Welcome to the Fieldhockey.com Archives

Daily Hockey news updated @ 10:00 GMT

News for 28 February 2017

All the news for Tuesday 28 February 2017


Fulton Announces Extended Green Machine Squad For WL2

Ireland’s head coach Craig Fulton has today announced an extended squad for World League 2 in Belfast. The team sees no fewer than 8 of the Green Machine’s Olympians selected alongside a host of young talent. Ireland sit in Group A alongside Austria, Italy and Ukraine; the Austrians look the main threat with several of their players having performed admirably at the Junior World Cup in December. Pool B see’s France, Poland, Scotland and Wales with the French looking the side to beat. 11 of their panel picked up a silver medal at the Junior World Cup in 2013 and appear to be coming of age at the right time.

Ireland and Banbridge stalwart Eugene Magee is acutely aware of the task at hand in Belfast “It will by no means be an easy tournament so we will need to be well prepared and not underestimate the task at hand. Austria will be the toughest challenge in our group and all teams in Pool B will prove to be a challenge. We have had some good preparation games in the lead up to this tournament including games against France who are top ranked in Pool B”.

Magee will be one of the most experienced members of the squad with 240 caps to his name but is confident in the combination of youth and experience of the team “We have great depth in our squad and the young players coming up through have proven that they are more than capable of playing at senior international level”.

The important tournament will be the first home fixtures for the men in green since returning from the Rio Olympics and offers fans a great opportunity to see the team in action as they look to finish in the top 3 to book that coveted World League 3 spot. Magee said “It should be a very exciting tournament in Belfast and I'm really looking forward to getting our World Cup qualifying campaign underway in front of a home crowd”.

Squad:

Shirt No., Family Name, First Name
1, HARTE (gk), DAVID
2, CARR (gk), JAMIE
4, BELL, JONATHAN
5, MCKEE, JOHN
6, GORMLEY, RONAN
8, CARGO, CHRISTOPHER
9, NELSON, MATTHEW
11, JERMYN, JOHN
12, MAGEE, EUGENE
13, CARUTH, PETER
14, GLASSEY, NEAL
16, O’DONOGHUE, SHANE
17, MURRAY, SEAN
18, BELL, MATTHEW
22, ROBSON, CALLUM
24, DALE, JULIAN
25, WRIGHT, JAMIE
26, GLEGHORNE, PAUL
27, HARTE, CONOR
28, DUNCAN, JEREMY
29, COLE, LEE
30, MADELEY, LUKE
31, CARLISLE, DREW
32, INGRAM, MARK

Irish Hockey Association media release



Four debutants named for Black Sticks Men


Photo: World Sport Pics

New Vantage Black Sticks Men’s head coach Darren Smith has named a young and exciting team to take on Pakistan in Wellington and Wairarapa next month.

Four players will suit up for the first time with Mac Wilcox, Nick Elder, Cam Hayde and Jonty Keaney set to compete in the series from 17-23 March.

The event, which serves as the Black Sticks’ first competition for 2017, will see three tests at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington (17, 18, 20 March) and two games at Trust House Hockey Wairarapa in Clareville (22 and 23 March).

Balancing out the young talent is an experienced core led by defender/midfielder Arun Panchia (205 tests), defender Nick Haig (200) and hometown striker Stephen Jenness (173).

Smith said he was looking forward to the series and setting a benchmark ahead of an important year which sees World Cup qualification on the line at the FIH World League Semi Final in South Africa.

“This is a very exciting side including some great young talent who have a good opportunity to test themselves against a hard-nosed opponent in Pakistan.

“Pakistan will be a quick and aggressive attacking team so we will need to be on our game and we’re looking forward to the challenge.

“It’s fantastic to be able to once again bring top international hockey to the community and I know Wellington and Wairarapa will be brilliant hosts.”

Experienced players Blair Hilton, Hugo Inglis, Jacob Smith, Jared Panchia, Marcus Child, Shea McAleese, Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant and Nic Woods are playing club hockey in Europe and were unavailable for selection while Simon Child, George Muir and Hayden Phillips are sidelined through injury.

