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News for 22 December 2015

All the news for Tuesday 22 December 2015


Olympic pools confirmed as Spain women and New Zealand men complete Rio 2016 line-up

Latest world rankings confirm pools for men’s and women’s hockey events



The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed that Spain women and New Zealand men have officially accepted invitations to participate in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games hockey events.

This now confirms the 12 team line-ups for both the men’s and women’s hockey events for next year’s Olympics, and following last week’s FIH World Rankings update, the pools are now set.

In women’s Pool A, defending Olympic and reigning world champions Netherlands, ranked number 1 in the FIH World Rankings, will face 2015 Hockey World League runners up New Zealand (ranked 4 in the World Rankings); China (5); Germany (8); Korea (9) and Spain (14).

In women’s Pool B, 2015 Hockey World League champions Argentina (2) will face Australia (3); Great Britain (6 – based on England’s ranking); USA (7); Japan (10) and India (13).

In the men’s event, Pool A sees reigning World and Hockey World League champions Australia, currently ranked number one in the world, face Great Britain (4 – based on England’s ranking); 2015 Hockey World League runners up Belgium (5); New Zealand (8); Spain (11) and hosts Brazil (32).

In Pool B of the men’s event, world number two ranked Netherlands will play defending Olympic champions Germany (3); Argentina (6); India (7); Ireland (12) and Canada (14).

The full match schedule for all the pool games and play-off stages will be confirmed later in February.

Spain women and New Zealand men were invited to participate following the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s (SASCOC) decision to reject invitations for South Africa’s men’s and women’s hockey teams.

To see the latest FIH World Rankings, click here.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games Hockey Events Pools

Women
Pool A             Pool B
NED (1)            ARG (2)
NZL (4)             AUS (3)
CHN (5)            GBR (6)
GER (8)            USA (7)
KOR (9)            JPN (10)
ESP (14)           IND (13)

Men
Pool A             Pool B
AUS (1)            NED (2)
GBR (4)            GER (3)
BEL (5)             ARG (6)
NZL (8)             IND (7)
ESP (11)           IRL (12)
BRA (32)           CAN (14)

FIH site

AUSTRALIA

Olympic pools announced

Australia's Rio 2016 opponents revealed by FIH



Familiar rivalries will be renewed on the biggest stage after the FIH confirmed the pools for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Australia's women (world ranking #3), who slipped one place to third in the world rankings last week following the World League Final, will compete in Pool B against Argentina (#2), Great Britain (6), USA (7), Japan (10) and India (13).

Australia's men, who remain world number one, will compete in pool A against traditional foes New Zealand (8) and Great Britain (4), as well as Belgium (5), Spain (11) and the hosts, Brazil (32).
On Monday, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed that Spain women and New Zealand men have officially accepted invitations to participate in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games hockey events following the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee's decision not to enter its hockey teams for Rio.

That confirmed the 12 team line-ups for both the men’s and women’s hockey events for next year’s Olympics.

In women’s Pool A, defending Olympic and reigning world champions Netherlands, ranked number 1 in the FIH World Rankings, will face 2015 Hockey World League runners up New Zealand (ranked 4 in the World Rankings); China (5); Germany (8); Korea (9) and Spain (14).

In the other pool in the men’s event, Pool B sees world number two ranked Netherlands play defending Olympic champions Germany (3); Argentina (6); India (7); Ireland (12) and Canada (14).

The top four from each pull will progress to the all-or-nothing quarter finals. Rio 2016 will be the first Olympic Games to feature the new quarter final format.

The Olympic fixtures schedule will be announced in February.

Hockey Australia media release

GREAT BRITAIN

FIH confirms pools for Olympic Games



The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed that Spain women and New Zealand men have officially accepted invitations to participate in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games hockey events.

This now confirms the 12 team line-ups for both the men’s and women’s hockey events for next year’s Olympics, and following last week’s FIH World Rankings update, the pools are now set.

Great Britain’s Women have been handed a tough task, being placed in the same pool as World No2 Argentina and old sparring partner Australia as well as a reunion with former Assistant Coach Craig Parnham and his USA side. Japan and India make up the rest of the pool.

In women’s Pool A, defending Olympic and reigning world champions Netherlands, will face 2015 Hockey World League runners up New Zealand (ranked 4 in the World Rankings); China (5); Germany (8); Korea (9) and Spain (14).



Great Britain’s men, currently ranked fourth in the world, will, like the women, renew hostilities with their sporting foes from Down Under and face reigning World and Hockey World League champions Australia, currently number one in the FIH World rankings. European rivals Belgium are also in Great Britain’s pool alongside New Zealand, Spain and hosts Brazil.

