News for 20 May 2016
All the news for Friday 20 May 2016
Tonight’s 2-1 Victory Over Chile Marks a Successful Swept Series for the USWNT
LANCASTER, Pa. – Since the U.S. Women’s National Team’s rolled out the welcome mat, dubbing at the Home of Hockey in Lancaster, Pa. their official training site in 2013, Team USA has never lost on their home turf, totaling 14 wins and zero loses. Included in that total is the USA vs. Chilean National Team series, which concluded tonight, where the USA added three more W’s to the red, white and blue’s backyard record. This evening's final match report noted a score of USA 2, Chile 1.
The first quarter began with both teams looking to establish a steady game-speed tempo and possession. In the opening minutes of play, Michelle Kasold (Chapel Hill, N.C.) took USA's first shot on target without a result, testing Chile's keeper from the starting whistle. Despite rapid fire shots from Kat Sharkey (Moosic, Pa.), Kasold and Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.), Chile was the first to light up the scoreboard. Chile’s Agustina Venegas not only scored the team's first goal of the game but also of the series from a rebounded ball to change the score USA 0, Chile 1 in the 11th minute. Kasold connected with Katie Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.) to feed play up field. The forward action eventually gave way to Team USA's first penalty corner of the match, but Rachel Dawson's (Berlin, N.J.) drag flick hit a Chilean’s foot. USA was rewarded with another corner chance which was cleanly cleared out by Chile’s backfield. Katie Bam (Blue Bell, Pa.) secured an equalizing goal for the USA in 18th minute to change the score USA 1, Chile 1. The game flowed from base line to base line holding potential for both squads to capitalize. Witmer created a 1v1 situation alone in the circle with Chile’s goalie. She aimed high with a hard strike at close range. Melissa Gonzalez (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.) fought to retrieve the ball for a rebounded shot without a result. USA earned their third penalty corner toward the latter part of the second quarter but Dawson's drag flick went wide of the right post. The halftime score was locked at USA 1, Chile 1.
"We showed a good deal of resilience to come back, play well and eventually get the result," said Craig Parnham, USWNT Head Coach. "It shows a degree of character from the group. We see that often, that we're the team when in the situation from coming from behind we actually respond very well. It's one of our great qualities."
In the third quarter, Sharkey forced a foul to earn a penalty corner for the red, white and blue but Dawson's low drag flick was blocked by Chile’s goalie. Transitioning to the other end of the pitch, Chile was looking to break the tie. Dawson darted into the defensive end to take the ball away from an incoming Chile forward and escorted play out of USA's backfield. The scoreboard came to life again in the 51st minute when Kasold's fast strike from a low angle found Witmer for a final touch into the net to up the score USA 2, Chile 1. Team USA upheld their attack presence for a majority of the final minutes. USA defenders did see one more offensive attempt from Chile. A shot was sent into the air off of a last minute redirection by a Chilean forward. USA goalkeeper Jackie Briggs' (Robesonia, Pa.) quick reflexes denied the opportunity to close out the game USA 2, Chile 1.
Eastern Alliance, sponsor of the event presented the Player of the Series Award, which was awarded to Julia Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.).
Follow the U.S. Women's National Team as they continue Chasing The Dream in Holland for a two-game series and then at the Champions Trophy in London. Both events are in June and will be covered by USA Field Hockey.
USFHA media release
Men's Pan American Junior Championships begin Friday
Eight teams will go head to head at the men's 2016 Pan American Junior Championships taking place in Toronto, Canada between 20-28 May, as they bid to qualify for December's Hockey Junior World Cup.
Teams competing at the event hosted by the University of Toronto, will all be aiming to finish in the top two in order to guarantee their qualification for the show-piece Junior World Cup taking place in India later this year.
The opening match of the tournament, which begins at 10:00 local time, is a clash between the reigning champions Argentina and up and coming stars Trinidad and Tobago. The event concludes on Saturday 28 May, with the final held at 17:30.
Over the years, the men’s Junior Pan American Championships has proved a springboard to greatness as it provides the best young players opportunity to find their feet on an international stage.
Argentina superstar Lucas Vila was just 19 years old when he played for Argentina in the 2005 Pan-Am Junior Hockey Championships. Talking about that tournament, Lucas says: “I was really excited and anxious at that moment, because for our group this was our first big tournament and it was a very important step to get the qualification to the Junior World Cup.”
