News for 06 October 2016
All the news for Thursday 6 October 2016
Uruguay, and Chile win
Paraguay wins thriller over host Peru on Day 3 of the Men’s South American Championship
2016 South American Championship & World League R1 (field hockey) – Chiclayo, Peru – 05 Oct 2016 - Paraguay vs. Peru. Photo: Talia Vargas - PanAm Hockey
Uruguay comes away with big win over Ecuador with multiple goals by six different players; Venezuela falls to Chile by two goals; and Paraguay with first tournament win after Santiago Chamorro’s sudden death penalty shoot out goal after being tied 2-2 in regulation against host Peru
All matches are being live-streamed; and a reminder that each match is being played in two 35 minute halves and cannot end in a tie.
On the third day of the Men’s Competition, matches were between Ecuador and Uruguay; Venezuela and Chile; and Paraguay and host Peru
Paraguay-Peru (2-2; SO: 3-2)
Both Paraguay and host Peru faced off in the final match on day 3 as each time was looking for its first tournament win. The crowd was full of school children cheering for host Peru. The match started with Peru immediately on the attack and earning a penalty corner in the first minute. Peru’s Miguel Rivera put in the drag flick to give his team the early lead. Paraguay then had some possession down in their attacking circle, but Peru’s Captain and Keeper Felix Mafferetti made a couple diving saves to keep Paraguay from tying the match. Paraguay kept up their attacking intensity and earned their first penalty corner in the 11th minute. Mafferetti stopped the hard penalty corner shot by Julio Russo; and then Paraguay was awarded another penalty corner that was blocked by Peru’s defense.
In the 20th minute, Paraguay earned another penalty corner and this time was able to compete the play as Ricardo Samudio’s shot found the back of the cage to tie the match Paraguay 1, Peru, 1. For the next ten minutes both teams traded possession in the midfield with either team unable to be in position to take a good shot on goal. Paraguay then earned a penalty corner in the 29th minute and again Mafferetti made the save on the initial shot and Peru’s defense was able to clear the ball away. With one minute remaining in the first half, Peru earned a penalty corner, but Paraguay’s Captain and Keeper Hugo Lopez was there for the save to keep the match tied Paraguay 1, Peru, 1 at halftime.
Paraguay and Peru traded possession in the midfield to start the second half. In the fifth minute, Paraguay earned two penalty corners. With Russo’s shot going well wide of the goal cage on the second penalty corner, Peru tried to run back on attack. Paraguay then had more possession near their attacking circle, but Peru did not let up and earned a penalty corner in the 48th minute. The penalty corner shot led to a penalty stroke that Fabrizio Corno converted to give Peru back the lead. Paraguay fought back on attack and almost tied the match in the 52nd minute, but turned the ball over to Peru right near their attacking goal. Paraguay persisted on attack and earned another penalty corner in the 55th minute. Paraguay was unable to complete the play and the score remained Paraguay 1, Peru 2.
Similar to Peru, Paraguay then had a penalty corner play in the 59th minute result in a penalty stroke. Russo converted the stroke to tie the match Paraguay 2, Peru 2 and the crowd went wild. A couple minutes later, Paraguay had a penalty corner shot go wide and again Peru tried to run back onto attack. And then Paraguay was back with possession in their attacking circle. As time wound down in the match, the intensity rose and Paraguay’s Santiago Chamorro was given a yellow card. Yet it was Paraguay who kept play in their attacking circle, but Mafferetti blocked shots by Russo and Paraguay’s Mauricio Del Valle to keep the match tied at the end of regulation.
As a result, the match went into a penalty shoot out round. Paraguay went first and Aram Monges converted the shot. Then Fabrizio Corno got past Lopez for Peru. Mafferetti then blocked the shot by Paraguay’s Guillermo Benitez. Peru’s Vincenzo De Martis and Paraguay’s Chamarro then dribbled the ball wide of the cage. The shot by Peru’s Ricardo Cruz also went wide of the cage. Paraguay’s Federico Ruetalo shot past Mafferetti to put the ball in the cage. And then Peru’s Sebastian Dennison got past Lopez. Mafferetti came up with a big stick save to stop Sasha Dolinsky’s shot, but the shot by Peru’s Miguel Rivera went wide. With the penalty shoot out tied, the match then went into sudden death shoot outs.
Peru’s Fabrizio Corno went first in the sudden death shoot out, but his shot was saved by Lopez. Then Santiago Chamorro went for Paraguay and eventually was able to lift the ball over Mafferetti for the thrilling victory over host Peru to give Paraguay its first win of the tournament.