Tickets for all five games are on sale now through the Black Sticks website (www.blacksticks.co.nz)

VANTAGE BLACK STICKS MEN vs PAKISTAN – MATCH SCHEDULE

National Hockey Stadium, Wellington
Friday 17th March - Game 1 - 6:30pm
Saturday 18th March - Game 2 - 4:30pm
Monday 20th March - Game 3 - 7:00pm

Trust House Hockey Wairarapa, Clareville
Wednesday 22nd March - Game 4 - 6:30pm
Thursday 23rd March - Game 5 - 6:30pm

VANTAGE BLACK STICKS MEN
Pakistan Series – 17-23 March

SHIRT #

PLAYER NAME

REGION

POSITION

AGE

CAPS

2

Cory BENNETT

North Harbour

Defender

25

44

3

David BRYDON

Canterbury

Defender

20

6

1

James COUGHLAN

North Harbour

Midfielder

26

76

30

Rob CREFFIER

Central

Midfielder

24

7

23

Nick ELDER

Southern

Midfielder

23

-

15

George ENERSEN

Canterbury

Goalkeeper

25

19

4

Nick HAIG

Canterbury

Defender/Midfielder

29

200

18

Cam HAYDE

Canterbury

Striker

25

-

27

Stephen JENNESS

Capital

Striker

26

171

8

Richard JOYCE

North Harbour

Goalkeeper

24

11

16

Jonty KEANEY

Midlands

Striker

21

-

10

Kim KINGSTONE

Auckland

Striker

22

7

12

Sam LANE

Canterbury

Striker

19

3

20

Devon MANCHESTER

Auckland

Goalkeeper

27

94

26

Leo MITAI-WELLS

Midlands

Striker

21

7

5

Harry MISKIMMIN

Capital

Defender

22

7

28

Dominic NEWMAN

Canterbury

Striker/Midfielder

20

3

24

Arun PANCHIA

Auckland

Defender/Midfielder

27

205

7

Nick ROSS

Southern

Midfielder

26

41

19

Alex SHAW

Capital

Defender

27

73

32

Mac WILCOX

Central

Midfielder/Striker

20

-


Hockey New Zealand Media release



New national men's hockey coach Darren Smith names four uncapped players in squad to face Pakistan


Mac Wilcox is one of four uncapped players in the NZ men's hockey squad to face Pakistan next month. WARWICK SMITH/FAIRFAX NZ

The new coach of the New Zealand men's hockey team has named a young squad to take on Pakistan in Wellington and Wairarapa next month.

Darren Smith, who was named as the replacement for Colin Batch on February 14, included four uncapped players for the five-match series scheduled to run from March 17-23.

Central midfielder/striker Mac Wilcox (20-years-old), Southern midfielder Nick Elder (23), Canterbury striker Cam Hayde (25) and Midlands striker Jonty Keaney (21) have all earned their first call up to the senior national team for what will be the team's first competition of 2017.

Balancing out the young talent is the experienced core of defender/midfielder Arun Panchia (205 tests), defender Nick Haig (200) and striker Stephen Jenness (173).

A large group of regular faces including Blair Hilton, Hugo Inglis, Jacob Smith, Jared Panchia, Marcus Child, Shea McAleese, Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant and Nic Woods are playing club hockey in Europe and were unavailable for selection while captain Simon Child, George Muir and Hayden Phillips are sidelined through injury.

Smith said he was looking forward to the series and setting a benchmark ahead of an important year which sees World Cup qualification on the line at the FIH World League Semi Final in South Africa.

"This is a very exciting side including some great young talent who have a good opportunity to test themselves against a hard-nosed opponent in Pakistan.

"Pakistan will be a quick and aggressive attacking team so we will need to be on our game and we're looking forward to the challenge.

"It's fantastic to be able to once again bring top international hockey to the community and I know Wellington and Wairarapa will be brilliant hosts."

Meanwhile, Hockey New Zealand also confirmed on Tuesday the national women's team would play two tests against USA on the brand new turf at the Waimakariri Hockey Stadium in Rangiora next month.

The games to be played on March 25 and 26 will also serve as the first time a New Zealand senior international team of any sport has played in North Canterbury.

It will be fitting celebration for the venue's new turf, which is the same surface played on at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and was opened just last week.

The world No 5 Kiwi women are fresh off their test series against Argentina in Buenos Aires and will use the games against sixth-ranked USA as valuable preparation for the Hawke's Bay Cup the following weekend.