In Pool B of the men’s event, world number two ranked Netherlands will play defending Olympic champions Germany (3); Argentina (6); India (7); Ireland (12) and Canada (14).

The full match schedule for all the pool games and play-off stages will be confirmed later in February.

Spain women and New Zealand men were invited to participate following the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s (SASCOC) decision to reject invitations for South Africa’s men’s and women’s hockey teams.

Great Britain Hockey media release



Pools confirmed for Rio Olympic Games



Following last week’s latest world rankings update from the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the pools are now set for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

On the women’s side, the Black Sticks (ranked 4th) are joined in Pool A by defending Olympic and reigning world champions Netherlands (1st), China (5th), Germany (8th), Korea (9th) and Spain (14th).

In women’s Pool B, 2015 Hockey World League champions Argentina (2nd) will face Australia (3rd), Great Britain (6th - based on England’s ranking), USA (7th), Japan (10th) and India (13th).

The Black Sticks Men (8th) are in Pool A alongside reigning world and Hockey World League champions Australia (ranked number one in the world), Great Britain (4th - based on England’s ranking), 2015 Hockey World League runners up Belgium (5th), Spain (11th) and hosts Brazil (32nd).

In Pool B of the men’s event, world number two ranked Netherlands will play defending Olympic champions Germany (3rd), Argentina (6th), India (7th), Ireland (12th) and Canada (14th).

The full match schedule for all the pool games and play-off stages will be confirmed later in February.

Hockey New Zealand Media release

UNITED STATES

Olympic Games line-up confirmed, USWNT will Play in Pool B

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed that Spain women and New Zealand men have officially accepted invitations to participate in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games hockey events.

This now confirms the 12 team line-ups for both the men’s and women’s hockey events for next year’s Olympics, and following last week’s FIH World Rankings update, the pools are now set.

In women’s Pool A, defending Olympic and reigning world champions Netherlands, ranked number 1 in the FIH World Rankings, will face 2015 Hockey World League runners up New Zealand (ranked 4 in the World Rankings); China (5); Germany (8); Korea (9) and Spain (14).

In women’s Pool B, 2015 Hockey World League champions Argentina (2) will face Australia (3); Great Britain (6 – based on England’s ranking); USA (7); Japan (10) and India (13).

The full match schedule for all the pool games and play-off stages will be confirmed later in February.

Spain women and New Zealand men were invited to participate following the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s (SASCOC) decision to reject invitations for South Africa’s men’s and women’s hockey teams

USFHA media release

INDIA

Men’s hockey team to meet Germany, Holland in Rio

The Indian hockey team has been paired with Olympic champions Germany and silver medallists Holland in Pool B of the Rio Games next year, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced. India, who finished at the bottom of the London Games, have Argentina, Ireland and Canada also in their group. Pool A comprises world number 1 Australia, Great Britain, Belgium, New Zealand, Spain and hosts Brazil. For India to progress to the semi-finals, they have to be among the top two for only two teams from each group will advance to the last four, while the rest play each other for classification spots.

The FIH confirmed that Spain women and New Zealand men had officially accepted invitations to participate in the Rio Games after they were extended invitations following the withdrawal of South Africa. The African champions had qualified for the Games but they decided not to send their teams owing to stringent criteria set by their Olympic committee.

The Indian women, who qualified for the Games after a 36-year gap, are placed in Pool B along side Argentina, Australia, Great Britain, USA and Japan. Women’s Pool A includes defending Olympic and reigning world champions Netherlands, ranked number 1 in the world, New Zealand, China, Germany, Korea and Spain.

Gurbaj unhappy

Meanwhile, midfielder Gurbaj Singh, who successfully took legal route to get his nine-month ban overturned, has hit out at Hockey India again for not giving him an opportunity to play in the fourth season of Hockey India League (HIL) starting in January. Gurbaj, whose ban for alleged groupism in the Indian team was revoked in October, feels HI has unfairly excluded him from the list of 182 reserve players for the HIL. “I understand I was not included in the September HIL auction because my ban was still valid. But they (HI) should have included me in the HIL reserve list. That way any of the teams could have picked me up if a player was injured,” Gurbaj said.

Indian Express

IRELAND

Olympic Pools Revealed



The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has today announced the pools for the men’s and women’s hockey event at the 2016 Rio Olympics Games.

The FIH has confirmed that Spain women and New Zealand men have officially accepted invitations to participate in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games hockey events.

This now confirms the 12 team line-ups for both the men’s and women’s hockey events for next year’s Olympics, and following last week’s FIH World Rankings update, the pools are now set.

 Ireland sit in Pool B alongside world number two ranked Netherlands, defending Olympic champions Germany (3); Argentina (6); India (7); and Canada (14).

