News for 11 May 2017
All the news for Thursday 11 May 2017
Upping the ante
by S. Ramaguru
KUALA LUMPUR: The national men’s hockey team have shelved plans for a longer break and will start their final phase of training the World Hockey League Semi-Finals today.
The team want to use the 2½ weeks before the start of the fasting month to get the players physically ready for the crunch.
The World Hockey League Semi-Finals will be held in London from June 15-25. It is a qualifier for the 2018 World Cup.
“All physical work needs to be done now as we will not be able to push the players hard during the fasting month,” said national coach Stephen van Huizen (pic).
“We will make some changes to our training programme for the fasting month. It is likely that there will be more hockey-specific training during the fasting period.
“There are many areas we need to work on, especially on the weaknesses identified during the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh earlier this month.
"We will put in some extra sessions in the coming weeks ... I have warned the players not to take it easy." Stephen van Huizen
“We will put in some extra sessions in the coming weeks ... I have warned the players not to take it easy.
“We basically have six weeks before the World Hockey League Semi-Finals begin.”
In London, Malaysia have been drawn in Group B with England, Argentina, South Korea and China.
Group A comprises Holland, India, Pakistan, Canada and Scotland.
Stephen said that the team will leave for London a week before the tournament.
“We have arranged for three matches in London as our final tune-up,” he said.
“The games against Canada and the England development squad have been confirmed. We are awaiting confirmation of a third friendly.
“Back home, we will also work on the penalty corners and set plays besides the usual physical workouts.”
Stephen confirmed that all the 23 players in the training squad “are injury-free and will attend training”.
“The players are all in good spirits,” he said.
The Star of Malaysia
Haseem Khan to lead Pakistan Team for Hockey World League's SemiFinal Round
Haseem Khan
Pakistan team for the all important Hockey World League's semifinal round in London (June 15-25) has been announced.
HWL semifinal round doubles up as the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup.
Ace striker Abdul Haseem Khan of Karachi is the captain while Bahawalpur's Umar Bhutta will be his deputy.
Goalkeepers:
Amjad Ali & Mazhar Abbas
Defenders/Halfbacks:
Nawaz Ashfaq, Aleem Bilal, Abubakr Mahmood, M.Rizwan Jr, Atif Mushtaq, Tasawwar Abbas & Ammad Shakeel Butt
Forwards:
Umar Bhutta, M.Irfan Jr, Arslan Qadir, Ali Shan, Mohammad Dilber, Ejaz Ahmed, Abdul Haseem Khan, Azfar Yaqoob & Umair Sarfraz
PHF Media release
Black Sticks Simon Child and Brad Read out of Gold Coast training camp with injury
Coach Darren Smith has assembled a squad of 28 Black Sticks hopefuls for their camp on the Gold Coast. REUTERS
The Black Sticks will be without two senior men but will welcome back several others for their hockey training camp on the Gold Coast later this month.
Stalwarts Simon Child and Brad Read will miss the camp after being ruled out through injury, as coach Darren Smith named a strong squad of 28 players for their buildup to the FIH World League Semi Final in Johannesburg from July 9-23.
The tournament will also act as World Cup qualification for the Black Sticks and also the chance to earn a spot at the World League Final in December.
The squad includes players from the national squad and development squad, who have seen action this year in the Pakistan series and recent Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
"Following the Azlan Shah Cup we wanted to have the majority of those players training alongside the guys returning from injury and club hockey in Europe," Smith said.
"The training camp will allow us to observe everyone in a competitive environment so that we can get the right mix for the World League Semi Final.
"Critical towards that tournament is having athletes who enhance the team environment, consistently make the right decisions on the pitch, have the skills to back up that decision making and are physically able to give repeated work rate.
"It will be fantastic to have everyone back in the mix with some players having not played for New Zealand since the Rio Olympics.
"Our sport has a major championship every two years with the 2018 World Cup in India followed by the Tokyo Olympics. The start of an Olympic cycle is the time for an athlete to bring the energy, quality and passion to say 'I'm hungry to perform in the Black Sticks jersey'."