For Lucas, junior hockey was the bedrock of a glittering career. “It’s where it all begins... it’s a perfect moment to enjoy the game, maybe with less responsibility that you will get later on, with more freedom to play. It is also the first chance you really have to compare yourself against players from other countries. And off the field, when the match is over, there is even more joy, because all the players are a similar age and everything is new.”
Argentina have won every edition of the Junior Pan American Championships since it began in 1978. Whilst they will be hoping to keep their 100 percent record intact, and in doing so qualify for the Hockey Junior World Cup, for other Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) nations, this is their equivalent of the World Cup.
Darren Cowie is a national hero in Trinidad and Tobago. Captain of the national team and coach to the Trinidad and Tobago junior team, Cowie is one of the island’s leading lights in hockey development.
Darren also played in the 2005 Pan American Junior Hockey Championships. He said: “Being a small hockey playing nation we always struggle to get enough experience in the squad. Nevertheless, the experience was a humbling one and gave me some much needed insight into the international side of the sport.”
Cowie’s words sum up the challenge faced by lower ranked teams. Where the teams of Argentina, Canada, and to a lesser extent USA and Chile, have athletes with a relatively large amount of international experience, for the teams of Puerto Rico, Guyana and Mexico, many athletes will have played very little international hockey. But this is why the championships are so important for the future of hockey in the area.
It is a point reiterated by PAHF President Alberto ‘Coco’ Budeiski. He said: “The PAHF considers the junior tournaments to be vital for our sport. Apart from the fact they are qualifiers for the FIH Hockey Junior World Cup, they are the basis for the development of future national teams among the PAHF member countries.”
So who will be the contenders at this year’s event? Well, Argentina is always the team to beat, but there are signs that others are closing the gap. In the 2012 event, Canada pushed the reigning champions close, as they took them to 3-2 in a tense match.
Jamie Wallace will be one of the youngest players in this year’s Canadian squad and he is in no doubt as to where the challenge lies. He said: “We definitely have our eyes on Argentina, however, we are not underestimating any team as we haven’t seen any of them play, except the US, who we know are a strong team."
Jaspreet Gill is an experienced member of the USA junior men’s team. He has been part of the USA U21 roster for six years, making his debut in December 2012 – against Canada.
Despite suffering a broken arm and months away from the game in 2015, Gill has bounced back and will be a key figure in USA’s battle plan in Toronto. “We are hoping for a top three finish,” says Gill, a result which would equal their highest ever finish - achieved in 2008.
Also hoping to achieve Hockey Junior World Cup qualification is four-time silver medallists Chile – a hockey loving nation that is showing great ambition to move up the world rankings. The appointment of former Argentina coach Sergio Virgil to lead the coaching team is a clear signal of the Chile Hockey Association’s intent to make a serious mark on the sport on an international stage.
Virgil has been appointed Technical Director across the national squad structure with the stated aim of helping Chile qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. As he says, “It is not all about the senior team, it is about the juniors and the lower level players. We are making a whole new philosophy for Chile Hockey.”
As Argentina attempt an incredible eleventh consecutive win, the hockey world’s eyes will be on Toronto, watching the stars of the future take to the international stage.
You can watch all of the action live on the FIH YouTube channel by clicking here.
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Keep up to date with all the latest scores, results, schedule and news via the PAHF website by clicking here.
And on social media, keep up to date with the event using #JrPanAm2016
FIH site
Tough Argentina test for under-21 stickmen
T&T national Under-21 men’s hockey squad, led by goalkeeper Kwasi Emmanuel, will be underdogs when they come up against ten-time reigning champions Argentina in the curtain raiser of the 2016 Junior Pan American Hockey Championship at the University of Toronto, Canada, today from 10 am.
Four years ago in Guadalajara, Mexico when both countries faced off in round-robin Pool A play as well, Argentina ran out comfortable 9-0 victors over the Richard Quan Chan-coached T&T squad which featured three players who are in the current team inclusive of captain Kwasi, England-based Tariq Marcano and vice-captain Jordan Reynos.
Following today’s match, T&T which has never finished higher than fifth in the previous ten editions of the competition, will meet Puerto Rico and USA, while,Guyana, Chile, Canada and Mexico are in Pool B of the eight-team tournament which will qualify one team to the Junior World Cupto be held in India in December, later this year.