Venezuela-Chile (0-2)
The match between Venezuela and Chile started with both teams trading possession, but Venezuela earned the first penalty corner of the match in the fourth minute. Captain Andy Adrian’s penalty flick went high. Chile ran fast onto attack and Chile’s Ricardo Achondo gave his team the early lead in the 7th minute of the match. For the next ten minutes, play was mostly contained in the midfield. Venezuela had their first good shot opportunity of the match in the 15th minute when Cristian Vargas crossed the ball right in front the goal cage to Adrian waiting on the far post. Adrian narrowly missed the pass and the score remained Venezuela 0, Chile, 1.
Chile earned their first penalty corner in the match in the 17th minute, but Venezuela’s keeper Junior Benitez quickly came up with the save. Three minutes later Chile earned another penalty corner, yet Venezuela’s defense had good positioning to break up the play. The intensity of the match was evident in the 27th minute as Venezuela’s Robert Escobar and Chile’s Martin Rodriguez were each given a green card. Chile dominated the possession late in the first half, but Venezuela played extremely strong defense to keep the play in their attacking half. In the 32nd minute, Chile’s Carlos Lagos was awarded a green card. Venezuela could not get a shot off during the green card to Lagos, even though play remained in their attacking half of the pitch. Thus, the score at halftime remained Venezuela 0, Chile 1.
The second half of the match continued with Chile dominating possession. Chile soon earned the first penalty corner of the second half in the fourth minute. Chile’s Axel Richter sent a beautiful fast drag flick into goal to give Chile a two goal lead over Venezuela. Venezuela’s Dixon Abreu and Jose Oropeza played strong defense with midfielder Rendy Ochoa to keep Chile from having many scoring opportunities. Chile earned another penalty corner in the 48th minute. Venezuela’s best scoring opportunity came in the 53rd minute when Javier Ramos flicked a shot high towards goal that went wide.
Venezuela kept looking for attacking opportunities and earned their first penalty corner of the second half I the 56th minute. The push out on the penalty corner went far outside the circle for Venezuela and the Chile’s Juan Amoroso earned a yellow card. Venezuela was able to keep play in their attacking half. And another shot by Venezuela went wide of the goal cage, keeping the score Venezuela 0, Chile 2 with ten minutes remaining in the match. Late in the half, Chile’s Jan Berczely was then awarded a yellow card; and then two minutes later Axel Richter was given a yellow card. Venezuela kept pressuring on attack and kept play in their attacking half, but could not score despite multiple yellow cards to Chile. With both teams playing strong defense in the midfield, the final score remained Venezuela 0, Chile 2.
Ecuador-Uruguay (0-16)
The first match on day 3 was between Ecuador and Uruguay. Against a developing Ecuador team, Uruguay wasted no time going on attack earning a penalty corner in the first minute. Ecuador’s Jimmy Cedeño made a defensive save to keep the match scoreless. Ecuador continued to play strong defense to hold Uruguay without another penalty corner until the 10th minute of the match. Ecuador’s keeper Lincoln Palacios came out to make the save; and then saved another penalty shot by Uruguay. Ecuador did an impressive job at keeping Uruguay from scoring until the 16th minute when Uruguay’s Gabriel Lopez was able to score off a penalty corner. Ecuador then rushed onto attack after the restart and Sebastian Cadenasso came out to make a save for Uruguay. Two minutes later, Uruguay’s Maximiliano Tixe lifted the ball past Palacios to give his team a two goal lead.
In the 20th minute, it was Uruguay’s Gonzalo Martinoni blasting in a penalty corner shot past Palacios to make the score Ecuador 0, Uruguay 3. Uruguay kept up their strong attacking pressure and five minutes later, Lopez scored again off a penalty corner to put his team ahead by four goals over Ecuador. Cedeño had another big penalty corner defensive save to keep Uruguay from scoring off another penalty corner; but then it was Uruguay’s Lucas Cantaro who put in the quick field goal in the 28th minute. Behind multiple saves from Palacios, Ecuador had an incredible team effort on defense to keep Uruguay from scoring further and thus, the halftime score Ecuador 0, Uruguay 5. In Ecuador’s previous matches against Chile and Venezuela respectively Ecuador had been down by 15 and 10 goals at halftime.
Uruguay’s reserve keeper Rodrigo Castro who had replaced starting keeper Sebastian Cadenasso with about ten minutes remaining in the first half, started the second half. To start the second half, Uruguay wasted no time to score as Alexis Lopez put in a penalty corner flick in the 37th minute. Palacios made more big saves to prevent Uruguay from scorning off multiple penalty corner opportunities early in the second half. Uruguay’s Luis Salmini finally found the back of the net off a penalty corner in the 44th minute to make the score Ecuador 0, Uruguay 7. Three minutes later, Tixe scored again this time by converting a penalty corner.
