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All the news for Thursday 24 July 2015

Argentina and United States advance to gold medal match


2015 Pan American Games - SF - Argentina vs. Chile. Photo: Yan Huckendubler

Chile and Canada will play for bronze. Mexico and Uruguay will play for 5th/6th place; while Cuba and the Dominican Republic will play for 7th place. With the competition almost complete, Argentina’s Noel Barrionuevo still leads all scorers with 9 goals, United States’ Kelsey Kolojejchick has 7 goals and Argentina’s Delfina Merino has 6 goals. Argentina has also scored the most goals in the tournament (41). Both Argentina and the United States have yet to be scored upon. Please check back here on 24 July to follow all the score updates, social media, reports and more on the final day of the women’s competition of the 2015 Pan American games.

Semifinal: Canada vs. United States: 0-3 (ht: 0-1)

In the other women’s semifinal Northern neighbors Canada and the United States played. The first five minutes was a battle of possession with both teams playing strong defense to keep each other from taking a shot despite each having possession within the 23 meter line. In the 9th minute, the United States took the lead when Kelsey Kolojejchick hit a hard ball from the top of the circle past Canada’s keeper Kaitlyn Williams. In the 11th minute, Canada’s Amanda Woodcroft had a fast run on attack and found Thea Culley at the top of the circle but Culley’s high shot was just saved by United States keeper Jackie Briggs. Canada continued to attack for the rest of the first quarter. Stephanie Norlander had a good shot opportunity for Canada in the 13th minute, but the shot went wide. With the United States defense anchored by Captain Lauren Crandall preventing Canada from taking more shots in the first quarter the score remained Canada 0, United States 1 to finish the first quarter.

The second quarter started with the United States fast on attack and earning the first penalty corner of the match in the 17th minute. Canada’s defense broke up the United States’ penalty corner play and a minute later Canada had their first penalty corner of the match. Canada’s Karli Johansen flicked the ball off the corner, but Briggs was there for the save. Canada’s Brienne Stairs had a shot for Canada go wide in the 19th minute and Canada continued to pressure on attack. For the next six minutes, Canada had most of the possession, but the United States’ defense kept Canada from getting a shot off. The next shots of the match took place in the 26th minute when United States’ Katie O’Donnell and Michelle Vittese each had shots blocked by Canada’s defense. In the 28th minute, the United States earned a penalty corner, but Williams saved Crandall’s hard shot. Canada had possession in the final minutes of the second quarter, but the United States prevented Canada from getting the ball past the midfield to keep the score Canada 0, United States 1 at the halftime break.

The third quarter started with both teams battling for possession. In the 32nd minute, O’Donnell ran fast by herself on attack and nearly got a shot off, but the United States was awarded a penalty corner. The United States failed to execute the penalty corner play. In the 34th minute the United State got another penalty corner, but the shot went high. For the next five minutes Canada and the United States continued to battle for possession. In the 42nd minute, Canada’s Abi Raye looked to generate attack near Canada’s attacking circle, but the United States regained possession. In the final minute of the third quarter both teams got really physical in fighting for possession and the stands were full of loud cheering fans as the third quarter ended Canada 0, United States 1.

The fourth quarter started with the United States fired up on attack and Kolojejchick scored her second goal of the match two minutes into the quarter to give the United States a two goal lead. In the 48th minute Canada earned a penalty corner and Norlander had the shot after the initial shot was blocked by Briggs. The umpire however had called another penalty corner and so the apparent goal by Norlander did not count. Canada’s shot on the next penalty corner went wide and the United States regained possession. In the 51st minute the United States earned a penalty corner, but could not complete the play. The United States continued to hold the possession, but Canada did a good job defensively to keep the United States from having many shot opportunities. The United States earned two more penalty corners in the 57th minute, but could not get the first shot off and the second shot went wide. Canada ran fast back into their attacking end, but with solid defense by United States’ Stephanie Fee the United States regained possession. Fee’s hard work led to the United States running back on attack and Alyssa Manley put a goal past Williams to make the score Canada 0, United States 3 in the 58th minute. With the United States maintaining most of the possession in the final minutes of the match, the final score remained Canada 0, United States 3.

With the win, the United States will face Argentina in the gold medal match; while Canada will face Chile in the match for the bronze medal. The final matches will take place on 24 July.

Semifinal: Argentina vs. Chile: 5-0 (ht: 2-0)

The first womens semifinal was between South American neighbors Argentina and Chile. The match was intense right from the start. In the opening minutes, Argentina had most of the possession, but Chile often had three players around each Argentina with the ball. After Argentina’s Delfina Merino beat Chile’s Sofia Walbaum in the right side of her attacking circle, Merino crossed the ball to Martina Cavallero who gave Argentina the lead in the 6th minute. A turnover by Walbaum in her backfield led to more Argentina attack and the first penalty corner of the match in the 8th minute. Barrionuevo shot her signature drag flick that Cavallero deflected for the score right past Chile’s keeper Claudia Schuler to make the score Argentina 2, Chile 0. Two minutes later, Argentina immediately earned another penalty corner, but Schuler saved the shot by Barrionuevo. Chile ran back on attack and had a shot blocked by Argentina’s keeper Belen Succi. Argentina continued to pressure on attack, but Walbaum and Chile’s Camila Carram played good defense to force Argentina to pass the ball in the midfield. In the final minute of the first quarter, Chile tried to get the ball into their attacking circle, but unable to do so as time expired the score at the end of the first quarter remained Argentina 2, Chile 0.

Argentina continued to attack to start the second quarter, but Francisca Pizzarro and Walbaum played tough defense to keep Argentina from penetrating their attacking circle for the first four minutes of the second quarter. In the 20th minute, Argentina earned a penalty corner, but the shot went wide. In the 22nd minute, Pizzarro stole the ball and hit the ball down field, but it went out of play and Argentina regained possession. Argentina continued to pressure on attack and Chile continued to play incredibly strong defense. Pizzarro stole the ball again and found Agustina Venegas. In the 24th minute, Venegas shot the ball to the opposite post, but Succi was just there to make the leg-split save. After more strong defense by Chile, Chile went on the attack and the strong attack by Manuela Urroz near her attacking goal lead to Chile’s first penalty corner of the match. In the 29th minute, Argentina’s defense blocked up Chile’s penalty corner play. Thus the halftime score remained Argentina 2, Chile 0.

The first five minutes of the third quarter was a battle for possession in the midfield. Camila Carram continued to play good center defense for Chile that helped keep Argentina from penetrating their attacking circle until the 37th minute. Agustina Albertarrio took advantage of Argentina’s first real attacking opportunity of the third quarter by slamming the ball from the top of the circle past Schuler to make the score Argentina 3, Chile 0. Argentina continued to pressure on attack, but Chile continued to play strong team defense, including Francisca Tala and Venegas on the forward line. In the 44th minute Argentina earned another penalty corner, Schuler saved the initial shot, but Merino collected the rebound and slammed it in to make the score Argentina 4, Chile 0.

Three minutes into the fourth quarter, Merino continued to prove her scoring ability by shooting a rocket past Schuler for her second goal of the match to increase her team’s lead over Chile by five goals. Chile didn’t let up, however, and earned a penalty corner in the 49th minute, but the shot was saved by Argentina’s Florencia Habif. In the 54th minute, Tala had a hard shot on goal saved by Succi, but the play resulted in another penalty corner for Chile. Daniela Carram could not complete the play and Argentina regained possession. With Camila Carram and teammates holding off the Argentina attack in the final minutes, the final result remained Argentina 5, Chile 0. Thus, Argentina will move on to the gold medal match, while Chile will play for bronze on Friday 24 July.

Crossover 5-8: Uruguay vs. Dominican Republic: 7-1 (ht: 2-1)

In the other women’s 5-8 cross-over, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic played. The Dominican Republic ran on attack to start the match, but Uruguay’s Federika Kempner blocked runs by both Lucia Navamuel and Maria Disanti, respectively. In the 9th minute, Uruguay had the first penalty corner of the match, but the shot was blocked by the Dominican Republic defense. Play continued in Uruguay’s attacking half and Uruguay was awarded a stroke. Florencia Norbis put in the stroke in the 13th minute to make the score Uruguay 1, Dominican Republic 0. The Dominican Republic ran down into their attacking end after the restart, but Uruguay’s Kempner and Manuela Vilar played strong defense to get the ball back to close out the first quarter with the score Uruguay 1, Dominican Republic 0.

Dominican Republic started right on attack to start the second quarter. Agustina Birocho shot the ball and it deflected off a Uruguay foot right to Magalys Ortega who slammed the ball into the back of the cage. Ortega’s goal in the 17th minute tied the match Uruguay 1, Dominican Republic 1. In the 20th minute, Uruguay earned a penalty corner and Norbis’ flick regained the lead for Uruguay to make it Uruguay 2, Dominican Republic 1. Four minutes later Uruguay earned another penalty corner and the Dominican Republic blocked the shot and ran back into their attacking circle. Navamuel kept trying to attack from the right side, but Uruguay regained posessession. With either team able to get another shot off in second quarter, the score remained Uruguay 2, Dominican Republic 1 at the halftime break.

Less than one minute into the third quarter, Uruguay earned a penalty corner and Cecilia Casarotti put in a hard shot to make the score Uruguay 3, Dominican Republic 1. In the 34th minute, Uruguay failed to execute a penalty corner play, but Uruguay kept pressuring the Dominican Republic in their attacking circle. Uruguay’s Mercedes Coates had a slow shot slip past two Dominican Republic defenders to make the score Uruguay 4, Dominican Republic 1 in the 36th minute. In the 40th minute Uruguay earned another penalty corner, but the Dominican Republic defense stopped multiple Uruguay shots to prevent Uruguay from increasing their lead. Thus, the score remained Uruguay 4, Dominican Republic 1 at the end of the quarter.

Uruguay started the fourth quarter like they did the third, with a penalty corner goal this time by Vilar to make the score Uruguay 5, Dominican Republic 1 by the 48th minute. Uruguay kept up their attacking intensity and a minute later, Janine Stanley found the back of the net to make the score Uruguay 6, Dominican Republic 1. Uruguay then earned another penalty corner and Vilar’s flick trickled past reserve keeper Nayrobi Pichardo making the score Uruguay 7, Dominican Republic 1. The Dominican Republic did not let up, however, and had the ball in their attacking end in the 52nd minute to earn a penalty corner. Uruguay’s keeper Paselle made two big saves and then the Dominican Republic was awarded another penalty corner and Paselle again saved the hard shot. The Dominican Republic continued to pressure on attack and earned another penalty corner in the 56th minute, Navamuel lifted the shot and again Paselle was there to make the save.1 In the 59th minute, the Dominican Republic earned another penalty corner, but could not execute. Then in the final minute, Uruguay earned a penalty corner, but the Dominican Republic played good defense to keep the final result Uruguay 7, Dominican Republic 1.

