News for 05 June 2017
All the news for Monday 5 June 2017
Ireland defeats Pakistan 3-2 in third hockey test
Photo courtesy of Adrian Boehm
Ireland won a high-tempo match this afternoon to take a 1-0 lead in the three test series being played at Lisnagarvey HC, Comber Road. This game was in marked contrast to the defence dominated battle on Thursday night that ended in a draw.
Ireland scored the opener midway through the first quarter through a Sean Murray screamer with a first time strike as the ball came across the top of the circle that fairly flew past the stranded Pakistan keeper into the roof of the net. Pakistan made a few good chances of their own in response and Ingram needed to make some fine interceptions in the Ireland goal to keep Ireland’s noses ahead. Ireland debutant Luke Madeley had a strong performance in the Ireland defence.
Pakistan got their equaliser somewhat fortuitously from the penalty spot after a goal bound shot caught a defenders body on route to goal. Ireland appealed that the goalkeeper was still to be beaten but the award stood and was despatched with some aplomb by Muhammad Umar Bhutta for 1-1 at half time.
The fourth quarter was quiet quite until Pakistan conjured up an equaliser from a bit of slick passing around the Ireland defence. Ali Shan found himself unmarked at the far post for the simplest of tap-ins to a ball driven hard across the Irish circle. All to play for with 8 minutes left.
Ireland won a final short corner and although set-piece did not go quite to plan some great improvisation from O’Donoghue saw him score the winner after dancing around a couple of Pakistan defenders for a late 3-2 lead.
Ireland saw the game out without any further scares for the win that puts them in a good position to win the series with the final match tomorrow afternoon at 2:00pm (also at Comber Road).
Ireland 3 – 2 Pakistan
Irish Hockey Association media release
Ireland defeats Pakistan 3-2 in third hockey test
As in the second match, Ireland again had a narrow 3-2 victory over Pakistan in the third hockey test.
Thus the hosts won the 3 match series 2-0.
First test had ended in a 2-2 draw.
At the Lisnagarvey Hockey Club, Ireland led 2-0 at the half time.
Pakistan were able to reduce the margin to the narrowest: 1-2 and 2-3 but were never able to make it even.
Though the 13th ranked Pakistan failed to win a test against the opponents ranked four places higher, but all the three matches were very closely fought.
PHF Media release
Seven goal second half highlights first game in France exhibition series
Shaheed Devji
Taylor Curran marks a French player at World League Round 2 in Saint-Germain, France in May 2013 (By Marine Andrieux)
Canada’s men’s field hockey team narrowly dropped the first of three exhibition matches with the French by a score 4-3 Sunday at the Touquet Athletic Club in Le Touquet, France.
After a scoreless first half, the teams combined for a seven goal second half with the host team holding the edge in the end, despite the Canadian men coming from behind to erase a 2-0 deficit.
It was the first game Canada’s men have played together since the end of World League Round 2 in Trinidad and Tobago the first week of April.
Team captain Scott Tupper, and forwards Keegan Pereira and Floris van son, who scored a goal in Sunday’s loss, returned to international duty after playing for their respective club teams in Europe.
After France went up 2-0 early in the second half, Canada mounted a comeback on goals from van Son on a deflection, and Gordon Johnston on an improvised penalty corner.
France re-took the lead with took consecutive goals, one on a baseline cross and the other on a penalty corner, to go up 4-2.
Canada once again battled back, with Johnston picking up the third Canadian goal, his second of the game, in the final moments. But Canada was not able to find an equalizer before the end of time.
The two teams are back in action on Monday at the Douai Hockey Club before closing out their exhibition series on Wednesday in Wattignies.
Field Hockey Canada media release
Rot-Weiss the EHL champions for the first time
Rot-Weiss Köln won a brilliant EHL GRAND FINAL to beat HC Oranje-Rood, winning the title for the first time following a pulsating day in Brasschaat.
The first half was played at an awesome speed initially with both sides breaking at speed and looking to counter-attack. Bob de Voogd and Jelle Galema had a number of raids while Jair van der Horst’s left wing cross went just wide from Caspar van Dijk’s cross.