In the 48th minute, Ecuador substituted Palacios with reserve keeper Bryan Ormaza. Uruguay’s Agustin Rivero, however, scored on Ormaza a few minutes later to give his team a nine goal lead; and then Alexis Lopez scored again to make the score Ecuador 0, Uruguay 10. And then Rivero made it an eleven goal lead in the 54th minute. Then Alexis Lopez scored off a penalty corner drag flick to make the score Ecuador 0, Uruguay 12.
And then Martinoni had his second goal of the match with a hard shot into the center of the cage; and two minutes later Rivero scored a third time for Uruguay to make the score Ecuador 0, Uruguay 14. Late in the second half, Cedeño and Ormaza made more saves to keep Uruguay from scoring off more penalty corners. Uruguay earned the ball back and Uruguay’s Gabriel Maz and Lucas Cantaro put in back-to-back goals with about five minutes remaining in the match. Behind multiple saves by Ormaza, Ecuador’s defense held Uruguay scoreless for the remaining minutes of the match, including a penalty corner opportunity as time expired to keep the final score Ecuador 0, Uruguay 16.
The Men’s Competition will continue on the 7th of October. Please continue to also check the Pan American Hockey Federation’s website for the Men’s competition for photos and post-match interviews and more: http://www.panamhockey.org/en/competitions-53-2016-south-american-championships-men-
Pan American Hockey Federation media release
Day 7 - AHL update
Pool matches conclude!
Holly MacNeil
The pool matches of the Australian Hockey League concluded today, with Victoria, the ACT, Queensland and New South Wales making the finals in the women’s league. In the men’s league it was Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and India who qualified for the finals session.
The men’s competition saw two hat tricks, the first from ACT captain Andrew Monte, the second from Queensland Blades star Troy Elder.
In game one of the women’s league, it was an upset for the home side the WA Diamonds as they were knocked out of the finals courtesy of the New South Wales Arrows. NSW dominated the match from the first quarter managing three goals before WA scored their first.
In the match between Malaysia and Victoria, Victoria breezed through scoring 6 goals to Malaysia’s two. On point were Emily Hurtz and Hannah Gravenall who each scored a double, along with Georgia Nanscawen and Hayley Padget who claimed a penalty corner each.
Tasmania played New Zealand in a relatively quiet game, with a goal from New Zealand in the first, and one from Tasmania in the second. South Australia played the Northern Territory with Miki Spano scoring a double for the Suns, leaving the score at 2 – 1.
In the last women’s pool match, Queensland played the ACT in a fast paced and exciting match. It was an even matched game, with Queensland coming out on top finishing up at 2 – 1.
As a result of finishing top of Pool A, Queensland will now play NSW who finished second in pool B. Victoria finished at the top of pool B, and as a result will play Canberra in the semi-finals on Friday.
The men’s league saw the ACT dominate South Australia 7 – 2, but it wasn’t enough to take them through to the finals even with the penalty corner hat trick from captain Andrew Monte.
Victoria also had a big defeat over Malaysia Tigers coming away with a 4 – 1 win. India and WA competed to see who would take out the first and second positions in Pool B, with India coming away victorious 3 – 1.
Tasmania and Malaysia Blue had an even match throughout with the final score at 1 all.
Reigning Champions Queensland absolutely crushed New Zealand, in a stunning 12 – nil win. In the second hat trick of the evening Troy Elder scored two field goals and a penalty corner. Also scoring for the Blades, were Jake Whetton and Daniel Beale who nailed doubles, along with Tim Howard, Rob Reckers, Robert Bell, Jacob Anderson and Scott Boyde.
Going forward in the semi-finals are WA who will take on NSW and India who will take on Victoria.