Emmanuel (Kwasi) of Malvern will have a lot of family support within team as his two younger siblings, Kieron and Kristien also made the final squad along with fellow Malvern players, Marcano-siblings, Teague and England-based Tariq, Jovan Wren and Lyndell Byer.
The local squad under the supervision of coach and current senior team captain, Darren Cowie will next face Puerto Rico tomorrow and the USA on Monday both from 10 am as well.
At the end of the round-robin phase all the teams will move onto the quarterfinals with the Pool B teams ahead of the winners and losers draw semifinals, and final day playoffs.
More info
Team: Zachary Clarke, Jordan Reynos (vice-captain), Keegan Dos Santos, Che Modeste, Dylan Francis, Jordan Vieira, Kristien Eammanuel, Jarryon Paul, Jovan Wren, Tariq Marcano, Teague Marcano, Cheon Steele (GK), Marcus Pascal. Kieron Eammanuel, Kwasi Emmanuel (captain/GK), Kelon Skerritt, Jabari Perez, Lyndell Byer.
Technical staff: Darren Cowie (coach), Akim Toussaint (assistant coach), Natakii Akii-Bua (team manager), Jameel Beharry (stand-in manager), Karielle De Bique (physiotherapist)
Tournament schedule
Today
Pool A:
• Argentina vs T&T, 10 am
• USA vs Puerto Rico, 12.30 pm
Pool B:
• Chile vs Guyana, 3 pm
• Canada vs Mexico, 5.30 pm
Tomorrow
Pool A:
• T&T vs Puerto Rico, 10 am
• USA vs Argentina, 12.30 pm
Pool B:
• Mexico vs Guyana, 3 pm
• Chile vs Canada, 5.30 pm
Monday
Pool A:
• Argentina vs Puerto Rico, 10 am
• T&T vs USA, 12.30 pm
Pool B:
• Mexico vs Chile, 3 pm
Guyana vs Canada, 5.30 pm
Wednesday: Quarterfinals
May 27: Winners & Losers Semifinals
May 28: Final day playoffs
The Trinidad Guardian
‘There is something about this competition that drives all teams’
BY JONATHAN COOK
The moment of truth in the tussle for 2016 Varsity Hockey dominance is drawing near.
UJ is the only place to be on Monday, May 23 when the full-throttle sound of the hooter signals the 6.45pm start time of what promises to be a final that will still be talked about in the years to come.
Defending champions University of Johannesburg (UJ) won the inaugural
2014 final in this biannual men’s competition while University of Pretoria (Tuks) are the reigning University Sport South Africa men’s hockey title holders, so the winners’ podium is not an unfamiliar beast for the senior players and coaches who are set to go toe-to-toe on Monday.
Success breeds the desire for more success and certainly for Tuks coach Guy Elliot it’s been an interesting ride over the past two weeks.
There were few pundits in the festive Maties Astro crowd on Monday night, May 16 who would have taken issue with the commonly-held contention that Tuks were the definite underdogs going into what was to be an epic semi-final against hosts University of Stellenbosch.
“Yes, winning that semi-final was a remarkable feat, but for us it was never unlikely,” says Tuks coach Guy Elliot. “We are a team with massive character and fight, and coupled with some players who can change games, we always knew we were in with a shout.”
Elliot agrees that Tuks have not hit their stride as yet. And as the coach points out, it’s also off-side for hockey fans to compare the Tuks Class of 2016 with the fabulous USSA championship-winning team of 2015.
Indeed, for hockey fans to say that Tuks have only been in third gear during Varsity Hockey 2016 is unrealistic. The comparison to last year’s team is without value. The truth is that with changes in personnel as players graduate and move on, the guys who are still in the side from 2015 and earlier, and the new students, the 2015 and 2016 teams are different creatures.
“With the omissions from 2015 and the intake in 2016, I feel that we are a completely different side. There has not been a straight swap of players, thus we have had to change the way we play to suit our new make-up, as a different type of player has come in,” is the coach’s pragmatic and effective assessment of his team.
But that 6-1 Friday night, May 13 defeat to home team Maties during the league phase of the competition still haunts some of the more cautious Tuks supporters.
In customary fashion, Elliot gets straight to the point: “A 10-minute spell changed that game. I feel we have always been the same team and it’s unfair to judge the guys on a poor 10 minutes out of a whole tournament. I never felt that we were operating in a comfort zone. There is something about this competition that drives all teams and no game is easy.