They almost profited when Matthias Müller’s clearance fell kindly for Muhammad Rizwan but he was quickly shut down by Victor Aly who made a brilliant double-block in the 23rd minute.
It led to the game’s first corner but it was not stopped, denying Mink van der Weerden a first shot on goal.
A little against the run of play, Rot-Weiss produced a sustained piece of controlled possession, probing the Oranje-Rood 23-metre area. Mats Grambusch eventually unpicked the defence with a top pass to Jonas Gomoll who won a corner. Tom Grambusch brilliantly dragged the chance into the top corner for 1-0.
Back came Oranje-Rood with Agustin Mazzilli having two bites at a chance created by van der Weerden’s overlap. It led to a second corner but Rot-Weiss cleared once more for a narrow lead at half-time.
The second half started at similar pace with Galema clipping a shot into the outside of the goal while Timur Oruz also pushed an effort onto the frame of the goal.
Rot-Weiss got their second goal in the 35th minute, though, when a crash ball from the back was deflected into the path of Florian Adrians and he brilliantly slotted a shot under goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak.
The Dutch side took little time to get back into the tie, Agustin Mazzilli netting in the 38th minute after Jair van der Horst had nicked the ball back to Caspar van Dijk. He popped it back behind the defence for the Argentinean to flick in.
And the game was level in the 40th minute when Bram Huijbregts cut in to win a corner. He found a foot for a fourth penalty corner which van der Weerden fired home for 2-2, his third goal of the weekend.
Alexander Schölkopf was in the sin-bin at that time for a foul on Mazzilli but when he returned, Rot-Weiss responded. Kai Aichinger produced some magic down the right wing and worked the ball into the centre where Florian Scholten controlled in mid-air and volleyed into the goal a lovely effort, 3-2.
Van der Weerden won himself another corner with an excellent run but his flick was charged down as Rot Weiss hung on to their lead.
From there, Oranje-Rood drove forward through Benjamin Stanzl but he got little change from Müller. The Dutch side then had three penalty corners in the closing minute but they put their bodies on the line – surviving getting reduced to nine players as well – to keep out the chances and land the biggest prize in European club hockey.
EHL GRAND FINAL
Rot-Weiss Köln 3 (T Grambusch, F Adrians, F Scholten) HC Oranje-Rood 2 (A Mazzilli, M van der Weerden)
Euro Hockey League media release
Henning hails dream Rot-Weiss FINAL4 performances
Rot-Weiss Köln coach André Henning said that winning the EHL was the fulfillment of a long-time dream as the German side claimed the title for the first time with a dramatic 3-2 win over Oranje-Rood.
“It’s just awesome,” he said afterwards. “Ten or 12 years ago when we first heard a few things about the EHL coming in and they were planning something like this; from then it was always my personal dream to be part of it.
“It’s such an honour to be here and to be part of it. It was our biggest goal this year to win it and everyone knows it’s the best competition in the world. We really enjoy playing on this stage.”
Reflecting on the GRAND FINAL, he said that there was not quite the fluidity of their Saturday semi-final win over KHC Dragons when they prevailed 5-3.
But Henning felt their mentality was just right to get through a huge battle, one which saw Oranje-Rood fight back from 2-0 down only for Rot-Weiss to respond in kind with the winning goal 10 minutes from time.
“Yesterday, we played a great match with a lot of vitality and great body language [against KHC Dragons]. Today, both teams were fighting a lot. It was maybe not the best performance; it was very physical.
“In the last quarter, Oranje-Rood was trying so hard to get it level and were so close. But gave it everything to get to fight back and get the result and that’s what the guys did – an awesome team performance.
“Of course, mentality comes into it. Last week [at the German championships], we were not in that focus and had a poor performance. This week, we were very focused and had a lot of fun here! We like playing hockey and we do it because it's fun and I hope that’s what the spectators saw.”
This season has been quite a comeback for the German side. They bowed out of the EHL in 2016 with a thumping defeat to SV Kampong, a devastating dismissal. Henning, though, said that from that defeat, massive lessons were learned that allowed his side to evolve.