With the win, Uruguay will play Mexico in the 5th / 6th place match; while Cuba will play the Dominican Republic in the 7th / 8th place match.

Crossover 5-8: Cuba vs. Mexico: 0-1 (ht: 0-1)

In the second day of crossover competition for the women’s Pan American Games, Cuba and Mexico played. From the start, play was in Cuba’s attacking half. In the fourth minute, Roseli Harrys hit a hard shot on goal, but it went wide. Soon after, Cuba’s Yuraima Vera Rojas also tried to score from the left side off a deflected pass, but the ball narrowly missed the goal cage. In the 6th minute, Cuba earned the first penalty corner of the match and the shot by Harrys on the left went wide to keep the match scoreless. In the 9th minute, Mexico had its first attacking opportunity of the match as Michel Navarro shot a ball just wide of the goal. Mexico then earned its first penalty corner and Navarro found Cindy Correa to give her team the lead in the 10th minute. After Mexico’s goal, Cuba tried to pressure on attack, but Mexico’s defense held Cuba to one shot in the rest of the first quarter that was saved by Mireya Bianchi. Thus, the score at the end of the first quarter remained Cuba 0, Mexico 1.

The second quarter started with Mexico immediately earning two penalty corners. The first of which was not well executed and Maria Correa’s shot was saved by Cuba’s keeper Heidy Gonzalez. In the 18th minute, Cuba then had a shot blocked by Mexico’s keeper Jesus Castillo. Cuba continued to pressure on attack with Yunia Milanes and Helec Carta pressuring right in front of Castillo. For the final four minutes of the second quarter Mexico had most of the possession near or in their attacking circle. Mexico’s attackers, however, Marlet Correa, Fernanda Oveida and Karen Orozco had trouble finding scoring opportunities with Cuba’s hardworking defense. As a result, the score was still Cuba 0, Mexico 1 at the halftime break.

The third quarter started with play in Mexico’s attacking half. Mexico’s Captain Jennifer Valdes and Marlet Correa kept trying to pressure on attack down the center of the pitch. Navarro had a shot blocked by Gonzalez. When Cuba was able to regain possession, Mexico’s Jessica Sanchez and Eliana Cota continued to play strong defense to hold off Vera Rojas who kept trying to attack down Cuba’s right side of the pitch. The hard work of Vera Rojas with her teammates led to three penalty corners in the 42nd minute. The first shots by Yaniuska Paso went wide and the shot by Carta was saved by Castillo. With either team unable to score, the score remained Cuba 0, Mexico 1 at the end of the third quarter.

Vera Rojas ran on attack and hit a hard shot that was saved by Mexico’s Jessica Sanchez to start the fourth quarter. Cuba kept on attack and earned a penalty corner in the 49th minute, but Castillo was there for the save. Carta received a yellow card in the 51st minute, but then Cuba immediately earned a penalty corner. Again, a shot by Vera Rojas was saved by Castillo to prevent Cuba from tying the match. In the 54th minute, Navarro had a hard shot, but it went high over the goal cage. In the 56th minute, Cuba had the ball in their attacking circle and Vera Rojas found Carta whose shot was saved by Castillo. Mexico immediately went back on attack and earned a penalty corner in the 58th minute. The penalty corner shot by Navarro went wide. Cuba kept fighting to attack and earned penalty corner in the final minute of the match. Paso could not get the penalty corner shot off past Mexico’s Cota and Mexico earned the one goal win over Cuba.

Pan American Hockey Federation media release

U.S. women beat Canada in all North American Pan Am semifinal

Canadians to play for bronze Friday against Chile

Shaheed Devji


Photo: Yan Huckendubler

In front of a raucous home crowd in Toronto, the Canadian women's field hockey team faced off against its North American rival, the United States, in the Pan American Games semifinal Wednesday, and it was the fifth ranked Americans who came out on top by a score of 3-0.

The world's twentieth ranked team, Canada will play for bronze against Chile on Friday at 2:00pm PT/5:00pm.

The loss is particularly stinging for the Canadians, who were hoping to play for for Pan American gold on home soil and with it earn 2016 Olympic qualification, something the Canadian women haven't done since 1992.

"Going to the Olympics is something that every athlete dreams of, but it doesn't mean that you're not a good athelte if you don't get there," says Canadian veterean forward Thea Culley, who is Canada's most capped active player, but has not played in an Olympic Games. "I'm so proud of my team today and we're going to be pulling everything together to get to that bronze medal match."

Canada still has a chance at history on Friday, as it has been sixteen years since the women have medaled at the Pan Am Games. The last time the Women's National Team took home hardware at its continental championship was the last time they played at home; 1999 in Winnipeg.

Wednesday's game began with the United States pressuring Canada constantly. It was a kind of pressure Canada has rarely seen throughout the tournament, aside from its pool match against Argentina.

The push resulted in the game's first goal. After Canadian keeper Kaitlyn Williams made a couple of early saves on U.S. penalty corners, Kelsey Kolojejchick broke through in the ninth minute scoring her first of two goals in the game.

In their previous four games, the States hadn't surrendered a goal so Canada's had a steep hill to climb. But the home team responded well, with several rushes into the American end and good opportunities to score.

U.S. goalkeeper Jackie Briggs was forced to make a strong blocker save off a Culley backhand, which was Canada's best chance in the half.

Canada kept pressing in the second half and thought it had come within one when Stephanie Norlander potted a rebound after a Karli Johansen drag flick on a penalty corner. The goal, however, was called back because it hit a Canadian body.

The Americans added two more goals in the forty-seventh and fifty-eights minutes, putting the game out of reach for Canada.

Once they get over the sting of the loss, Culley and the Canadians will shift their focus to Chile and the bronze medal match.

For a team that is typically one of the youngest at each tournament it plays, earning a medal at a major games will be an accomplshment and a positive step forward for the program, which will soon after the Pan Am Games refocus and have its targets aimed at 2020 Olympic qualification.

"Our squad is fantastic," adds Culley. "The girls who are in the twenty to sixty (games played) range are totally pulling more than their weight."

Canada will face Chile in the bronze medal match Friday at 2:00pm PT/5:00pm ET.

Field Hockey Canada media release

USWNT Confirms 2016 Olympic Games Berth With Win Over Canada


Rachel Dawson threads her way through 3 Canadian players. Photo: Paul Winstanley

TORONTO, Canada – With a 3-0 win over 20th FIH World Ranked Canada in the Pan American Games Semifinals, the U.S. Women’s National Team confirmed their qualification for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

The teams that earned Olympic qualification from the FIH Hockey World League Semifinals in Valencia, Spain, were Great Britain, China and Germany. Also qualifying from the FIH Hockey World League Semifinals in Antwerp, Belgium were Netherlands, Korea and Australia. With Korea already qualifying for the Olympics at the 2014 Asian Games, the highest-ranked fourth placed team in either of the two Semifinals earns the next qualification bid. Finishing in fourth were 3rd FIH World Ranked Argentina (Valencia, Spain) and 4th FIH World Ranked New Zealand (Antwerp, Belgium), meaning Argentina earned a spot to the Games. With both Team USA and Argentina advancing to the Pan American Games Final, the U.S. Women’s National Team has qualified for the Games.

Team USA will progress to the Pan American Final on Friday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. EST against Argentina, who beat Chile 5-0 in the other Semifinal game. This match up with Argentina will be a repeat of the 2011 Pan American final where Team USA won the game 4-2 to claim gold.

"Firstly, it's a great performance tonight from the girls," said U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach Craig Parnham. "I thought we played very hard and Canada played a very strong game against us. We had to be on our best game to keep them out early on. The result puts us in the final, of course, and we need to concentrate on the next game."

"I understand that this win qualifies us for the Olympics and that's obviously incredibly pleasing. A lot of hard work has gone into the program in the last two years, " added Parnham. "I think the players absolutely deserve this."

With a spot in the Pan American Games Finals at stake, both teams started the game eager to settle into the expected fast paced tempo. Team USA’s early pressing and connecting passes helped move the possession up the field looking for an open opportunity. Patience paid off in the 9th minute when a hard sweep into the circle by Michelle Kasold (Chapel Hill, N.C.) went through traffic and found Kelsey Kolojejchick (Larksville, Pa.) who blasted in a hard shot to give Team USA a 1-0 lead.

Canada wasted no time moving the ball down the field in hopes to get on the scoreboard. USA’s defender Stefanie Fee (Virginia Beach, Va.) was able to get in position to cut down Canada’s threating shooting angle and set up USA’s goalkeeper Jackie Briggs (Robesonia, Pa.) to make the clean save. Canada’s forward line kept an aggressive mentality as Team USA’s defense withstood multiple shots on target.

Team USA earned their first penalty corner in the 16th minute. Kasold’s backhand shot was cut off by a Canadian defender who quickly transitioned the ball to the other end of the field earning Canada their first penalty corner. Canada’s drag flick was saved off the stick of USA’s goalkeeper Briggs to retain the score at USA 1, Canada 0.

The intensity level continued to rise as both teams had multiple circle penetrations and shots. In the 27th minute, Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.) located a Canadian foot in the circle to earn a penalty corner. Lauren Crandall (Doylestown, Pa.) took the direct shot on cage but Canada was there to clear the ball keeping USA’s lead to 1-0 at halftime. 

Looking to extend their lead, Team USA wasted no time and earned a penalty corner in the 31st minute. Canada’s defensive corner unit remained strong and denied the attempt but Team USA earned another penalty corner moments later. Kasold’s sweep off the corner was redirected off a Canadian stick maintaining USA’s possession.

A close chance came in the 40th minute for an equalizer as Canada’s shot was deflected and cleared away by Crandall’s stick keeping the score at 1-0 to Team USA.

Feeding from the energy in the stands, in the 47th minute Team USA added to their lead as Rachel Dawson (Berlin, N.J.) sent a ball into the circle which was redirected by Kolojejchick making the score USA 2, Canada 0.

