News for 16 November 2016
All the news for Wednesday 16 November 2016
All you need to know about the Trans-Tasman Trophy
Holly MacNeil
The inaugural Trans-Tasman trophy kicks off in Auckland, New Zealand on Thursday with the Hockeyroos and the Kookaburras set to take on the Black Sticks Women and Men.
Hockey Australia and Hockey New Zealand have partnered up to host the event, with the first taking place this year at the Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium. The tournament will alter between Auckland and Canberra, with Canberra hosting in 2017 and 2019.
The teams will be fighting for a combined trophy with the results from all six matches deciding whether Australia or New Zealand will own the crown of Trans-Tasman champions.
With the recent retirement of Madonna Blyth, Jane Claxton will step in to captain the Hockeyroos for the series, with Aaron Zalewski captain-ing the Kookaburras as Mark Knowles takes some time out.
There will also be several debuts to the sides, with Kalindi Commerford, Murphy Allendorf and Ashlea Fey stepping into the Hockeyroos side; while Robert Bell, Scott Boyde, Ben Craig, Casey Hammond, Aaron Kleinschmidt and Josh Pollard all make the Kookaburras side for the first time.
The three double headers will take place on Thursday 17, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November, with all the action being broadcast on Fox Sports Australia!
Trans-Tasman Trophy Fixtures
Thursday 17 November
Hockeyroos v Black Stick Women: 1.30pm AWST / 4.30pm ADST - Fox Sports 3
Kookaburras v Black Stick Men: 3.10pm AWST / 6.10pm ADST - Fox Sports 3
Saturday 19 November
Kookaburras v Black Stick Men: 1.30pm AWST / 4.30pm ADST - Fox Sports 5
Hockeyroos v Black Stick Women: 3.10pm AWST / 4.30pm ADST - Fox Sports 5
Sunday 20 November
Kookaburras v Black Stick Men: 11.30am AWST / 2.30pm ADST - Fox Sports 5
Hockeyroos v Black Stick Women: 1.10pm AWST / 4.10pm ADST - Fox Sports 5
Hockeyroos Team Trans-Tasman Trophy
Athlete (Hometown / State)
Murphy Allendorf (Mount Gravatt, QLD)
Laura Barden (Kew, VIC)
Edwina Bone (Orange, NSW) *plays for ACT
Mathilda Carmichael (Willoughby, NSW)
Jane Claxton (Adelaide, SA)
Kalindi Commerford (Canberra, ACT)
Jacqui Day (Mountain Creeks, QLD)
Kirstin Dwyer (Mackay, QLD)
Ashlea Fey (Sunshine Coast, QLD)
Anna Flanagan (Canberra, ACT)
Jordyn Holzberger (Yamanto, QLD)
Georgina Morgan (Armidale, NSW)
Gabrielle Nance (Kingscliff, NSW)*plays for SA
Georgia Nanscawen (Melbourne, VIC)
Brooke Peris (Darwin, NT)
Kathryn Slattery (South Stirling, WA)
Audrey Smith (Brisbane, QLD)
Ashlee Wells (Morwell, VIC)
Kookaburras Team Trans-Tasman Trophy
Athlete (Hometown / State)
Chris Bausor (Perth, WA)
Daniel Beale (Brisbane, QLD)
Robert Bell (Brisbane, QLD)
Scott Boyde (Brisbane, QLD)
Tristan Clemons (Ferndale, WA)
Ben Craig (Lane Cove, NSW)
Tim Cross (South Morang, VIC)
Matthew Dawson (Killarney Valley, NSW)
Casey Hammond (Bundoora, VIC)
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT)
Aaron Kleinschmidt (Melbourne, VIC)
Tyler Lovell (Perth, WA)
Trent Mitton (Perth, WA)
Flynn Ogilvie (Wollongong, NSW)
Josh Pollard (Melbourne, VIC)
Matthew Willis (Tamworth, NSW)
Dylan Wotherspoon (Murwillumbah, NSW)
Aran Zalewski (Margaret River, WA)
Hockey Australia media release
Nick Haig happy to be back leading new-look Black Sticks for inaugural trans-Tasman series
Clay Wilson
Nick Haig is one of just two players with more than 100 international caps in the Black Sticks men's squad for this week's trans-Tasman series against Australia. PHOTOSPORT
Canterbury's Nick Haig is set to captain the Black Sticks at the Ford Trans-Tasman Trophy
Missing out on another Olympics isn't necessary to motivate Nick Haig to perform for the New Zealand men's hockey team.
Capped 193 times at senior international level, Haig was the big name casualty when the squad for the Rio Games was named earlier this year.
One could hardly blame him, then, if not getting the chance to play in a second Olympics was spurring him on for his return to the Black Sticks in the inaugural men's and women's trans-Tasman series against Australia in Auckland this week.
But Haig, who still travelled to Rio as one of two alternate players, insisted that was not the case.
"It was obviously hugely disappointing but it's awesome to have the opportunity to get out there again," the 29-year-old defensive midfielder from Canterbury said.
Striker Olivia Merry is the most capped member of the Kiwi women's squad for the three matches in Auckland. VASILY FEDOSENKO/REUTERS
"I love chucking on the black shirt. I had a good NHL (National Hockey League) campaign and now I've got the opportunity to represent country again and I'm stoked.
"I just love every chance I get to play for New Zealand. There is no extra motivation, it's just another opportunity to go out there and represent my country and hopefully put a good performance in."
