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All the news for Wednesday 20 December 2017

FIH announces officials for Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018


FIH Hockey Stars Umpire of the Year 2015, Michelle Joubert, is one of many experienced officials heading to London Photo: World Sports Pics

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has today announced the appointments of officials for the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018.

25 officials from 14 countries representing all five continents will be in charge at next year’s showpiece event at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park between 21 July and 5 August.

In line with FIH’s ambition to build on its ‘Equally Amazing’ reputation, both men and women feature amongst the appointments for this year’s event.

Australia’s Tammy Standley will assume the role of Technical Delegate, a role she most recently undertook at the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final Auckland 2017.

She will be supported by Rio 2016 Olympic Games Technical Delegate Sheila Brown from South Africa who will be a Technical Officer along with USA’s Renee Zelkin, Argentina’s Lorena Rinaldini, England’s Sam Stickland, New Zealand’s Gavin Hawke and Anjali Sharma from India.

Umpiring the matches will be the world’s top women’s officials. FIH Hockey Stars Umpire Award winners Laurine Delforge (2016) from Belgium and South Africa’s Michelle Joubert (2015), one of four Golden Whistle (100 cap) officials at this event.

They will be joined by fellow Golden Whistle umpire Kelly Hudson (NZL) along with Maggie Giddens (USA); Aleisha Neumann (AUS); Irene Presenqui (ARG); Sarah Wilson (SCO); Xiaoying Liu (CHN); Michelle Meister (GER); Amber Church (NZL); Emi Yamada (JPN); Carolina De La Fuente (ARG); Annelize Rostron (RSA); Alison Keogh (IRL) and Ayanna McClean (TTO).

Off-field officials include three Golden Whistle owners - Umpire Managers Ray O’Conner from Ireland and Marelize de Klerk from South Africa, as well as Ireland’s Carol Metchette who will be taking on the role of Video Umpire Coach to officials assuming this role during the competition. The Medical Officer will be Dr Rob Hurry from England.

Technical Delegate               Tammy Standley                AUS
Technical Officer                   Sheila Brown                     RSA
Technical Officer                   Renee Zelkin                     USA
Technical Officer                   Lorena Rinaldini                 ARG
Technical Officer                   Sam Stickland                   ENG
Technical Officer                   Gavin Hawke                     NZL
Technical Officer                   Anjali Sharma                    IND
Medical Officer                     Rob Hurry                          ENG
Umpire Manager                  Ray O'Connor                    IRL
Umpire Manager                  Marelize de Klerk               RSA
Video Umpire Coach            Carol Metchette                 IRL
Umpire                                   Michelle Joubert                RSA
Umpire                                   Laurine Delforge               BEL
Umpire                                   Kelly Hudson                    NZL
Umpire                                   Maggie Giddens                USA
Umpire                                   Aleisha Neumann              AUS
Umpire                                   Irene Presenqui                ARG
Umpire                                   Sarah Wilson                    SCO
Umpire                                   Xiaoying Liu                      CHN
Umpire                                   Michelle Meister                GER
Umpire                                   Amber Church                   NZL
Umpire                                   Emi Yamada                      JPN
Umpire                                   Carolina De La Fuente        ARG
Umpire                                   Annelize Rostron                RSA
Umpire                                   Alison Keogh                     IRL
Umpire                                   Ayanna McClean                TTO

#HWC2018

FIH site

HA Congratulates Standley & Neumann On World Cup Appointments

Ben Somerford

Hockey Australia today congratulates Tammy Standley and Aleisha Neumann after their appointments as Technical Delegate and Umpire respectively at next year’s Hockey Women’s World Cup.

The World Cup will take place in London from 21 July to 5 August, with Standley, who hails from Fremantle Hockey Club in WA, to take on the key role of leading the technical team at the prestigious quadrennial event.

Standley’s appointment comes after being a judge at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

She was also the Technical Delegate at last month’s FIH Women’s World Hockey League Final in New Zealand.

She is currently a Level Two Technical Official for the Oceania Hockey Federation on the FIH Panel.

Standley was also previously a judge at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and has been the Technical Delegate at several Australian Hockey Leagues. She has been involved with officiating since 1999.