Pool A sees reigning World and Hockey World League champions Australia, currently ranked number one in the world, face Great Britain (4 – based on England’s ranking); 2015 Hockey World League runners up Belgium (5); New Zealand (8); Spain (11) and hosts Brazil (32).

The full match schedule for all the pool games and play-off stages will be confirmed later in February.

Speaking today, Coach Craig Fulton said “There has obviously been a lot of speculation about whether South Africa or New Zealand would take the last pool spot in the men’s tournament. Now that the Olympic pools have been decided we are obviously under no illusions of how tough the Olympic tournament is and the fact that we’re in a tough group. Looking at the opposite pool it is as strong which is not surprising. It doesn’t matter what group we’re in, we will be focusing solely on improving as individuals, and as a squad and team come Rio. Our first training camp is in early January and we’re looking forward to starting 2016 with a tough but enjoyable tour”.

Irish Hockey Association media release



Scots finish fourth at Belgium invitational

Scotland Senior Men finished fourth at this weekend's invitational tournament in Belgium as their preparations for next month's European competition continued.

The opening match resulted in a 6-4 loss to hosts Belgium, before goals from Wei Adams and Dan Coultas featured in a 2-2 draw with England.

Two goals from Stephen Dick was not enough to defeat French champions Lille, the match ending in another 2-2 draw.

A 3rd/4th play-off match-up against England ended in a 7-3 defeat.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



USWNT Program Continues Upward Trajectory by Contending at the 2016 Champions Trophy

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –  Known as the field hockey world’s entertainment showpiece, the prestigious Champions Trophy will feature six of the world’s top 10 ranked teams according to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World Rankings. Based on performances at previous Champions Trophy and Champions Challenges, 7th FIH World Ranked U.S. Women’s National Team will compete in the round robin tournament alongside Argentina (3rd FIH World Ranked),  Australia (2nd FIH World Ranked), Great Britain (6th FIH World Ranked), Netherlands (1st FIH World Ranked) and New Zealand (4th FIH World Ranked).

In the 22 years of the tournament’s existence, the U.S. Women’s National Team has only advanced to Champions Trophy twice, once in 1995, where they placed third, and again in 1997, where they finished sixth. Team USA solidified their qualification to the 2016 tournament by winning the 2014 Champions Challenge I in Glasgow, Scotland by defeating Ireland in the final by a score of 3-1.

The U.S. Women’s National Team’s success has been on an upward trajectory since 2014. This climb includes a fourth-place finish at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup and a first-place finish at the Pan American Games to defend their 2011 championship title and earn a ticket to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. These accomplishments have helped Team USA earn a spot as one of the top 10 ranked teams in the world.

"Qualifying for the Champions Trophy via the Champions Challenge in 2014 was a significant moment for the program," said Craig Parnham, U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach. "The 2016 edition of the Champions Trophy sees a return to the original six team format which provides a great opportunity for us to play against some of the world's best teams. With the tournament being only a few weeks prior to the Olympics we can expect that teams will be in the final phases of their selection processes, we expect some very competitive games."

The Champions Trophy tradition was introduced to women in 1987 as a biennial tournament. In 2000, the tournament was changed to an annual tournament until 2012 when it was reverted back to a biennial event. The Netherlands is the only team to have competed at almost every Champions Trophy since its induction only missing one in 1995. The Netherlands, Australia and Argentina have all won the trophy six times while Germany, China and South Korea have won it once.

The 2016 Champions Trophy will take place at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, England from June 18 to June 26. Tickets for the event have been on sale since November 11 and can be purchased by clicking here. Live stream coverage of this event is to be confirmed.

USFHA media release



Canada’s men to begin 2016 in South Africa for training and friendly matches

Shaheed Devji


(Photo: Yan Huckendubler)

Canada’s men’s field hockey team will begin 2016 with a training stint in South Africa from January 13th – February 1st in Cape Town.

The South African tour is intended to allow the men to immediately begin training and preparing for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Twenty-two athletes from the of 25-man senior Men’s National Team roster will travel to Cape Town, where they will take part in a combination of daily on and off-field training, friendly matches, and team meetings.

The men will arrive in Cape Town on January 13th and immediately begin training before playing their first friendly match on the 14th against Ireland at Hartleyvale Stadium.

The warm-weather training tour will last more than two weeks and consist of up to ten friendly matches.

In addition to the Irish, who are ranked 12th in the world, it is expected Canada, no.14, will face Spain (no.11) and Belgium (no.5). All three teams, like Canada, have qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil next August.

The tour begins an intense year of preparation for the Olympics, during which the Canadians will consistently play the top teams in the world prior to Rio.