For full results on the day, please use the following links:
Men’s league
Women’s league
Today’s AHL results:
Women’s League
NSW 5 – 2 WA
MAS 2 – 6 VIC
TAS 1 – 1 NZL
SA 2 – 1 NT
QLD 2 – 1 ACT
Men’s League
ACT 7 – 2 SA
NSW 4 – 1 NT
VIC 4 – 1 MAS T
IND 3 – 1 WA
TAS 1 – 1 MAS B
NZL 0 - 12 QLD
Friday’s Fixtures
Women’s League
8am: Classification 1 TAS – NT
10am: Classification 2 MAS – NZL
12pm: Classification 3 WA – SA
2pm: Semi-final 1 VIC – ACT
4pm: Semi-final 2 QLD - NSW
Men’s League
8.30am: Classifictaion 1 SA – NZL
10.30am: Classification 2 NT – MAS B
12.30pm: Classification 3 ACT – MAS T
2.30pm: Classification 4 QLD - TAS
6pm: Semi-final 1 IND – VIC
8pm: Semi-final 2 NSW - WA
Hockey Australia media release
Malaysia's AHL campaign goes bust
By Jugjet Singh
THE MALAYSIAN campaign in the Australian Hockey League (AHL) came too a grinding halt Wednesday, when all three teams failed to qualify for the semi-finals in Perth.
Making their debut, Malaysia were represented by their national (Tigers) and men's back-up squads (Blues) and the national women's team (Tigress).
Yesterday, the Tigress took to the field against Victorian Vipers and needed a win to make the last four, but were instead hammered 6-2.
The Tigers also had a bad outing, and crashed 5-2 to club side NSW Waratahs to seal their lower classification fate.
Meanwhile, the national juniors will open their Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC) campaign against England at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru.
The tournament will be held on Oct 31-Nov 6 and the other four teams are Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Japan.
With the exception of Malaysia, all the other teams will be using the SOJC to prepare for the Junior World Cup in Uttar Pradesh, India, on Dec 8-18.
A total of 14 players eligible to play in the SOJC are currently playing in the AHL with the senior and development teams.
Three players, Najmi Farizal, Nik Aiman Rozemi and Najib Hassan are with the Tigers.
Those with the Blues are Rizwan Azmi, Firdaus Omar, Lukman Nur Hakim, Nor Azmi Rahman, Syed Shafiq Syed Cholan, Amirul Aideed, Ashran Hamsani, Rafizul Ezry, Norsyafiq Sumantri, Sufi Ismat and Akhimullah Anuar.
However the three in the senior squad coached by Stephen van Huizen may be required to play in the Asian Champions Trophy that will be held in Kuantan on October 20-30.
A few other players are currently in training and the team is expected to have a couple of days training in Johor Baru before the tournament.
"We will take it one match at a time and I have an indication of the players that will carry our challenge in the SOJC," said Malaysian coach Wallace Tan who is with the Blues in Perth now.
The SOJC, organised by the Johor Hockey Association, is the only junior invitational tournament in the world and made its debut in 2011 with Malaysia emerging as champions.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Indian juniors beat Western Australia 3-1 in AHL
PERTH: Indian junior men's hockey team outplayed Western Australia Thundersticks 3-1 in their final league encounter of the Australian Hockey League (AHL) on Wednesday.
The win helped India stay atop the Pool B standings after remaining unbeaten in the league stage of the tournament.
A composed first quarter saw both sides cancel each other out in a midfield battle.
The home side pushed India onto the back foot early on, with the visitors conceding a penalty corner, but Vikas Dahiya's smart save ensured both teams went into the first break locked in a stalemate.
In the second quarter, Thundersticks captain Chris Bausor converted his team's second penalty corner giving them the lead.
Western Australia kept up the pressure, with another penalty corner but were again denied by Dahiya, ensuring India would go into halftime down by the single goal.
India stormed out of the blocks in the second half, and soon enough Sumit scored the goal to draw them level.
With both the teams locked at 1-1, the Indians came with fresh energy crowding the midfield and pushing Western Australia deep into defence.
With their first penalty corner of the game, Varun Kumar found the net, giving India the lead in the 39th minute. A minute later, he doubled the joy by converting another penalty corner to seal the deal in favour of the Indian team.
India played out the final quarter smartly and cautiously, avoiding needless fouls and turnovers to take a well deserved victory.
The Times of India
Unbeaten rivals face off
Wimbledon’s Mikey Hoare celebrating a goal. Credit: Simon Parker.
THE two remaining sides with 100 per cent records, Wimbledon and Beeston are preparing to face each other in the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division on Sunday.
Last season’s champions Wimbledon are top of the early table by just one goal difference, while Beeston will want to topple their rivals and keep their great start to the season going.
“It’s going to be a good contest as both teams will be feeling positive and confident having won their opening games, but we will be going all out to get three points,” said Wimbledon’s Director of Hockey Ben Marsden.
“We’ve been in the Premier Division for four years now and this season we feel we’ve got the most balanced team we’ve ever had, both in terms of the quality of the players and the way the team is gelling.”
Elsewhere, Hampstead and Westminster are also unbeaten and they are at home against Brooklands Manchester University on Sunday, while East Grinstead could also go top if they can beat hosts Surbiton and other results go in their favour.