“Maybe that was the most important defeat for this team against Kampong, the 5-1. It was tough for us and we changed a lot of things. We put more pressure on teams when before we were more passive. Now, we aim to attack as soon as possible.”
Against Kampong, their corner defence was crucial and it proved against Oranje-Rood as they conceded just once from several set-pieces, charging down Mink van der Weerden’s rockets.
“The guys know what is important to win matches. Maybe that’s the hardest part. [Timur] Oruz got injured on his knee and [Christopher] Rühr got injured on his hand.
“Along with our line-man and the goalkeeper, they all did their jobs really well. If you want to beat teams with awesome players and a flicker like van der Weerden, you have to be world class in defending and we were today.”
At 33, Henning has now already won a series of German championships and the EHL but he says that there is more to come from his side, especially if they keep enjoying playing on the big stage.
“Right now, we will enjoy this and then we look forward to coming back and playing matches like this again.
“It’s great fun; it’s not just about winning but coaching this young team is a very young is a proud moment, seeing the development from last year.
“For me, personally, that is even more worth it than just winning. This team will not stop with just winning today; they will go on and will hopefully come back with another great performance next year.”
Euro Hockey League media release
Dragons sweep to BRONZE with composed win over Wimbledon
KHC Dragons won their fourth EHL medal with a controlled and composed 3-1 win over Wimbledon to the delight of their home crowd at Brasschaat.
Wimbledon started in lively fashion with Simon Mantell producing a number of strong runs while Steven Ebbers created danger down the left with a smart run and cross.
But Dragons punished their indiscretions in the 12th minute. Ben Arnold – who returned to the Wimbledon line-up today having missed the semi-final due to an exam – was shown a green card for delaying a Dragons free. From that free, Dragons upgraded to a corner which Alexander Hendrickx whizzed into the roof of the net.
In the 20th minute, it became 2-0 when Arthur van Doren burst forward. He pushed into the danger zone where Thomas Briels got a touch to the ball and it bounced awkwardly for James Bailey, somehow slipping through his clutches and over the goal line.
Dragons continued to press into the second half with Robbert Rubens having an effort saved from the goalmouth by Henry Weir. Thomas Verheijen and Briels also had close efforts while Jeffrey Thys was also threatening as they penned Wimbledon back.
The English side did have a corner chance but the drag-flick was miscued and Felix Denayer cleared the danger.
And so it remained at 2-0 until deep into the final quarter when Wimbledon went for broke, removing their goalkeeper for an extra outfielder. But they were punished for their risk and Robbert Rubens finished into an empty net to make it 3-0 with three minutes left.
Phil Roper got one back in the final minute for Wimbledon for some respite after a tough weekend for the English side.
EHL BRONZE MEDAL MATCH
KHC Dragons 3 (A Hendrickx, T Briels, R Rubens) Wimbledon 1 (P Roper)
Euro Hockey League media release
Wimbledon defeated in Euro Hockey Bronze medal match
Wimbledon’s Euro Hockey League campaign ended with a 3-1 defeat in their Bronze medal match with Belgian side KHC Dragons.
Goals from Alex Hendrickx, Thomas Briels and Robbert Rubens fired the Dragons to victory in Brasschaat with Great Britain and England captain Phil Roper grabbing a consolation goal late on.
It was an impressive EHL campaign for the English side who saw off UHC Hamburg in the last 16 and Mannheimer HC in a dramatic shootout to progress into the final four.
It was Wimbledon who made the brighter start dominating early possession and camping in the Dragons half, but the Belgian side soon fought back to twice test James Bailey in the Wimbledon goal. Then on 11 minutes they got their noses in front through Hendrickx’s ferocious drag flick, a lead they took into the first break.
Dragons kept up their pressure on Wimbledon in the second quarter and were rewarded with a second goal after 20 minutes, Briels deflecting a crash ball past Bailey from close range. Wimbledon responded well though and were unfortunate not to reduce the deficit before half-time.
Both sides largely cancelled each other out in the third quarter which was goalless. KHC Dragons smashed the crossbar before the final break which was the closest either side came to finding the back of the net.