Men’s National Team – 2015 South Africa Tour Roster

Name Position Hometown Caps
Adam Froese Defender Abbotsford, BC 119
Antoni Kindler Goalkeeper Vancouver, BC 52
Ben Martin Defender Vancouver, BC 83
Brenden Bissett Forward New Westminster, BC 35
David Carter Goalkeeper Vancouver, BC 117
David Jameson Defender Vancouver, BC 231
Devohn Noronha-Teixeira Forward Mississauga, ON 54
Gabriel Ho-Garcia Forward Burnaby, BC 62
Gordon Johnston Defender Vancouver, BC 73
Iain Smythe Midfield Vancouver, BC 110
Jagdish Gill Midfield Toronto, ON 41
James Kirkpatrick Forward Victoria, BC 28
John Smythe Forward Vancouver, BC 29
Mark Pearson Midfield Tsawwassen, BC 182
Matthew Sarmento Forward Vancouver, BC 44
Paul Wharton Midfield Vancouver, BC 53
Philip Wright Midfield Vancouver, BC 143
Richard Hildreth Defender Vancouver, BC 132
Scott Tupper Defender Vancouver, BC 215
Stephen Bissett Forward New Westminster, BC 7
Sukhi Panesar Midfield Surrey, BC 51
Taylor Curran Midfield Vancouver, BC 97

Field Hockey Canada media release



NZ Men named for Junior World Cup qualifier



The New Zealand Under 21 Men’s team has been announced to compete at next month’s Junior World Cup Qualifier on the Gold Coast.

The Kiwis play Australia Under 21s in a best of three series from 21-24 January although with two Oceania spots on offer, both teams are guaranteed qualification for December’s Junior World Cup in Delhi.

It’s one of the strongest Under 21 teams seen in recent times, including current National Squad player Nic Woods and Leo Mitai-Wells (Development Squad).

Head coach Bryce Collins said it was an exciting team with confidence continuing to build 12 months out from the Junior World Cup.

“This is a really exciting young group of players and we are confident we can be very competitive both during this series and at the Junior World Cup,” he said.

“Playing Australia in the summer heat will be a challenging environment which will be great for our development.”

Woods, who has played 29 tests for the Black Sticks, is the longest serving member of the Under 21s team and is on track for his second successive Junior World Cup.

CLICK HERE to see the New Zealand Under 21 Women’s Junior World Cup qualifier squad, which was named last month.

NEW ZEALAND UNDER 21 MEN
Junior World Cup Qualifier, 21-24 January

PLAYER NAME

REGION

POSITION

AGE

Ruan Bezuidenhout

Auckland

Goalkeeper

20

David Brydon

Canterbury

Defender

19

Robbie Capizzi

North Harbour

Striker

19

Alex Hanham

North Harbour

Midfielder

20

Sam Jimmieson

Auckland

Defender

20

Jonty Keaney

Auckland

Striker

19

Sam Lane

Canterbury

Striker

18

Richmond Lum

Southern

Midfielder

19

Thomas Mallon

Canterbury

Goalkeeper

19

Leo Mitai-Wells

Midlands

Striker

20

Dominic Newman

Canterbury

Midfielder

19

Kieran O’Connor

Southern

Striker

20

Hayden Phillips

Central

Midfielder

17

Brad Read

Capital

Defender

20

Aidan Sarikaya

Midlands

Midfielder

19

Johnny Thorn

Southern

Defender

20

Mac Wilcox

Central

Striker

19

Nic Woods

Midlands

Defender

20

Hockey New Zealand Media release



Nicol selected for acclaimed development programme



Black Sticks specialist coach Greg Nicol is one of eight coaches identified by High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) to undertake its highly acclaimed Coach Accelerator Programme.

This is the eighth intake of coaches into the programme, coaches that have graduated in previous years include All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, newly appointed Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby and Black Caps coach Mike Hesson.

“It’s a really tough process selecting each intake of coaches because the calibre of applicants is so high and we’re delighted with this latest batch,” says HPSNZ chief executive Alex Baumann.

"Coach Accelerator aims to increase New Zealand's pool of world-class coaches and we’re certainly doing this when you look at who has been through the programme.”

During the three years the coaches receive individualised professional development which include access to coaching mentors, high performance athletes and support personnel, as well as experts from various high performance environments.

Other coaches selected alongside Nicol are Debbie Fuller (netball), Dan Kelly (rowing), Greg Nicol (hockey), Craig Philpott (rugby), Debbie Strange (athletics), Sean Thompson (snow sports), Dean Vickerman (basketball) and Helene Wilson (netball).

Click here for more information on the Coach Accelerator Programme.