Black Sticks training squad: Cory Bennett, David Brydon, Marcus Child, James Coughlan, Rob Creffier, George Enerson, Nick Haig, Blair Hilton, Hugo Inglis, Stephen Jenness, Richard Joyce, Kim Kingstone, Sam Lane, Shea McAleese, Harry Miskimmin, Leo Mitai-Wells, George Muir, Dominic Newman, Arun Panchia, Jared Panchia, Hayden Phillips, Nick Ross, Kane Russell, Jacob Smith, Blair Tarrant, Mac Wilcox, Nic Woods.
Stuff
Gemma McCaw considers a Black Sticks comeback
OLIVIA CALDWELL
New Zealand's Gemma McCaw in action during the Black Sticks campaign in Rio de Janeiro last year. PHOTOSPORT
A sniff of a 2018 Hockey World Cup medal is enough incentive for Gemma McCaw to keep playing the game.
McCaw hasn't played international hockey since last year's Olympic Games campaign when the team came up short of bronze, losing to Germany in the third and fourth playoff in Rio de Janeiro.
McCaw was frustrated and wants to rectify those near misses if she is given the chance.
Gemma McCaw still has a hunger to play for the Black Sticks and wants another shot at a medal. GETTY IMAGES
"I've still got that hunger, especially for those major tournaments," she said.
"That's what you train for these major events. I've been to the [Olympic and Commonwealth] games and we keep missing out. It's frustrating every time you think about it. Even four years on I still think about how we come so close and missed out."
During her Black Sticks career McCaw has won silver and bronze medals at the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games medal, a 2011 Champions Trophy bronze and a 2009 Champions Challenge gold.
That sounds fairly impressive, four medals over an international career spanning 10 years, but it is the medals her side missed out on that she rues.
Her close calls include two fourths at Olympic Games and another in the Champions Trophy.
At the 2010 world cup they managed 7th, in 2014 5th and at both the 2010 London Olympics and last year in Rio they were pipped at the post in the bronze playoffs.
"We had the team and the opportunity to win medals at a pinnacle event in a sport New Zealand is very proud of, so it's frustrating."
Right now McCaw is playing a very different version of the game for her Canterbury hockey league club side, the Carlton Redcliffs.
With two wins from two matchesso far, so she is enjoying the more relaxed competition
"I quite enjoy it, but it's a lot different to what I was doing last year. I do look forward to it, it's obviously a bit different to all the international stuff. We are sometimes not allowed to play club so it makes for a nice change."
The 27-year-old says she is some way off complete retirement, regardless of whether she plays for the Black Sticks again.
McCaw will play in the National Hockey League this year, although it's not yet known whether she will play for Midlands or Canterbury, which will give her the opportunity to be selected in Mark Hager's Black Sticks squad. The squad picked this year is likely to work towards the world cup in London next July.
"I guess if I play NHL it gives me the opportunity to be selected again. I've made no decision either way, I've been lucky enough to get a few games over the year, but I don't expect to waltz back in to the side, there's a lot of competition and some young girls with talent coming through.
"Im happy with NHL, I might decide to go the other way and just stick with that. I obviously miss it [international hockey] when I watch the team, I love the game and the competition, It is a huge commitment.
"You've got to have that passion. You don't want to go back just to play in a major event you have to be 100 per cent into it. You can't play these matches at 80 per cent."
Outside of her first love, McCaw is enjoying the regularity that her new business the 100 Percent Project is providing - a joint venture with her and three others that educates and coaches corporates and children on wellbeing.
Stuff
FIH Hockey Stars Player of the Year 2016 Naomi Van As bows out
Dutch star Naomi Van As played her last hockey match last weekend Photo: FIH/Getty
FIH Hockey Stars 2016 Female Player of the Year Naomi van As has played her last hockey match – a club game for her Dutch team Laren – and her retirement from the game she has graced for nearly two decades will leave a huge gap on both the national and global hockey scene.