Wimbledon upped their intensity in the final fifteen minutes with Dragons dropping deeper in a bid to preserve their two goal advantage and the English side weren’t able to break through. In a final effort to get back into the game Wimbledon swapped in a kicking back but almost immediately Rubens made it 3-0 passing into an empty net.
In the final minute Wimbledon were able to find the net and give their travelling fans something to cheer as Ben Arnold’s shot was deflected by Roper on the volley.
England Hockey Board Media release
Mixed fortunes for Canterbury and Surbiton in EuroHockey Club Cup
By Mike Haymonds
A GRACE BALSDON double gave Canterbury some consolation for an otherwise disappointing weekend in a 3-1 win over the Russians CSP Krylatskoye at the EuroHockey Club Cup in Holland.
Playing for the third successive season at the quarter-final stage, Canterbury lost 5-0 to UHC Hamburg in their opening game but Balsdon’s penalty goals in the 25th (corner) and 48th (stroke) minutes plus Hannah Grigg’s 52nd -minute strike will see them play against SPV Complutense, from Spain, for fifth place today.
Having reached the Final Four at the third successive attempt, Surbiton women lost 7-1 to the Dutch hosts ‘s-Hertogenbosch in their semi-final with Rio Olympian Hollie Webb scoring a late consolation corner goal. They meet Amsterdam today in the bronze medal match.
In the Euro Hockey League in Antwerp Wimbledon men suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Belgian hosts Dragons in the third place match after an 8-0 semi-final loss to the Dutch Oranje-Rood, who lost 3-2 to Rot Weiss Cologne in the final.
Daily Express
Harleston Magpies English Mixed Finals champions
On the final day of the domestic knock-out season, four Mixed Finals matches took place at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. Following yesterday’s semi-final action, a 3rd/4th play-off and final were held in both the plate and trophy competitions.
First up were the two plate losing semi-finalists, St Albans and Lindum. The latter couldn’t have wished for a better start as they went one up through Sam Temple-Baxter’s early penalty corner. St Albans worked their way back into the tie on 21 minutes thanks to Alexis Hamilton, but two quick fire goals for Lindum meant they had a 3-1 advantage at the break. An early second half goal for St Albans left an exciting finish on the cards, but Lindum re-established their dominance running out 5-2 victors and taking third place.
The plate final was arguably the match of the day between defending champions Sevenoaks and Repton. A penalty shoot-out was required to split the teams after a brilliant 2-2 draw at full-time. Sevenoaks would have been confident of seeing their names engraved to the plate for a second year running as they lead 2-0 at half-time thanks to strikes from Max Denniff and Ali Taylor. However, a spirited Repton didn’t let their heads drop and an early second period field goal from Finley Newton restored the sides confidence. Hannah Davey got the crucial equaliser that took the match to a shoot-out. Repton were 2-1 winners in the nerve clinching finale, with Dom Bennett and Joe Sharp on target. Duncan Parnis finished for Sevenoaks.
It didn’t look like there’d be much to report from match three as the trophy 3rd/4th play-off match between Spencer and Stourport was goalless at half-time. A Daniel Petrie field goal opened the scoring on 41 minutes for Stourport and it remained 1-0 till the dying moments. Two goals in the last three minutes secured the victory for Stourport and meant they left Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre with a bronze medal.
If any match could rival the plate final for match of the day it was the trophy final. Khalsa got off to the perfect start , Scott Angliss putting them a goal in front after only 3 minutes. At the opposite end of the half, Elizabeth Clymer drew Harleston Magpies level with a field goal. Going in to the break it was anyone’s game and remained this way right to the final whistle. With no more goals in the second period the game went to a penalty shoot-out. This time we went as far as sudden death, tied at 2-2, it was time for someone to step up and be a hero. Step forward, Tim Whiteman. The winning goal scored by Harleston Magpies number 11 and thus gifting the Magpies the trophy title.