About Greg Nicol:
Greg Nicol is a former South African representative hockey player, who has transferred his success as a player into a highly successful coaching career.  As a player Greg scored 244 goals in 200 appearances for South Africa, is a double Olympian, and was the top goal scorer at the Atlanta Olympics and Manchester Commonwealth Games.  Since moving to New Zealand, Greg has been the assistant coach of both the Black Sticks Men’s and Women’s teams, and a successful head coach of numerous age group and representative teams at provincial level and for Hockey New Zealand.  He is currently Central's high performance coach and is based in Hawke’s Bay.

Hockey New Zealand Media release



Openda wants Orange to win title for keeps a second time

By BRIAN YONGA


Telkom Orange captain Betsy Omalla (centre) leads her teammates at JKIA on December 20, 2015 on arrival from the Africa Hockey Club Championships in Zambia where they retained the title. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |   NATION MEDIA GROUP

Newly crowned Africa Cup of Club Championship queens Telkom Orange have vowed to make more history by winning the title for the next three years.

The Kenyan girls won a record eighth African title on Sunday, their fourth in a row after a 3-2 post-match penalty shoot-out win over Ghana Police in the final played over two days due to heavy rains.

The win has motivated club coach Jos Openda to challenge his charges to defend their crown for the next three years and keep the trophy once again for good. This, Openda said, would be a befitting legacy to his glittering coaching career.

Openda also hinted that he might start grooming former national team keeper Josephine Ataro as his successor once he decides to leave the national champions. Ataro was recalled from retirement and was in goal for the semi-final and final matches.

“I want us to win back to back titles and make more history as a club and then after that I will have groomed Ataro to take up my position and ensure she leads the team to more success,” Openda told journalists at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Sunday night after the team’s arrival from Zambia.

“Dedication, discipline, teamwork and prayers ensured we reigned supreme at the event. I am proud of my team and want them to enjoy this moment because come next year, we want to do this all over again.”

While most of the Orange players have tasted continental success in the past, it was the first for striker Maureen Okumu and defender Georgina Lumumba who made their debuts at the event.

TOUGH WIN

Despite only seven women’s teams taking part in the event, Orange captain Betsy Omalla noted that this was their toughest win yet.

In Ghana Police, Orange have found a team that will challenge their dominance in the continental front in the absence of South African clubs who have given the competition a wide berth for years.

The teams drew 3-3 in their first match and Orange needed penalties to overcome them in the final after a 1-1 stalemate after regular time.

Police gave made a good account of themselves in their debut in the competition finishing ahead of compatriots Ghana Revenue Authority who won bronze.

Egyptian teams continued to dominate the men’s event with Eastern Company dethroning champions Sharkia after a 2-0 win in the final with Trustees of Ghana finishing in third place.

For the second year in a row, no Kenyan men’s clubs participated in the event after league champions Butali Sugar Warriors and runners-up Kenya Police pulled out of the event citing various reasons.

Orange and their coach Openda have once again been nominated for the 2015 SOYA women’s team of the year and coach of the year categories respectively with the winners set to be announced at a gala set for January 2016.

Daily Nation



How Telkom Orange conquered Africa

Tracing Kenya's torturous path to women hockey stardom

By Elizabeth Mburugu


Orange vs USIU Orange Jacky Mwangi(l) and USIU Lorraine Nondi(r) was cut short due to downpour at Citypark. ON 29/11/15 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Telkom Orange head coach Jos Openda once said: “It is not easy to develop into a champion and it becomes even harder to maintain the top spot when you finally get there.”

True to his words, his team’s journey to retaining the hockey Africa Cup of Club Championships crown proved to be difficult as they wrestled one opponent after another before they ascended to the continental throne.

With their eyes trained on an eighth continental gong, the African queens knew their work was cut out. Millions of Kenyans were full of expectation. There was no turning back, until mission is complete. The Kenyan girls refused to settle for anything less because only the crown could define their success.

Orange were in pool A together with Ghana Police and hosts Lusaka Sharks. Their first test came through the Ghanaian law enforcers as both sides played to a 3-3 draw. Despite taking an early lead, the Kenyans could not hold on to their advantage as both sides shared the spoils.

Veteran Jacqueline Wangeci netted a hat-trick for Orange, while Police goals were scored by national team players Martha Sarfoa, Nafisatu Umaru and Faustina Aggrey. After dropping two valuable points, Orange’s second tie against Lusaka Sharks was a must-win affair.

After fruitless efforts from senior players, youngster Maureen Okumu came in the 20th minute and put Orange in the lead a minute later with her first touch.

Former international Barbara Simiyu scored Orange’s second goal to give them a 2-0 conquest over Sharks and with that, secured a place in the semi-finals. Police beat Sharks 4-1 to top the pool and book a semi’s date with Sharkia of Egypt.