Last weekend was a seminal moment in Dutch hockey as one of the best known faces in the game took to the pitch for a final time. Naomi van As, double Olympic gold medallist and double World Cup champion, is a hero to thousands of Dutch hockey fans and they turned out in their droves to watch her last hockey match.
The 33-year old was playing for her club side Laren and after the match, in an interview with Omroep West, she said: “I really feel like I'm closing my career. But I can not turn it back.
“At the end of the game, I realised this will be my last sprint ever on the hockey field in this setting. And when we were in the dressing room as a team, I suddenly thought of myself, ‘I will never see this again’. So I was so sad.”
Van As says there are three stand-out moments in her career: the wonderful gold medal the Netherlands won at the London 2012 Olympics, the team's barn-storming win in front of a home crowd at the 2014 Hockey World Cup in The Hague and her last Olympics at Rio 2016.
Her international career began in 2003, in a game against South Africa and three years later she was part of the Netherlands team that won the 2006 World Cup as well as the 2007 Hockey Champions Trophy. She scored one of the goals in Netherlands 2-0 win over China in the Beijing Olympics and went on to represent her country more than 160 times, scoring 35 international goals.
While Van As is a self-confessed ‘joker’ among her Orange teammates – there is a very serious side once the game is underway. Her drive, discipline, energy and desire to win is legendary. And her skill as an attacking midfielder is sometimes bordering on outrageous. She was voted last year’s Player of the Year in the FIH Hockey Stars awards, a fitting tribute to one of the game’s greats. She also won the award in 2009.
For the future, Van As will concentrate upon her television career. She is a presenter on the children’s programme Zappsport, but she hasn’t ruled out a return to hockey, although “never in a coaching capacity”, she says in mock horror.
#LoveHockey
FIH site
Jolie looking to sign off with Bloemendaal with final flourish 
Bloemendaal meet SV Kampong and Rotterdam face AH&BC Amsterdam on Wednesday evening in the playoffs following last Sunday’s dramatic final day of the season.
For Bloemendaal, they got the draw they needed to stay clear of Amsterdam on goal difference, landing first place in the Dutch Hoofdklasse and a ticket to the EHL.
They did so with a 2-2 draw against Rotterdam as Jeroen Hertzberger and Blake Govers exchanged goals before Wouter Jolie’s old-fashioned hit made its way in for 2-1. Diede van Puffelen equalised immediately against his old club for 2-2.
For Jolie, he is looking forward to now closing out the season in style having already hit two major targets for the season.
"After missing the play-offs last year, this was our main goal this season,” he told hockey.nl. “Then, coming first so that we have home advantage and already an EHL ticket. The third and final part of Bloemendaal’s mission? Becoming champion!”
Standing in their way first of all are Kampong with the first leg at Utrecht this evening.
"When I look at the standings, it does not matter so much," Jolie said of the nature of the playoffs. We've lost and won against all the teams at the top. We have no preference.”
It will be Jolie’s last playoffs with Bloemendaal after 12 seasons, announcing that he and Rogier Hofman will both step back from the first team.
Jolie said the combination of his work with Rembrandt Fusions & Acquisitions and the fact he will become a father in September, he feels the time is right.
Looking back on his career, he said highlights were his first national title in 2006 and winning the EHL in 2013 in front of his home crowd.
"The great trips we made with the Dutch team to, for example, Chile and Argentina were very special and I think so much about it.
“But, at the moment, I'm still busy with the current hockey season. It would be great to be able to finish the play-offs with another title.”
Euro Hockey League media release
Madibaz regroup ahead of second round of Varsity Hockey
By Coetzee Gouws
Cassandra Lister of NMMU and Kelsey Langley of TUKKIES fight for the ball during the final days play in the 2017 VARSITY HOCKEY, Monday 8 May 2017 Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch, Western Cape. Photo by: HALDEN KROG/SASPA
After a challenging opening weekend in the Varsity Hockey tournament, the Madibaz women’s team will be taking a positive attitude into the second half of the competition in Potchefstroom on Friday.