NZ MEN VS PAKISTAN

NZ squad (age/caps): Cory Bennett (25, 44), David Brydon (20, 6), James Coughlan (26, 76), Rob Creffier (24, 7), Nick Elder (23, 0), George Enersen (25, 19), Nick Haig (29, 200), Cam Hayde (25, 0), Stephen Jenness (26, 171), Richard Joyce (24, 11), Jonty Keaney (21, 0), Kim Kingstone (22, 7), Sam Lane (19, 3), Devon Manchester (27, 94), Leo Mitai-Wells (21, 7), Harry Miskimmin (22, 7), Dominic Newman (20, 3), Arun Panchia (27, 205), Nick Ross (26, 41), Alex Shaw (27, 73), Mac Wilcox (20, 0)

Match schedule:

Friday , March 17, Wellington, 6:30pm
Saturday, March 18, Wellington, 4:30pm
Monday, March 20, Wellington, 7pm
Wednesday, March 22, Wairarapa, 6:30pm
Thursday, March 23, Wairarapa, 6:30pm

NZ WOMEN VS USA (Rangiora)

Match schedule:

Saturday, March 25, 3pm
Sunday, March 26, 3pm

Stuff



Tengku Ahmad back in national fold after 18-month absence

by S. Ramaguru


in and out: While Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin has made the final 18-man squad for the World Hockey League round Two.

KUALA LUMPUR: Meritocracy rules as veteran forward Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin is back in the national hockey team after an 18-month absence.

The 31-year-old player, who has been the most effective scorer among local players for two straight years, has been named in the 18-man national squad for the March 4-12 World Hockey League Round Two in Dhaka.

National coach Stephen van Huizen explained that the forward was selected based on merit.

“He has shown that he can still play at the very top level ... and he has been a consistent performer. So, he was selected on merit,” said Van Huizen.

“He has also shown the desire to don national colours again.”


Goalkeeper M. Kumar (inset) has been left behind.

The selection wasn’t without surprises, though as three regulars – goalkeeper S. Kumar, midfielder Mohd Haziq Shamsul and forward Mohd Firhan Azhaari – were dropped.

Kumar’s exit, however, is of his own accord as he wants to stay behind to be with his wife, who is expected to give birth to their third child any time soon.

“Kumar has made a lot of sacrifices and I feel that his request is reasonable considering that he lost one son to an illness in 2014 ... his family means a lot to him,” said the coach.

“I’m sure that the two goalkeepers we have picked can do the job.”

The two are youngsters Mohd Hafizuddin Othman of Terengganu and Mohd Hairi Abdul Rahman of Tenaga.

Haziq has been axed as he has yet to recover from a hamstring injury.

Another injured player, Faizal Saari (hamstring), however, has made the team.

Stephen believes that there is ample time for Faizal to be ready.

“We have spoken to Faizal ... and we also saw him play in the TNB Cup final. We believe he will be ready for the tournament. Anyway, we can let him rest for the opening three matches. That will give him more time to recover,” said Stephen.

Firhan is ruled out as he has fixed his wedding for March 9.

Unlike him, Faiz Helmi Jali is lucky that his wedding is on March 4.

The Malaysian Hockey Confede­ration (MHC) will fly Faiz to Dhaka on March 5.

The two players cannot be blamed for fixing their weddings on the two dates as Malaysia were initially scheduled to play the Round Two matches in Trinidad and Tobago from March 25.

“It is unfortunate that the players had planned their weddings based on the earlier dates.

“Faiz will join us a day later. It is the quarter-final match that matters most and we want to make sure we have all our best players for that game,” stressed Van Huizen.

In Dhaka, Malaysia will be up against hosts Bangladesh, China, Ghana, Egypt, Oman, Sri Lanka and Fiji.

The Star of Malaysia



Coal India HIL 2017 was a very satisfying experience: Moritz Fuerste



Chandigarh: Having won their first ever Coal India Hockey India League, the Kalinga Lancers skipper expressed that he was very satisfied with the way the team performed this season to ensure they lifted their first-ever Coal India Hockey India League trophy. “We had a very good season this year. From the start of the League I have been insisting that how we play in the Final matters the most and I am very happy with the way the team performed in the Final. Last year too, we had a very good run in the League but in the Final we couldn’t make it count.” expressed Moritz Fuerste, skipper of the Kalinga Lancers who beat Dabang Mumbai 4-1 in an exciting Final clash here on Sunday.

