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News for 12 January 2016

All the news for Tuesday 12 January 2016


Victoria break 19-year drought

Victoria's U21 men secure their third indoor title since 1997


Image: Clickinfocus.com.au

Doubles from Xavier Harrington and Joshua Ephraums helped Victoria’s men break a 19-year drought after sealing their third national indoor title since 1997.

The close 5-3 encounter had Victoria and Queensland battling it out right up until the final siren. Xavier Harrington and Stephen head had early first quarter strikes, setting Victoria up with a 2-0 lead heading into the second quarter.

Queensland’s Lachlan Sinclair and Aidan Campbell struck in the 20th and 22nd minutes, deadlocking the score 2-2. A double from Joshua Ephraums and a second on-target strike from Xavier Harrington was enough to secure Victoria the 2016 crown.

Striker Lachlan Sinclair was later named the tournament's Top Scorer with six goals during the men's medal presentation.

It was a nail-biting bronze medal final between New South Wales and Western Australia. Joshua Mayo’s first quarter double followed by strikes from Stephen Boothroyd and Corey Harding had the hosts finish atop 4-3. Jacob Garcia’s strike coupled with Michael Nicoli’s two field goals in the 26th minute unfortunately wasn’t enough to steal the bronze medal.

The Australian Capital Territory finished fifth in the final standings after missing out on their semi final place this year.

The Under 18 Men's Indoor Australian Championships begin on Thursday. Follow them here. On social media, use #AusChampsHockey and #IndoorHockey.

Final Classification
Gold: Victoria
Silver: Queensland
Bronze: New South Wales
4th: Western Australia
5th: Australian Capital Territory

Awards
Player of the Tournament: Cameron Hyde (WA)
Top Goal Scorer: Lachlan Sinclair (QLD), 6 goals
Play the Whistle: Western Australia

Hockey Australia media release



NSW claim ninth title

U21 NSW women win their ninth national indoor title


Image: Clickinfocus.com.au

New South Wales have claimed themselves a ninth national indoor title after finishing atop of the Australian Capital Territory 5-0 today in the U21 women’s gold medal final.

Kelsey Hughes opened the floodgates for New South Wales five minutes after the starting whistle with strikes following on from Samantha Danckert and Kiarra Marsh. Carrying a 3-0 lead into the second half, New South Wales’ Kelsey Hughes added to her earlier tally which was quickly followed by teammate Amelia Leard’s field goal, sealing the hosts a 5-0 victory and their ninth title.

After scoring 10 goals in six matches, New South Wales’ Kiarra Marsh was named the tournament’s Top Scorer. Strong contenders throughout the tournament, New South Wales successfully won all seven of their matches with a total of 29 goals.

Western Australia will take home bronze after defeating Victoria 3-1 earlier in the day. Captain Anna Roberts was the star for Western Australia, sealing a penalty corner and penalty strike two minutes apart in the 24th and 26th minutes. Elaura Wilkinson added to their tally also in the 26th minute to confirm Western Australia’s victory. Victorian Jessica Brennan’s strike at the 40th minute mark unfortunately wasn’t enough to outdo their opponents on the day.

Queensland’s women finished fifth on the final standings after missing out on the semi finals.

The Under 18 Women's Indoor Australian Championships begin on Thursday. Follow them here.
On social media, use #AusChampsHockey and #IndoorHockey.

Final Classification
Gold: New South Wales
Silver: Australian Capital Territory
Bronze: Western Australia
4th: Victoria
5th: Queensland
 
Awards
Player of the Tournament: Samantha Economos (ACT)
Top Goal Scorer: Kiarra Marsh (NSW), 10 goals
Play the Whistle: New South Wales

Hockey Australia media release



East Grinstead on course for 8th successive title

England Indoor squad announced for Europeans

By Mike  Haymonds

ED HORLER, the Loughborough Students’ striker, celebrated his selection to the England squad for the second tier EuroHockey Indoor Championship in Portugal, starting on Friday.

At the Super 6s Indoor League in Kettering at the weekend Horler, 20, finished as second highest scorer with 22 goals but it was not enough to earn his team a top four place and qualification for the Indoor Finals at the Wembley Arena on January 31.

East Grinstead stayed on course for an eighth successive national title after topping the table, unbeaten,  ahead of Reading, Canterbury and Sevenoaks while Beeston and Holcombe are relegated to Division One.

Wimbledon’s Tim Davenport was the leading scorer with 28 goals.