Wasting no time after the goal to find one of their own, Canada fired back with a circle penetration to earn a penalty corner. USA’s goalkeeper Briggs denied Canada’s dangerous initial drag flick but a rebound ball was redirected into the back of the cage. Team USA contested the goal and the call was reversed for hitting a USA foot prior to going in, giving Canada a penalty corner instead.

Continuing to use speed and stick skills, Team USA earned multiple penalty corner but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities. Aggressiveness remained constant as Katie Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.) received a green card in the 57th minute. Being down a player and one minute later, Alyssa Manley (Litiz, Pa.) secured her first goal of the tournament on a blast into the cage making the final score USA 3, Canada 0.

"I'm really proud of us for the work we put in over the last few years," said Crandall. "It pretty much has given us our Olympic qualification and our World Ranking of 5th. While we're excited, right now the big focus is going into a final against Argentina." 

The U.S. Women’s National Team will play Argentina on Friday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. EST in the Pan American Final.

USFHA media release

Canada falls to U.S. in Pan Am field hockey semifinal

Women had to win gold to qualify for Rio Olympics

By: Dhiren Mahiban

Natalie Sourisseau, seen here in action last week, and her Canadian teammates fell to the U.S. in the Pan Am Games semifinal. Lucas Oleniuk / Toronto Star file photo

American midfielder Kelsey Kolojejchick scored twice as the United States beat Canada 3-0 in women’s field hockey semifinal action at the Pan Am Games on Wednesday.

Canada will play Chile in the bronze medal game Friday while the Americans will play Argentina for gold. Argentina defeated Chile 5-0 earlier Wednesday evening earning a berth in Friday’s final.

Canada had to win the tournament to qualify for the Olympics.

The Americans opened the scoring in the ninth minute on Kolojejchick’s sixth goal of the tournament.

Kolojejchick put home the rebound off of Michelle Kasold’s shot for her first of the night.

The U.S. took a 2-0 lead in the 47th minute on Kolojejchick’s second goal of the game as she tapped in the rebound of Rachel Dawson’s shot.

Canada thought they’d pulled to within one seconds later, but it was ruled that Stephanie Norlander’s shot went in after the whistle had blown for a Canadian penalty corner.

The Americans took a 3-0 lead in the 58th minute on Alyssa Manley’s first of the tournament.

The Canadian’s best chance of the first half came in the 11th minute. American goaltender Jaclyn Briggs got just enough of Thea Culley’s shot to deflect it wide.

Kolojejchick nearly gave the U.S. a 2-0 lead in the 20th minute on a partial break, but Canadian goalkeeper Kaitlyn Williams made a big save to keep it a one-goal game.

The Toronto Star

Brazil Men confirm their place in the hockey event at Rio 2016

New Zealand Women also qualify

Host Nation Brazil men have qualified for the hockey event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Brazil defeated USA in a shoot-out in the quarter finals of the Pan Am Games this morning, thereby qualifying for the semi-final and additionally confirming their place in the hockey event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Brazil’s place in the semi-final at the Pan Am Games satisfies the host nation participation criteria established by IOC and FIH.  Having qualified for their continental championship - the Pan Am Games, Brazil then had to achieve a top six finish.  Qualification for the semi-finals ensures at least fourth place for Brazil and they take their place in the 12 team line-up in Rio next summer.

Brazil men join the six teams (Germany, Netherlands, Argentina, Australia, Belgium and Great Britain) who qualified for Rio 2016 at the recent Hockey World League Semi-Final events in Buenos Aires and Antwerp.

Brazil men will be the sole host nation team taking part in the hockey event as Brazil women failed to achieve the qualification criteria.  New Zealand women who came fourth at the Hockey World League Semi-Final in Antwerp take the qualification place as per the qualification process.

The remaining four Olympic places (men and women) will not be finalised until after the Continental Championships which finish in October this year.

FIH site

Black Sticks Women confirmed for Rio Olympics


Photo: Kiwi Hockey

The Black Sticks Women have officially qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, with confirmation coming from the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

A fourth place finish at the recent World League Semi-Final in Antwerp saw the Black Sticks miss out on automatic qualification, but put them in prime spot as the next highest ranked team.

The top three finishers at both World League Semi-Final tournaments (Korea, Great Britain, China, Germany, Netherlands and Australia) secured an automatic Olympic berth.

Because Korea had already qualified through winning their continental championships (Asian Games), their top three placing in Antwerp opened up an extra place which went to Argentina - who also finished fourth at their World League Semi-Final but had a higher world ranking than New Zealand.

The next Olympic ticket was reserved for the host nation Brazil although they have failed to satisfy the criteria established by the IOC and FIH, meaning the spot now goes to the Black Sticks.

With eight teams now confirmed to compete in Rio, the remaining four will be decided through the remaining continental qualifiers (Pan Am Games, Euro Championships, Africa Cup and Oceania Cup).

If a team who has already qualified for the Olympics wins any of the continental qualifiers, the extra spot goes to the next highest ranked finisher from the World League Semi-Final tournaments.

Hockey New Zealand High Performance Director Terry Evans said it was great to have confirmation of the Black Sticks Women for Rio.

“Although we were confident we had done enough through the qualification process, until it was official there was always a level of concern,” he said.

“This is an exciting time for the Black Sticks Women, but none of us are under any illusion as to the hard work needed if we are to be successful in Rio.

“Now that we have confirmation of our qualification, we have 12 months to prepare and that will come and go very quickly.”

Meanwhile, the Black Sticks Men are now focussed on winning the Oceania Cup in Stratford over Labour Weekend, which is their final opportunity to qualify for Rio.

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Black Sticks women off to Rio

By David Leggat


Anita Punt and her Black Sticks teammates have booked a place at the Rio Olympics. Photo / Getty

The Black Stick women have booked their place at the Rio Olympics, but the men's side have a tough road ahead to match their counterparts.

The New Zealand women's team officially qualified for the Rio tournament today, on the back of a fourth placing at the recent World League semifinal in Antwerp, allied to hosts Brazil failing to meet the Olympic criteria.

The top three teams at both World League events - Korea, Britain, China, Germany, Netherlands and Australia - advanced automatically to Rio. Argentina were also fourth at their World League tournament, but received a spot at the Games due to having a higher world ranking than New Zealand

There is no automatic handing of a place to the hosts and, as the Brazilian women didn't turn up for their Pan American Games tournament, they forfeited their right to a place, handing it to the Black Sticks.

However the New Zealand men's team are in a tricky situation.

Due to their failure to make the top three at their World League event in Argentina several weeks ago, combined with Brazil's men succeeding in taking an Olympic place, they must beat world No 1 Australia in the Oceania Cup in Stratford over Labour weekend.

That would guarantee a trip to Rio.

They did topple Australia, on a penalty shootout at April's Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia. They may also be hoping as Australia have already qualified their guard might be down in Stratford.

But the men know they slipped up badly at the World Cup in June, losing a marathon shootout to Canada in a game they should have won; then losing to Spain, also ranked several places lower in their final game of the event.

Hockey New Zealand high performance director Terry Evans was delighted with the news on the women from the International Hockey Federation.

"Although we were confident we had done enough through the qualification process, until it was official there was always a level of concern," he said. "This is an exciting time for the women, but none of us are under any illusion as to the hard work needed if we are to be successful in Rio.

"Now that we have confirmation of our qualification, we have 12 months to prepare and that will come and go very quickly."

With eight teams now confirmed to compete in Rio, the remaining four will be decided through the remaining continental qualifiers, the Pan Am Games, Euro championships, Africa Cup and Oceania Cup.

If a team who has already qualified for the Olympics - say Australia's men - win any of the continental qualifiers, the extra spot goes to the next highest ranked finisher from the World League semifinals. Canada and Spain, yet to be confirmed in the Olympic field, both finished ahead of New Zealand at that event.

The New Zealand Herald

Black Sticks women secure spot at Rio Olympics


Black Sticks captain Anita Punt. GETTY IMAGES

The Black Sticks women have qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games after enduring an anxious wait.

The International Hockey Federation confirmed on Thursday the New Zealand team, ranked fourth in the world, had secured  thespot at the expense of host Brazil, who had failed to meet criteria in order to be given a berth.

The Black Sticks' destiny had been taken out of their hands after a fourth place finish at the recent World League Semi-Final in Belgium. The result meant the team missed automatic qualification, but were in a prime spot as the next highest ranked team.

The qualification process is a complicated one - the top three finishers at both World League Semi-Final tournaments (Korea, Great Britain, China, Germany, Netherlands and Australia) secured an automatic Olympic berth.

Because Korea had already qualified through winning their continental championships (Asian Games), their top three placing in Antwerp went to Argentina - who also finished fourth at their World League Semi-Final but had a higher world ranking than New Zealand.

The next Olympic ticket was reserved for the host nation Brazil who failed to satisfy the criteria established by the International Olympic Committee,  meaning the spot now goes to the Black Sticks.

Hockey New Zealand high performance director Terry Evans said it was great to have confirmation of the team's spot at Rio.

"Although we were confident we had done enough through the qualification process, until it was official there was always a level of concern," he said.

"This is an exciting time for the Black Sticks women, but none of us are under any illusion as to the hard work needed if we are to be successful in Rio. Now that we have confirmation of our qualification, we have 12 months to prepare and that will come and go very quickly."

The Black Sticks Men have to win the Oceania Cup in Stratford over Labour Weekend, which is their final opportunity to qualify for Rio.

Stuff

U.S. Women’s National Field Hockey Team Qualifies for 2016 Olympic Games

TORONTO, Canada - Eight of the 12 most sought-after tournament invitations on a global scale in the sport of field hockey are claimed. Today one more prized invitation to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics was awarded to the well-deserving U.S. Women’s National Team. 

"A lot of hard work has gone into the program in the last two years, " added U.S. Women's Head Coach Craig Parnham. "I think the players absolutely deserve this. They've done a terrific job. When we get to the backend of the Pan American Games, we'll start putting a schedule together to prepare us for next summer."

By securing a 3-0 win over host nation Canada at the 2015 Pan American Games Semifinals, Team USA is set to meet Argentina in the Pan American Finals on Friday. Argentina previously gained Olympic qualification through their FIH World Ranking and their placement at Hockey World League Semifinals in Spain. Team USA, as a result of their 5th place finish in the World League Semifinals and 5th FIH World Ranking, is now assured of their place at the Olympic Games.