Finally, Reading are at home against Canterbury in a match between two sides still searching for their first win.
The Loughborough Students versus Holcombe game is postponed due to Holcombe’s participation in the EuroHockey League Round One in Banbridge this weekend, where they face Poznan (POL) and Kampong (HED).
There are two teams in the Men’s Conference East with 100 per cent records. Leaders Southgate head to Cambridge City on Sunday, while second-placed Sevenoaks are at home against West Herts.
Two unbeaten sides face each other in the Men’s Conference North, with leaders University of Durham aiming to make it four out of four when they travel to Deeside Ramblers.
With an average of five goals per game so far, Cardiff and Met lead the Men’s Conference West. They are also in European action this weekend so have postponed their match at Chichester. Meanwhile, the University of Exeter also have a 100 per cent record and they travel to the University of Bristol.
* For full details of all pre-season player movements see http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/fl/ehl/playermovement_m.asp?l=1
FIXTURES – Saturday, October 8
Men’s Conference East
Sevenoaks v West Herts 15:00
Wapping v Richmond 17:30
Men’s Conference North
Preston v Leek 12:00
Bowdon v Olton and West Warwicks 13:45
FIXTURES – Sunday, October 9
Men’s Premier Division
Surbiton v East Grinstead 14:00
Hampstead and Westminster v Brooklands Manchester Univ 14:00
Wimbledon v Beeston 14:00
Reading v Canterbury 14:30
Men’s Conference East
Cambridge City v Southgate 12:30
Brighton and Hove v Indian Gymkhana 13:00
Teddington v Oxted 13:30
Men’s Conference North
Sheffield Hallam v Oxton 13:30
Deeside Ramblers v Univ of Durham 13:30
Doncaster v Cannock 14:00
Men’s Conference West
Isca v Fareham 12:30
Cheltenham v Univ of Birmingham 12:30
Univ of Bristol v Univ of Exeter 13:00
Team Bath Buccaneers v Old Georgians 13:00
England Hockey Board Media release
Tracksuited masses converge on Hobart for Hockey Australia Masters Championships
ADAM CLIFFORD
Tasmanian Women’s Masters Hockey representatives, from left, Sue Gordon (50 and over), Louise Sale (45 and over) and Helen Rackham (40 and over) will be competing against players from all other states and territories. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN
THEIR speed and agility of yesteryear may have faded, but that will not stop hundreds of female hockey players from pitting their skills at the Hockey Australia Masters Championships in Hobart.
More than 550 hockey players aged 35 and above are taking part in the event at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre in New Town.
Hockey Tasmania general manager Bob Gregory says the popular event, which begins in earnest tomorrow, will have significant flow-on effects.
“We are really pleased to have the opportunity to run this carnival again here in Hobart, not just for the promotion of Masters hockey but also for the economic benefits for the community at large,” Gregory said.
“Our Tasmanian athletes will enjoy showcasing our world-class sporting venue to players from across the country and all that our city has the offer.”
Every state and territory is represented, with 37 teams to play 128 games.
Proving that age is no barrier will be 72-year-old pair Susan Romero (Queensland) and Dorothy Glass (Western Australia), who will participate in the over-65 competition.
Tasmania will field sides in the over 35, 40, 45 and 50 competitions, with goalkeeper Linda Gaskell headlining an over-45 backline which features Louise Sale and Sarah Pugsley.
All were named in Australia’s over-45 side for this year’s World Masters Cup in Canberra.
“Players will be closely watched by national selectors for Australian Masters sides for a trans-Tasman event next year, as well as an international event in the Netherlands next August,” Gaskell said.
The Tasmanian over-35 team, featuring several Premier League players Anne Woolford, Bernadette Heyward and Kate McKernan, will open the tournament today with a 7pm clash with NSW.
The Mercury
Sreejesh to lead India in Asian Champions Trophy, Manpreet named vice-captain
BENGALURU: Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will lead an 18-member Indian men's hockey team in the fourth Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) to be held in Kuantan, Malaysia from October 20 to 30.
With an aim to form a group of leaders, Hockey India selectors have named 24-year-old midfielder Manpreet Singh as the vice-captain of the side for this tournament in place of SV Sunil.
Defender Jasjit Singh Kular returned to the squad and will be expected to double-up as a drag-flicker in place of experienced VR Raghunath, who has been rested for the tournament.
Also making a strong comeback to the side after a long injury lay-off is work horse in the backline Birendra Lakra, who missed the Rio Olympics due to a knee injury, will form India's defence along side experienced Rupinder Pal Singh, Kothajit Singh, Surender Kumar and Pardeep Mor.