In the women’s competition in Telford, Canterbury were also unbeaten, finishing three points ahead of the other Wembley qualifiers, defending champions Bowdon Hightown, last year’s beaten finalists East Grinstead and Premier debutantes University of Birmingham. Premier newcomers Surbiton and 2013 national champions Leicester are relegated.

Bowdon’s corner ace, former Olympian Sally Walton, was the leading scorer by some distance with 20 goals – 12 from corners – with her team-mate Tina Cullen (45) bagging 13.

Head coach Andy Halliday’s 12-man England squad for Portugal includes a trio – Brendan Creed, George Farrant and David Goodfield – who play in the top standard Bundesliga with 2014 European champions Harvestehuder.

England are seeking an immediate return to the European top flight after being relegated in 2014. Reading’s Chris Newman is the sole survivor from that squad.

The only members of the centrally based outdoor GB Olympic  training squad are the captain, Reading’s Tom Carson, and East Grinstead’s  goalkeeper Patrick Smith.

Halliday, who will also coach England’s women next week in France, said: “I’ve been really impressed with the training intensity and development of the whole indoor squad, not just those selected. The standards have been high and I know that some will be disappointed not to have been picked.

“The group lacks experience, however, I am confident that we have selected  a squad capable of challenging for promotion back to the top tier of European indoor hockey.”

England squad: Albery (Beeston), Carson, Newman (both Reading), Creed, Farrant, Goodfield (all Harvestehuder), Dawson-Smith, Kinder (Wimbledon), Horler, Reynolds-Cotterill, Taylor (Loughborough Students), P Smith (East Grinstead).

Daily Express



Scotland's indoor squads win Grove Menzieshill tournament


Scotland's Jamie Wong battles for possession against Grove Menzieshill. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Grove Menzieshill's Indoor Invitational Tournament, sponsored by Intervention Rentals, proved a real success over the weekend, with a real feast of goals and high quality hockey on show at the Dundee International Sports Centre (DISC).

In the Men's competition, Scotland topped the standings with a 100% record, including a 11-0 win over Inverleith and two narrow successes over Dundee Wanderers (5-3) and Grove Menzieshill (5-4).

Olympian Stephen Dick topped the goalscoring charts with nine goals, with Dan Coultas, Hamish Imrie and Patrick Christie also chipping in with notable goal contribitions.


Scotland Senior Men with the tournament trophy. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

In the Women's competition, the destination of the tournament trophy boiled down to a winner takes all contest, with Scotland needing to beat hosts Grove Menzieshill by two clear goals to claim the silverware.


Scotland's Charlotte Watson in action against Grove Menzieshill. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Two goals each for Charlotte Watson and Amy Costello, in addition to a Katie Robertson strike, gave the national side the necessary margin of victory to top the group on by virtue of a superior goal difference.

Sarah Jamieson of Grove Menzieshill was the competition's sharp-shooter with eight goals.


Scotland captain Vikki Bunce collects the trophy from Grove Menzieshill's Harry Byers. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Midland U18 squads sweep to Indoor Inter-District crowns


Midland's U18 squads celebrate success. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Midland District swept to both the Boys and Girls U18 Indoor Inter-District titles at Bell's Sports Centre last Saturday.

In the U18 Boys event, wins over North (6-1), East (5-2) and West (5-4) resulted in a 100% record for Midland. West were runners-up.


Alan Johnston was selected by the coaches to receive the Byte 'Most Valuable Player of Tournament' award. (Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

The Girls event was again dominated by Midland, winning all three matches with successes against South (5-3), East (6-5) and West (3-2). West finished runners-up.


Kayleigh Justice won the Byte 'Most Valuable Player of the Tournament' award. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray


Scottish Hockey Competitions & Events Officer Sarah Crilly presents Kayleigh Justice and Alan Johnston with their 'Most Valuable Player' awards. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Easy does it for Orange

Africa hockey champions continue with winning streak

By Elizabeth Mburugu


Orange vs USIU USIU Victoria Onsase(r) when they played Women National league at CityPark. Orange scored 2-O. ON 29/11/15 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Africa women hockey champions Orange Telkom defeated Sliders 7-0 to extend their dominance in the Kenya Hockey Union women's league.

Playing in their first match after winning the continental title in Lusaka last year, Orange were clearly the better side in that Sunday evening match at City Park Stadium.

Veteran Jacqueline Mwangi scored twice, while Betsy Ommala, Caroline Guchu, Maureen Okumu and Tracy Karanja scored one goal each for the champions.