Fuerste along with Glenn Turner won the Dhruv Batra Maximum Goal Awards that came with a prize money of Rs 20 lakhs. When Fuerste was asked if he would consider coming out of retirement into the German squad, he jokingly said, “Maybe I will call my coach tomorrow. He might want the older guys to play for the national team.” On a serious note, he was quick to add that he would like to take the year off to spend time with his family before he plans to return to the national team in 2018.

With the League perfectly poised to make a transition with at least an additional franchise from Bangalore making it’s debut next year in 2018, Mark Hager, Kalinga Lancers Coach stated that it would be interesting to study the new rules of retaining players.”With a franchise from Bangalore coming in, retaining three Indian and three foreign players might be reduced to two Indian players. I don’t know. There will be a little bit of a change in the teams but ideally we would like to keep the team we played this year,” stated Hager.

He further insisted that the league has helped foreign players too as much as it has helped the Indian youngsters. “Back when I played, I never got to interact with other team players so much. But now, with the Coal India HIL, players develop a new bond and when they meet at a tournament outside for their national side, they share the same bond and know each other well,” Hager said.

Jay Stacy, Coach Dabang Mumbai, too insisted that it would be great if the franchise can retain players for the next season in 2018. “From the league perspective, when they went into the auction getting young players was a conscious effort. We got five U21 players who went on to win the Junior World Cup. Our priority was to lay a strong foundation this year. When you try to build a hockey club, a franchise puts in a lot of time and energy into developing players. We want to create a supporter base to cheer those players but we will only get to retain maybe six out of the 20 players as per the rules,” Stacy said.

Meanwhile, Florian Fuchs, stressed that the Dabang Mumbai were the best team this season despite a bitter loss to Kalinga Lancers in the Final. ”I think it was an outstanding season for Dabang Mumbai. We showed character and fought till the last minute. We turned games around, even in the final we scored in the last three minutes of the match. We believed in our strengths and we were the best team of the league stage and the Play Offs. We bonded very well and how we stayed as a team is something I would like to take back home as a fond memory from the League,” Fuchs said.

Official HIL site



Hockey India League 2017: Guidance from greats like Moritz Fuerste, Jay Stacy has been invaluable for youngsters

Sundeep Misra


Lancers captain Moritz Fuerste (L) has been a huge influence in the HIL. Image courtesy: Twitter/eurohockeyorg

There was a beautiful moment before the post-match press conference of the Hockey India League (HIL) winners Kalinga Lancers and runners-up Dabang Mumbai. Lancers captain Moritz Fuerste was coming in to meet the media. Mumbai skipper Florian Fuchs was just about to leave. In the passageway, both the Germans embraced warmly. They briefly chatted in their native tongue and embraced again as Fuchs left.

To those looking for clues as to whether the HIL has evolved or not, this was quite a compelling picture. It gets more fascinating as both the finalists have Germans as captains. To complete the picture that HIL is a global phenomenon, the coaches are both Australian and legendary strikers in their heyday.

Global is the path that Indian hockey has chosen in its arduous climb back up the rankings. No other hockey league in the world has so many diverse players turning out. Money, of course, is a consideration, but the quality of the league and that it is being played in a part of the world where hockey is still a major sport (apart from the Netherlands) means a lot to the overseas players. Moritz, with a pedigree of two Olympic gold medals (2008 and 2012), and a World Cup title (2006) said, “Yes, the money is attractive. But it’s the joy of playing in this league and the hospitality which are the main factors. We love playing in India.” It will be a minor shock if Bhubaneshwar doesn’t adopt him as a son and make him brand ambassador for Odisha tourism in Germany!

However, the bigger question is whether the league is helping Indian players to develop, especially the younger lot. Since 2013, the league has definitely improved. One can point to the 2016 Junior World Cup win and say, "Well, here is the proof." But that would be taking the easy route to prove that a hockey league will put India back among the world’s elite.

Kalinga Lancers coach, Mark Hager, takes the cautionary road. Winner of a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Hager says, “The junior Indian players will take time to learn. And it is too early to expect that a league will suddenly enrich the coffers with talent flowing through. It’s a great learning experience for the Indian boys and it’s the long road that ultimately pays off.”