“One of our team’s qualities is heart. Often that is the difference in sport. They rose to the occasion [in the 1-0 semi-final win] against Maties and I trust they will do the same this coming Monday night in the final.”
A major share of the UJ and Tuks players have been in big semi-finals and finals over the past two months – and indeed the last two years. Being a part of match days of this magnitude, how critical is that experience to the key learnings players need in order to successfully negotiate these do-or-die showdowns?
Elliot is in no doubt: “It plays a massive role in preparing players for the big games.”
The good news for Tuks supporters is that as of now there are no injury concerns in the squad, as is the case with UJ.
“Apart from being a final it’s a massive derby as well, which is always nice to be a part of. I think it will be a tough game; I don’t suspect a lot of champagne hockey will be played, due to the fact that it is a final. No quarter will be given by either side.
“We are looking forward to what promises to be a cracker of a game.”
Tuks face UJ at 18:45 on Monday 23 May at UJ Astro in Johannesburg.
The match will be live on SuperSport 7.
Varsity Sports media release
Gloyn ruled out of Olympic contention
Photo: www.photosport.nz
Black Sticks midfielder Shiloh Gloyn has been dealt a cruel blow after snapping her ACL earlier this week.
The 26-year-old badly hyperextended her right knee at training, leaving her requiring surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament which will sideline her for at least six months.
Gloyn, who has 29 international caps, featured for the Black Sticks earlier this year at the six test series in Argentina, along with two games against Canada leading into the Hawke’s Bay Cup.
The injury puts her out of contention for selection to the Rio Olympics in August, while the reality of the injury hasn’t fully set in.
“I was shadowing someone and running in a straight line and I guess my right step was a bit too far - it got caught on the turf and my knee locked and hyperextended,” she said.
“That’s me done for the season, it’s pretty upsetting but I’m not the first get an injury like this and won’t be the last.”
Gloyn said support from medical staff and team-mates has been fantastic and she is confident of making a full return to the turf.
“Surgery will be happening in the near future, we’re in the stages of putting a plan in place and will go from there.
“I’m lucky through the Black Sticks programme to have a great doctor, physio and support staff who will help me every step of the way, even while the girls are away gunning for a medal in Rio.”
Hockey New Zealand Media release
New Plan in Place for USMNT
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Since 2012, USA Field Hockey has taken a very strategic approach toward the management and overview of the men’s program. There has been a number of elements of the program that have seen growth and improvement over this time with results on the competition field by closing the gaps on our opponents. The need to review the current status and future direction was initiated by the Board of Directors after the 2015 Pan American Games. A task force was created to work alongside Dr. Peter Davis of Sports Performance Management, and they included Board Members Shawn Hindy, Simon Gray and Tina Reinprecht , former U.S. Men’s National Team athlete Ian Scally and CEO Simon Hoskins.
The goal of the review of the U.S. Men’s National Team program was to present strategic options for future action to best position the program for future international and domestic success as well as growing the male pathway and participation.
The key findings from the review were that the USMNT coaches and players have done well considering the available resources. The limited male pathway is to become a priority and an integrated approach to the entire men’s program to be pursued.
From this, the integrated approach to align all development and performance elements of the program include cyclical resource allocation (due to current level of funding). This will see fluctuating levels of attention and resources based on priorities of the program annually. The U.S. Men’s National Team coach has now become the head of the men’s program, overseeing the entire program from development to high performance by following a multi-year plan to deliver the recommendations and strategy surrounding the program. Chula Vista, Calif. will remain the base of the men’s program to aid in the delivery of the long-term plan. Key regional individuals will be identified to work within the program to deliver the strategy and grow the game.
Moving ahead with these recommendations and strategy, one must realize that this is a long-term approach where expectations and a pragmatic growth mindset is needed. The potential of the 2024 Olympic Games is an additional assest that may help with growth of the game in youth. Beyond this, there is a real need for alignment of all current efforts across the country to join the men’s program plan and encourage active participation in current USA Field Hockey initiatives.
Currently, USA Field Hockey Membership does not represent the true number of boys playing. There are multiple efforts across the country where buy in is needed to connect them to the current system. With this, everyone will see an increased experience and immediate change to aid in player retention and creating a much needed unified approach.