Telkom's assistant coach Josephine Ataro was impressed with her team's performance, saying they were adapting well to their new system of play.

"We introduced a new system of play and it is working well for us because the results are quite impressive. The girls are playing a more organised game and if they keep up with the spirit, we will surely end the season on a high," Ataro said.

"We want to retain our title and end the season unbeaten. We also want to score more goals."

Telkom dominated the game from the first whistle, as they pressed hard in hunt for early goals, but Sliders were equal to the task. However, when international Omaido was presented with an opportunity to strike, she did have second thoughts.
See also: EAC transport costs down by 40 per cent, survey shows

She converted a penalty corner past Sliders' goalkeeper Kate Opicha as Orange enjoyed a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.

In the 22nd minute, captain Ommala converted another penalty corner, which served as a wake-up call for Sliders. They upped their game, defending well and conjuring up some brilliant moves, all in the hope of containing the marauding Orange players.

But all the efforts came a cropper as Orange held on to their 2-0 lead heading into the break.

Champions Orange seemed to have perfected their penalty corners as their third and fourth goals came through successful conversions by Mwangi and Guchu in the 39th and 50th minutes.

Okumu scored a superb field goal two minutes later, while Karanja made it six in the 58th minute. Mwangi converted another penalty corner in the 64th minute and with that, Orange enjoyed yet another massive win.

In the men's Premier League, 2012 champions Nairobi Sikh Union rallied from behind to beat Parklands Sports Club 3-2. Erick Kidwaro put Parklands in the lead after 15 minutes.

Sikh's Shabaz Ali ensured parity in the 43rd minute, before Fredrick Okeyo got Parklands in control of the game in the 58th minute. Harvir Ghature levelled matters in the 67th minute, before veteran Wilson Otieno converted a penalty corner in the 69th minute to give Sikh the vital points.

The Standard Online



Van der Horst and Van der Weerden sign up with Oranje-Rood

Robert van der Horst (31) and Mink van der Weerden (27) have both signed four years  contracts with Oranje-Rood, the new club formed after the merger of Oranje-Zwart and EMHC.

It means they have secured one of the nominees for FIH World Player of the Year and one of the most fearsome penalty corner specialists for the new men's first team next season at the highest level.

Captain van der Horst said he is “highly motivated” to enter a new route with Oranje-Rood: "For me this is a good development for two reasons. I can continue to play at the highest level. I can also take my responsibility to ensure the continuity of the club. I want to improve my environment and support up and coming talents. "

Van der Weerden was also happy to stay four more years at the club, saying of the change to a new entity: "It feels familiar but there are also many changes, with really cool and new things. We as players have a major role in the transition: we are the face of the club."

Euro Hockey League media release



Former All Black captain Richie McCaw engaged to Blackstick Gemma Flynn


Richie McCaw is set to mark a new chapter in his life. FACEBOOK

Former All Black captain Richie McCaw says he is "very lucky" to be engaged to long time partner, hockey star Gemma Flynn.

"Happy new year to everyone. I've had a fantastic start to 2016 and feel very lucky. Gemma said 'yes'! It's been great celebrating our engagement with friends and family in sunny central Otago. Here's to a great year ahead," he posted on Facebook.

Last year the All Blacks became the first team to win back-to-back World Cups, as McCaw lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time.


The happy couple celebrated their engagement with a meal for family and friends in Central Otago. FACEBOOK

And 2016 has already been a big year for the recently retired McCaw, 35.

In the New Year's Honours he received New Zealand's highest accolade - being appointed to the The Order of New Zealand (ONZ), which is confined to 20 living New Zealanders.

A higher honour than a knighthood, it is awarded for "outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity".

At the time he called it "an incredible honour" to have his rugby career recognised.

"I've been so lucky to have played with some truly awesome men and while I receive this award, my team-mates are a huge part of our success over the years.

"I've loved every day playing for the All Blacks and I'm very proud of what we were able to achieve. I just see myself as an ordinary boy from Kurow who has been able to live a dream."

Flynn is a current member of the Black Sticks New Zealand women's hockey team, making her debut in 2008.

Congratulations have poured in to the couple on Facebook - with McCaws's post receiving more than 40,000 likes in 50 minutes.

Stuff



Herbie Sharman R.I.P.



Hockey Ireland is saddened today to hear of the death of their former President, Herbie Sharman, after a long illness bravely borne. All associated with Hockey Ireland will mourn his passing.

