation.

Since his return, staying at Conference West level has been a tough challenge with a return to the elite still looking some distance away.

A successor will be named during the summer and whoever takes over has a massive job – either way it’s going to be an awful lot quieter.

Surrey Advertiser

Georgetown widens gap in women’s hockey

Nigel Simon

Guyana club, Georgetown CC,  widened its lead at the top of the table in the T&T Hockey Board Women’s Championship Division after picking seven points from a possible nine in three matches contested at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua, over the weekend.

Yesterday, Georgetown made it two wins from three matches when they blanked cellar-placed Ventures 2-0 with goals from Sonia Jardine in the 38th minute and Trisha Woodroffe ten minutes later.

With the win, GCC carried its tally to 20 points, seven more than Shandy Carib Magnolias, and a further point ahead of defending champions Paragon.

On Saturday morning in its first match, GCC also shut out Harvard Checkers 2-0, led by a pair of goals from Princessa Wilkes in the 28th and 59th minutes.

GCC then returned to the Tacarigua venue a few hours later and battled to a 2-2 draw with former champions Courts Malvern.

Malvern took an early lead through national forward Krizia Layne as early as the fourth minute, but within four minutes Gabriella Xavier got GCC on level terms.

The visitors then took the lead in the 28th minute via a Sonia Jardine field goal, but Layne salvaged a point for the Malvernites with a 52nd minute equaliser.

Magnolias kept its title dreams alive after hammering Malvern 5-0 on Friday night with ex-national captain Stacey Siu Butt following up her beaver-trick in a 7-0 thrashing of Ventures last weekend, with a brace in the 19th minute, a penalty and a 34th-minute field goal.

The national women’s team trio of Amie Olton (14th), Brittany Hingh (27th) and Savannah De Freitas (32nd) added one each for Magnolias.

It was a weekend to forget for Malvern as they also fell to Fatima 2-0 in the Men’s Championship Division, with Jordan Vieira scoring a brace for the winners, in the 17th and 37th minutes.

Results

Saturday

Women’s Championship

    Georgetown CC 2 (Sonia Jardine 38th, Trisha Woodroffe 48th) vs Ventures 0.

Friday

Women’s Championship

    SC Magnolias 5 (Stacey Siu Butt 19th pen, 34th, Amie Olton 14th, Brittany Hingh 27th, Savannah De Freitas 32nd) vs Courts Malvern 0.

Men’s Championship

    Fatima 2 (Jordan Vieira 17th, 37th) vs Courts Malvern 0.

Saturday

Women’s Championship

    Georgetown CC 2 (Princessa Wilkes 28th, 59th) vs Harvard Checkers 0.
    Georgetown CC 2 (Gabriella Xavier 8th, Sonia Jardine 24th) vs Courts Malvern 2 (Krizia Layne 4th, 52nd).

The Trinidad Guardian

Chimwani saves Wanainchi

By David Namunyala

Kevin Chimwani’s lone goal saved title holders Wanainchi from being humiliated as they took on Kampala in their first game of the Ugandan National Hockey League on Sunday at Lugogo.

Wanainchi’s striker Thomas Opio had earlier missed two attempts in the tense game before Chimwani broke the silence to put the 2014 champions in a cheering mood in the 47 minute after he scored the only goal that gave Wanainchi a 1-0 victory in the men’s category.

In the other men’s action, ROCKETS fell to a 9-3 defeat against tough opponents Weatherhead.

Rodney Nagaba, Ibra Tamale and Andrew Bushobora scored two goals each as Moses Tushabe, Erasmus Katwebaze and Vincent Kalule added a goal each as Weatherhead won their opening game this season. Meanwhile Daniel Kyaligonza, Jerome Owori and Michael Nashimolo scored the consolation goals for Rockets.

In the women’s category defending champions Weatherhead A started on a sad note after falling to the hands of Wanainchi in the game that ended 3-2 at the same venue while in the other game Weatherhead B side walloped Kampala 7-2.

National Hockey League

Results

Men,

Weatherhead 9 Rockets 3
Wanainchi 1 Kampala 0

Women,

Wanainchi 3 Weatherhead A 2
Weatherhead B 7 Kampala 2

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