USA Field Hockey is naming the head of the men’s program as the ‘Pied Piper’ for boys and men. The organization must have active involvement of boys, parents, clubs and schools to support these efforts. This will immediately extend our current reach and aid to support and initiate further structured programming.
This will take place in the coming months and build into the first quarter of 2017 with site visits to audit the actual current status of programming and potential for growth and management by key people determined to make a change for boys and men in their area. This will expand to potential school programming and regional development site status. With the expansion of people and regions connected to the USA Field Hockey model, resources and opportunities, will be afforded to these key people to aid in the growth of the game locally, regionally and nationally.
USA Field Hockey currently needs the willingness of all boys and men to join with together to create a united effort versus the current splintered efforts. The organization simply does not have the numbers to go in multiple directions. The pinnacle of the pathway is the U.S. Men’s National Team and the Olympic dream. People are needed to connect this pipeline to have a chance of success.
The current U.S. Men’s National Team has a series against Canada in July and will head to Mexico in September to play in World League 1, the first stage of qualification for the 2018 World Cup.
In summary, USA Field Hockey expects to have a plan that needs all current efforts to align with what is attempted to be provide. The organization is seeking key people to assist with this plan and must all understand that the cyclical resourcing and focus of attention is the current system to allow all elements of the program to continue. Further resourcing to allow for a full operational system is needed and USA Field Hockey is working toward creating this.
USA Field Hockey must thank those who have made strides within the system,
Ben Maruquin, Shawn Nakamura and the Field Hockey Federation - Ventura County
Steve Danielson and Pat Cota – Northern California
Alex Grassi – San Diego/Chula Vista
Rutger Wiese – East Coast
Paul Lewis - Colorado
USFHA media release
AHF confirm Kuantan, ranking points for ACT
by Jugjet Singh
THE Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), in a meeting in Dubai yesterday, confirmed Malaysia as the hosts for the Fourth Edition of the Asian Champions Trophy.
The tournament will be held in Kuantan on Oct 20-30, and will award International Hockey Federation (FIH) ranking points for the first time.
Malaysia will be up against defending champions India, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, China, and Bangladesh. The top-three teams will receive ranking points.
For the record, Malaysia finished fourth in all three earlier editions.
The AHF meeting was chaired by president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, and it was also decided that countries which do not compete in the Asian Games, Asia Cup and Asian Champions Trophy will not be allowed to play in the relevant qualifiers for the World Cup and Olympics.
The Asian Games and Asia Cup will remain as a qualifier for the World Cup and Olympics.
The women's Asian Champions Trophy will be held in Singapore on Oct 29-Nov 6, and coach K. Dharmaraj's ladies will compete against India, South Korea, China and Japan.
October if set t be a 'hockey fest' as the Sultan of Johor Cup will be held a day after the Asian Champions Trophy in Johor Baru.
The junior invitational, on Oct 31-Nov 6, will showcase teams which has qualified for the New Delhi Junior World Cup. Malaysia, the only odd one out who did not qualify, will be up against Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Pakistan and England.
All the three Malaysian teams competing in these tournaments will be playing in the Australian National League in September/October.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
54th Razak Cup: Police the team to beat.
by Jugjet Singh
MALACCA will be out to defend their Division One Razak Cup title starting this weekend, but first, they have to shoot down favourites Police.
Police, who won the Division Two title last season, won not only promotion but also gained national skipper Razie Rahim and midfielder Nabil Fiqri.
Both of the joined Police training on May 8, but have received release letters to play in the Razak Cup.
Police will also have former national players Baljit Singh Sarjab, who scored 17 goals last season, Kelvinder Singh, Jivan Mohan and Megat Azrafiq.
"With the inclusion of the country's No 1 drag flicker Razie, I believe we have a good chance of finishing top-four in Division One," said former national player Gurmit Singh who will be coaching Police.
Police are in Group A with defending champions Malacca, Johor and Pahang. In Group B are Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Terengganu and Negri Sembilan.
‘Malacca Hurricanes’, as they are better known, won the Razak Cup in 2005, repeated the feat in 2009 and defeated Perak 1-0 in the 2015 final for only their third title. They open their Division One campaign against Pahang Saturday which also sees Johor playing Police.
Malacca skipper B. Namasivayam said: “Our early target is to qualify for the semi-finals. There are no easy matches as every team is geared up strongly for the Razak Cup.”
“The Police team is also in our group and we are certainly expecting tough matches ahead," said Namasivayam.