The trans-Tasman series, involving men's and women's matches at Lloyd Elsmore Park on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, also offers him an opportunity of another kind.
Haig has not captained the Black Sticks since his lone match in charge against Japan in early 2014 but the absence of regular skipper Simon Child and 12 other members of the Olympic squad, who are either resting, playing in Europe, injured or retired, means he has been handed the reins again.
It also means a New Zealand squad featuring eight uncapped players and four others with fewer than 50 caps.
Bar a couple of players who had been away with the national junior team, the group had been training together in Auckland for the past five weeks and Haig said the fresh nature of the squad had made for a very different, but no-less enjoyable, preparation.
"It's an awesome opportunity for the young guys and they've been soaking it up at training," Haig said looking forward to the men's team's first match since a devastating and dramatic last second loss to Germany at the quarterfinal stage in Rio.
"There has been a lot of educating, getting guys used to the environment , how we operate and how we play. We're seeing a few nerves now it's only a day away from their debuts.
"It's an awesome challenge given Aussie are world No 1. They've got a very different team as well but they'll still be very good.
"Our young guys have been selected for a reason, hopefully they have the confidence to play their normal style and don't get too over-awed."
Haig added they had given a 'nothing to lose' type attitude to the younger players and emphasised they weren't simply there to occupy the spots of the absent regulars.
Expectations were performance, not results, based and Haig said they had spoken at length about replicating behaviours that had resulted in strong performances in the past.
There is a similar, if not so vastly different, look to the New Zealand's women's squad.
Eight members of the group which lost 2-1 to Germany in the bronze medal match in Rio are either resting, playing in Europe, injured or retired.
Three debutants in Midlands defender Kim Tanner, Capital utility Felicity Reidy and Canterbury midfielder Bridget Kiddle have been named but five others also have less than 50 appearances for the Black Sticks.
How the team performs without leading players like Stacey Michelsen (injured), Kayla Whitelock (retired), Samantha Charlton (Europe) and Anita McLaren (resting) will be of particular interest to coach Mark Hager.
TRANS-TASMAN HOCKEY SERIES
Where: Lloyd Elsmore Park, Auckland
When: Thursday: Women 6.30pm, men 8pm. Saturday: Men 6.30pm, women 8pm. Sunday: Men 4.30pm, women 6pm.
New Zealand teams:
Men: Martin Atkinson, Cory Bennett, David Brydon, James Coughlan, Robert Creffier, Nick Haig, Stephen Jenness, Richard Joyce, Kim Kingstone, Sam Lane, George Enersen, Harry Miskimmin, Leo Mitai-Wells, Dominic Newman, Hayden Phillips, Brad Read, Matt Rees-Gibbs, Nick Ross, Alex Shaw, Jacob Smith.
Women: Michaela Curtis, Natasha Fitzsimons, Amelia Gibson, Erin Goad, Jordan Grant, Samantha Harrison, Pippa Hayward, Rose Keddell, Rachel McCann, Olivia Merry, Bridget Kiddle, Kirsten Pearce, Felicity Reidy, Sally Rutherford, Kelsey Smith, Jenny Storey, Kim Tanner, Liz Thompson.
MISSING IN ACTION
Men (13 players)
Playing in Europe: Shea McAleese, Hugo Inglis, Blair Tarrant, Shay Neal, Kane Russell, Nic Woods, Blair Hilton
Resting: Simon Child, Nick Wilson, Arun Panchia
Retired: Ryan Archibald, Brad Shaw
Injured: Devon Manchester
Women (8 players)
Resting: Anita McLaren, Gemma Flynn, Charlotte Harrison, Brooke Neal
Playing in Europe: Samantha Charlton, Petrea Webster
Retired: Kayla Whitelock
Injured: Stacey Michelsen
Stuff
Stephen to ring the changes for Four-Nation hockey meet
by S. Ramaguru
Syed Mohd Syafiq (centre) gets a chance to play in the Four-Nation Melbourne Festival from Nov 23-27.
KUALA LUMPUR: The national hockey team will make six changes to the side who played in the recent Asian Champions Trophy for the Four-Nation Melbourne Festival of Hockey from Nov 23-27.
Injured duo Baljit Singh and Mohd Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin are back in the squad and they will be joined by Mohd Firdaus Omar, Mohd Amirol Aideed, Syed Mohd Syafiq Syed Cholan and Mohd Ramadan Rosli.
The Asian Champions Trophy players not considered for the trip Down Under are Mohd Razie Rahim, Faiz Helmi Jali, Fitri Saari, Nabil Fiqri Mohd Nor, Mohd Rashid Baharom and Mohd Najib Hassan.
Malaysia Tigers head coach Stephen van Huizen explained that the changes were meant to give the fringe and injured players the chance to prove themselves.
“The Four-Nation in Melbourne will certainly witness several players stepping in to gain some valuable experience. Our preparations are geared towards the Hockey World League Round Two in Trinidad & Tobago next March,” said Stephen.
“I feel that we still have a strong team despite the changes.”
Malaysia finished third in the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan last month.
The Four-Nation meet involves Asian Champions Trophy winners India, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.
The Malaysia Tigers will face New Zealand in the opening match on Nov 23, followed by India (Nov 24) and Australia (Nov 26). The classification matches are on Nov 27.
THE MALAYSIA TIGERS SQUAD
Goalkeepers: S. Kumar, Hafizuddin Othman.
Defenders: Baljit Singh Charun Singh, Sukri Abdul Mutalib, Muhammad Firdaus Omar, Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin, Najmi Farizal Jazlan.