Mentor of the Kalinga Lancers, Indian captain at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Dilip Tirkey, feels that playing with someone like Moritz is invaluable. “Did we ever have a chance of playing match after match knowing that apart from the coach a double Olympic gold medallist will point out my mistakes after the game? And that I will get a chance to rectify it in the next match under his guidance?”

It does rub off on players like Dipsan Tirkey who was the vice-captain of the World Cup-winning junior side. Slightly shy, Dipsan says he is in awe of Moritz. “He is a double Olympic gold medal winner,” he stutters. “In an earlier match in Bhubaneshwar, I did the mistake of not looking up and seeing which player was in a better position and I passed parallel. It wasn’t a bad move but movement upwards could have resulted in a better attack. In the break, while going off the ground, he pointed out the error and I rectified it in the third quarter.”

In earlier times, junior players have either been fast-tracked into the senior sides or they have just vanished with no stage to flaunt their skills or even improve. Delhi Wave Riders coach Cedric D'Souza, India coach at the 1994 World Cup and 1996 Atlanta Olympics feels that the league is a gift. “Raising playing levels takes time and you need the big stage to sometimes showcase your improvement,” he says. “Earlier, you had the domestic tournaments and sometimes even if you played well, there was no one to see it. But you have all the available talent in one place and matches to improve and steadily go up.”

The biggest takeaway is also the diverse coaching that the boys get. From the likes of Hager, who loves playing wide (who wouldn’t with Moritz controlling the midfield), to Jay Stacy’s wave-like attacks, beautifully controlled by Fuchs to the structured approach of a Barry Dancer (this season seems to be an aberration) to Roelant Oltmans, who uses a lovely two-pronged attack with balls rolling in from the flanks (Akashdeep Singh’s fluid runs a joy), to watching D’Souza’s strategy of going without a controlling midfielder and with huge amounts of space given away, to Harendra Singh playing his continental style (though Ranchi Rays suffered because of a misfiring Ashley Jackson and not so fully fit Birendra Lakra), there was a lot of variety on offer.

It was literally a case study on how to keep educating your players with some of the best coaches in the business. Imagine an Affan Yousuf getting a lesson in goal-poaching from a great of the sport – attacking midfielder Stacy, who played four Olympics, picking up three medals. Affan’s contribution to Mumbai reaching the final: nine goals.

The truth is also that most of the youngsters with an eye on breaking into the senior Indian squad don’t have the requisite power, strength or vision yet. Skills can take you only that far. Former World Cupper, Sukhbir Singh Grewal, one of the few players creating hockey players out of academies in Punjab, feels winning a junior World Cup doesn’t mean the next stop is the senior World Cup.

“It’s the perfect way of killing a player,” he feels. “The league has shown that these juniors would need at least two-three years to reach a level where they can own the pitch in a top level senior tournament. Till then, keep them in the development stage. The league is wonderful because you know where the players have reached. Now support them and ensure that they go step by step.”

Unfortunately, Indian hockey doesn’t have a development programme where a second Indian side can be created to tour Europe or Asia and play A-level tournaments. The issue is also about the number of players. Put the senior and junior team aside and suddenly you realise there are no players left. Finding 40 players in the entire country seems stressful. “Now, you know?” answers Grewal. “If you take a wider view, you need to revive university hockey and ensure that players are coming from grassroots. The league alone will not be able to provide players to the national side.”

For the first time since the league began in 2013 when Mandeep Singh was the second highest scorer with 10 goals, two Indian forwards are back in the top four goal scorers' list; Akashdeep (UP Wizards) with 10 goals and Yousuf (Dabang Mumbai) with nine goals. It’s an indication of a change in mindset with probably so much emphasis on getting field goals that it gives teams two goals for every strike. But yet, after five seasons, an Indian player is yet to dominate a final and take the Man of the Match award. The previous winners are Moritz (RR, 2013); Nicolas Jacobi (DWR, 2014); Tyler Lovell (RR, 2015); Mark Knowles (JPW, 2016) and Moritz (KL, 2017) yet again. Raising your level in a final is still not an Indian strength.