This tremendous milestone is a goal the team has consistently focused its entire energy to achieve. A timeline of landmark accomplishments, including a 2014 Champion Challenge gold medal and a 4th placement finish at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup, rejuvenated Team USA as an international threat in the hockey world after disappointing results at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The red, white and blue fought tirelessly to move an incredible seven spots, from 12th to 5th, on the FIH World Ranking scale in a short two years. The induction of Head Coach Craig Parnham and his world-class staff in 2013, as well the team’s relocation from Chula Vista, Calif. to the hotbed of hockey in Lancaster, Pa. strengthened the team to produce outstanding pitch performances. With Olympic Games selection added to their noteworthy achievements, the team’s journey continues upward.  

"We are obviously extremely happy and proud to have earned a place in the Olympic Games in Rio 2016," said Board of Directors Chair Shawn Hindy. "The hard work, sacrifice and dedication from the U.S. Women's National Team deserves recognition and honor. Not only do we thank the players, but the entire coaching staff and management as well as the whole of USA Field Hockey and our members for supporting our national teams."

Ten athletes on Team USA’s roster have previously earned and experienced the immense honor of representing the United States at the pinnacle of their sport, with some participating in more than one Olympic Games venue. These USWNT members include Lauren Crandall (Doylestown, Pa.), Rachel Dawson (Berlin, N.J.), Katelyn Falgowski (Landenberg, PA), Melissa Gonzalez ( Mohegan Lake, N.Y.), Michelle Kasold (Chapel Hill, NC), Katie O’Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa.), Julia Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.), Katie Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.), Paige Selenski (Shavertown, PA) and Michelle Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.). 

"We put a lot of days on the field and off the field preparing for this moment," said Selenski. "I'm so proud of this group of girls. We definitely worked our tails off. It's an honor to represent your country and wear the red, white and blue."

"I love wearing the USA jersey next to my teammates," said USA Captain Crandall. "I really believe in this group and what we're about to accomplish going forward."

"This is an awesome feeling," said Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.) "I think we improve every single game and we keep getting better and better. We're not done. This hard work is going to continue to pay off. Everyone on this team gives it there all."

International teams who are already qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games are Korea, Great Britain, China, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, Argentina and New Zealand. The remaining three 2016 Olympic Games invitations will be awarded based off of the FIH World Ranking system and the last three continental championships. The final three continental championship include Euro Championship (August 21-30), Oceania Cup (October 21-25) and Africa Cup for Nations (October 17-25).

USFHA media release

Pacific Games hockey champs look to Rio

Amit Raj

After conquering the Pacific, Fiji's national women's hockey team has turned its focus on the 2016 Olympics qualifiers in New Zealand in October.

Coach Alison Southey said the team would resume training next week.

"We need to do more work on fitness, skills and the basics."

Southey said improved levels of fitness would be the key when facing professional teams such as Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific Cup, which doubles up as the region's Olympic qualifiers.

"It will be very difficult because Australia and New Zealand are above our league. Their players are paid to train. They are professionals while for our players the game is a hobby. They are not paid athletes," she said.

Southey was captain of the national women's hockey team when it won gold in Suva during the 2003 Pacific Games.

According to her, for Fiji to be able to match the likes of Australia and New Zealand in future, local players needed better training opportunities.

"Harder competition and more opportunities for training are needed," she said.

The Catherine Thaggard captained side was hosted for lunch in Suva yesterday by accounting firm Aliz Pacific. Managing Partner of Aliz Pacific Dr. Nur Bano Ali said, "It's a super proud occasion. The ladies worked hard and they pooled own resources. Our firm is truly proud of the girls and the coach". Southey works for Aliz Pacific as its Practice Manager.

The 2016 Olympics will be held in Rio, Brazil.

The Fiji Times

Bain buoyant with hat-trick as Scotland secure a semi-final spot

By Craig Madden, Photo Credits Petr Toman


Kenny Bain celebrates his hat-trick goal against Ukraine

It was over 40 degrees celsius at pitchside in Prague, but it was the Scots who turned up the heat with a 6-3 thumping of Ukraine in the final pool match at the European Nations Championships II.

Promotion to Europe`s top flight is still on Derek Forsyth`s agenda, the Scots finished second in their pool and now qualify for Friday's semi-final.

"We were perhaps rather nervous and a little tentative in the first half but put in a really professional performance after the interval and scored four goals in the process," said a delighted Forsyth.   "I would like to pay tribute to the squad who played really simple hockey in the second half in very testing conditions."

Amsterdam`s Kenny Bain showed why he plays in the top Dutch league, he was a constant thorn in the flesh of the Ukrainian defence and finished with a well take hat-trick.

It was Bain who led the way in only six minutes, he advanced along the bye-line and his resulting cross was turned into his own net by a defender.

Ukraine retaliated with a series of penalty corners and finally Viacheslav Paziuk found the net to level at 1-1.  The same player repeated the dose at another set piece, this time his shot went in off the stick of Alan Forsyth on the line to give Ukraine an undeserved 2-1 lead.

The Scots were back on level terms three minutes later, a cross from the left by Bain eluded the goalkeeper and his defence, leaving Ross Stott to poke the ball home from less than a yard out.

There was now pressure to take the lead before the interval, the best chance fell to Wei Adams, the Canterbury player fired over the bar when a cross to waiting colleagues might have been the better option.

Good play by Russell Anderson set up a Forsyth deflection but his effort was blocked by the goalkeeper, the Scots finished the half level but clearly the stronger side.

Forsyth`s charges then embarked on the most effective brand of attacking hockey seen for many a year which blew away the shell shocked Ukrainians.

The half started with immense frustration, several chances fell to Forsyth, Bain and Adams with no success, almost inevitably it was Ukraine who stole a goal with their only real attack of the half.

It was a nightmare concession, a speculative lob floated into the Scottish circle missed by a defender and not dealt with by goalkeeper Jamie Cachia, Artur Mazurkevych took full advantage and struck the ball into the empty net.

Two goals in as many minutes settled the issue though, a calculated pass by Bain found the unmarked Forsyth and he calmly slid the ball past the goalkeeper.


Alan Forsyth levels up for Scotland with their third goal

Bain then advanced into the circle and his low shot found the net at the near post to put the Scots into a 4-3 lead.


Kenny Bain reels away after scoring Scotland's fourth goal

Thereafter there was only one winner, chances fell to Byers and Stott but both were blocked by the goalkeeper while Alan Forsyth found himself in a good shooting position but uncharacteristically miss-hit his effort and the opportunity vanished.

The pressure was off when Bain scored the fifth with a brilliant solo run, he waltzed into the circle, craftily he dummied the goalkeeper was forced to dive and calmly fired the ball into the net.


Gordon McIntyre rounded off the scoring with Scotland's sixth goal

With two minutes left the Scots made is six, Gordon McIntyre went on his own solo run and finished with a low reverse stick shot.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Second loss in trot for boys at Volvo event

s2h Team

Breda (Netherlands): Indian boys faced second successive defeat when they went down fighting The Netherlands 1-2 after they lost to Belgium yesterday.

In an evenly fought match today, the Dutch colts made use of a 18th minute penalty stroke, converted by Bram van Groesen, to go up.

In the second half, the Indian attacks, led by Simranjeet Singh, Armaan Qureshi and skipper Harjeet Singh, managed to press hard.

In the 57th minute, the host team counter-attacked with their fast-paced moves and this time again Bram van Groesen sent the ball in for the second goal. However, their joy was short-lived as Indian forward Armaan Qureshi charged back with his speedy run and hit the ball hard into nets to reduce the margin by 1-2 in the 59th minute.

With the motivating goal, the Indian colts attacked with more aggression and fought for an equaliser. In the dying minutes, both the teams managed to earn penalty corners but failed to materialise

India U-21 team will now clash against England in their fifth league match on 24th July 2015 at 20:30 IST at Breda, The Netherlands.

Stick2Hockey.com

England U23 Men draw with New Zealand

England Under-23 Men twice fought from behind to draw 3-3 with New Zealand in the Six Nations Tournament in Breda, The Netherlands, on Wednesday afternoon.

After a poor first half, England stepped up several gears and led with 20 minutes left, but a third goal from New Zealand ensured the match was drawn.

“A very poor first half performance got us off to a bad start,” said Head Coach Jon Bleby. “In the second half the mentality and quality of the team’s performance was much better and we created more than enough opportunities to win the game.

“Improving our penalty corer conversion rate and circle entry ruthlessness will be key goals working towards an exciting last pool game versus India.”

Brad Read put New Zealand into an early lead with a goal after five minutes from a penalty corner, only for David Goodfield to bring England back level on 10 minutes from open play.

Sam Lane put the Kiwis back in front on 27 minutes – again from a penalty corner - and they held that lead into the second half.

England pulled back level through John Clee on 46 minutes and another open play goal followed four minutes later from Ed Horler as England took the lead for the first time. But it only lasted five minutes, before Dylan Thomas scored for New Zealand to tie the match.

After a rest day on Thursday, England Under-23 Men will play India in their next match of the Six Nations Tournament on Friday at 4pm (GMT).

New Zealand (2) 3
Brad Read – 5 (PC)
Sam Lane – 27 (PC)
Dylan Thomas – 55 (FG)

England (1) 3
David Goodfield – 10 (FG)
John Clee – 46 (FG)
Ed Horler – 50 (FG)

England Hockey Board Media release

Draw with Germany for England U23 Women

A late goal from Hayley Turner helped England Under-23 Women salvage a draw against Germany in the Six Nations Tournament in Breda, The Netherlands, on Wednesday afternoon.

Germany had taken an early lead with Elisia Grave scoring from open play after just two minutes, and England held them out for the rest of the half and came out looking sharper after half time.

But it took until the 65th minute before they could score, Turner levelling after a mis-hit shot at the top of the D re-presented itself and she fired home into the bottom right corner in spectacular fashion.

“Two evenly matches teams fought out a very competitive 1-1 draw,” said Head Coach Craig Keegan. “We were disappointed to concede early but regrouped at half time and came out to play with higher intensity and effort consistently winning the ball in their half.

“It was a fantastic finish from Hayley Turner to level the game. We now have a day off to prepare for our next matches.”

After a rest day on Thursday, England Under-23 Women take on China on Friday at 12.15pm (GMT).