Midfielders: Joel Samuel van Huizen, Amirol Aideed, Syed Mohd Syafiq Syed Cholan, Meor Muhamad Azuan Hasan, Mohd Asri Hassan.
Forwards: Mohd Firhan Ashari, Mohd Shahril Saabah, Mohd Haziq Samsul, Nik Aiman Nik Rozemi, Faizal Saari, Ramadan Rosli.
The Star of Malaysia
Broadcast announcement - Trans-Tasman & Festival of Hockey
Fox Sport to Broadcast
Holly MacNeil
Hockey Australia and digital broadcaster Epicentre.tv today jointly announced an exciting comprehensive broadcast schedule to close out 2016, which will elevate the profile of the Kookaburras, Hockeyroos and two new international hockey events.
Under the agreement, Epicentre.tv will produce and broadcast all matches on the Epicentre.tv platform, as well as negotiate international TV distribution rights on behalf of Hockey Australia.
Already, Epicentre.tv has secured a partnership with Fox Sports Australia which will see live coverage of the following matches in 2016:
• The Trans-Tasman Cup series, which sees the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos play the New Zealand Black Sticks men’s and women’s teams in Wellington this week - (Live TV on Fox Sports)
• The Men’s Four Nations Series against India, New Zealand and Malaysia as part of the International Festival of Hockey in Melbourne from November 23 - 27 (Live TV on Fox Sports / Live Stream via Epicentre.tv)
• The Hockeyroos’ three Test match series against India in Melbourne in November - (Live TV November 23 / 25 / 27 on Fox Sports / Live Stream via Epicentre.tv)
Hockey Australia Chief Executive, Cam Vale, said the broadcasting deal will expand hockey’s audience and lead to new sponsorship, commercial and marketing opportunities.
"This is a very exciting time for hockey in Australia," said Mr Vale.
"We have developed a terrific schedule of international matches which will be broadcast live and on-demand at Epicentre.tv and on Fox Sports Australia.
“The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos have consistently been among Australia’s best performing and most popular international teams and the arrangement with Epicentre.tv will allow us to take the sport to new levels across all areas of the sport," he added.
Epicentre.TV Chief Operating Officer, Luke Campbell, said the broadcast schedule is a continuation of the successful partnership with HA which commenced with the live streaming of the Hockeyroos’ three match Test series with China in 2015.
"We’ve worked with Hockey Australia for the past two years and help them take the broadcasts from a low scale live stream to live TV coverage that is sure to be a great ratings success due to the popularity of the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos." said Mr Campbell.
"Each event has seen an increase in viewership and this is only going to see the sport continue to grow in popularity with the live TV broadcasts on Fox Sports," he added.
"We also have non-exclusive sponsorship and advertising rights with Hockey Australia and we will be assisting them grow commercial and sponsorship revenue off the back of our broadcasting deal."
Trans-Tasman Trophy Fixtures
Thursday 17 November
Hockeyroos v Black Stick Women: 1.30pm AWST / 4.30pm ADST - Fox Sports 3
Kookaburras v Black Stick Men: 3.10pm AWST / 6.10pm ADST - Fox Sports 3
Saturday 19 November
Kookaburras v Black Stick Men: 1.30pm AWST / 4.30pm ADST - Fox Sports 5
Hockeyroos v Black Stick Women: 3.10pm AWST / 4.30pm ADST - Fox Sports 5
Sunday 20 November
Kookaburras v Black Stick Men: 11.30am AWST / 2.30pm ADST - Fox Sports 5
Hockeyroos v Black Stick Women: 1.10pm AWST / 4.10pm ADST - Fox Sports 5
International Festival of Hockey Fixtures
Wednesday 23 November
Malaysia v New Zealand Men: 1pm AWST / 4pm ADST
Hockeyroos v India: 3pm AWST / 6pm ADST
Kookaburras v India: 5pm AWST / 8pm ADST
Thursday 24 November
India v Malaysia Men: 3pm AWST / 6pm ADST
Kookaburras v New Zealand: 5pm AWST / 8pm ADST
Friday 25 November
Hockeyroos v India: 4pm AWST / 7pm ADST
Saturday 26 November
Kookaburras v Malaysia: 12pm AWST / 3pm ADST
India v New Zealand Men: 2pm AWST / 5pm ADST
Sunday 27 November
FINALS SESSION
Hockeyroos v India: 11am AWST / 2pm ADST
Men's 3rd v Men's 4th: 1pm AWST / 4pm ADST
Men's 1st v Men's 2nd: 3.30pm AWST / 6.30pm ADST
Hockey Australia media release
Junior World Cup hockey: India make Pakistan wait
PHF chief Khalid Mehmood said once the Indian High Commission in Islamabad gives the green signal the travel itinerary will be finalised. (Getty Images)
There is a strong likelihood of the Pakistan hockey team competing in the Junior World Cup at Lucknow from December 8-18 after the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) go-ahead. But this is subject to the “political situation” and the governments of the two countries.
International hockey federation (FIH) president Narinder Batra said that the PHF had given its team the all-clear to compete in the World Cup but it all depends on the political situation.
Speaking to HT from Islamabad, PHF chief Khalid Mehmood said, once the Indian High Commission in Islamabad gives the green signal, the travel itinerary will be finalised. “The youngsters are training hard for the event,” he said.
The PHF is yet to decide on whether to travel by road from Amritsar or take a flight from Lahore to Lucknow via New Delhi. Clubbed in Pool B, Pakistan play the Netherlands in their opening match on December 9. Belgium and Egypt are the other teams in the pool.
