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News for 03 August 2017

All the news for Thursday 3 August 2017


Two Events In One - Catch Both the Men's and Women's International Teams Compete to #CaptureTheCup



LANCASTER, Pa. – Less than 48 hours remain before the 2017 Pan American Cups (PAC) kick off at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa. Fifteen international teams across the men’s and women’s divisions are eager to get underway, and Team USA is no exception on home turf.

The FIH Hero World Ranked No. 26 U.S. Men’s National Team will face No. 1 Argentina in their opening pool play game Friday, August 4 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The two teams last met the Los Leones in the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, falling 6-0 to the eventual champions, while finishing fifth themselves. Since then, USA has taken a new shape, particularly within the role of head coach as Rutger Wiese aims for a high-ranked win since taking over the program in January.

For the reigning PAC Champions, the Pan American Games was a major platform for a young Gonzalo Peillat to begin his rise on the team as one of their top performers. Peillat led all scorers with 14 goals and looked just as dominant at the FIH Hockey World League Semifinals in London, England, where he finished with a leading 12 goals. USA will have an antidote in the form of goalkeeper Brandon Karess  to ward off Peillat and company, while veteran leaders Pat Harris and William Holt will lead the counter attack on offense.

The No. 4 U.S. Women’s National Team meanwhile will go up against No. 30 Mexico on Saturday, August 5 at 7 p.m. ET in their first match. Fresh off a thrilling FIH Hockey World League Semifinals Championship in Johannesburg, South Africa, USA will use that energy on their journey to claim their first-ever PAC Championship. The team is anchored by a trio of notable talents, all of whom received honors at the Semifinals. Jill Witmer earned Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament, tallying five goals throughout the event, while Jackie Briggs earned Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament following her impressive defense during the shootout victories and Melissa Gonzalez was named Best Player of the Tournament for her leadership and constant hustle.

Trying to shut down USA’s fast-paced game, Mexico’s defender Karen Orozco and goalkeeper JesusCastillo will use their international experience and communication to adjust their team. Up front, Marlet Correa and Arlette Estrada will look to convert on open chances.

Follow along as Team USA begins their quest to #CaptureTheCup. Games will be streamed online on usafieldhockey.com. Click here for a full event program and broadcast details.

Catch the teams live in Lancaster, Pa. through the Support USA ticket package, while supplies last. Additional packages and single game tickets are also available by clicking here, and will be available for purchase at the door.

See you on the turf, and go USA!

USFHA media release



Pan American Cup 2017: What to Watch

Kori Sidaway



Men’s National Team

Qualification assured; Men still eyeing gold

With 2018 FIH World Cup qualification already in their back pocket, doesn’t mean that the Men’s National team will be slowing down anytime soon. You better believe they’re still eyeing the top spot on the podium at the upcoming Pan Am Cup.

That being said, the assurance of World Cup qualification has changed some things. It’s given the team an opportunity to give a well-earned break to some of the team’s veterans, while offering the next generation of players the opportunity to stake their case for future selection.

Ultimately this Pan Am Cup gives the team the chance to test out tournament format – to play and prepare for the long road to the upcoming World Cup, carried by the strength of its veteran and its fresh feet.

Younger Team

Resting some of the team’s senior players, the squad heading to the Pan Am Cup has a somewhat, new look. The team is comprised of a core 14 vets who competed together this past June in the World League Semi Final – such as team captain Scott Tupper (258 caps), Iain Smyth (147), and David Carter (149) – all who will be leading the way for those like Harbir Sidhu, Brad Logan, and Goalkeeper Iqwinder Gill making their international debuts.

Goalkeeper

With the young guys coming in, it is certainly a question of who Interim Head Coach Paul Bundy will give the call to get in net. Carter carries unmistakable strength as a Men’s National Team veteran, but Iquinder­­­ Gill is coming off a red-hot year at the Junior level, and will be looking to log some experience with the National team. To be determined.