Madibaz defeated University of KwaZulu-Natal in their first match in Stellenbosch, but lost the remaining three games to end the weekend near the bottom of the log.
However, coach Michael van Rensburg said the team would be motivated to turn the tide in their remaining matches, having learnt much from playing against the country’s top varsity sides.
“The girls have been really positive and are fully aware of our long-term vision,” he said. “The first weekend was incredibly tough but they have held their heads high. We are looking forward to the second weekend as we look to improve on the performances we gave in Stellenbosch.”
Van Rensburg added that a priority for the squad would be to keep working on their fitness and conditioning.
“Statistically we played our best hockey in the first and third quarters when we were fresh. It was clear that in the second and fourth quarters we were fatigued and this is where the opposition targeted us. We have come up with short-term solutions to the problem, but our conditioning is most definitely a crucial area for us as we look ahead to the USSA (University Sport South Africa) week at the end of June.”
With their opponents piling on the pressure, Van Rensburg said they would also be looking at improving their defensive systems.
“We weren’t anywhere near our best in this area and we reviewed this during the week. The other facet we would look to improve on is our general spatial awareness and improved decision making on-field.”
He said they would continue to work on the processes they had in place and he was confident the team would grow as a unit.
“Tactically we will look to address certain areas. As mentioned, our defence will be looked at as well as our execution in the final attacking third of the field. Another focus will be how to best use the periods of play when we do have a numerical advantage due to either cards been issued or in the power play stage.”
Van Rensburg said he could see a definite improvement in the women’s teams thanks to tournaments such as Varsity Hockey and the Premier Hockey League. He felt, however, that the timing of the tournaments needed to be addressed to avoid “potential burnout from the high workload in a short space of time”.
“But, for us as an institution, it is vital that we attend the top tournaments. Despite the results, the ladies have learnt a lot and it will only stand us in good stead as we move forward into the new era we are creating for ourselves.”
Varsity Sports media release
Playing for “The Stripe” motivates Tuks hockey team
By Wilhelm de Swardt
Tukkies celebrate another goal against Kovsies during the 2017 Varsity Hockey, presented by Steinhoff and FNB, Monday 05 May 2017, at the Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch, Western Cape. TUKKIES vs KOVSIES Photo by: Halden Krog/SASPA
“It is such an honour to play for ‘The Stripe’, you cannot help but to push yourself that little bit harder to win.”
That is how Natalie Esteves (Tuks women’s hockey captain) explained her team’s impressive start to their Varsity Hockey campaign.
Over the weekend in Stellenbosch Tuks won three of their first four games scoring an unbelievable 35 points and conceding only one. They beat Kovsies 6-0, the University of KwaZulu-Natal 15-0 and the Madibaz 14-0. Their only hiccup was in the game against Pukke which they lost 0-1 in spite of being on the attack for most of the match.
Inky Zondi (Tuks head coach) is quick to point out that it is too early to start celebrating as the “war” is far from being won. The real battle starts on Friday (12/05) when Tuks takes on Maties. The Stellenbosch team is the only unbeaten team in the competition having won their first four matches.
Saturday is another big game when they play against the defending champions, University of Johannesburg (UJ). Two years ago Tuks lost to UJ in the semi-finals. According to Zondi it would be a big mistake to underestimate UJ in spite of the fact that they are currently not one of the top four teams in the competition. He expects UJ to come out fighting in each of their last three games in a last-ditch effort to try and qualify for Monday’s semi-finals.
Things do not get any easier as on Sunday Tuks takes on Wits who is currently third on the log, also with nine points after four matches. The only reason Tuks is second on the log is because of a better goal difference.
What impressed most Zondi over the weekend was the way his players were consistently able to set up goal-scoring opportunities and then make it count.
“I am especially excited about how the players executed the play from penalty corners. We managed to convert quite a high percentage into goals. It is important to do so as tightly-contested games are often being won or lost on the ability of team to score from a penalty corner.”
Zondi wants his players to up their game over the weekend.
“It will be important that they are able to play a full 60 minutes of competitive hockey. We cannot afford any lapses.”