England (0) 1
Hayley Turner – 65 (PC)

Germany (1) 1
Elisia Grave – 2 (FG)

England Hockey Board Media release

England Under-18 Boys lose out to Belgium

A strong defensive performance from England Under-18 Boys wasn’t enough to stop them slipping to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Belgium in the Six Nations Tournament in Breda, The Netherlands, on Wednesday afternoon.

England will now go into Pool C alongside Scotland, Ireland and Russia to fight it out for survival, starting with a clash against Ireland on Friday afternoon.

“Given all the hard work they’ve put in you can’t fault their defensive qualities, but we lacked again in the final third to create enough chances,” said Head Coach Jody Paul. “So while I’m not totally displeased with their individual performance the outcome is what it is and we go into the bottom pool to play Scotland and Ireland in the final two days.

“Clearly the boys have to get focussed so that we can get a couple of wins out of that.”

The first half was fairly even, with both sides competing well but creating few chances. England won a penalty corner on 26 minutes but their effort was well saved, and on the half hour Euan Gilmour had a cracking shot very well saved by the Belgian goalkeeper.

But the breakthrough came three minutes into the second period with Henri Raes scoring from a penalty corner, and then he scored again on 50 minutes, this time from open play.

Finally, seven minutes later Maximilien Branicki scored the third to cap a win for Belgium.

England (0) 0

Belgium (0) 3
Henri Raes – 38 49 (PC, FG)
Maximilien Branicki - 56 (FG)

England Hockey Board Media release

Russia victory for England U18 Girls

England Under-18 Girls booked their place in the semi finals of the EuroHockey Youth Championship in Santander, Spain with a 3-0 win over Russia on Wednesday afternoon.

Goals came from Holly Hunt, Erica Sanders and Charlotte Daly as a patient England gradually undid Russia. And with Pool B winners Germany beating Spain, England leap-frog the Spanish into second spot.

Head coach Sarah Kelleher said: “It was a good display of attacking connective hockey which was really lovely to see. We could’ve had a few more in the back of the net, but they produced some really gritty defending.”

England took the lead when Stockport Grammar School’s Holly Hunt injected the ball into the D at a penalty corner, and then scored after it came back to her on 26 minutes.

Beeston ace Erica Sanders doubled their lead from a penalty corner on 39 minutes with a straight drag flick from the top of the D. And Charlotte Daly, of Reading HC, added the third goal on the hour mark from a rebound after the goalkeeper had saved England’s initial shot at a penalty corner.

England will now prepare to play Pool A winners the Netherlands on Friday at 11.30am (GMT).

England (1) 3
Holly Hunt - 26 (PC)
Erica Sanders – 39 (PC)
Charlotte Daly – 60 (PC)

Russia (0) 0

England Hockey Board Media release

England U16 Boys go down to Spain

Sheffield Hallam ace Lucas Ward scored England Under-16 Boys’ only goal as they went down 2-1 to a tough Spanish side at the Six Nations Tournament at Breda in the Netherlands on Wednesday afternoon.

In their strongest performance yet, captain Ward levelled for England on the 57th minute after Jan Vall had given Spain the lead on the stroke of half time. But five minutes later Spain pulled ahead once again with Alvaro Tello scoring from open play while England were down to ten men.

Head Coach Jerome Goudie said afterwards: “I was much happier with the performance. We kept the Spanish at bay for the most part and an encouraging number of attacking plays were created compared to other games.

“It’s been good to see our development throughout the tournament, although the results haven’t been there our performances have improved.”

Ireland provide the opposition for England Under-16 boys on Friday in their next match of the Six Nations Tournament, starting at 10.15am (GMT).

England (0) 1
Lucas Ward - 57 (FG)

Spain (0) 2
Jan Vall – 35 (FG)
Alvaro Tello – 62 (FG)

England Hockey Board Media release

Double strike sees Spain beat England

Spain proved too strong for England Under-16 Girls in the Six Nations Tournament in Bremen, Germany, on Wednesday evening, running out two-nil winners.

Head Coach Marc Bourhill was left frustrated after the defeat, with England seemingly unable to convert chances when they had created them.

They fell behind at the worst possible moment, just before half time, with Navarro Barrios scoring after 33 minutes from open play.

And then eight minutes into the second period she popped up again to score Spain’s second goal and ensure they took the win.

“England created a number of opportunities to compete in this game,” said Head Coach Marc Bourhill afterwards. “But continued naivety in key areas enabled Spain to take the game.”

After a rest day on Thursday, England Under-16 Girls take on Belgium in their final match of the Six Nations Tournament on Friday at 10am (GMT).

Spain (1) 2
Navarro Barrios – 33 43 (FG, FG)

England (0) 0

England Hockey Board Media release

Dutch do the double over Scotland U18 sides

Two high quality performances by the Netherlands ensured that both Scotland U18 sides finished bottom of their respective pools at the EuroHockey U18 Championships in Santander.

Scotland U18 Women were defeated 8-0, while Scotland U18 Men lost 7-0 to their Dutch counterparts.
As a result, the Scots enter the relegation pool cross-over stage starting on Friday.

In the women's competition, doubles for Pien Sanders and Michelle Fillet, added to individual strikes from Julia Verschoor, Imme Van Der Hoek, Joosje Burg and Minout Mink gave the Netherlands another large goal haul following 9-2 and 10-0 wins against Belgium and France.

In the boys competition, the Dutch goals came from Tijn Stuve (2), Thijs Van Dam (2), Bram Huijbregts, Jasper Brinkman and Camil Papa.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

CAG beats Namdhari XI, makes last four

K. Keerthivasan


With CAG already up 2-0, M.D. Naemuddin put it beyond Namdhari XI with a 59th-minute strike. Photo: B.Jothi Ramalingam   

Both CAG and Namdhari XI had to win to stay in contention for the knock-out stages from Pool A of the 89th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Wednesday.

It was CAG that did the job in style, securing its safe passage into the semifinals with an authoritative 3-1 triumph.

The other team that has already qualified for the semifinals from the Pool is IOC. 

Punjab & Sind Bank outplayed Indian Overseas Bank 4-1 in a Pool B contest that was stopped for over 30 minutes in the first half due to heavy showers.

In another Pool B tie, Army XI dismantled SAIL 6-2. While both PSB and Army XI have 10 points each after their league engagements, Army XI topped the table by virtue of better goal difference: 11 to PSB’s 8.

From the first minute, CAG was a picture of confidence, defending with gusto and attacking with flair. It hardly put a foot wrong. Had it not been for a goal-line save by Namdhari ’keeper Jaswant Singh, CAG would have gone 1-0 up as early as in the 12th minute.

It was only a matter of time before it scored. With a lone defender facing him, Shanmugam slammed one on the run into the boards.

S.S. Bundela hit a thundering grounder off a penalty corner to double CAG’s lead, with two minutes for half-time.

Namdhari made genuine efforts to score in the second session. Some of the deflections that the Namdhari forwards executed inside the circle were either feeble or were palmed away by ’keeper Mrinal Choubey.

CAG put it beyond Namdhari after Naemuddin converted a penalty corner.

With Namdhari’s hopes squashed, Harwinder Singh reduced the agony somewhat for his team with a clean strike off a penalty corner.

It is not easy to play with intensity when a team has already reached the semifinals, but PSB did not let down its guard against IOB and was on the attack throughout the match.

Karamjit Singh and Ramandeep scored a brace each to assert PSB’s authority.

IOB’s best chances came towards the end. Hasan Basha, though, missed both sitters.

The results:

Pool A: CAG 3 (V. Shanmugam 27, S.S. Bundela 33, M.D. Naemuddin 59) bt Namdhari XI 1 (Harwinder Singh 63); Pool B: Punjab & Sind Bank 4 (Karamjit Singh 14 & 54, Ramandeep Singh 26 & 65) bt IOB 1 (Vinod Rayer 51); Army XI 6 (Binoy Bhengra 30, A.P. Siraju 35+ & 62, Biraj Ekka 47, Bachiter Singh 56, Anup Topno 64) bt SAIL 2 (R. Sandeep 15, Santosh Majhi 58).

The Hindu

Men’s National Squads

Blake Govers steps up to national senior squad



Following the Kookaburras’ successful World League Semi Final campaign, which saw Australia’s men’s team qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games, Hockey Australia has reconfirmed its national senior and development squads.

New South Wales’ Blake Govers moves into the senior national squad and has been offered and accepted a Hockey Australia scholarship following his performances in the World League and in May’s Tests against Pakistan, New Zealand and Korea in Hobart.

The 19 year-old forward from Wollongong finished as the top goal scorer at the Hockey World League Semi Final in Antwerp, finding the net seven times in seven matches. He was subsequently named as the tournament’s best junior player.

In joining older brother Kieran in the squad, Blake’s inclusion makes the Govers brothers the second pair of siblings in the men’s national squad alongside Northern Territory’s Jeremy and Leon Hayward.

Russell Ford is no longer included in the national squad having retired from international hockey in April 2015 while Tasmanian Nick Budgeon will make the transition from the national senior squad to the national development squad. 

Men’s National Coach Graham Reid said, “The national senior and development squads, which are largely unchanged, reflect our primary focus on the development of our squad as we move into the final 12 months before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“We will continue to build capacity and experience in the group to give us the best possible chance of success in Rio.”

The adjustments to the squads follow a period of assessment that took into account the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Test matches in Hobart, the World League Semi Final and the national program’s daily training environment.

Key dates 2015 – Hockey Australia men’s program
27 July 2015: Athletes return to centralised training, Perth
25 September – 2 October 2015: Men’s Australian Hockey League, Darwin
21-25 October 2015: Oceania Cup, Stratford (NZ)
November 2015: Tests v India, India
28 November – 6 December: World League Final, Venue TBC (IND)

National Men’s Senior Squad 2015
Athlete (Hometown, State)
Daniel Beale (Brisbane, QLD)
Kiel Brown (Toowoomba, QLD)*
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)
Matt Gohdes (Rockhampton, QLD)
Blake Govers (Wollongong, NSW)
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, NSW)^
Aran Zalewski (Margaret River, WA)

* Kiel Brown represents the Western Australia state team in Australian Championships
**Glenn Turner represents the ACT team in Australian Championships
^Dylan Wotherspoon grew up in Mulwillumbah but was an athlete at the Queensland Academy of Sport and represents the Queensland state team in Australian Championships

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

Hockey Australia media release

Hockey gets golden boost

Australian Commonwealth Games Association supports hockey through Gold Coast GOLD 2018



Australian hockey’s preparations for the 2018 Commonwealth Games will be significantly boosted thanks to the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) and its Gold Coast GOLD 2018 Team Preparation Program.