After the Pathankot and Uri terror attacks, relations between the two countries deteriorated further. On providing security to Pak players during the FIH meet, Batra said, “It’s the job of the host nation to provide adequate security to all teams. Safety of competitors is paramount.”
Contingency plan
Asked about a contingency plan in the event of Pakistan withdrawing, he said “If the team doesn’t come, there will be a backup… two replacement teams are always there,” he said, adding “It depends on the governments of India and Pakistan but most likely Pakistan will play here,” he said.
On the issue of the FIH ‘home-and-away’ league, involving 7-9 top hockey-playing nations, as planned by FIH, Batra said that the option of a neutral venue could be discussed with Pakistan “if they are willing, and they should decide upon the venue,” he said.
He said that all issues relating to the controversy arising out of the 2014 Champions Trophy semifinal at Bhubaneswar had been resolved with the PHF and “no issues remained”. “We met before the FIH elections in Dubai and resolved all the issues.”
Asked if Pakistan players would now be able to take part in the Hockey India League auction, Batra said, “It depends on the franchises. There is only a mini-auction involving 8-10 players tomorrow for the next edition of HIL, so no Pak players are there in it,” he said.
Hindustan Times
Maartje Paumen retires after 12 years with Orange
Penalty corner specialist and captain Maartje Paumen (31) has decided to retire from Orange after twelve years, 235 matches and 195 goals. She won among others, two Olympic gold medals in Beijing and London, a silver in Rio de Janeiro, was twice World Champion and twice named the best player of the world. "I've had a fantastic career in the Dutch national team. It was the time of my life. But now it's time for other things. "
"It was a very difficult choice, and I gave myself the time pass quietly settling after the silver medal at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Playing for Orange is what I've wanted all my life and now to stop is one of the most difficult decisions in my life. I have spoken very extensively with Alsyon Annan, our coach, and talked with other internationals, family, my management and close friends. Everyone wanted to help me, but eventually only I myself could make that decision. After all this time I can no longer afford to make the most of myself and Orange and you have to think long term. It's time to stop. "
No final farewell
I still love the game so I stay happy until the end of the season just at my club. At the end of this season I decide what I will do at Den Bosch. "
Intense enjoyment
Paumen who always was known to leading the fight has deeply enjoyed her international career. "I can say that I found each game special with Orange. Nothing has been better in my life than to play for my country. I have experience with my wonderful teammates and staff over the years many beautiful moments. I'm going to really miss. Fortunately, I have become more friends with those girls."
She continues: "I always do everything 200 percent, not 95 percent. Of course you have to think long term with Orange and the European Championships in Amsterdam next year. And I did not look beyond a year. "
New Era
It starts a new era for Paumen. Time for new things. "I dream for example in a few years to start a coffee shop. I'm going to look calmly what is possible and what I want to do. I give all presentations and clinics and who knows I'm going to give coaching or training a go later. Provisionally I will take some rest, and I look forward to what is going to bring my life after Orange. "
Maartje Paumen Official Site
Translation care of Google Translate
The Full announcement in Dutch
AANVOERSTER MAARTJE PAUMEN STOPT NA 12 JAAR MET ORANJE
Den Bosch, 15 november 2016 Strafcornerspecialist en aanvoerster Maartje Paumen (31) heeft besloten om na twaalf jaar, 235 interlands en 195 doelpunten afscheid te nemen van Oranje. Zij won o.a. twee gouden olympische medailles in Peking en Londen, een zilveren in Rio de Janeiro, werd twee keer wereldkampioen en twee keer uitgeroepen tot beste speelster van de wereld. ‘Ik heb een fantastische carrière gehad in het Nederlands Elftal. Het was de tijd van mijn leven. Maar nu is het tijd voor andere dingen.’
‘Het was een heel lastige keuze, en ik heb mezelf na de zilveren medaille op de Olympische Spelen in Rio de Janeiro echt de tijd gegeven alles rustig te laten bezinken. Spelen voor Oranje heb ik mijn hele leven gewild en nu daarmee stoppen is een van de moeilijkste beslissingen in mijn leven. Ik heb heel uitgebreid met Alsyon Annan, onze bondscoach, gesproken en met andere internationals, familie, mijn management en naaste vrienden. Iedereen wilde me helpen, maar uiteindelijk kon alleen ík die beslissing maken. Ik kan het na al die tijd niet meer opbrengen om alles uit mezelf te halen en bij Oranje moet je lange termijn denken. Het is tijd om te stoppen.’
Nog geen definitief afscheid
Ik hou nog steeds van het spelletje dus ik blijf gelukkig nog tot en met het einde van het seizoen gewoon bij mijn club. Aan het einde van dit seizoen beslis ik wat ik bij Den Bosch ga doen.’
Intens genoten
Paumen die er altijd om bekend stond voorop te gaan in de strijd, heeft intens genoten van haar interlandcarrière. ‘Ik kan zeggen dat ik iedere wedstrijd van Oranje bijzonder vond. Er is niets mooier geweest in mijn leven dan voor mijn land uitkomen. Ik heb met mijn fantastische teamgenoten en staf door de jaren heen veel mooie momenten beleeft. Die ga ik erg missen. Gelukkig zijn veel van die meiden vriendinnen geworden.’
Ze vervolgt: ‘Ik doe altijd alles op 200 procent en niet op 95 procent. Natuurlijk is het EK volgend jaar in Amsterdam te gek, maar je moet bij Oranje op lange termijn denken. En ik wilde niet verder kijken dan een jaar.’