Herbie had been a teacher at Kilkenny College for many years and from there had become involved in Irish Schools Hockey. He had been chair of IHU Irish Schools and team manager for Irish U18s and U21s. He was enthusiastic in his support of all the national teams and was thrilled when the Senior Men qualified for Rio. From 2010 to 2012 he served with distinction as President of the now amalgamated Irish Hockey Association. During his time in office Herbie travelled widely to visit as many clubs as possible, while also entertaining audiences at Irish Hockey functions with his speeches, invariably given in verse. A man of many talents and interests outside hockey - he was Diocesan Press Officer for the Church of Ireland, a keen photographer and had an abiding passion for Railways.

Herbie was a man to be admired, not only for his commitment to life in general and hockey in particular, but also the courage and unwavering optimism with which he faced the trials of his illness.

To Tanya and their wider family we express our sincere condolences and know that Herbie is now at peace. He will be missed by us all.

Richard Kendrick

President, Hockey Ireland

Irish Hockey Association media release



“A hockey ball almost killed me”


Sam Owen, 28, who had his life saved by brain surgery after being hit in the head by a hockey ball

A game of hockey almost killed a Lancashire sportsman after it led to a massive bleed on his brain.

He tells AASMA DAY how lucky he is to be alive after timely surgery by medics at Royal Preston Hospital.

A sportsman today relived the moment he came close to death after being hit by a hockey ball on the head leading to a massive bleed on the brain.


Sam Owen suffered a massive brain bleed after being hit by a hockey ball in the head.

Sam Owen, 28, has revealed how he has made an amazing recovery thanks to timely action by medics at Royal Preston Hospital who operated to remove the blood clot and stop the bleeding.

Sam, who lives in Staining, Blackpool, says the one year anniversary of the horrific injury has been a difficult time for him as he realises how he was on the brink of death.

The fate of two sports stars who suffered similar injuries has made Sam realise how lucky he is.

Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died after being hit on the head by a cricket ball just days before Sam was struck by the hockey ball.


Sam Owen

And Formula One legend Michael Schumacher underwent the same operation as Sam to remove a blood clot from his brain after a skiing accident - but did not have as positive an outcome.

Sam today said: “The one year anniversary of the accident has hit me hard as it has brought it all flooding back and made me realise how close to death I actually came.

“I felt very emotional and upset and extremely lucky.

“People are very quick to knock the NHS and they have had a lot of stick this year.


Sam Owen

“But if the NHS hadn’t done such a fantastic job, I wouldn’t be here today.”

SAM’S FULL STORY

When a hockey ball struck Sam Owen on the side of his head with force, he felt intense pain and subbed himself off the pitch.

However, although his ear was bleeding, he was fully conscious and around 10 minutes later at half-time he was chatting to his team mates and they even asked him if he wanted to go back on for the second half.


Sam Owen

But Sam declined as he felt sickly and had a headache and the death of cricketer Phillip Hughes after being hit in the head by a cricket ball only days earlier was playing on his mind.

Sam, 28, who lives in Staining, near Blackpool, admits that it was Phil Hughes’ death that made him seek medical advice when he did as ordinarily he might have been tempted to go home and sleep it off.

But specialists at Royal Preston Hospital who carried out emergency brain surgery to remove a blood clot and stem the bleeding say if Sam had gone to bed with his injuries, he would never have woken up.

Sam was captaining Blackpool Hockey Club’s second team in a match against Bolton at Stanley Park a year ago when the incident happened.

Sam, who loves sports and whose main sport is cricket, played hockey during the winter months and his team were defending a penalty corner when the ball struck him.

Sam explains: “It was a short corner. We were trying to defend a penalty corner and I was trying to intercept the ball to stop them shooting.

“I got within a metre-and-a-half of the ball and the player struck the ball and it hit me straight on the left hand side of my head.

“It hit me with some force and it really hurt and I dropped my stick.

“I subbed myself off and my ear was bleeding.

“One of the lad’s girlfriends who was a trainee nurse was watching and she kept my wound compressed and gave me a painkiller and kept me calm.

“After that, I thought I was okay and was chatting to my friends at half time.

“But when they asked if I wanted to go back on, I told them that I didn’t feel right.

“Soon afterwards, I began feeling worse and felt woozy and in a lot of pain.”

Sam went to Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s A&E with his friend and he deteriorated rapidly.

Sam recalls: “It felt like the left side of my face was dropping and it felt swollen and my eye was closed.

“I was in a lot of pain and it was getting worse.”