Results (04.06.2017)
Plate 3rd/4th play-off: St Albans 2-5 Lindum
Plate final: Repton 2-2 Sevenoaks – Repton won penalty shoot-out 2-1
Trophy 3rd/4th play-off: Spencer 0-3 Stourport
Trophy final: Harleston Magpies 1-1 Khalsa – Harleston Magpies won penalty shoot-out 3-2
England Hockey Board Media release
Telkom Orange hit six past students
By BRIAN YONGA
Telkom Orange's Jackline Mwangi (second right) is congratulated by her teammates after scoring a goal against JKUAT during their match at City Park Stadium on June 4, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Champions Telkom Orange on Sunday maintained their unbeaten start to the season after a 6-0 thumping of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in a Kenya Hockey Union women’s Premier League match at the City Park Stadium, Nairobi.
Two goals each from internationals Audrey Omaido and Flavia Situma inspired the league leaders to yet another comfortable win this season. Evergreen striker Jackline Mwangi and Betsy Omalla were also on target for the 19-time league winners.
Orange assistant coach Josephine Ataro was pleased with another sheet from her charges, heaping praise on their all-round performance.
Telkom Orange assistant coach Josephine Ataro follows their match against JKUAT on June 4, 2017 at City Park Stadium. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |NATION MEDIA GROUP
We were clinical today, great teamwork and the girls scored some beautiful goals. I think we are well on track to finish the first leg at the top and also protecting our clean sheet,” Ataro told Nation Sport on Sunday.
In another women’s top-flight encounter, Kenyatta University (KU) Titans came from goal down to salvage a one-all draw with Sliders at the same venue. Christine Nabuune had fired Sliders ahead through a fifth minute field goals, but the students levelled in the 15th minute through Gloria Juma’s sliced shot.
Sliders' Sarah Ragangi (left) vies for the ball with Kenyatta University Titans' Olympia Chepchumba during their Kenya Hockey Union women's Premeir League match on June 4, 2017 at City Park Stadium. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |NATION MEDIA GROUP
Orange’s win was their eighth successive win this season, re-establishing their six-point lead over second placed USIU Spartans, who had beaten Amira Sailors 2-0 on Saturday. Ataro’s charges are on 24 points and are still to concede after eight matches.
They needed just six minutes to breach the JKUAT defence with Omaido finishing off a well-worked move that carved open the students’ back-line. Two minutes later, it was 2-0 as lethal forward Mwangi exchanged passed with Omaido, before she unleashed a powerful shot that beat JKUAT keeper Emma Aroni.
It was Mwangi’s 12th goal of the campaign, taking her top of the scoring charts.
Orange ended the quarter with a two-goal advantage with the Juja-based side struggling to create chances.
Telkom Orange's Rachel Ousa controls the ball during their match against JKUAT on June 4, 2017 at City Park Stadium. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |NATION MEDIA GROUP
The leaders continued with their onslaught in the second quarter and increased their lead in the 26th minute as Situma, who had a hand in the opening goals, dribbling past two JKUAT defenders before sounding the board.
The third quarter saw Ataro replace Ruth Njoki in goal with third-choice keeper Alice Wanjiru. JKUAT briefly threatened with a couple of short corners, but the Orange defence marshalled by Terry Juma stood firm.
Omaido got her second of the match and 12th of the season on 41 minutes after finishing of Situma’s short corner. Situma set up two more goals before the final whistle to condemn JKUAT to their second loss of the season.
“We fought well but in the end we lost to a better and talented side who took the chances they created,” JKUAT coach Sammy Oungo said.
In the men's Premier League, Sikh Union Nairobi beat Parklands 5-0. Goals from Wilson Otieno, Allan Iningu, Collins Wanjala, Jaspreet Kalsi and Davis Wanagwe gave the 2012 winners the win.
Daily Nation
Telkom Orange rout JKUAT: Champions bag eighth win of the season
By Elizabeth Mburugu
Orange Telkom Betsy Ommala when they played Nigeria Kada Queens during Africa Cup Championship at City Park yesterda, on 07/01/2017 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE
There is no stopping Betsy Ommala and company as they inch closer to their 20th title.
Champions Telkom Orange defeated Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) 6-0 in a Kenya Hockey Union women's league match at City Park yesterday.