Over two years, Hockey Australia will receive $250,000 as part of the program, which will go towards supporting international competition and development activities for athletes with the potential to feature for Australia at Gold Coast 2018.

This year the funding has already helped the Kookaburras take an increased squad to Hobart for the matches against Pakistan, Korea and New Zealand in May.

Later in the year, Gold Coast GOLD funding will contribute to Hockey Australia’s ability to host an expanded national women’s camp in September, allowing more athletes to attend and be exposed to top level competition. And in November it will enable the Kookaburras to take a larger group of athletes to India for a series of test matches prior to the World League Finals. 

Australia’s hockey teams boast a rich tradition of success at the Commonwealth Games and the Gold Coast GOLD funding will help Hockey Australia to maximise its potential for future success.

"We are pleased to provide funding support to Australia's top men and women hockey players as part of their preparation for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. We are looking forward to seeing both teams win gold as they did in last year's Games in Glasgow," said ACGA Chief Executive Officer, Perry Crosswhite.

Hockey Australia Chief Executive Cam Vale said, “The support that Hockey Australia receives from the Australian Commonwealth Games Association through its Gold Coast GOLD program is something we’re incredibly grateful for.

“It plays an important role in helping us to ensure that sustainability is built into what we’re doing. It allows us to continue to develop our athletes and coaches to put Australian hockey in the best possible position to achieve future success.

“Top quality international competition experience can be hard to come by outside of world level events. Support such as the Gold Coast GOLD program is particularly valuable in helping us to expose a larger number of athletes to quality competition and opposition as part of their development.”

The Australian men’s team has won each of the five gold medals on offer since hockey was first played at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 while the Australian women have won four gold and one bronze medal.

Both teams topped the podium in Glasgow with the men beating India 4-0 and the women forcing a dramatic shoot-out victory over England with an equaliser from Jodie Kenny 17 seconds from full time.

Hockey Australia media release

Grange handed tough Euro Hockey League draw


Grange celebrate

Grange will face 2014 Euro Hockey League (EHL) champions Harvestehuder THC and HC Wien of Austria in Round 1 of the tournament this October.

The Scots will travel to Hamburg for the opening stage of the competition, which was awarded to Harvestehuder THC by the European Hockey Federation.

Round 1 will feature 12 clubs and 12 games over three days of high octane action, beginning the battle to be crowned the winner of the ninth edition of the world’s premier club competition.

Harvestehuder THC qualified as the third ranked German side, while Austrian champions HC Wien won their national title for the first time in 22 years.

In Pool A, AH&BC Amsterdam are back for their fifth EHL campaign having claimed the third qualifying place from the Dutch Hoofdklasse. Their group rivals are French and Polish runners-up, St Germain and KS Pomorzanin Torun.

Pool C welcomes Italian newcomers SG Amsicora ASD for their debut in the competition. Belgium’s Royal Leopold are back in the EHL for the first time since 2012/13 while Russia’s Dinamo Elektrostal make their fourth appearance on this stage.

Finally, Pool D looks to be a well-matched one with all three teams returning from the 2014/15 edition of the EHL. Spain’s Club Egara have never missed out on the knock-out stages but will face stiff opposition from England’s second rank, East Grinstead. Ireland’s Monkstown will aim to use last year’s debut experience to good effect and cause some surprises.

Hans Erik Tuijt, Chairman of the EHL, said that Hamburg is the perfect venue for this latest instalment of the premier club competition: “We are delighted to be bringing the EHL back to Hamburg to kick off our ninth season and we thank Harvestehuder and Hamburg Candidate City for their enthusiasm and support.

“We look forward to showcasing clubs from 12 different competitions in Europe at Harvestehuder. We will continue the tradition to host the KO16 over the Easter weekend while the FINAL4 will take place in Barcelona on the weekend of May13-15, 2016.”

Marijke Fleuren, President of the European Hockey Federation, added: “We are very pleased to be coming to Germany and to Hamburg for this year’s Round 1 of the EHL.

“Hockey in Germany, through its clubs, is an important player in European Hockey and it is wonderful to have Germany, through Harvestehuder THC, hosting events once more.

“As an Olympic sport we are proud to be able to showcase our sport, through the EHL, in partnership with a 2024 Olympic Candidate City.”

As for the host club, HTHC’s President Cito Aufenacker cannot wait to welcome some of Europe’s best teams to his home.

“When the EHF asked whether we in Hamburg wanted to host Round 1 of the EHL, we accepted instantly. “Hamburg is the capital city for hockey in Germany and we look looking forward to seeing 12 teams playing at a high level with national and international stars.”

Euro Hockey League (Hamburg; October 9-11, 2015)

Pool A: AH&BC Amsterdam (NED), Saint Germain (FRA), KS Pomorzanin Torun (POL)
Pool B: Harvestehuder THC (GER), HC Wien (AUT), Grange HC (SCO)
Pool C: Royal Leopold (BEL), Dinamo Elektrostal (RUS), SG Amsicora ASD (ITA)
Pool D: Club Egara (ESP), Monkstown (IRL), East Grinstead (ENG)

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Monkstown To Represent Ireland at EHL Oct 9th-11th

Harvestehuder THC will become the latest club to welcome the Euro Hockey League (EHL) after they were awarded the honour of hosting Round 1 in Hamburg from October 9-11, 2015.

It will be the second time the tournament has arrived in the city – a candidate for the 2024 Olympic Games – following UHC who hosted the KO16 in 2008/09.

The festival of hockey will feature 12 clubs and 12 games over three days of high octane action, beginning the battle to be crowned the winner of the ninth edition of the world’s premier club competition. The draw for Round 1 has also been made with four enticing groups of three teams ready to lock horns.

Hosts Harvestehuder THC qualified as the third ranked German side and will play in Pool B, battling for top spot which brings with it a ticket to the KO16.

They have been paired against Austrian champions HC Wien who won their national title for the first time in 22 years. Scotland’s Grange complete the group having deposed Kelburne after an incredible 11-year reign as national winners.

In Pool A, AH&BC Amsterdam are back for their fifth EHL campaign having claimed the third qualifying place from the Dutch Hoofdklasse. Their group rivals are French and Polish runners-up, St Germain and KS Pomorzanin Torun.

Pool C welcomes Italian newcomers SG Amsicora ASD for their debut in the competition. Belgium’s Royal Leopold are back in the EHL for the first time since 2012/13 while Russia’s Dinamo Elektrostal make their fourth appearance on this stage.

Finally, Pool D looks to be a well-matched one with all three teams returning from the 2014/15 edition of the EHL. Spain’s Club Egara have never missed out on the knock-out stages but will face stiff opposition from England’s second rank, East Grinstead. Ireland’s Monkstown will aim to use last year’s debut experience to good effect and cause some surprises.

Hans Erik Tuijt, Chairman of the EHL, said that Hamburg is the perfect venue for this latest instalment of the premier club competition: “We are delighted to be bringing the EHL back to Hamburg to kick off our ninth season and we thank Harvestehuder and Hamburg Candidate City for their enthusiasm and support.

“We look forward to showcasing clubs from 12 different competitions in Europe at Harvestehuder. We will continue the tradition to host the KO16 over the Easter weekend while the FINAL4 will take place in Barcelona on the weekend of May13-15, 2016.”

Marijke Fleuren, President of the European Hockey Federation, added: “We are very pleased to be coming to Germany and to Hamburg for this year’s Round 1 of the EHL.

“Hockey in Germany, through its clubs, is an important player in European Hockey and it is wonderful to have Germany, through Harvestehuder THC, hosting events once more.

“As an Olympic sport we are proud to be able to showcase our sport, through the EHL, in partnership with a 2024 Olympic Candidate City.”

As for the host club, HTHC’s President Cito Aufenacker cannot wait to welcome some of Europe’s best teams to his home.

“When the EHF asked whether we in Hamburg wanted to host Round 1 of the EHL, we accepted instantly. “Hamburg is the capital city for hockey in Germany and we look looking forward to seeing 12 teams playing at a high level with national and international stars.”

The fixture schedule and ticketing information will be confirmed in due course.

Euro Hockey League (Hamburg; October 9-11, 2015)

Pool A: AH&BC Amsterdam (NED), Saint Germain (FRA), KS Pomorzanin Torun (POL)
Pool B: Harvestehuder THC (GER), HC Wien (AUT), Grange HC (SCO)
Pool C: Royal Leopold (BEL), Dinamo Elektrostal (RUS), SG Amsicora ASD (ITA)
Pool D: Club Egara (ESP), Monkstown (IRL), East Grinstead (ENG)

Irish Hockey Association media release

Narinder Batra equals Gill in hire and fire policy

By Sundeep Misra


HI President Narinder Batra. Pic/Getty Images

Former IHF chief KPS Gill appointed 18 coaches from 1994 to 2008. Current Hockey India President already has five in as many years with Dutchman Paul van Ass being the latest casualty, writes Sundeep Misra

Narinder Batra is on course to break KPS Gill's record. Gill, the former President of the Indian Hockey Federation appointed 18 coaches from 1994 to 2008. Batra has been equally prolific — five since he came to power in 2010.

Paul van Ass is the latest casualty. India is fast becoming the world's biggest dumping ground for high-profile foreign coaches — Ric Charlesworth, Jose Brasa, Michael Nobbs, Terry Walsh and now Paul van Ass. It's not an accolade India will be proud of. Desperately seeking a path away from the rut it has consigned the sport to, Hockey India is now dangerously veering towards repeating the 12th position in Rio 2016. The team under Michael Nobbs finished 12th at the 2012 London Olympics.

After the shocking dismissal of Terry Walsh, days after he coached the team to gold at the 2014 Asian Games and an automatic spot in Rio, the appointment of Paul van Ass, a methodical, outspoken Dutch coach somehow kept the critics and cynics quiet. Paul had the credentials (he had taken the Dutch team to consecutive silver medals at the 2012 Olympics and the 2014 World Cup). Now five months later, after spending 126 days on the field with the national team, he has been sacked.