Orange on the other hand were condemned to second place with an inferior goal difference after both teams tied on four points.

Orange put up a show befitting their status as champions as they thrashed their Ghanaian opponents 2-0 in the semi.

Experience once again played a pivotal role for the Kenyans as Wangeci and Captain Betsy Ommala scored in the first half to push them closer to retaining their title. That was their best performance in the event as they controlled the game, forcing the Ghanaians to succumb to pressure.

Police routed Sharkia 6-1 to secure a second meeting with Orange. The battle lines were drawn and both teams fielded their best, most of whom are national team players. The final match ended prematurely due to the heavy rains, but even so, the Kenyan girls were determined to retain their trophy.

Wangeci scored for Orange, while Linda Sasu sounded the boards for Police as the match ended in a one-all-draw after 80 minutes.

The Standard Online



Scotland’s top indoor hockey talent on show in Dundee

The cream of Scotland’s indoor hockey talent will be on display at Grove Menzieshill’s Intervention Rentals Indoor Hockey Tournament at Dundee International Sports Centre (DISC) on the weekend of 9/10 January 2016.

Scotland’s men and women’s international teams will use the tournament as vital practice before heading to the European Hockey Championships in Portugal the following weekend (Men) and France on the weekend of 22-24 January (Women).

The round-robin tournament will give Scotland the opportunity to play against the best club sides in the country.

Host club Grove Menzieshill are multiple Scottish indoor hockey champions, Dundee Wanderers women and Inverleith men are the reigning champions, and completing the teams are Dundee Wanderers men and a combined Clydesdale Western/Western Wildcats women’s select team.

Indeed, you have to go back to the 1990s to find another team in Scotland that has won a Scottish League championship, underlining the quality on show.

In addition, the club hope to inspire a new generation of hockey umpires through a seminar for youth members of the club on Saturday led by Rio Olympics Umpire and Grove Menzieshill member Sarah Wilson.

Grove Menzieshill President Kyle Moir said, “We are delighted that Scotland have chosen our tournament to prepare for the challenge of European competition. The other teams will ensure that they are well tested and we look forward to another high quality, exciting tournament.”

“We are also delighted to have Intervention Rentals continuing as our tournament sponsors. Without them this type of event would be impossible to host.”

Entry is free to all spectators. Play runs from 10.15am to 6pm on Saturday and 9.10am to 5pm on Sunday.
Please visit the Grove Menzieshill website or contact Niall Joss, Club Administrator, on 07778 306966 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Ards Crowned Indoor Champions

John Flack



Ards were crowned national indoor champions for the fifth year in a row after a clean sweep of victories in yesterday's finals at the Queen's PE Centre.

They made light of the absence of star striker Chloe Brown, who was unavailable, as they earned the right to represent Ireland in Europe for the fourth year in a row.

Kerry Harvey, who joined the club from Pegasus a few weeks ago, was in sparkling form, hitting seven of the goals as the holders won the title with a game to spare.

Harvey hit a brace in a decisive 5-0 win over an inexperienced Railway Union side before Ards finished in real style with a 4-0 victory over Randalstown when the glittering trophy was already safely in the bag.

Results: National Indoor Championship: Queen's 0 Randalstown 0; Clontarf 0 Railway Union 3; Ards 5 (T. Macleod, K. Harvey 3, S. McClure) Queen's 2 (J. Allison, J. Orr); Randalstown 3 (A. Ogilby, E. Getty, E. Patterson) Railway Union 3; Ards 6 (K. Harvey 2, T. Macleod, S. McClure, F. Brown. A. Benson) Clontarf 0; Queen's 6 (T. Hastings 2, J. Orr, J. Allison 2, E. Hood) Railway Union 2; Randalstown 2 (E. Patterson, E. Getty) Clontarf 0; Ards 5 (K. Harvey 2, T. Macleod, A. Benson, N. Grundie) Railway Union 0; Queen's 4 (T. Hastings 3, J. Orr) Clontarf 0; Ards 4 (F. Brown, A. Benson, S. McClure, N. Grundie) Randalstown 0;

Final placings: 1. Ards 12pts; 2 Queen's 7; 3 Randastown 5; 4 Railway Union 4; 5 Clontarf 0.

Irish Hockey Association media release



Gurbaj Singh feels hard done by Hockey India again


Gurbaj Singh (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Seasoned midfielder Gurbaj Singh, who successfully took legal route to get his nine-month ban overturned, has hit out at Hockey India again for not giving him an opportunity to play in the fourth season of Hockey India League (HIL) next year.