Career Milestones

Goalkeeper veteran David Carter is sitting at 149 matches played for Canada, and if he gets the nod to sit in net, which he likely will, he will reach the career milestone of 150 international matches played for the Canada’s Men’s National team. Iain Smythe (147) joins Carter as also positioned to reach his 150th game played for Canada within the tournament.

Potential match up with Argentina

There’s no doubt, Argentina is the team to beat. Ranked 1st in the world and reigning Olympic gold medalists, this team is back to defend their 2013 Pan American Cup title. Canada, although ranked 11th in the world, is just off having earned a massive over India, ranked 6th in world standings, at the Hockey World League Semi Final, driving home that they have what it takes to win over higher ranking nations. So, a win over Argentina may not be out of reach. You can bet the boys will be gunning for a final with their well-known foe.

Although in separate pools, the Argentina and Canada face a strong likelihood to play one another at some point in the tournament. And do they ever have history. Argentina is the team that Canada that has perhaps most often faced off against over the years. In the past year, the two teams have battled on the turf in the last two of four Pan American Cup finals, and the last eleven straight Pan Am Games finals.

With a big upset this past tournament unearthing the number six world seed, India, who knows what the tenacious Men’s Team is able to do…

USA & Chile

The USA, ranked 26th in the world, carries the advantage of the home crowd, and closely ranked Chile – 27th place holds three bronze medals in the past three Pan American Games and are well versed in beating out higher ranked teams. Both are not to be underestimated.

Women’s National Team

The End Result

With a roller-coaster of a season behind them, including a disappointing result in Hockey World League Round 2 in West Vancouver, you can bet that the Women’s National Team will be hungry and ready to reach for the podium. For the Women, first and foremost it’s about the results in Lancaster. 2018 FIH World Cup qualification will be awarded to the top finisher in the Pan Am Cup, so placement is key.

Familiar Foes: Argentina & USA

Argentina, ranked 3rd in the world, has claimed every Pan Am Women’s Cup title since the event started. Sixth ranked team, the USA, has a renewed lineup and recent big wins that have seen them climb the rankings recently. Chile, ranked 20th, is right up against Canada who sits 19th in world rankings, and their ability isn’t to be overlooked.

Historically, the women’s events have been dominated by Argentina, USA and Canada – gold silver and bronze respectively, and Canada will have to show up and play hard to earn the right once again to stand on the podium.

Milestones

Women’s National team captain Kate Wright is sitting at 168 matches played for Canada. A cap number so high, she’s on the verge of beating the all-time games played record for the Canadian Women’s National Team, in the team’s first game vs Brazil August 5th at 9am PST/12pm. We’ll be cheering on for an athlete who has dedicated so much to her team, her sport, and her country!

Tournament

After facing Brazil in their tournament opener, the Women move to face team USA next in the fight for pool B. Mexico, ranked 30th, is up on the docket next for Canada before teams move into the semifinals. Canada has a good chance to be first or second in their pool which means they will likely go on to play Argentina or Chile in the semifinal rounds, which undoubtedly will prove to be good hockey. Stay tuned!

Pan Am Cup Viewing (Men’s and Women’s)

  • You can catch all Pan Am Cup games live streamed on usafieldhockey.com.
  • Follow live scoring and statistics at the FIH’s new Match Centre
  • Or you can follow  and the Pan Am Hockey on Twitter for live updates during each of Canada’s matches.
  • Make sure you visit the fieldhockey.ca Pam American Cup pages for both Men and Women‘s results and game recaps.

Go Canada Go!

Field Hockey Canada media release



Scotland Women’s squad announced for Rabo EuroHockey Championships 2017



The Scotland Women’s hockey squad has been announced for the Rabo EuroHockey Championships 2017 in Amsterdam on 18-27 August. The Scots will go toe-to-toe with Europe’s best teams in the elite European tournament.

Scotland has been drawn in Pool B and will face Germany on Saturday 19 August; Ireland on Sunday 20 August; and England on Tuesday 22 August before the latter stages of the tournament. The matches will provide a tremendous challenge for Scotland and it is one the team will relish.