Catastrophe

With just a year to go, it's nothing short of a catastrophe for Indian hockey. Mr Batra may justify his actions to whatever extent but any federation in the world would realise and understand the need for continuity in the coaches' position. "You really believe these guys (Hockey India) understand what is required for a team to win," says Rajinder Singh Senior, a former coach who took India to the 2003 Asia Cup title and a fourth place at the 2003 Champions Trophy.


KPS Gill. Pic/AFP

He was also the coach when India won the 2001 Junior World Cup. "For them, it's not the medal; it's their ego that needs to win." Rajinder was sacked barely months before the 2004 Athens Olympics. Indian coaches over the years have allowed federation presidents to walk in at the break and give their speeches to the team, their version of a pep-talk that usually had the opposite effect.

K Jothikumaran, the former secretary of the Indian Hockey Federation, had decided to give a tongue-lashing to the team during the break in the semi-finals of the 1998 Commonwealth Games against Malaysia. MK Kaushik, then coach, had to restrain India's star forward Dhanraj Pillay from walking up to Jothikumaran and asking him to leave the dugout.

Paul van Ass has been penalised for a similar walk-in which happened at the Hockey World League. Narinder Batra decided he was the super-coach. Paul, the chief coach, aghast at seeing Batra giving instructions, ordered him to leave.

At the moment, there is no coach in sight; unless, Batra decides to sign on a second-rate foreign coach. He still has Roelant Oltmans, the former Olympic and World Cup winning coach for the Netherlands, as High-Performance Director. A brave decision would be to bring in Jude Felix, assistant to Paul and appoint him chief coach. Probably, it's time, with a year to go for Rio, Narinder Batra, the man with the misplaced bravado gives off a swaggering display of courage.

Van Ass' short stint
126 - Number of days coach Paul van Ass spent on the field with the national team

Mid-Day

Why Hockey India should think beyond its international committee

K Arumugam

LARGER PICTURE: Is Indian hockey so immaterial that a petty issue can be blown so much that it wrecks its path? This is the question that lurks in the mind of many. A fracas between HI president and chief coach is not uncommon. Therefore, it needs to be settled and forgotten, rather than complicating each passing day, and in the end both must go hand in hand in the sportsman spirit. After all, one is doing a honorary job and the other is a thorough professional. Whatever happened after the Malaysia match is not that serious. But it is now a national news, parties spar in public, national coach is almost gone. Is Indian hockey so small that even a petty incident such as this can mutate its soul? Our national game deserves better treatment.

CONCERN: While the global hockey needs administrators of calibre in Narinder Dhruv Batra, India at home needs the services of established coaches like Paul van Ass, who are in the news after the ‘firing’ of the latter by the former.

This is a catch-22 situation.

Recent developments in the realm of Indian hockey is not only stunning but also shameful. All those involved, HI president Narinder Dhruv Batra and coach Paul van Ass, have to do a lot of introspection, and have to dispel the perception that one is egoist and the other is casual or unprofessional.

TRIGGER: Batra claims that he entered the field after the victory lap has been taken, and after taking permission from an official in the Organizing Committee to talk to the players. On his part, Paul van Ass has told a television channel that Batra spoke in Hindi, but it was ‘negative energy’.

“Players need encouragement not otherwise”, Paul van Ass

The incident has happened after India struggled to beat Malaysia in the quarterfinal at HWL semi final. “I insisted the importance of consistency and how lack of it affects the hockey development, nothing beyond, and what is wrong in that”, questions Batra.

“But once Paul told either ‘You Leave or I leave’, I left asking him to discuss later and meet”.

THE STATUS: Details are academic.

What is important is that HI is getting negative publicity not only at home but across hockey world. His regime is now compared with KPS Gill’s (who sacked a dozen coaches in 14 years including once during the World Cup) which proven administrators like Batra would not like to, even doesn’t deserve to.

Indian hockey with its globally popular Hockey India League, which made almost a hundred hockey stars millionaire overnight, needs positive image.

Today India has acquired an image of financial hub of world hockey. It has happened in 5, 6 years time – Exactly in Batra’s period.

Star TV into hockey, HIL, sponsors like Hero are in things.

But at the same time there is a danger that it might dissipate and disappear if Indian hockey would not deliver on international forums, more so if HI gets an image of arrogance.

THE ISSUE: How can a professionally run National Federation like Hockey India justify sacking of national coaches four times in five years?

Whatever the argument such things are not acceptable; nor going to help Indian hockey either.

‘Patriotism’ was the card when Terry Walsh was made to quit. Any amount of explanation by HI did not go well with populace though bureaucrats stood by Batra’s argument then.

It is strongly felt that the services of HPD Roelant Oltmans should be professionally put in charge to diffuse the situation.

Even if one takes Paul van Ass’ assertion that he has been fired is correct, there remains a question.

PAUL ASS’ MALFEANCE: Paul has been asked to submit a report. A report for a tournament that took place before he was ‘fired’. As a true professional, Paul ought to have submitted it. Because it was part of the job he was assigned to for which he has been paid or will be paid.

Paul also simply cannot run away with a simple and single line ‘I am fired’.

He is obliged to submit a report which he can do even now. That can silence many critics like this writer.

POSERS TO PAUL: Paul says HPD has sent a mail ‘fired’ on 13th July. He has shared every view of him with media, both print and visual, now its time to show the mail to media. Will he do that? Then only one can find out how HPD can send such a mail, or was he asked to do orally and what authority he wields to take such a vital deicision. Ordinarily, it’s the duty of CEO of HI or SAI, the pay master.

This site is in possession of return air ticket sent to Paul in June itself (pic)

It was purchased by Sports Authority of India through its public sector agency Palmer and Lawries. But Paul has been telling media that he did not get return ticket.

Will he clarify his stand?

With whatever news in public domain, it somehow gives an impression that he too is displaying egoist tendencies, casual or unprofessional.

It doesn’t augur well for a professional coach such as Paul to say that he travelled in India in Indica (poor man’s car) while Bentley is waiting at his garage (Quote: Indian Express).

This is simply nonsense. Its matching ego with ego. Paul came to India not to prove his ego is as big as his employer’s if not bigger than that.

Such things happen because they speak to third parties.

Why do both the parties speak through media?

TEAM’S INTEREST: Interest of the Indian team is continuance of coach. Terry Walsh, before that Jose Brasa argued for their continuance. As a change, Paul gives an impression he is in a hurry to quit, and is mudding the waters.

Personalities differ: Paul need not be a Xerox of Terry or Jose. He may he his own but his action should give an impression that his first interest is team’s.

He has come to India to deliver against the backdrop of hugely successful career, and should not be seen to be shying away on some pretext.

Now that Batra has clarified that he has not asked him to quit, Paul need to be flexible and bend. Though the HPD’s mail remains a puzzle.

BATRA TANGLE: On his part, Batra has to prove the game is his first priority. When the chief coach asked to leave, he left. It is appreciated. He has to show the same nicety and magnanimity now.

Today everybody in India blames Batra for Gill like Kill-Coaches regime.

For the interest of Indian hockey, its Hockey India League, Batra has to find a way to clear the mess he is perceived to have created.

There is no harm in pick up a phone and discuss with Paul. Batra need not wait for his Committee to ask him to do so. Hardly anybody will buy it. Batra’s analysis of Good Manager to Bad Coach is belated wisdom, avoidable at that.

INTERNAL COMMITTEE: Indian intelligentia give a damn to International Committees of National Federations. They are mostly His Masters Voices. It is borne out of history.

More so if it consists of former players. Describing them beyond won’t be charitable.

The Committee is not going to ‘order’ Batra to bring back Paul.

Everybody knows this.

At least half of the Committee members consider themselves claimants to the coaching mantle!

FIGHT THE PERCEPTION: So, the issue before HI’s Batra is perception; and the task before him is how to change it. People wont buy that four foreign coaches are wrong while one administrator is right!

Resorting to something legally sustainable like Committee process, won’t change the perception.

Certainly Harbinder Singh Committee is not going to be compared with Supreme Court appointed Justice Mudgal Committee or Justice Lodha’s, which made Indian Premier League (cricket) into smithereens recently.

End of the day, people will say four coaches in five years.

Its therefore a lateral thinking and vertical decision is need of the hour.

Batra has to douse the fire he has lit.

OPTION: Option one is to continue Paul as chief coach.

Elevation of Oltmans as team coach is crisis management, demotion for him. Lesser job but higher pay! Backdoor diplomacy is the answer. Let Paul van come back.

India needs Separate High Performance Director for women and also for Domestic hockey. Paul can be a good option. The important thing is likes of Pauls should be within our system. This will send right message to the world. At the same time, Paul should not play prank, respect national association and its system. Nobody will do anything at the cost of country's self-respect.

And finally, Batra is considered the best thing that has happened to hockey after Naval Tata. But if he is not getting due acclaim, because of his uncanny knack of ferreting out controversies with regularity.

If he is a good administrator, for which there is no doubt, it should include handling national coaches in the best possible way too. It is not happening right now. Course correction is in order.

In the last, the HPD needs to step in, broker a patch up and speak up. It is his moral duty.

Stick2Hockey.com

Willing to return if there is no interference in my work: Paul van Ass

NEW DELHI: India hockey chief coach Paul van Ass, who claims he has been fired from the job following an altercation with federation president Narinder Batra, on Wednesday said he is willing to resume his duties provided there is no "interference" in his work.

Van Ass, who took charge of the team only five months back, had alleged on Monday that he had been "fired" by Hockey India following the spat with Batra after the quarter-final match against Malaysia in the World League Semi-finals in Antwerp, Belgium earlier this month.

After the episode, a fuming Batra constituted a special committee under Olympian Harbinder Singh a take a call on the coach's future on July 24.

Asked if he is ready to rejoin the Indian team if asked to do so, van Ass told PTI from Rotterdam: "It's too early to jump the gun. Let's wait and see. The fact is I am not welcome any more. For sure I have been sacked just a week after the tournament (in Antwerp). I am just waiting for the official word.

"But whatever happens I am OK. I have never quit the job. I have never said I have quit. What can you do if you are fired?

"But if am asked to return I am fine. But before that we will have lots of discussion. I am just very straight. My position is simple 'don't interfere in my primary process'," Van Ass added.

A day after Van Ass claimed that he was sacked by HI, federation chief Batra hit back at him, saying that "Van Ass is not a good coach" and was "rude".

Reacting to Batra's remarks, the outspoken Dutchman said: "He cannot judge what he doesn't know. It's useless. Such remarks prove that he doesn't know the game but I am least interested in all these.