India's midfield will be manned by Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Manpreet, Sardar Singh, SK Uthappa and Devindar Walmiki.
The forwardline, however, will miss the services of Akashdeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh, both of whom have been given a break. The duo will be replaced by Talwinder Singh and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay.
Besides Sreejesh, the other goalkeeper in the squad is young Akash Chikte.
Scheduled two months after the Rio Olympics, the men's Asian Champions Trophy will see participation from India, Korea, Japan, China, hosts Malaysia and defending champions Pakistan.
"The Asian Champions Trophy is an important tournament for us and going by the world rankings, India will go in as favourites to win the title. The team has been upbeat since their return to the camp after the Olympic Games and are eager to start the season on a winning note," said chief coach Roelant Oltmans, who is also the and High Performance Director of Hockey India.
Sreejesh, however, refused to take any side lightly and emphasised on playing with caution.
"We may be the top ranked team in Asia right now but no team can be taken lightly. The defending champions (Pakistan) are known to spring a surprise and Korea too will be a team to watch out for as they have been playing good quality hockey lately," he stated.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh (captain), Akash Chikte
Defenders: Rupinder Pal Singh, Pardeep Mor, Jasjit Singh Kular, Birendra Lakra, Kothajit Singh, Surender Kumar
Midfielders: Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Manpreet Singh (vice-captain), Sardar Singh, SK Uthappa, Devindar Walmiki
Forwards: Talwinder Singh, SV Sunil, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Nikkin Thimmaiah, Affan Yousuf.
The Times of India
After Strong Olympic Quad, Parnham Steps Down as USWNT Head Coach
Schopman to Fill Leadership Role
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – As the Olympic quad finishes, there is often an accompanying period of transition amongst national governing bodies. And as such Craig Parnham, USWNT Head Coach, has chosen to step down from his position and move into a new leadership role within USA Field Hockey, effective as of December 31, 2016.
“I have not taken the decision to step down from my role lightly,” said Parnham. “Rio was my fifth Olympic Games. I feel that I can step back knowing that the program is in a healthier place than it was when I arrived. Perhaps even more satisfying than the results on the pitch has been watching this team grow and develop into a group that holds themselves accountable and takes ownership of their own direction. It has been a privilege to have worked with such dedicated, professional athletes. I would like to thank all those involved in seeing the U.S. Women's National Team elevate themselves to one of the top six teams in the world.”
“Craig has made a massive impact in his time as head coach,” said Simon Hoskins, USA Field Hockey’s Executive Director. “He is rightly recognized as the key factor in the rise in success of our U.S. Women’s Team in the past quad. His skilled leadership and expertise in international hockey added a new dimension to the program and our tournament performances in recent years have been the best we have experienced.”
Parnham has been a successful leader of the USWNT. Through his steadfast leadership, Parnham guided the team to their best FIH Hero World Ranking in USWNT national team history of 5th and most recently propelled the international squad to a 5th place finish at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, a vast improvement from landing last at the London 2012 Olympic Games. By Parnham’s side taking an active role is planning proactive measures to enhance the Women’s High Performance Program was Janneke Schopman, USWNT Assistant Coach.
With Parnham’s decision to step down as head coach, USA Field Hockey named Schopman to lead a well-poised USWNT to continue their upward trajectory at the international level effective of January 1, 2017.
“I was very honored to receive a phone call from Simon with the question of whether I’d be interested in the head coach position,” said Schopman. “You go from being an assistant coach with a gut feeling after the Olympics of ‘we’re not done, this is just the beginning for this team’ to getting the privilege of being the head coach and continue the progress in the program. For me, I have always had this ambition and from this respect it’s a great opportunity. At the same time, it’s exciting because I want to move and continue the path that we’ve create for the past 2 and half years I’ve been with the team.”
“Janneke is rightly considered one of the top up and coming coaches in women’s international hockey,” said Hoskins. “She has demonstrated a strong understanding of USA Field Hockey’s systems and athletes in her 2 and half years with us. Janneke’s passion and expertise provides us continuity as well as the ambition for our program to continue our progress in international hockey.”
Schopman was appointed to the role of assistant coach in March 2014 and was a part of the coaching staff during the team’s tremendous play at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, gold medals performances at the 2015 Pan American Games and 2014 Champions Challenge, claiming fourth place at the 2014 Rabobank World Cup and made the USWNT an international threat on the pitch. Schopman also served as the U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team Head Coach and will continue to coach the team through the women's Hockey Junior World Cup in November.