Scotland’s women’s squad has been on fine goal scoring form with three wins from three against France in a recent test series in Glasgow, scoring 12 goals over the three matches. The wins marked Scotland’s final preparations ahead of the EuroHockey Championship 2017 in Amsterdam.

The Rabo EuroHockey Championships 2017 will take place in the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam and further information on the tournament can be found HERE.

Scotland women’s Head Coach Gordon Shepherd said, “This selection phase has been one of the hardest we have had to make. On the back of the three wins over France our selection decisions were made more difficult, but I feel we have picked a squad for the European Nations in Amsterdam that can achieve our goals.

“The squad is full of young exciting players balanced with some very experienced players. There are five U21 players in the squad who missed out on the recent U21 Europeans in Prague and I am delighted that they will now get an opportunity to play in the elite European competition.

“Our opposition in Amsterdam are all ranked higher than us but we are looking forward to the challenge of playing Germany, Ireland, and England and we will be looking to be competitive in every game we play.”


Katie Robertson celebration Scotland w France 2017

Scotland women’s squad

Amy Gibson (Reading HC)
Nicola Cochrane (Beeston)
Kareena Cuthbert (Western Wildcats)
Amy Costello (University of Birmingham)
Becky Ward (Dundee Wanderers)
Robyn Collins (Surbiton)
Bex Condie (University of Birmingham)
Sarah Robertson (Edinburgh University)
Ali Howie (Clydesdale Western)
Katie Robertson (Grove Menzieshill)
Kate Holmes (Clifton HC)
Mairi Drummond (Wimbledon)
Nikki Lloyd (Wimbledon)
Fiona Burnet (Clydesdale Western)
Millie Brown (Clydesdale Western)
Charlotte Watson (Dundee Wanderers)
Sarah Jamieson (Grove Menzieshill)
Amy Brodie (Edinburgh University)

Scotland’s schedule –

Saturday 19 August | 09:15 | Germany v Scotland
Sunday 20 August | 12:15 | Ireland v Scotland
Tuesday 22 August | 12:30 | England v Scotland
Thursday 24 August | TBC | TBC
Friday 25 August | TBC | TBC
Saturday 26 August | TBC | TBC
Sunday 27 August | TBC | TBC

Photo by Duncan Gray

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Fabian Gregory resigns as SA Men’s Hockey Coach


Tyron Barnard


Fabian Gregory Watches during a South African Men's match in Cape Town

Head coach of the South Africa men’s hockey team, Fabian Gregory, has resigned, the SA Hockey Association has announced. Gregory has been appointed as the Head Coach of the Valley Hockey Club in Hong Kong and will start work there in September this year.

Fabian was selected as the Men’s Coach in 2014 after the resignation of Charlie Pereira and has led South Africa to the FIH Hockey World Cup in 2014, where we finished 11th, as well as the Commonwealth Games in 2014, finishing fifth.

The hallmark of Gregory’s reign will be his commitment to bringing youth players through as could be seen once again at the FIH World League Semi-Final in Johannesburg as youngsters like Cassiem, Ntuli and Kok formed part of the squad.

Gregory’s involvement in South African hockey stems back almost 20 years when he was first elected as a national U16 coach and subsequently spent time in various roles including a long stint as the assistant coach to the National Ladies side.

“My journey with SA Hockey has been an incredible one and one that I won't forget. The new opportunity is one that is too good to turn away and I look forward to coaching in a full-time structure at Valley Hockey Club.” Shared Gregory. “I have so many people I need to thank, from the back room staff at SA Hockey to the players who I have been privileged to work with and learn from. To the likes of former president Dave Carr who taught me so much as a coach! Good luck to the lads for the African Cup!”

SA Hockey CEO Marissa Langeni thanked Gregory for his services. "'We would like to thank Fabian for his services to the game in South Africa and in particular for his work as the SA Men's Coach for the last three years. We wish him well in his new venture with Valley Hockey Club in Hong Kong,"

The South African Men’s Hockey side’s next challenge will be attempting to qualify for the FIH Hockey World Cup at the 2017 African Hockey Cup of Nations, which will be held in Egypt in October. SA Hockey have confirmed that they will be appointing an interim coach for this series and an announcement will be made when this has been finalised.