In the men's Division Two Group A are Penang, Selangor, Kedah, Perlis and in Group B are Armed Forces, Kelantan, Sarawak and Sabah.
The prize money for Division One is RM10,000 for the champion, RM7,000 for runner-up and RM5,000 for finishing third. Division Two winner gets RM5,000, runners-up RM3,000 and third-placed team RM2,000.
The women's Razak Cup will make its debut, 53 years after the men's tournament was incepted in 1963.
A total of 12 state teams alongside Police and Armed Forces will compete in the inaugural women's league, bringing the total number of teams to 14 divided into three groups. Only Kelantan and Perlis have opted out.
Pahang, Sarawak, Police, Johor and Selangor are in Group A. Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Armed Forces, Terengganu and Sabah are Group B while Malacca, Perak, Penang and Kedah are in Group C.
The women’s champions will receive RM5,000, runners-up RM3,000 and RM2,000 for finishing third.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Turner transfer to Leo a marquee addition
The Belgian transfer window is in full effect with a series of players set to move from the southern hemisphere to the Audi League with Australian Glenn Turner perhaps the biggest of them all.
The 32-year-old, who has 90 international goals in just 124 caps, has signed terms with Royal Leopold and so is bound for the EHL Round 1 with the third ranked Belgian side.
For Leo, he makes the opposite move to Gabriel Dabanch who is moving to Australia while Agustin Mazzilli is going to Oranje-Rood. Captain Martin de Bruyne has retired.
For coach John Bessell, he says he is naturally “very pleased” to bring in Turner who “will bring a lot to this team whether on or off the field".
"We lost Agustin Mazzilli, Gaby Dabanch and Martin De Bruyne and their obvious qualities in experience and leadership.
“Players like Dorian Thiery, Max Plennevaux, Tanguy Zimmer, Romain Henet, Dimitri Cuvelier and Arthur are Verdussen all played an important role in the change of mentality in Leopold since I joined the club. And they will need to take a further step up alongside our U21 and youth to finally win a championship."
For the Waterloo Ducks, they have added a significant amount of caps to their club with New Zealanders Blair Hilton and Jared Panchia joining the club along with Vincent Vanasch and Antoine Kina.
Charles Masson, Alex de Paeuw and Arnaud Flamand have left for promoted Oree while Victor Lockwood switches to Leuven.
He is one of a series of players to move to the University side with Club Egara’s Pep Romeu, a key drag-flick option and defender, a notable addition.
Dragons have a number of holes to fill after Louis Rombouts and Matthew Cobbaert confirmed they will go to Club de Campo in Madrid for a year’s studies. Shane O’Donoghue returns to Ireland while Manu Stockbroekx goes to Bloemendaal.
They have, however, extended the contracts of Florent van Aubel, Arthur van Doren and Felix Denayer.
Euro Hockey League media release
Mooij the ABN AMRO EHL Talent
AH&BC Amsterdam’s Johannes Mooij was voted the ABN AMRO Talent of the EHL at the FINAL4 last weekend for his efforts in the club’s run to second place.
Speaking about the award, he said to hockey.nl it is: “always nice to win such a prize, to know that what you do is appreciated but there were two other prizes we wanted to win!”
He is referring to the EHL title as well as the Dutch national crown, each time Amsterdam missing out at the final hurdle.
"I think we can look back on a good season but,yeah, we missed the boat and we could have won. Now, we have to find the motivation to kill it next season.”
He says that he has learned a lot from the likes of Klaas Vermeulen and Teun Rohof and is keen to keep developing his game to aid the Amsterdam cause in the near future.
"I play hockey because I have fun. With Amsterdam, I want to play hockey as much as possible and improve myself."
Euro Hockey League media release
Cardiff & Met win Euro Trophy in epic season
Their Twitter account proclaimed it “probably the greatest achievement of any Welsh team in Europe” as Cardiff & Met claimed the EuroHockey Club Champions Trophy last Monday in Glasgow.
They swept to the title with wins over SK Slavia Prague and HC Bra in the group stages before producing an excellent second half performance to beat Ireland’s Banbridge 4-0.
The first half proved scoreless with Cardiff coping with Bann’s danger down the right wing well to limit any major danger. The Irish side, though, faded badly with a limited panel due to players returning home early for exams, injury and illness.
Cardiff took full control and dominated the second half. Luke Hawker delivered a pin-point drag-flick for a diving Ben Carless to dive onto, redirecting into the roof of the net.