In the end, Moritz, now the statesman-like figure of the league, warned the Indian media from putting too much pressure on the juniors. “Give them time to develop,” he said. “They will commit mistakes because they are juniors. It will take three-four years for them to develop. They have to learn. Indian hockey is doing well and if they keep improving, they would be in the top three in 10 years’ time.” Oltmans who would now start the preparation for the 2018 World Cup wouldn’t be too excited about the timeline, but would definitely, grudgingly, acknowledge the former German captain’s ordainment. It’s usually empty rhetoric when we fling positive vibes at each other. Seen through a double Olympic gold medallist’s eyes, the landscape appears somewhat different.

Firstpost



Penang-based Nur Insafi gunning for a double

KUALA LUMPUR: One down, one to go.

Nur Insafi, having clinched the Division One title last week, will begin the second part of their quest when the President’s Cup (overall title) quarter-final matches get under way on Thursday.

The Penang-based outfit enjoyed a perfect record in Division One – winning all seven matches, including trouncing Police 5-2 in the last league match, to collect the maximum 21 points to emerge champions. They finished five points clear of second-placed Police.

UPM-KPT finished third with 10 points, followed by Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MBPJ) fourth (9pts) and Politeknik Malaysia-KPT fifth (7pts).

Champions Nur Insafi earned RM30,000 in prize money while second-placed Police received RM20,000 and UPM-KPT RM10,000.

In the President’s Cup quarter-finals, Nur Insafi are odds-on favourites to advance when they take on Politeknik Malaysia-KPT in the first leg at the Sungai Petani Hockey Stadium on Thursday.

But Nur Insafi team manager S. Tachanamurthi prefers to play down their chances.

“We’re happy to have won the Division One title unbeaten. Now, we hope to do the double.

“It won’t be easy as we have to travel to Johor Baru for the return leg (on March 4),” he said.

The other quarter-final ties will see Police meeting Johor, UPM-KPT going up against Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) and MBPJ taking on RMAF Rajawali.

Last year, TNB-Thunderbolt won the double and were promoted to the Premier Division.

The Star of Malaysia



Bromac Kelburne make push for Scottish double



Bromac Kelburne men won a table-topper in the Scottish men’s national league, beating nearest rivals Grange 3-0 to open up a five-point lead at Glasgow Green.

The opener came when slip by a Grange defender donated the ball to Lee Morton, he drifted into the circle and unselfishly crossed the ball for Jack McKenzie to stroke it into the empty net.

There were chances at both ends, Kelburne`s Jonas Nommensen fired his effort over the bar, while at the other end a Duncan Riddell reverse stick shot was well blocked by Rory Kerr.Kelburne doubled their tally when Johnny Christie latched onto a kick by the goalkeeper, and the former Scotland striker composed himself to fire a low shot into the empty net.

The pivotal moment came midway through the second half, Kelburne defender Josh Cairns lost the ball to Todd Mills in the circle but the resulting shot was fired directly at Kerr. Within a minute the Paisley side went up to the other end, won a penalty corner, and Cairns made amends by scoring with a fierce drag flick.

A day later, Kelburne grabbed a place in the Scottish Cup final with a dramatic shoot-out win over Edinburgh University to set up a final showdown against Grange once again.

Euro Hockey League media release



Hockey Australia partners with Gameday mouthguards

Partnership on AHL, U13's & Hookin2hockey

Holly MacNeil



Hockey Australia has announced a three-year partnership with Gameday Mouthguards.

In particular, the deal will see Gameday partner with Hockey Australia on Hookin2Hockey – HA’s national junior program for children under the age of ten, the Australian Hockey League and the U13’s competition.

The Hockey Australia partnership builds on Gameday’s existing Hockey NSW, Hockey Victoria and Hockey WA partnerships, and means that Gameday will be able to provide personal protection and safety information to nearly 160,000 participants.

Hockey Australia’s General Manger – Marketing and Communications, Lawrence West said; “We welcome Gameday Mouthguards’ expansion in Australian hockey through this partnership with our Hookin2Hockey junior development program and its partnership with the Australian Hockey League and our Under 13s National Carnival. Gameday already has some excellent relationships with our state and territory associations and this further strengthens their commitment to hockey.

“Hookin2Hockey gives children between the ages of five and ten the chance to learn the basics of the game and experience their first sporting pride moment in a fun and safe environment over the course of an eight-week program. While hockey is inherently an extremely safe sport, the continuing safety of our participants is always a top priority and the partnership with Gameday Mouthguards will help us to educate young hockey players and their parents on the importance of having high quality, well-fitting mouthguard protection.