SA Hockey Association media release



Ow Soon Kooi: I quit because of medical and meddlers...

By Jugjet Singh

DATUK OW Soon Kooi likes to stay away from controversies, and is always diplomatic even though the situation warrants otherwise.

And so it came as a surprise when he called for a press conference to clear the air on why he resigned from the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) vice-president as well as coaching committee chairman posts in a huff.

He had, then, cited health reasons for quitting every post in the MHC.

But yesterday, he said he had to clear the air as allegations in news and other media had tarnished his corporate-man image.

And no less than whose-who in Malaysian hockey attended his press conference at the Olympic Council of Malaysia hotel.

In walked 1975 World Cup members Datuk Poon Fook Loke, R. Pathmarajah and skipper Datuk Sri Shanmuganathan.

And for good measure 'they brought along' 1975 World Cup famous umpire Datuk G. Vijayanathan who blew during the India-Pakistan final.

Former national juniors coach Balbir Singh, international Gurmit Singh, M. Sambu ... and it looked like a re-union of greats as even some women national players came.

But it was not a merry get-together, as they had come to listen to former skipper and two time Olympian as well as two time World Cup player Ow speak his heart.

Ow started by presenting all the work his committee has done over the years, with statistics, to show that his committee was not dormant as alleged by many.

And he also said the reason why they only had one meeting in 2016 was because everything was in place by then, and they ran the show by making decisions on a social media group-chat.

Ow said that his reputation as a corporate man was built on being strict about rules and hierarchy. He doesn't believe in breaking rank, and followed procedure to be where he is today from a poor, a very poor background.

Being a former policeman did not 'help' when he watched others breaking this hierarchy rules.

And that's why when MHC officials made decisions on behalf of his committee and compelled them to follow -- it made him mad.

He gave examples which named four officials of being guilty, with the prime target being Technical Director Terry Walsh.

Ow gave examples where Walsh made coaching decisions without consulting his committee, and it made them wonder who is running the show.

Citing an example, Ow narrated about the hiring of Paul Lissek to become the indoor hockey consultant for Sea Games.

Walsh had approached Ow about the matter and when asked, he was told that Lissek is willing to work for free or at a nominal feel -- as Lissek had coached the Malaysian field hockey team before and was very knowledgeable about indoor hockey as well.

Ow and Walsh agreed on an RM X amount to be paid to Lissek as a consultant. But after three weeks, Ow found out that Lissek was being paid six and a half time higher than the discussed salary.

When he asked an MHC official about it, the official said he had raised the salary all by himself -- without consulting anybody.

There were many other examples of meddling in his committee, but the Lissek episode broke the camels back, and coupled with his nagging neck pain, Ow decided to call it a day.

Attempts to call and SMS MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal to clear the air on the above issue were not answered.

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey



Hockey masters set to flock to the East

In one of the most exciting moves for local hockey in over two decades, the South African Masters Hockey Association’s 2017 National Masters Tournament is coming to Benoni and Ekurhuleni.

Logan Green

Men and women masters hockey players (over the age of 35) from all provinces in South Africa will gather at Benoni Northerns Sports Club for the festive event, hosted by the Eastern Gauteng Hockey Association (EGHA), from the night of August 9 to August 12.

There will also be some international flavour with teams from Namibia and Zimbabwe making the great trek to the East Rand.

It is the first time that the masters’ tournament will be hosted by the EGHA at Northerns since 1992 (which was on a much smaller scale).

Over a 1 000 competitors (67 teams) will battle it out at different local venues (the EGHA AstroTurf, Benoni Northerns’ grass fields, St Dunstan’s College’s AstroTurf and grass fields, and the newly constructed St Dominic’s School AstroTurf in Boksburg).

The tournament will open with a function on Wednesday night at Benoni Northerns with matches taking place from Thursday to Saturday.