Nieuwe periode
Er breekt een nieuwe tijd aan voor Paumen. Tijd voor nieuwe dingen. ‘Ik droom er bijvoorbeeld al jaren van om een koffietent te beginnen. Ik ga rustig bekijken wat mogelijk is en wat ik wil doen. Ik geef al presentaties en clinics en wie weet ga ik later coachen of trainingen geven. Voorlopig neem ik wat rust en kijk ik uit naar wat mijn leven na Oranje gaat brengen.’
Maartje Paumen Official site
Oranje-Rood superstars to oversee Friday’s LIVE EHL KO16 draw
HC Oranje-Rood superstars Bob de Voogd and Agustin Mazzilli will be the guests of honour for the Euro Hockey League KO16 draw which will will take place on Friday, November 18 at 13:00 (CET), setting the stage for the knock-out phase of the world’s best club competition.
The draw will be broadcast on Facebook Live with 16 of Europe’s top clubs – hailing from eight countries – finding out who their opposition will be at Eindhoven’s HC Oranje-Rood from April 14-17, 2017.
EHF President Marijke Fleuren, EHF Director General Angus Kirkland and EHL Chairman Hans-Erik Tuijt will conduct the draw which will also be tweeted live via the @EHLhockeytv Twitter account.
ROUND1 qualifiers UHC Hamburg (GER), Atletic Terrassa (ESP), Banbridge (IRL) and reigning champions SV Kampong (NED) earned their tickets to the KO16 in October.
They will join 12 clubs who received byes to the KO16, namely: HC Oranje-Rood (NED), AH&BC Amsterdam (NED), KTHC Rot-Weiss Koln (GER), Mannheimer HC (GER), KHC Dragons (BEL), Racing Club de Bruxelles (BEL), Club Egara (ESP), Real Club de Polo de Barcelona (ESP), Wimbledon (ENG), Racing Club de France (FRA), WKS Grunwald Poznan (POL) and Lisnagarvey HC (IRL).
The draw will use the Olympic order seeding method with the eight remaining national champions in pot one with the remaining sides to be drawn against them from pot two.
The definitive match schedule will be decided in the coming weeks to take in broadcasting requirements.
Pot one: HC Oranje-Rood (NED), KTHC Rot-Weiss Koln (GER), KHC Dragons (BEL), Club Egara (ESP), Wimbledon (ENG), Racing Club de France (FRA), WKS Grunwald Poznan (POL), Lisnagarvey HC (IRL).
Pot two: UHC Hamburg (GER), Atletic Terrassa (ESP), Banbridge (IRL), SV Kampong (NED), AH&BC Amsterdam (NED), Mannheimer HC (GER), Racing Club de Bruxelles (BEL), Real Club de Polo de Barcelona (ESP).
Euro Hockey League media release
Jalandhar boys clinch U-17 Nehru hockey title
The Sain Dass AS SR Sec School (Jalandhar) team after winning the U-17 title of the Nehru Hockey Tournament in New Delhi.
Chandigarh: Jalandhar’s Sain Dass AS SR Sec School won a tight final to clinch the U-17 title of the Nehru Hockey Tournament in New Delhi on Monday.
The Jalandhar school boys, who are trainees of the Surjit Academy, beat CRZ Sr Sec School, Sonepat, 3-2 in the final.
The Jalandhar school had beaten Sri GTB Khalsa Sr Sec School, Baba Bakala Sahib (Punjab), 5-3 in the semifinals.
In the pool stage, they had thrashed Directorate General NCC-Red 9-5 and Shah Satnamji Boys School, Sirsa, 10-1.
The champion team’s Dilpreet Singh — who was part of the Indian team that won the U-18 Asia Cup title in Dhaka last month — was adjudged the best player of the tournament.
The Tribune
Neil Hawgood to go
Uthra Ganesan
While men’s chief coach Roelant Oltmans is set to stay put for another four years with the Indian team, women’s coach Neil Hawgood will bid adieu to Indian hockey after the upcoming tour of Australia.
The Indian women’s team left for Australia on Tuesday morning for a three-Test series and Hawgood will return for just a couple of days to complete the formalities of his wrap-up.
In fact, barring Oltmans, the contracts of most members of both men’s support staff and are not expected to be renewed as Hockey India and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) look to start afresh for the 2020 Olympics.
“I was told of the contract not being renewed soon after the Rio Olympics. But there is no acrimony, it’s all very professional. My contract gets over now and I will not be continuing. I only wish for a series win in Australia to make sure I go out on a high,” Hawgood told The Hindu from Australia.
Sources said Hawgood would be taking charge of a women’s development side for a club in Japan soon. The former Australia player had left Indian hockey in December 2014 after his contract ran out, only to return in 2015 after the Indian women qualified for the Olympics for the first time ever on merit.
While German Mathias Ahrens was in charge of the side when the team finished fifth at the Hockey World League semifinals in Antwerp last year, the players admitted it was Hawgood’s system they followed for the success. India finished 12th at the Rio Olympics.
Under his charge, India won its first title in over a decade at the recent Asian Champions Trophy, bronze at the 2013 Asia Cup, the 2014 Asian Games and a histornic maiden bronze at the junior World Cup in 2013.
The Hindu
Batra promises a hockey revolution
Ritu Sejwa
NEW DELHI: With Narinder Batra becoming the chief of International Hockey Federation (FIH), India will get to host more major international tournaments in the coming two years.