A CT scan was carried out revealing Sam had a massive bleed on his brain so he was immediately sedated and rushed to Royal Preston Hospital where specialist brain surgery is performed.

Doctors had alerted Manchester and Liverpool hospitals just in case Preston didn’t have room to admit Sam, but he luckily managed to get the last bed.

Sam was taken straight to the operating theatre where a two-and-a-half hour operation was carried out to remove the blood clot and stop the bleeding.

When Sam came round from his induced coma, he discovered his hair had been shaved and when he touched his head, he could feel metal and staples.

Sam, who is an office manager at his dad’s firm Macdale Windows in Blackpool, says: “I had a craniotomy and they peeled the skin and flesh back to make a skull flap and stop the bleeding and remove the clot.

“They then put my skull back together and I had around 29 staples in my head.

“It was the same operation that Michael Schumacher had after his skiing accident.

“However, he wasn’t as lucky as me as he didn’t get seen to as quickly as he was in the middle of nowhere.”

Sam recovered well but being an active person, he found it difficult at first being told to take things easy.

Sam, who has played cricket for Blackpool for about 17 years and is captain of the Second XI as well as coaching the junior team, explains: “I was used to always being on the go and I wanted to keep fulfilling my responsibilities.

“It was frustrating at first as I wasn’t allowed to drive.

“I was used to going to the gym five times a week and I coached children in cricket a lot of evenings and weekends.

“I just tried to get on with things as best I could and slowly built my fitness back up.”

Sam has now made an amazing recovery and is back to full strength.

He has played a full season of cricket this year and the under 17s team he coaches won the Palace Shield for the fifth year running.

Sam says that since his injury and surgery, he gets startled very easily.

He describes: “Even if I know something is coming, it will still make me jump.

“For example, if I see an ambulance, I will still jump when the sirens go off.

“When I play cricket, I feel that maybe my reactions in terms of fielding on the left hand side weren’t as sharp.

“But apart from that, I have been doing really well.”

Sam says he hasn’t given his injury too much thought all year, but he found the one year anniversary tricky to come to terms with as he suddenly realised the enormity of coming so close to death.

Sam says: “The one year anniversary of the accident hit me hard as it brought it all flooding back and made me realise how near death I actually came.

“I felt very emotional and upset and extremely lucky.

“People are very quick to knock the NHS and they have had a lot of stick this year.

“But if the NHS hadn’t done such a fantastic job, I wouldn’t be here today.

“I am so grateful to Mr Golash and his team for saving my life. It is fantastic that we have people like this making such a difference to people’s lives.

“My accident has changed my philosophy in life and I appreciate things more and take my time.

“I want to urge people to take massive care when playing hockey and cricket and to not take a risk and wear headgear.

“I have stopped playing hockey since the injury as the thought of it makes me feel sick.

“However, it hasn’t put me off cricket which is my real game.”

APRAJAY GOLASH, CONSULTANT NEUROSURGEON AT LANCASHIRE TEACHING HOSPITALS WHO OPERATED ON SAM

“IF Sam had gone home to sleep off his symptoms, he would not have woken up the following morning.”

This stark reality from Aprayjay Golash, consultant neurosurgeon at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, drives home the reality about the seriousness of some head injuries.

Mr Golash says: “Sam went to casualty as he had a headache and was feeling sick after being hit by the hockey ball, but he was perfectly conscious.

“However, a scan showed a large bleed on the surface of the brain and the active bleed was getting bigger and pressing on the brain.

“Sam’s life was at risk and time was very critical.

“He was transferred immediately into Royal Preston Hospital’s operating theatre and surgery was carried out to take out the blood clot and stop the bleeding.

“The surgery was a left temporial craniotomy which meant opening the skull on the left hand side where the clot was.

“To close the scalp, we had to put staples in all along the wound which came out after it healed.

“Sam has made an amazing recovery and I expect him to make a total recovery without any problems.

“The key thing was that Sam was brought into hospital and operated on in time.

“Time is extremely critical with these injuries. If the primary injury is serious, the person can become unconscious.

“With Sam, it was a secondary injury because of the clot.

“It is all about protecting the good brain from damage and luckily, Sam was brought to Royal Preston Hospital and operated on in time.

“Sam had a very similar injury and procedure to Michael Schumacher who also had all the appropriate treatment but sadly did not make as good a recovery.

“My message to people is that if they suffer a significant impact to the head, they should seek medical advice and tell friends and family so they can keep an eye on you.”

Lancashire Evening Post

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