Gurbaj, whose ban for alleged groupism in the Indian team was revoked in October, feels HI has unfairly excluded him from the list of reserve 182 players for the HIL.

"I understand I was not included in the September HIL auction because my ban was still valid. I understand they cannot do the auction all over again for me but they (HI) should have included me in the HIL reserve list. That way any of the teams could have picked me up if a player was injured. It is simply unfair," Gurbaj, a veteran of 200 plus international caps, told PTI.

HI chief Narinder Batra however refuted Gurbaj's claims.

"We are not sidelining him. If that was the case, we would not have invited him for the Indian team's camp for the South Asian Games (SAF)," said Batra of the event to be held in India in February.

The two-time World Cupper further argued his exclusion saying: "I am ready to play for India anytime and I have already written to HI on my availability for the SAF Games. But I would like to play with the best of the world players in HIL to stake a claim for a national comeback rather than play in SAF Games where India are set to field a second string squad. It is disheartening. It is better that they tell me that I am not in their scheme of things anymore than doing all this," lamented the 27-year-old, who once made a return to the national team post his impressive performance in the 2014 edition of HIL.

In October, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had quashed HI's decision to ban the senior player for nine months. The court had said the decision was "patently illegal" and not commensurate with the allegations of creating disharmony and groupism within the team.

The HI then was forced to lift the ban in the wake of the High Court order.

The Times of India



Sabah make JHL return

THIRTY teams registered for the Junior Hockey League, with Sabah making a come-back, when entries closed yesterday.

Last season also saw 30 teams in two divisions, with SSTMI Thunderbolts nailing their fourth straight double and are expected to be the dominating team in Division One again.

The JHL is expected to start on Jan 15, and it will remain as an under-19 affair even though calls were made to turn it into an under-21 league.

"We received 30 entries and its a positive sign which shows there is still massive interest among schools and clubs for the 21st edition," said Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) CEO K. Logan Raj.

But there were no foreign entries even though Asian and Asian countries were invited.

"No, we did not receive any foreign entries and only Sabah are from across the ocean," said Logan.

On the proposed girls JHL: "We are in the midst of preparing for that and most likely we will be calling for entries before the end of January," said Logan.

Women's hockey is set to receive a big boost next year as the Competitions Committee are looking to revive the RNA Cup and introduce two more for the ladies.

"We plan to hold the RNA Cup next year (same as the men's Razak Cup) and also invite states to organise two more women's tournaments on the same line as the men's Azlan Shah Cup and the boys' Sultan of Johor Cup," said competitions committee chairman George Koshy.

Koshy also plans to re-introduce the Tun Hussein Onn Cup, last held in 1986, with foreign clubs invited. The Trophy is believed to be in a cabinet in New Delhi.

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey



Shamala: Lets re-organise development..



MALAYSIA have been relying on a 'rojak' system to develop hockey for the last three decades, but things are about to change after the third week of January.

Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) development chairman S. Shamala (pic) will hold a workshop themed 'National Hockey Development Plan' which will finally encompass all the share holders to work towards one system with fixed goals.

Shamala said the objective of the workshop is: "We have many development programs in the country which are being run independently with some success, however there needs to be more coordination between all these programs to ensure that we maximize our respective efforts as opposed to having many overlapping programs."

She mentioned clubs like UniKL, Kelab Aman's Happy Hockey and development by Ipoh Lads which are now independent, and need to be coachd as well as strengthened to bring our better results.

"Right now clubs, schools, 1Mas, sports schools and Thunderbolts programmes are being run around the country and many of them overlap each other and there need to be a more concerted effort to stream-line them.

"There must be one system, one goal and no overlapping of development programmes," said Shamala.

And with the National Sports Institute (NSI), National Sports Council (NSC), Education Ministry and MHC speaking at the workshop, Shamala's committee will compile the data and feedback to formulate a National Hockey Development Plan.

"After each agency (stakeholder) present their complete structure, we will analyse them to derive a complete documentation on a development program. Upon the completion of these two steps, we will derive the National Hockey Development Plan."

The Development at All Tiers will be presented by Technical Director Terry Walsh.

The now defunct Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) had held a similar workshop and came out with many plans after the 1998 Commonwealth Games, but there was no implementation and monitoring done and it remained as paperwork collecting dust in somebody's cabinet.

But Shamala is re-igniting the fire, and hopefully there will be follow ups and the National Hockey Development Plan will see Malaysia in a better position a decade from today.

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey



Silver Stars Hockey Club end the Season on a high note

Patricia Maselesele


Diepsloot Silver Stars Hockey Club children celebrating their year end function.

Saturday 5th December 2015, the children of the Silver Stars hockey club from Extension 6 enjoyed their annual year end function at the Little Falls Resort.