Hawker added a drag-flick with 12 minutes remaning for a 2-0 lead. James Carson converted a penalty stroke as Bann were reduced to 10 players before Jack Pritchard completed the victory.
The European title adds to their victory in the England Hockey West League as well as the Welsh Championships during the regular season.
Their previous best in European competition came in 2013 in the guise of Cardiff & UWIC with a second place finish in Vienna in the Trophy.
The Trophy contributes points toward national rankings for the Euro Hockey League which ultimately determine how many teams from each country will play in the EHL. The final breakdown of national rankings will be announced in due course once confirmed.
Euro Hockey League media release
Armed forces to help out hockey players
By Nabil Tahir
PHF seeks assistance for two-week boot camp to improve player fitness. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), with the assistance of the Army, is planning to hold a boot camp for senior players in the first week of July with the aim of upgrading their fitness for modern hockey, according to PHF Secretary Shahbaz Senior.
After the PHF and management analysed the team’s performance in recent tournaments, it was decided to put the players through an intense training regime.
“The players are not fit at all for the modern form of hockey. The national team possibly has the lowest fitness levels, which gets exposed during competitions.” Shahbaz told The Express Tribune.
“They don’t have the stamina and so they get tired easily. They even find it hard to catch their breath during substitution timeout.”
He said that in order to build up stamina, the players need to train hard not under PHF coaches but under the strict command of the Army.
“With the help of PHF president, who was also part of the Army, Brigadier (retired) Muhammad Khalid Sajjad Khokhar will conduct a two-week camp at Kakul or any other place available, but under the supervision of the Army,” Shahbaz added.
The World Cup winner did, however, reveal that some of the players who are or were playing in foreign leagues are somewhat fit. “The rest who don’t get a chance to participate in international leagues are completely out of shape,” said Shahbaz.
He further added that the boot camp will be extended if the two weeks of training fail to produce the desired results.
The Express Tribune
What can you tell us about hockey’s worldwide heritage?
This is an exciting time for hockey’s international heritage. Over the past five years, The Hockey Museum has established itself as the lead organisation supporting hockey heritage in the United Kingdom. The museum is now working with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to expand this work worldwide.
The aim is to draw together information and knowledge about existing collections; provide better support for those managing collections and inform research into an authoritative history of hockey.
Just to be clear, this is not a project to collect objects and archives, it is to find out more about what exists to tell the story of hockey’s worldwide heritage and how The Hockey Museum can better support this in the future.
In support of these aims, The Hockey Museum is undertaking a research project to create a plan for developing hockey’s international heritage. Research activity is now under way and will continue until October 2016 involving desk research; an online survey; discussions with key individuals; and face-to-face meetings.
The online survey will be a key part of learning more about what exists internationally and The Hockey Museum is hoping that as many people and organisations as possible get involved and tell us what they know. The Survey can be found at the following link:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HockeysInternationalHeritage
This is the beginning of a very exciting programme created to understand and celebrate hockey’s worldwide heritage. Please feel free to share this information, and the survey link, with anyone you think may be able to support the project.
At this stage we ask that all information about collections and hockey heritage knowledge be shared through the survey to support the integrity of the research.
The Hockey Museum plans to share the findings of the research, and future developmental activity, with all participants over the coming year.
There is a section on the survey to add your details to the mailing list for future information. Even if you feel you have nothing to add to the survey, but would like to be kept informed, please visit the survey and complete this section.
If you would like to know more about the partnership between The Hockey Museum and the FIH and what the Scoping Study is looking to achieve please click here.
The Hockey Museum is undertaking an incredibly important role in preserving the history of hockey. However, in doing so they are also helping inspire others to get into hockey and remain engaged with the sport - a key concept of the FIH's Hockey Revolution which aims to make hockey a global game that inspires the next generation.
FIH site
Congratulations Marijke!
Brussels; During the weekend of the EHL Finals the EHF President, Marijke Fleuren has been awarded the Catalan Hockey Federation Golden Pin award.
The award was presented by President of Catalan Federation – Mr. Narcis Carrió, pictured with Marijke.
This award is presented by the Catalan Hockey Federation to those deemed to have served hockey over many years and at a high level. Thank you to the Catalan Federation for this recognition of the enormous continuing contribution of our President, Marijke Fleuren.
EuroHockey media release