“Through the partnership, we look forward to giving hockey players of all ages and abilities access to an affordable, custom-fit mouthguard product, offering comfort and protection, and instilling safe play habits.”

Gameday Chief Executive Officer, Matt Weston said; “Hockey is a fast, high contact sport which demands the appropriate protective gear be worn by its players. We’re pleased to be partnering with Hockey Australia to give all its national members access to our custom-fit mouthguards and to be part of the promotion of the safe play message, from its adult to youngest players. This partnership extends our reach to cover Australia. It expands on our previously partnerships with Hockey NSW, Hockey Victoria and Hockey WA, meaning all other states and territories now have the same access to Gameday promotional pricing and other offers.”

About Gameday mouthguards

Gameday makes traditionally expensive custom mouthguards accessible to everyday Australians by providing a convenient, online, end-to-end process by which customers can take their own dental impressions at home and receive a superior custom-fit product.

For a low cost, consumers have convenient access to high quality, custom-made mouthguards from Gameday. This mouthguard can be designed in the wearer’s club or favourite colours and can also include their name and telephone number. www.gamedaymouthguards.com.au

Gameday aims to become the pre-eminent operator in the fragmented dental device market. Millions of Australians are playing sports where it is advisable or appropriate to wear a mouthguard. Gameday’s mouthguard business model is readily scalable (current capacity in excess of 50,000 mouthguards a year) and there are opportunities to sell other products and enter international markets. With the Australian Dental Association claiming only 36% of Australian children aged 5-17 are wearing mouthguards during games, Gameday aims to passionately work on raising awareness of mouthguard usage and will be investing heavily into promoting the safety benefits of protecting children with custom-made products which have been shown to offer significantly more protection than over-the-counter brands.

Hockey Australia media release



Scottish Hockey exceeds 10,000 members



Scottish Hockey is delighted to announce that for the first time the active membership in clubs throughout Scotland has exceeded 10,000. This milestone symbolises the great work clubs have undertaken to successfully grow the sport in recent years.

Supporting clubs to engage players and workforce has been, and remains, a key objective for Scottish Hockey.

Hockey in Scotland has seen growth of over 55% in membership over the last two years, with the aim to have grown by 80% by 2019. Our clubs, schools, and districts are at the centre of this growth.

At the end of December 2015 our number of active members stood at 8,554, and now the 10,000 member milestone has not only been surpassed, it currently stands at over 10,600 members.

We are proud to be a sport that travels with you from first picking up a stick to our oldest active member at 90 years old. Our members are enjoying a growing, fun, equitable sport across Scotland.

Hockey is one of Scotland’s strongest and most innovative team sports, an equitable sport with a 50/50 gender split. We look forward to continuing the good work in growing hockey in Scotland and providing every opportunity to take part in a fun and friendly sport.

Scottish Hockey’s Head of Domestic Game, Jamie Frail, said, “The ongoing growth is a real testament to those volunteers out there who give their time supporting and enabling club activity.  Everybody at Scottish Hockey looks forward to continuing the partnerships we’ve developed with engaged clubs over recent years.”

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Clydesdale Western Hockey Club secures partnership

Clydesdale Western Hockey Club has secured a new partnership with First Class Physiotherapy Ltd, as part of their strategy to create a world class club environment at Titwood.

The club secured significant investment through SportScotland’s Direct Club Investment (DCI). The package is available to clubs who show commitment to embedding significant developmental change in the pursuit of creating a world class club environment for players.

Clydesdale Western have already begun to utilise this DCI support stream to its maximum potential having already appointed a high caliber coach in Derek Forsyth; the services of Emma Traynor, a physiologist and sports scientist; and video analysis input, Clydesdale Western have now moved to provide physiotherapy support to players through DCI.

Clydesdale Western said, “We are thrilled to be able to work with the wonderful team at First Class Physiotherapy to support our athletes in reaching their full potential. We have always had good facilities at our Club, but through Sportscotland DCI we have been able to step-up and develop a truly professional club set-up, which provides a massive benefit to our members and to our sport.”

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Fieldhockey.com uses cookies to assist with navigating between pages. Please leave the site if you disagree with this policy.
Copyright remains with the credited source or author