"I am not bothered about his opinion. It is not serious. What was serious was that all the blame was being put on my head by saying that I haven't reported for the camp. But the fact is I was never supposed to join the camp as I had already been sacked," he said.

Van Ass took over the coaching job of the Indian team just five months ago. If he is indeed relived of his duty, he would become the fourth foreign coach to be shown the door unceremoniously ever since Hockey India took over the reins of the game in 2009.

Van Ass's predecessors Jose Brasa, Michael Nobbs and Terry Walsh -- all of whom were hired by Sports Authority of India on the recommendations of HI at hefty salaries -- also left the country on an unceremonious note.

The Dutchman, however, made it clear that he was not in India in lure of money but to create a "magic" in next year's Rio Olympics.

"I was not in India for money. By God's grace I have earned enough in my lifetime to lead a healthy and good life," Van Ass said.

"What excited me about the India job was Olympics. But as a coach I was not just interested in going to the Olympics. I wanted to create a magic and the boys were pretty fired up for the job. That's the ultimate fun," he said.

"It was possible to get a medal (in Olympics) and it could have been done."

Van Ass, who was appointed at the end of January this year, was awarded a three-year contract till 2018. The World League semifinals in Antwerp, earlier this month, was the Dutchman's second assignment with the Indian team.

Asked about his time with the team, Van Ass said: "I had spent some wonderful time with the boys. They are naturally gifted as all Indian hockey players. We also had decent results in the tournaments I was in charge."

The Times of India

Former India coach Jose Brasa supports 'sacked' Paul van Ass

Tushar Dutt

PUNE: When former India coach Jose Brasa was asked to comment on the Hockey India-Paul van Ass crisis, the Spaniard kept it short. "Another good one leaves."

Brasa, who served Indian hockey for two years, is not surprised by the news of Dutch coach van Ass not returning to India. "In India, hockey coaches are not considered as knowledgeable people. For Hockey India and SAI, the coaches are just puppets who should move according to their wishes," Brasa told TOI from Spain.

Brasa, who had coached the Indian team during the 2010 World Cup, Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, urged the Indian authorities to bring van Ass back for Indian hockey's sake. "I would urge the authorities (HI and SAI) to bring Paul van Ass back. He is a wonderful coach and has done really good things for Indian hockey. They shouldn't let him go," Brasa said.

He also said that van Ass' departure will also hit Indian hockey hard as no foreign coach would think of coming to India in future. "Hockey India may get a coach who will obey their orders, but if van Ass goes now, it will be difficult for them to find a coach with strong personality and wisdom," he warned.

Brasa, whose stint with Indian hockey ended on a bitter note, said Hockey India president Narinder Batra is not a good administrator. "When the players went on strike before the World Cup in 2010, Mr Batra didn't handle the situation well. Instead of understanding the players' perspective, he threatened and punished them for their conduct. This reflected in our results at the World Cup. I feel he is not a good manager and doesn't value people with wisdom. He should also know where to draw the line. He should let the coaches do their work without interfering in their job," said Brasa referring to the van Ass episode.

Nobbs bats for Harendra

Michael Nobbs told a TV channel that India should put its faith in Harendra Singh, who is currently in charge of the junior team, and High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans. "Oltmans has coached the team a few times with reasonable results. Harendra brings excellent language skills in translation, knows all the players well. He [Harendra] was working with me initially, has had good results with the junior programme. It's an easy decision. A dumb decision would be bringing in another foreigner," Nobbs said.

The Times of India

Hockey legend Dhyan Chand to be honoured in the British parliament


Image courtesy: en.wikipedia.org

On behalf of Dhyan Chand, his son and former Indian hockey player Ashok Kumar will receive the award.

Indian hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand will be conferred with the ‘Bharat Gaurav’ Lifetime Achivement Award by NRI orgainsation Sanskriti Yuva Sangstha at the House of Commons inside the British Parliament of July 25.

On behalf of Dhyan Chand, his son and former Indian hockey player Ashok Kumar will receive the award.

“It is a proud moment for the entire family. This award is a big thing for us. It translates Dada Dhyan Chand’s popularity beyond India,” said Kumar.

Dhyan Chand had helped India win three successive gold medals in Olympics. To his credit, he had scored over 400 goals in his international career.

Dhyan Chand was one of the nominees in 2014 for the prestigious Bharat Ratna, an award which cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and scientist C N Rao eventually received.

In 1936, when India won the gold medal in Berlin Olympics, Hitler offered Dhyan Chand to join the German team but he denied the offer.

Indian Express

PM probe committee’s second meeting on 28th

Mohsin Ali

ISLAMABAD - The long-anticipated second meeting of the Prime Minister’s inquiry committee to look into the debacle of Pakistan hockey team, who failed miserably in the Olympics 2016 qualifying round at Belgium, which was earlier set for today (Thursday), is cancelled and rescheduled for July 28.

As per expectations, the entire exercise is just waste of time and meager eye-wash as the committee was established to give time to incompetent federation officials. The committee was formed with the basic aim to identify responsible and recommend action against the culprits and was given one-week time to submit its report, but after almost a month, the committee failed miserably to even prepare report, submitting report is a far cry.

It was time and again mentioned in a section of press that the probe committee had submitted the report to the PM, which was later denied by IPC secretary Ejaz Chaudhry. It was hoped that after arrival of PM from Saudi Arabia, the committee would submit their detailed report to the PM and sufferings of masses and players would be finally over, but as per inside reports, the probe committee just bought time for the incompetent federation officials, who are solely responsible for piling agony and pain on masses and destroying the national game. They just remained busy in enjoying joy rides, begging for funds and were never serious in improving the living standard of the players. They never bother to make any plan regarding improving the fast declining fortunes of hockey.

It is high time when prime minister Nawaz Sharif, without wasting any further time and waiting for so-called probe committee report, should show the door to the PHF officials and immediately appoint persons who have know how of hockey and are sincere with the national game.

The inside sources in Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) on condition of anonymity have confirmed to this scribe that scheduled meeting was cancelled on the request of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) as they had set same date for their own fact-finding committee. What a joke with the nation, as the people responsible for the entire saga would conduct inquiry against themselves. The inside sources revealed that the PHF inquiry committee in their report had passed on the entire blame on the shoulders of players rather than accepting their fault and tendering resignations. Only the PM’s timely action can save Pakistan hockey from further downslide.

Talking to The Nation, Olympian Naveed Alam termed cancellation of the IPC probe committee meeting as highly unfortunate and said Olympians had devise their strategy. The entire pro-hockey lover Olympians are with us with only exception of a few, who are on federations’ pay role.”

He expected that the prime minister would take decision in the best interest of the hockey and the country and would show the door to the corrupt, incompetent and illegal present PHF management. “We have met with different chamber representatives and corporate sector’s big wigs who are more than willing to bail out hockey with only one demand neat and clean people must be onboard. I request the PM to take immediate action rather than giving them more time, as any further delay can spell further misery and disaster for hockey.”

“Pakistan hockey is paying heavy price of former sports minister Najamuddin's wrong decision of sacking the elected representatives of the PHF and appointing ad-hoc secretary, which was never heard or witnessed in Pakistan history or anywhere in the world. Pakistan hockey is still paying for that unwise and unjust decision but I hope the current officials will be shown the door during next few days and competent persons would take the helm of affairs of the federation, Naveed Alam concluded.

The Nation

Probe committee meeting postponed

Kashif Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: The second meeting of the probe committee constituted by the prime minister to explore the reasons behind national team’s pathetic show at the recently held Hockey World League (HWL) Belgium has been postponed.

Earlier, the meeting was slated to be held on Thursday. However, the committee, on the request of the members, postponed the meeting till July 28.

“The meeting of the probe committee has been postponed as the members sought time to make preparations for result-oriented deliberations,” said Dr Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera, director general (technical) of the Pakistan Sports Board.

The probe committee headed by Ejaz Chaudhry comprises retired Col Mudassar, Olympian Shahbaz Senior, Khawaja Junaid, Ganjera and Khalid Mahmood.

Ganjera said that Khalid Mahmood, a member of the committee representing the Pakistan Olympic Association, was currently abroad and would return by July 28 to attend the meeting.

Ganjera, who is also a member of the committee, said there were significant chances that the committee would complete its findings at the next meeting, which would be presented to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Earlier, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Akhtar Rasool and secretary Rana Mujahid were also asked to join the meeting. However, the DG said according to the agenda items, they had not been invited to attend the meeting.

“The representatives of the PHF have already registered their viewpoint,” he said, adding that the committee members will finalise the report in the final meeting.

The probe committee on July 9 held its first meeting during which national team head coach Shahnaz Shiekh and captain Mohammad Imran, Mujahid and Akhtar Rasool recorded their statements.

Dawn

Olympic opponents reunite after two decades as new careers bring them together


Craig Davies (AUS) (left) and David Faulkner (GBR) contested the 1988 Seoul Olympics final that GBR won

Former England and Great Britain hockey player David Faulkner welcomed Australian former international Craig Davies, whom he played against in the 1986 Hockey World Cup final and the Olympic semi-final in Seoul in 1988.
 
Although their paths have crossed professionally over the years, this was the first time the pair have seen each other since 1991.
 
Australian Craig, who is Director of Service and Alliances at Cranbrook School, Australia, visited David at Millfield School in Somerset, England, where he is Director of Sport. Craig was given a tour of the Millfield’s famous facilities and was provided an insight into how sport is delivered at Millfield in order to share good practice and explore a closer working relationship between the two schools.
 
Background

David Faulkner took the role of Director of Sport at Millfield in January 2013. He joined from the England Hockey Board where he was Performance Director for England and Great Britain Hockey since 2005. At England Hockey Board he oversaw the development and implementation of the vision and strategy for performance hockey in England and Great Britain which incorporated coaching, long term player development, sports science and medicine. Prior to that David was England Hockey Team Leader at the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games and Team GB Hockey Team Leader at the 2008 and 2012 London Olympic Games, where GB won their first Olympic medal for 20 years. David also represented England and Great Britain in a hockey career spanning more than 10 years, winning Olympic Gold at the 1988 Seoul Games.
 
David is also a SportsAid trustee, member of the TASS management group, British Swimming's performance management group, and helps to advise a number of Olympic sports on talent and coaching development, governance and performance management.

Millfield School media release