Esteves has certainly been leading her team by example. In three of the four games she scored goals. In the game against the University of KwaZulu-Natal she received the Player of the Match-award.
According to her it is easy to captain a team like Tuks.
“We might not be a team of individual stars. Our success can be ascribed to the fact that we play according to the philosophy of one for all and all for one. In other words we have this hunger to be the best and we really want to make Tuks proud. Our motivation starts the moment when we put on the white jersey with ‘The Stripe’,” said the third year BA Law-student.
Varsity Sports media release
No time for complacency as MBPJ target the overall crown
KUALA LUMPUR: Newly-crowned Division One champions Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had to defy the odds – by stopping all four Thunderbolt teams – to win the Division One title of the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL).
And as MBPJ set their sights on the MJHL overall crown – beginning with the quarter-finals – they know that things will only get tougher.
“I don’t want the players to become complacent just because they are champions now,” said MBPJ coach Mohd Harfizi Baharom.
“That’s always the case with the junior players. Once they become champions, they think they are unbeatable and take it easy. You cannot do that, not when the other teams are looking to beat you.
“This is a whole new ball game and I want the players to start every match like a final. We will take it one game at a time,” he said.
MBPJ will play Anderson Thunderbolt in the quarter-finals. If they clear that hurdle, another Thunderbolt team will be lying in wait in the semi-finals.
“That is unavoidable. They have four teams in the last eight and at each hurdle I feel that they will be there waiting for us.”
Harfizi is happy that his players are injury-free and eager for action.
“We have a good set of players ... experienced and young. One thing I’m worried about is our predictability. Teams are aware of our potential and will not make the same mistake twice.
“That’s why I feel that it will be tougher now,” he said.
In the other quarter-finals, defending overall champions BJSS Thunderbolt will play SSMS Resilient of Sabah, dethroned Division One champions SSTMI Juniors will meet Batu Pahat’s SMKDBL Johor Juniors and AHP-MSP Thunderbolt will take on SSTMI Juniors.
The semi-finals will be on Sunday and the final on May 21.
The Star of Malaysia
Kingsridge back to defend regional hockey title
Kingsridge will be out to defend their title in the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge at the East London Inland tournament at Queenstown Girls’ High School on Sunday. Photo: Supplied
Kingsridge will be back to defend their title when the second regional tournament in the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge takes place in Queenstown on Sunday.
The Border Inland event will see eight teams vie for honours when they meet on the astroturf at the Queenstown Girls’ High School.
Tournament director Bev Forword said the school had again offered to host the event as it was the most central venue.
“Many of the teams have to travel a fair distance to play in the competition so this is the best venue for this exciting day of senior hockey.”
Adelaide High are unable to attend this year and have been replaced by King William’s Town school St Christopher’s.
They will join Burgersdorp, Kingsridge, Aliwal North, Hangklip, Stutterheim, Templeton and Queenstown Girls’ High in the battle for the regional title.
Forword said she was sure there would be strong competition among the schools.
“There has been a lot of excitement this time as schools now know what it is all about,” she said.
“It is a wonderful tournament for schools who never get to play in major occasions and last year we noted tremendous support from the parents.”
She said as teams changed from year to year one was never quite sure who would be among the top contenders.
“But I know that Kingsridge have just returned from the All Girls’ Festival in Pretoria where they did well.”
She said the sides would compete in two pools with cross-pool semifinals for the top two teams in each section.
Further matches, she said, would see the team that ended third in pool A play their counterparts in pool B, while the fourth-placed sides would meet.
The winners of the tournament will qualify for the Eastern Cape provincial finals at Woodridge just outside Port Elizabeth on August 12.
Union High, of Graaff-Reinet, won the first regional tournament in March, while further events will take place in East London (May 21), George (May 28) and Port Elizabeth (June 4).
The Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge was started by SA women’s hockey team manager Les Galloway, who popularised the concept among KwaZulu-Natal schools seven years ago.
She introduced the idea to the Western Cape in 2015 and it spread to the Eastern Cape last year.
SPAR Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge media release