“I value Craig as a coach and as a person,” said Schopman. “Under his leadership the program has really established itself and created a great platform which I will look to build on.”
Schopman is a former captain and a two-time Olympic field hockey medalist for the Dutch National Team. She was a part of the silver-medalist squad at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and a member of the gold-medalist squad in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Schopman also played on the Dutch squad that won gold at the 2006 Women’s Hockey World Cup and the Champions Trophy on three occasions in 2004, 2005 and 2007.
Parnham will transition to a new role at USA Field Hockey as the Director of Coach Education and Learning and will be working with Senior Manager of Coach Education, Liz Tchou. Together, they will continue to develop the coaching pathway from grassroots to high performance.
“Creating winning teams requires access to a world-class coaching education system," commented Parnham on his new role. "The education and development of coaches and coach educators will play a pivotal role in ensuring sustainable future athlete success.”
Parnham's desire to move into the organization's Coach Education Department is a great opportunity for USA Field Hockey to deliver our strategic mission.
USFHA media release
PHF fails to organise Pakistan Hockey League
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), despite its tall claims, has failed to organise the inaugural Pakistan Hockey League (PHL) after getting a cold shoulder from the government.
This failure clearly shows that the present management of the PHF incompetent and has not been able to convince the government regarding the importance of the PHL.
Now the national federation has decided to postpone the PHL which was scheduled to be launched in November.
As per the initial plans, around two dozen foreign players were expected to take part in the high-profile hockey league which was envisaged on the lines of cricket’s cash rich Pakistan Super League.
The major hurdle in launching the hockey league was the non-issuance of No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Punjab government for which the PHF had applied well before time but failed to receive it despite the passage of a few months.
“We have decided to postpone the PHL after failing to get any response from the government,” a PHF spokesman was quoted as saying Wednesday, while referring to the non-issuance of NOC by the government.
Six franchises were to vie for honours in the hockey league matches a majority of which were to be held in Lahore, Faisalabad and Gojra with each side having participation of three foreign players.
However, the delays and non-issuance of NOC notwithstanding, there still appear a ray of hope for the PHF who is now planning to hold the league in April next year.
“Our home work is complete and if the government gives permission, we could easily hold the event with the same enthusiasm in April next year,” maintained the PHF official.
Talking about the response of the foreign players, the former Olympian said that Pakistan enjoyed a rich history in the game of hockey due to which many foreign players were interested in coming to Pakistan for the league.
“We are in touch with almost 35 foreign players,” he claimed and boasted while stating that several top stars were keen to visit Pakistan and regularly contacted the PHF about the expected launch of the league.
“We ruled the world of hockey for decades. So, of course, foreign players want to come here,” said he, adding that the development and growth of young players relied on success of the league.
“Youth could not be attracted towards the national game without giving decent financial benefits to players,” he further said.
“Whenever it is held, the league will definitely give a boost to our players who will have the opportunity to play alongside the foreign players on the home soil apart from getting lucrative financial benefits,” concluded the PHF official.
The Daily Times
Junior hockey team set for exposure in Sultan of Johor Cup
by Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia have not set any targets for the National Juniors in the sixth edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup.
Six teams will compete in the tournament at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium from Oct 31 to Nov 6.
Except for Malaysia, the others – Australia, Pakistan, Japan, New Zealand and England – have all qualified for the Junior World Cup.
All the five teams are using this tournament to prepare for the Junior World Cup in Uttar Pradesh, India, from Dec 8-18.
Malaysia, on the other hand, are using the Sultan of Johor Cup to give their players exposure.
“We will take it one match at a time. I have an idea who will carry our challenge in the tournament. I want my boys to play good hockey and hopefully get positive results,” said National Juniors coach Wallace Tan.
Malaysia, who finished third last year, will open their campaign against England on Oct 31, followed by matches against Australia (Nov 1), Pakistan (Nov 2), Japan (Nov 4) and New Zealand (Nov 5). The final and playoff matches will be held on Nov 6.
A total of 14 players from the National Juniors squad are competing in the ongoing Australian Hockey League (AHL) in Perth.
Three of them – Muhd Najmi Farizal Jazlan, Nik Aiman Nik Rozemi and Najib Hassan – are playing for the national senior team while the other 14 are in the development squad coached by Wallace.
The Juniors have failed to impress in Perth, having lost their first four Group B matches to the Indian Juniors (4-2), Western Australia (2-0), South Australian Hotshots (4-0) and Canberra Lakers (3-1).
The Juniors are bottom of the group and have one more group match to go against Tassie Tigers.