"India was earlier hosting only one big tournament. But now that I will move out as Hockey India chief and take on my new job, India will host at least two FIH tournaments every year. We have men's Asian Champions Trophy and the World Cup in 2018 and the Hockey World League final next year. Along with that we will be hosting the qualifiers for five-a-side under-17 Youth Olympic Games for both men and women. FIH's international congress (2018) will also be held in Delhi," Batra, who succeeds Spain's Leandro Negre as FIH chief, said here at a press conference.
As part of his new responsibility, Batra aims to popularise the sport and increase its reach worldwide. He also spoke of Hockey Revolution programme whereby a nine-team, home-and-away league will be introduced which will also serve as Olympic and World Cup qualifiers.
"FIH will introduce a 10-year Hockey Revolution programme from 2019. The programme's aim is to ensure the next generation takes up the sport. Its overall aim is to make hockey more popular and reachable. We ought to have more than 12-14 teams vying for a spot in the Olympics," Batra, who became the first Indian and also first non-European to head the world body, said.
Meanwhile, Batra added that all issues with the Pakistan Hockey Federation 'have been resolved' and rubbished reports that Pakistan will not be participating in next month's Junior World Cup to be held in Lucknow.
"As far as FIH is concerned, Pakistan has confirmed its participation. But the final decision rests with the governments of the two countries - whether Pakistan wants to send its team and India wants to allow them to play," he said.
Batra, who will be stepping down as Hockey India president before taking charge as world body chief, said it will take around 15 days to elect a new president. However, he admitted that he will always regret not doing enough for women's hockey.
Batra also added that three players have been suspended on disciplinary issues. "Three players including Yuvraj Walmiki and Amit Gowda have been suspended for three-four months and will miss this edition of the Hockey India League. They misbehaved and used unacceptable language with referees during the nationals. For hockey to grow, indiscipline will not be tolerated," he said.
The Times of India
FIH boss Batra's main focus is to make hockey popular and reachable
NEW DELHI: The first non-European to head the International Hockey Federation, newly-elected FIH President Narinder Batra on Tuesday said his main focus would be on the 10-year Hockey Revolution strategy starting from 2019, which aims at making the sport more popular and reachable.
Batra, who was elected President last Saturday, said as part of the Hockey Revolution programme the world body is set to introduce a nine-team home-and-away league of international teams which also serve as Olympic and World Cup qualifiers.
"There is one game I am passionate about is hockey. I want to contribute to the game and make it more popular and bigger," Batra told in his first media conference after becoming the world body chief.
"As part of the plan, the FIH will introduce a 10-year Hockey Revolution programme from 2019. The programme's aim is to ensure the next generation takes up the sport. It's overall aim is to make hockey more popular and reachable.
"From 2019 we will have hockey all throughout the year. We will start a new league which is very important in the context of FIH. It will be a home-and-away league which will witness participation from nine countries.
"The league will be a qualifier for Olympics and World Cup. Top two teams of the league will qualify for Olympics and the World Cup. The league will be organised over 6 months and will be held on Saturdays and Sundays," he said.
The new FIH chief said they have also kept the option of organising the league on a neutral venue in case a country like Pakistan has issues hosting the event on their home soil.
"We have kept the neutral venue option for teams like Pakistan provided they agree to play," Batra said.
Further elaborating on his plans, Batra said he wants to take hockey across the globe in a bid to increase "reach and revenue".
"My role in FIH will be to increase geographical boundaries of the sport. I want to expand hockey to Africa, Pan America, Oceania and Asia. I want to increase the number of international teams from 10-12 to 20-25.
"If you can increase your boundaries, revenue will automatically increase," he said.
Batra also said that India will continue to be an important market for the world body.
The new FIH chief also brushed aside suggestions that hockey still runs the risk of being eliminated from the Olympic schedule, which happened just before the Rio Olympics.
"I don't see hockey out of Olympics for the next 16 years. Look at the ratings of hockey. The viewership has increased by many folds. You get an idea from the grant given by IOC. If there was no viewership, there wouldn't have been any grant from IOC," said Batra, who will oversee the operations of FIH from here although the world body's main office will continue to be based in Lausanne.
The new FIH chief also rubbished reports that Pakistan will not participate in the Junior World Cup to be held in Lucknow next month.
"As far as FIH is concerned, Pakistan has confirmed its participation. We will arrange for Pakistan's security and other logistics only after we get the schedule and route of their arrival. But eventually the choice is with the governments of both India and Pakistan," he said.
He also said that in case Pakistan doesn't get the government nod to travel to India for the Junior World Cup, the FIH has a back up in place.
"In every FIH tournaments, we always keep back ups ready in place. In case Pakistan doesn't turn up we have 2-3 teams in line to replace them," Batra said.
The Times of India
New hockey league to be fresh Olympic qualifying event
Ajai Masand
The world hockey body, FIH plans to start a new league aimed at globalising the game, which is currently dominated by a few countries. (HT Photo)
In a bid to bring about a “hockey revolution”, the international hockey federation (FIH) executive board has chalked out a 10-year programme (2019-2028) where 7-9 top teams will play on a home-and-away basis, and the top two will qualify for the Olympics.
The new FIH president, Narinder Batra, said the world governing body, however, will also continue with the regular qualification tournaments, the Hockey World League and the continental championships like Asian Games.
“This will lead to better commerce in hockey. The aim is to increase revenue as well as expand the boundaries of the sport and take it to countries in Africa, Pan-Am, and more Asian and Oceania nations,” Batra said on Tuesday.