Audrey Omaido and Flavian Mutiva bagged a brace while Jackline Mwangi and Betsy Ommala scored one each as Telkom Orange eased into their eighth win this season.
With the victory, the African champions inched closer to winning a record 20th league title.
Assistant coach Josephine Ataro was impressed with their performance.
"So far so good because we are still within our objectives and if we keep up the spirit, this season's trophy will be special," said Ataro.
"We have always wanted to win without conceding a goal, but we conceded a goal or two."
Omaido, who has been impressive since the season began, opened the floodgates after six minutes. The pacy player outran JKUAT defenders before hitting the board behind goalkeeper Emma Aroni.
Telkom did not give the students time to reorganise their defence in their hunt for a second goal. Their efforts bore fruit two minutes later with veteran Mwangi's goal as Aroni once again failed the test.
The students became more vigilant about guarding their backline as the first quarter ended 2-0.
On resumption, they tried hard to hold on and truly did a good job - until Mutiva struck in the 26th minute for Telkom's third goal.
Omaido added the fourth in the third quarter through a successful penalty corner.
The Standard Online
Jang the THT bogeyman
By Jugjet Singh
JANG.. after beating Malaysian No 1 goalkeeper S. Kumar in the Malaysia Hockey League.
NATIONAL chief coach Stephen van Huizen is in the dark about the South Korean team which will compete in the World League Semifinals in London on June 15-25.
All he knows is that they have recalled their former penalty corner maestro Jang Jong Hyun, 33, to help them win a a spot in next years's World Cup in India.
And this is bad news for Malaysia, as Jang has been the best performer in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) for the past two seasons representing Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) .
South Korea are in Group A with Malaysia, China, Argentina and England while in Group B are Netherlands, India, Pakistan, Scotland and Canada.
Jang, who has 249 caps and has played in three Olympics (2004, 2008 and 2012) while South Korea did not qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
"The last time we played Korea was in the Asian Champions Trophy (in Kuantan) where we held them 1-1 and then won on penalty strokes. After that they disappeared from radar, and all we know is that they have recalled Jang for London," said van Huizen.
Jang was the top scorer for THT in 2016 with 16 goals, while this season he scored 28 goals for coach Sarjit Singh's team to lift the Alagendra Cup as well as TNB Cup titles.
"There can only be two reasons to recall Jang, as either Korea are desperate or Jang is back in top form," said van Huizen.
The Korean, even though he was named as the best player in the Malaysia Hockey League this season, was a little overweight when he turned up for THT.
THT coach Sarjit, a former national skipper as well as national coach, was delighted that his club's player is back with the national team, but was also a little worried for the country.
"When we first signed Jang, he 'refused' to flick low during penalty corners as in his mind, a high drag to the top of the net was a much more glamorous goal than hitting the board or shooting at armpit level.
"I had a tough time coaching him to drag lower, and finally, I placed two chairs to the left and right of the goalmouth and asked him to aim at them consistently.
"And after he finally broke both the chairs, his goal scoring abilities improved," said Sarjit who had told the Korean that he can play for THT in the MHL as long as his body permits it.
And he went on to score 22 penalty corners and six penalty stroke goals this season to help THT win two titles.
"The worrying part is that Korea has recalled him for the World League as Jang not only knows every Malaysian national player by their nick names, he also knows their strengths and weaknesses.
"He also knows our penalty corner-run outs and this could spell trouble.
"On the other hand, Malaysia has many recordings on how he executes penalty corners (in the MHL) and this should held prepare our runners and goalkeeper to stop him," said Sarjit.
Van Huizen's plan is simple -- beat China and South Korea and try to upset world No 1 Argentina and hosts England to qualify for the quarter-finals in London.
But the inclusion of Jang has thrown a spanner in van Huizen's Plan A.
Jugjet's World of Field Hockey
Is Indian hockey team operating upon the right principles – Strategy and Tactics – to climb back to the Top?