For the first time ever an intuitive smartphone app (“Eastern’s Masters 2017”) is available for download with all the vital information for participants and spectators (itinerary, fixtures, pools, teams, results, places of interest, shuttle times etc).

Residents who live around the venues are urged to take heed of the happenings during the tournament.

Spectators are welcome to attend, watch the hockey action and join in on the fun.

Benoni City Times



SPAR EC Hockey Challenge: Woodridge to host the final round


The Woodridge girls’ hockey first team: back row from L-R, Cheré Jacobs; Cheyanne Milne. Middle Row from L-R, Megan Crossman; Chumisa Yona; Mbali Nkutha; Danika Biggs; Lauren Booysen (Captain); Megan Webb; Lauren Bryans. Front Row from L-R, Geneé Phillips; Edith Molikoe; Caylin Maree.

On August 12th, the finalists of the SPAR EC Hockey Challenge will descend on Woodridge College and Preparatory School to battle it out for the title.

The five school-girl hockey teams participating in the tournament are Kingsridge (King Williams Town), Claredon (East London), Kingswood (Grahamstown), York (George) and Woodridge.

In its second year, the tournament has built up incredible momentum, with more schools taking part and more playoffs taking place across the Eastern Cape.

Maxime Bird, Woodridge girls first team hockey coach says: “We are excited to have the final at Woodridge again and to share the campus with the visitors. We are confident that our girls will do well in the final round. They have been playing good hockey and our IPT players recently returned from successful country-wide tours.”

The day is set to be one of fierce competition, once again displaying the unbroken spirit of Woodridge as the school continues the process of rebuilding itself following the June fires.

All the teams are congratulated for reaching the final and prize giving is expected to commence at 4pm on August 12th.

R News



No proper hockey turf for Uttar Pradesh’s budding players

Many government-run hockey academies lack proper facilities, even though the game is played on artificial turf as trainees at an Uttar Pradesh hostel still practice on grass.

Navneet Singh


Young hockey players polishing their skills on grass instead of astroturf.(HT Photo)

India might be the world champions at junior level, but many of the government-run hockey academies still lack proper facilities.

Trainees at the Uttar Pradesh state government-run hostel in Lucknow usually practice on the grass turf even though the modern game is being played on artificial turf.

Housed at the KD Singh Babu Stadium, players in the age group of 14 to 20 get an opportunity to play on artificial surface only on weekends or during the state coaching camps.

The players have to travel 20km a day to avail modern facilities at other venues. “Many a time, we have to spend money from our own pocket,” said one of the players on condition of anonymity.

The players, it is learnt, often pool in prize money won in competitions, and use it for local travelling. “Since we want to play, it doesn’t matter if we have to spend some money from our own pocket,” said another player.

There are over 60 trainees, including 20 girls, in the hostel. Since all national level competitions are held on artificial turf, training on grass surface is deterring the development of skills.

Former national coach MK Kaushik feels players should begin training on artificial surface right from an early age. “It helps in improving basic skills and lays a solid foundation,” he says.
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Although the hostel for hockey was set up in early 1980s and the trainees get sports kit and education, the authorities have not felt it important to lay an artificial surface.

RP Singh, Director Sports at UP government, however, feels it isn’t a big issue. “There are three artificial turfs in Lucknow. The players get the best of facilities at the hostel. Moreover, travelling from one venue to another doesn’t take much time.”

There was a proposal to build hostel facilities at the newly-constructed hockey complex --- Padamshree Mohammed Shahid Stadium. However, it has been over eight months and not a brick has been laid.

“The proposal has been cleared and the work will start soon,” Singh assures.

Singh said adequate modern facilities are being planned for the grassroots level in the state. “We have plans to set up five-a-side turf at Agra. New turf will soon come up in Gorakhpur. The government has also constructed hockey turf in Jhansi and Etawah. There are plans to construct more across the state,” he said.

A proposal to shift hockey players to Jhansi and Etawah from Lucknow is also in the pipeline. Till then the budding players will continue to spend their own money to play on the turf.

Hindustan Times

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