Global dreams
The announcement evoked memories of Jagmohan Dalmiya talking about globalisation of cricket when he became the International Cricket Council (ICC) president in 1997 and taking it to countries like China, where the sport was as alien as kabaddi, in which precious little has been achieved apart from their competing in the Asian Games.
“We ought to have more than 12-14 teams vying for a spot in the Olympics. This will be the key to global appeal for hockey.”
The ‘home-and-away’ leagues will be a weekend affair, played over a period of six months, “at the end of which the two toppers will automatically qualify for the Olympic Games”.
Batra dropped hints that the elite Champions Trophy was history. He said the event “may have to be discontinued for the benefit of other events”.
Shedding light on his future as Hockey India chief, Batra said he would have to relinquish his other four posts immediately. “I am president of HI, also head the Jammu and Kashmir Hockey Association (JKHA), am chairman of the Hockey India League (HIL) and vice-president of Asian Hockey Federation. Of these, I will immediately step down from the posts in JKHA and AHF.
As and when the new HI chief is elected (should be in a fortnight), I will quit as its chief as well,” he said.
Batra also said the 2018 edition of the HIL will have seven teams with Jindal Steel the latest to buy a franchise. Its final will be held in Bengaluru.
Players suspended
Batra said Yuvraj Valmiki and Amit Gowda have been suspended for four months for misbehaving with umpires during the inaugural five-a-side national championships held in Mumbai recently. They will not be able to take part in the next edition of HIL.
Hindustan Times
FIH president Batra to quit Hockey India
s2h team
Ever since he was elected to the top post in the Federation Internationale de Hockey (FIH), the question that ranked upper most in the minds of the keen watchers of Indian hockey is its fate as to who will head the Hockey India which Narinder Dhruv Batra is holding right now. Batra himself cleared the air today: he will quit, election will take place within 15 days to fill in the vacuum.
Newly elected FIH President Narinder Dhruv Batra will quit all positions he holds right now including Hockey India president post.
"Presently, I hold four important posts with Indian and Asian sports bodies. I am President of Hockey India, President of JK Hockey, associate vice President of Indian Olympic Committee, Vice President of Asian Hockey Federation and also Chairman, Hockey India League. As I am now elected to the FIH as president, I will quit all these posts", beaming Batra informed the media in a specially convened meet today in Delhi.
As regards the IOA post, he will see what the statues say on this matter.
Expressing satisfaction that during his tenure Indian hockey has vastly improved from where he picked up, the first Indian to head any international sports federation, said: "For the first time women have qualified for the Olympics after 1980. That is a high point. Men's ranking saw a quantum jump from world's 12th to present sixth. Now its is upto the system that I put in place that should carry forward so that Indian hockey scale further high", he asserted.
Batra has been elected first Non-European president of FIH recently in its conference in Dubai.
He defeated his rivals Ken Read of Australia and David Belbirne of Ireland hands down in Dubai.
Batra has been elected to the Hockey India chair in 2014 Congress. Earlier, he was the founder Secretary General.
On asked about the future president and the modalities, he quipped that the rules and regulations in such situations are already enshrined in the HI statues.
Coming to his own, he went on to explain its the duty of the Hockey India now to elect its president.
"Don't think I will ever remote control Hockey India. I have put up a vibrant mechanism to run the day today affairs, and they are efficient under the CEO Elena Norman".
"She and Commander Srivasta are capable of running it successfully. I will stay away. For instance, there is a sponsorhsip meeting between Hockey India and an interested party. I wont be party to the discussion at all. Its now all Hockey India's call", he asserted.
Stick2Hockey.com
Failure to start women's league is my only regret: Batra
NEW DELHI: He looked into the abyss, pulled it out, turned Indian hockey's fortunes singlehandedly and as the tenure of Narinder Batra as Hockey India boss draws to a close, the administrator says his only regret is his failure to start a women's league on the lines of HIL.
Batra, who first served as the secretary general and then president of Hockey India, will soon take up his new responsibility as International Hockey Federation (FIH) chief.
The 59-year-old Batra became the first non-European president of the FIH after he was elected to the top post by an overwhelming margin during the penultimate day of the 45th FIH Congress last Saturday.
It means he will have to leave his other administrative posts, which also includes Hockey India President's chair.
But Batra seemed a contended man and hoped the legacy and professionalism he brought will continue long after his departure.
"Hockey India has now become a professional set-up and it should continue the way it is going for the last 4-5 years. My satisfaction is that I have prepared a base and I hope it doesn't go down," an emotional Batra said during his first media conference after being elected to the top post of world hockey body.
"I never judge myself. I have my style of working but I work honestly. Now it's upto the people to decide whether they like my style of working or not.
"I feel we made progress. The men's team rose from 12 to 6 in world rankings and the women's team qualified for Olympics after a long gap. I desperately wanted to start the women's league but I failed in that. That's my only regret," he said.
Batra's win means the power centre of the sport will now move to Asia from Europe, which had been ruling international hockey for decades.
Batra, who became President of Hockey India in October 2014 after serving as its secretary, succeeds Spaniard Leandro Negre, who has been the FIH chief since 2008.
Batra is solely credited for changing the fortunes of Indian hockey by bringing in money to the sport via sponsors and his business acumen.
He turned India into the epicentre of world hockey and made Indian players financially independent by creating a successful IPL-style Hockey India League, which will enter its fifth season next year.
Batra also brought international hockey to India and ensured that the country got to host a major international tournament every year in the last four years.