Part 1 of a three part series
By Shiv Jagday
To answer this burning question, I like these Time Tested Universal Principles, to advocate and evaluate the current situation, improvement and performance of the former champions; India:
US Men’s Field Hockey Foundation Hall of Fame inaugural class of inductees Woods, Iqbal, Newton and Harris honored at Cal Cup
Jawwad Qamar
The US Men’s Field Hockey Foundation Hall of Fame honored its inaugural class of inductees during the half time ceremony of the Men’s Super Division final at Cal Cup 46 last Monday (May 29). Inductees included Allan Woods, Moin Iqbal, Mike Newton and Tom Harris.
USMFHF President Peter Jones started the proceeding by inducting Allan Woods who was one of the founding fathers of East Coast field hockey. Allan played for Rye and Greenwich, two of the oldest field hockey clubs in the country. For the better part of six decades he was involved with hockey as a player and administrator. In addition to being a former national team player, Allan served as President of the Field Hockey Association of America, a Director of the Pan American Hockey Federation, a Council Member and Chairman of the Equipment Committee for the International Hockey Federation and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. Elected to the board of the PAHF in 1979 he remained there until 2005 when he became the first receiver of the PAHF Order of Merit. Allan continued to play for Vancouver Jokers in Golden Oldies tournaments for many years until his passing in 2015. Jones accepted the plaque on behalf of the Woods family.
Moin Iqbal was devoted to growing the sport of field hockey in Northern California for three decades. He was an enthusiastic organizer, coach and motivator who developed many young players. His son Manzar Iqbal played for the USA at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and has been considered one of the finest to ever don the national colors. Moin Iqbal also coached a number of players who went on to represent the USA for many years, including the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. His granddaughter Alexandra Iqbal, who was playing for the Olympic Club at the tournament, accepted the Hall of Fame plaque on behalf her grandfather.
Mike Newton played for the USA for many years from the mid 70's through to 1991. He was a 1984 Olympian along with his brother Gary Newton. Mike was the founder of the Ventura Roadrunner FHC which has provided a significant number of US male players to both senior and junior teams. Mike also coached Roadrunner teams for over 20 years and had three hockey playing children. His son Chad was on the US junior team from the age of 14. He also mentored a number of Olympians from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics team. Mike and his family have always had a big role in helping prepare for numerous Cal Cup tournaments, and his construction expertise is a major reason there is a field hockey center at Moorpark College. His longtime friend Dave Harris had the honor to induct Mike Newton into the 2017 USMHF Hall of Fame.
Tom Harris is one of the founding fathers of West Coast field hockey. He started California Cup over 46 years and ago and has seen it grow ever since. He was a founder of the Conejo Bulldogs team which has also seen its share of Olympians and national players. He is an integral part of Field Hockey Federation ensuring that clubs continue to grow, and that the game he loves is in safe hands with new volunteers. Tom travels the globe with wife Karen watching the US men’s team play while distributing Cal Cup brochures between games. As an engineer, he designed and spearheaded the first water based turf at Moorpark College in 1994 and has been on both turf replacement committees in 2006 and 2016. He is a passionate supporter of our game and has opened his home to thousands of hockey players and officials from around the world. USMFHF Board Member Dave Jackson was given the honor to induct Tom into this inaugural Hall of Fame Class.
“The United States Men's Field Hockey Foundation is pleased to induct its initial class of four honorees into its Hall of Fame. All have had a major impact on the development of the game for men in the USA,” said Peter Jones, President USMFHF. “While the men's game is now growing deeper roots in areas such as Washington DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Phoenix and Florida, our honorees played significant roles in growing the sport in Southern California, Northern California and the New York City area, as well as running the sport domestically and influencing the sport internationally. We thank them and their families for their efforts and the opportunities they have created for us all to enjoy.”
The USMFHF was established after the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and has provided support to USA men's National teams-Senior, Junior, Indoor and Masters. It has helped fund turfs in Moorpark, Madison and Chula Vista and has been the main supporter of the USA Men's Indoor team, helping the team prepare, qualify for and compete in Indoor World Cups in 2003 and 2011. Visit usmfhf.org if you would like to learn more or support its mission.
usmfhf.org - Mission: to provide grants to field hockey organizations for the promotion of the sport in the united states
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