The Club provides the children with the opportunity to develop themselves through playing hockey and in doing so providing skills to equip them for life while establishing long lasting friendships through sport.

There are currently around 120 children attending the Silver Stars training sessions, their ages range from 6 through to 17.  Attendance is increasing all the time and the children continues to succeed in terms of skill and playing capabilities.  We are certainly a club to continue to watch in the future.

After a great season it’s always good to have some fun in the sun and enjoy the time together with friends.  What a great time was had by all. All those who sponsored and helped make the day a success where most appreciated. A wonderful end to another season.

Diepsloot Times



The Hockey Museum: How it began



The first in a series of articles about The Hockey Museum which will uncover the story behind the scenes and the work of those involved in the development of the Museum.

Until four years ago the The Hockey Museum in England was a small, diverse collection housed firstly in two rooms at the National Hockey Stadium at Milton Keynes and subsequently in its founder’s garage in Surrey. Mike Smith, the current curator and one of the trustees of The Hockey Museum, explains how the museum came about.

“Phil Appleyard, the president of England Hockey in the 1980s wanted a display. So myself and David Wareham teamed up to put something together. It was just displays really, posters, equipment, clothing. It was in two rooms at the National Stadium. When that closed down, some of the stuff was lost but the majority was stored in my garage, where I thought it would stay, forever.”

It was not until London won the Olympic bid in 2007 that thoughts began to turn towards the heritage of sport in the UK, and it was through a chance encounter between Smith and an official from Woking Borough Council that the idea of a permanent collection began to develop.

Woking Borough Council wanted a display to coincide with the Olympics; Smith wanted a space to house and expand the collection and so a perfect match was made. The Borough Council provided a building and Smith and a small but enthusiastic band of volunteers moved in.

“David (Wareham) and myself were joined by Pat Rowley [a well-known hockey journalist] and Dil Bahra, who were both passionate about the history of hockey. Then I heard Katie Dodd give a talk on the history of hockey at the 2010 Champions Trophy in Nottingham and I knew she was just who we needed on board, so she joined us, as board chairperson. We also had Ian Wilson, a representative from England Hockey, on board as well.”

It took a year for Woking’s initial offer to the Museum to be formalised, but once they had the space, the group set to work. They asked friends, family and hockey colleagues to spread the word and soon the hockey collections began pouring in.

The newly-opened Hockey Museum was soon crammed to the rafters with equipment, magazines, coaching manuals, rule books, programmes, clothing and a raft of other hockey-related items.

“What you see in this museum, virtually everything before you, we have been given or we have found it,” says Smith. “It has cost us no money at all. That is how we started five years ago. We had 56 collections in 2012, 80 in 2013, this year we are hitting four collections a week, around 200 a year. Will it keep going like that? It might plateau, or we might get even more collections.”

Within 18 months it was clear the initial premises were not fit for purpose. The Borough Council helped once more, providing a new premises with a temperature-controlled store room, something that was essential given the fragility of some of the older items in the collection.

With some reclaimed school storage units and a heap of donated acid-free boxes, the collections now have a room of their own, although Smith thinks they will outgrow this space soon.

“We make a lot of noise for a little museum. Woking and Surrey cannot believe what we have achieved in four years,” says Smith. “Basically the council said to us ‘Show us that you are meaningful and we will help you’. Within a few months, Woking was popping up on news sites and websites in connection with the museum so the council was over the moon. We are developing a very positive relationships.”

These days the museum’s team of volunteer numbers more than 50 and the search has begun for a paid officer – a collection management officer, but for the first five years it really was a case of learning on the job.

The Hockey Museum joined the Surrey Museum Partnership so they could glean useful advice on running a museum, but as Smith said: “I am a curator who knows nothing about curation.”

The Museum plays host to a number of people who are researching the sport or sport in more general terms. Recently Janet Beverley, a former Australian international, spent several days at the museum researching for her book on the history of the Hockeyroos, and several books are either already published or in various stages of completion, based on the wealth of information contained within the wall-to-wall hockey memorabilia.

The Museum is currently in a stage of rapid expansion. Partnership with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has brought both funding and international recognition, while the EuroHockey Championships in London earlier in the year brought The Hockey Museum to the wide public’s attention.

The museum is already going for accreditation – the gold standard of museums – and there are multiple plans for growth and development in the pipeline.

“The trustees look after the strategy, while the management look after the operational side. We have come from nothing to this in four years so we need to take stock. We are currently working out where we go next but this has been a steep but exciting learning curve,” said Smith who seems to employ just the right amount of pride in a job well done and caution about the direction of travel.

To find out more about The Hockey Museum, visit their website: hockeymuseum.net

FIH site

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