According to reports, under Batra's leadership Hockey India's income has grown from USD 500,000 to USD 14 million over the last six-year period.
But Batra said till he hands over the charges of Hockey India to a new president, he won't be involved in any financial or commercial decisions.
"I will have to give up all my posts which has conflict of interest. As per our Constitution within 15 days the Executive Board of Hockey India will select or elect a new president but I will abstain from that decision," he said.
"During this period I won't be taking any financial or commercial decisions."
Batra has five conflict of interests issues, which include Hockey Jammu and Kashmir President, Hockey India League Chairman, Hockey India President, Asian Hockey Federation Vice-President and Associate Vice-President of Indian Olympic Committee.
Highlighting the latest decisions taken under his leadership, Batra also informed that from 2018 HIL will be seven-team affair after JSW Sports brought a new franchise.
Batra also listed some of the major events India would be hosting in the next two years, prominent among them are Men's World Cup and Asian Champions Trophy in 2018 and Hockey World League next year.
The Times of India
Secret Umpire: lowly volunteer is fair game - but what if tables turned and players berated for lack of skill?
Our undercover field hockey umpire, ensconced somewhere in England, says players must stop scrutinising and get on with the game
By The Secret Umpire
Under scrutiny: think about the boot being on the other foot when questioning a decision next time Photo: ADY KERRY
It is Saturday morning on a wet damp November day. Awaiting the majority of hockey umpires is the 3pm push back between the mens’ and ladies’ 4th XI and their willing opposition, who have drawn the graveyard slot under lights in the drizzle.
Unlike those who have chosen to take umpire appointments, be it at national, regional or county level, the vast majority of umpires across the country will be playing the same day and – before or after 70 minutes of vigorous competition in which they have either won or lost – then swap hats and take to the field as an official.
I have been that person, sometimes umpiring back-to-back games after having already played myself. As a player you always think you can do a better job than the person in the cerise (that’s pink for non-umpiring folk), yellow, orange or green shirt who is controlling the game for you.
No time for a shower and an after-match drink with the team as they dissect the game in minute detail, the missed goals, the howlers and obviously the favourite topic: just how bad was that umpire?
It seems as if the lowly volunteer umpire is fair game to all and sundry involved with the sport, whether or not they have ever read a rule book. Or for that matter picked up a whistle.
Umpires are under the scrutiny of 22 or more players who are more than willing to offer an opinion as to the validity of the decisions they make.
Imagine if the tables were turned and every time an umpire perceived a player to have made a mistake the whistle was blown. The player concerned was then berated in front of both teams for their lack of skill. How would they feel then?
I’m quite sure that after a couple of weeks they would not enjoy playing at all.
The key point here is that these are volunteers who give up their time to enable players to play.
They may not have an FIH badge and string of coaching and assessing behind them as support. However, without them, the game just would not exist outside the top leagues.
So, players, next time you turn to question a decision, think about the boot being on the other foot. Stop and just get on with the game.
I’m off now to have a drink with my colleague in the corner of the clubhouse as my team mates have all gone home!
The Telegraph
Bill Colwill OBE 15 October 1930 – 13 November 2016
By Mike Haywood
Bill Colwill. Photo by Vino John
Tributes from the hockey family around the world have poured in following the death of Bill Colwill, aged 86, at the weekend.
In a hockey career spanning over six decades Bill was involved in all aspects of the game and earned the highest respect from those who knew him. He was a sports journalist for many years, covering both domestic and international hockey, and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the game.
Bill was born in Horrabridge, Devon, and educated at Tavistock Grammar School. His love of hockey started from a young age and, as a schoolboy, he saw Great Britain’s first Olympic medal at Wembley in 1948 and was also present reporting on their gold medal in Seoul in 1988.
His playing career was limited to his London University team Birkbeck College as cricket took precedence. He was an umpire to domestic divisional level, although he did have one international (Yugoslavia v USA ) at a Folkestone Festival.
Bill was hockey correspondent for the Independent from its first day of publication in September 1986 when he reported on England’s World Cup game against Argentina from Willesden. He covered Olympics, World Cups, Champions Trophy and Continental Cups and reported on hockey from all five continents having first started writing for the Observer in the early 70s.
In 2007 he received the world governing body FIH’s President’s Award for Hockey, presented by the then President Els van Brieda Vriesman of Holland.
He was an associate editor of the publications World Hockey and Hockey Sport and was a regular contributor and adviser for many years.
Bill was treasurer of the Sports Journalists Association for 12 years, from 1994 to 2006, when he won the Doug Gardner Award for his outstanding contribution to the association and sports journalism. He was made an honorary member of the SJA and continued as Membership Secretary for several years.
He was secretary of the Hockey Writers’ Club from 1983 to 1995, then chairman until 1999, and became a vice-president in 2000. He edited 90 issues of the club newsletter, The Hockey Writer, until 2015.
Bill was a civil servant in the Central Office of Information, working with Bernard Ingham in Margaret Thatcher’s government. He was awarded the OBE in 1990, one year before his retirement.
His wife, Jean, whom he married in 1955, supported him loyally in his love for hockey, both at home and abroad, as sometime co-reporter, regular proof reader and amenuensis. She died in 2010 and he leaves a son Peter, who is a long-time member of Amersham and Chalfont Hockey Club.
His fellow journalist Patrick Rowley, paid tribute: “Bill was a close and very respected friend for as long as I can remember.
“To me personally he was a mentor. I always valued his opinion and guidance.”
Fieldhockey.com