The Star of Malaysia
QNET become title sponsor for Asian Champions Trophy
by Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: QNET, a global direct selling company, will be the title sponsor for the 4th Asian Men’s Champions Trophy in Kuantan from Oct 20-30.
QNET have pledged RM500,000 in sponsorship for the 11-day tournament.
This will be the first time that the Asian Champions Trophy will have a title sponsor since its inception in 2011.
QNET director for communications Kuna Senathirajah said: “I would like to thank AHF (Asian Hockey Federation) and MHC (Malaysian Hockey Confederation) for giving us the opportunity to be a part of an exclusive event.
“We feel proud and honoured to be the title sponsor for the prestigious tournament.”
MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal thanked QNET for their generous sponsorship as they would need RM1mil to organise the tournament.
“A few more sponsors have shown interest in the tournament ... we will name the (other) sponsor by next week,” said Subahan.
The six top teams from Asia – India, Pakistan, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan and China – will feature in tournament.
Pakistan and India have been the most successful teams in the tournament.
Pakistan have won the trophy twice – in Doha, Qatar, in 2012 and Kakamigahara, Japan, in 2013. India won the inaugural tournament in Ordos, China, in 2011.
Malaysia finished third in all three editions.
The Star of Malaysia
Rio 2016 provides catalyst for growth in Brazil
Samba Sticks inspire the next generation during Olympics
Stephane Vehrle-Smith and his team-mates inspired the next generation in Brazil during Rio 2016 Photo: FIH/Getty
The Olympics are now a distant memory as the hockey world gears up towards the Hockey Junior World Cup, but for the Brazilian Hockey Confederation the work has really just begun, with part of their remit to ensure Rio 2016 leaves a hockey legacy in Brazil.
At the core of the legacy is the beautiful hockey complex at Deodoro. Star of the show for 14 days in August, the hope now is that the pitches will become a hockey hub for Brazil and South America.
For anyone wishing to run hockey activities in the area there are two hockey facilities – at Deodoro and at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – both with two top quality pitches each, certified as Global standard as part of the International Hockey Federation's (FIH) Quality Programme for Hockey Turf.
Bruno Patricio is General Manager of the Confederação Brasileira de Hóquei and he explains where things are right now regarding the hockey complex and its future.
He said: “We hope Deodoro Stadium will be our High Performance Training Centre, which will be used to develop the best Brazilian players and where the national teams and Under-21 teams will train to compete in the international tournaments.
“The Deodoro Stadium will also be used as the main stadium to host both national competitions and international events.”
At the Federal University in Rio de Janeiro, hockey is already a hot topic. It is a subject in its own right within the physical education course and the university pitches are in constant use by the students.
For the future, Patricio says the pitches will also host national and state championships at Under-18 and Under-15 level and hockey clinics, holiday camps and coaching courses will all take place at the facility.
In addition, the local clubs from Rio de Janeiro are already using the University facility to train for the national and state championships.
Is there an appetite for hockey in Brazil, a country that has for so long been all about soccer? Patricio certainly believes so. He says Brazil men’s participation in the Olympics has provided a catalyst for hockey growth.
“The impact of the Olympic Games on hockey in Brazil was extremely positive. Due to the participation of Brazil and the fact that all hockey matches were streamed on television, hockey had an important visibility in the whole country and, since the end of the Olympic Games, we have been contacted by several institutions outside Rio de Janeiro asking the Brazilian Federation to start hockey in their locations.”
It is a point that Brazil’s, Stephane Vehrle-Smith agrees with. He said: “Despite the heavy losses we suffered during the Games, the reaction in Brazil has been great. People ranging across all ages have picked up a stick and are giving hockey a go. Many Brazilians who tuned in or watched live during the Olympics found the sport very exciting and lots of kids were inspired by it. This is a brilliant thing to see and I hope the sport continues to grow within the country and South America.”
For Patricio, what is needed for development to happen is a consistent, joined up approach. “To achieve real development, we believe that hockey needs to be practised by children, adolescents and adults from all social classes. This is the reason why we are bringing hockey to public and private schools, universities, and clubs. We expect to expand significantly the number of players, coaches and supporters in Brazil in the next years, and the Olympic legacy will be primordial to achieve this goal.”
The impact that the Rio 2016 Olympic Games has had on hockey, not only in Brazil but across the world, is very much in line with the FIH's 10-year Hockey Revolution strategy in relation to its overall aim - to make hockey a global game that inspires the next generation.
To find out more about hockey in Brazil, visit the Confederação Brasileira de Hóquei website by clicking here.
FIH site