Townsville’s Neumann has also been appointed as an umpire for the World Cup, having officiated at the Women’s World League Semi-Final earlier this year and the Junior World Cup last year. She is currently on the FIH Grade 1 Umpires Panel.

Hockey Australia media release

McClean to officiate at Women’s World Cup

Rachael Thomspon-King


Ayanna McClean…will officiate at next year’s Hockey Women’s World Cup in London.

T&T’s Ayanna McClean got an early Christmas gift as she was yesterday appointed by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to officiate at next year’s Hockey Women’s World Cup in London, England.

“Really and truly, it was a bit surreal,” said a beaming McClean on getting the word of her appointment yesterday morning. “I’m excited, nervous, happy, all at once. Smiling and tearing up at the same time.”

Surely, it is an exciting time for the McClean, who is the lone official from the Caribbean to be named on the list of 25 officials from 14 countries representing all five continents that will be in charge at the showpiece event at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from July 21 - August 5.

“I was honestly still so surprised. Every time I get a report and an upgrade its surprising,” said McClean still in disbelief. “I’m from T&T, we don’t generally get credit in the sport. We are not one of the top countries. So there is more to prove.”

The local official will officiate at a competition that will see 16 national women’s teams facing off in next year’s pinnacle event. In Pool A, the world number one side and current holders of the World Cup, Netherlands, will be challenged of Asian giants China and Korea as well as rising European stars Italy.

In Pool B, which is headed by the host nation and world number two team England are USA, who won this year’s Hockey World League Semi-Final in Johannesburg, South Africa, recently crowned Asian champion India and Ireland. Number three-ranked Argentina, Germany, Spain and African continental champion South Africa are in Pool C and Pool D will see Oceania rivals Australia and New Zealand, Japan and Belgium competing.

Before heading off to London though, McClean will call at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia in April.

“It’s been a long road but in the last four to five years it has ramped up,” said McClean, who earlier this year officiated at the World League Semi Final, which was a World Cup qualifier and went to China in August to represent the FIH at the Chinese National Games, which she referred to as “Truly the Olympics of China”. She also had stops in Argentina, the United Kingdom and Germany.

“I haven’t had a real vacation in quite some time because all my leave has been used for tournaments,” said McClean, who is the daughter of Cherril Franco, who was the first women’s FIH Grade One umpire in T&T. “But being able to see the sport you love being played at the highest level by elite athletes live is a nice payoff.”

McClean has already started preparing for her huge responsibilities at the two major world events. She has been working with her mentor Minka Wooley (Olympic Umpires Manager) of Australia, trying to source warm up games on her own.

She will first focus on the Commonwealth Games then on the World Cup with her goals being simple but effective.

“To be in my best physical form and honestly just do the best for the sport.”

The Trinidad Guardian

Men’s National Team – 2018 Spain Tour Roster


Team Canada lines up before a match at the 2017 Pan American Cup. Photo/Yan Huckendubler

Field Hockey Canada’s Men’s National Team is announcing their 2018 Spain Tour roster. These players will be on tour in Malaga, Spain, from January 20 – February 6, 2018.

Field Hockey Canada media release

USMNT Heading to Spain for 5 Nations Tournament



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The U.S. Men's National Team rounded out 2017 by earning a bronze medal at the FIH Hockey World League Round 2 event in April in Tacarigua, Trinidad and Tobago and mimicked that performance by earning third at the men’s Pan American Cup in August in Lancaster, Pa. This was the first time in history that the USMNT medaled twice in a year and the squad is eager to get back to training. To start off 2018, the USMNT will head to Malaga, Spain for a 5 Nations Tournament and some friendly test matches taking place January 27 to February 7.

"We are extremely excited to partake in the 5 Nations Tournament in Malaga with such high-calibre opponents," said Rutger Wiese, USMNT Head Coach. "We will continue the journey we started this past year and are looking to further develop our playing style, team culture and individual players."

Following a training camp session this past weekend, Wiese and staff have solidified the 20-athlete roster that will make the trip overseas. This group is led by a core set of veterans who aided in the medal performances this past year, but also includes a few rookie selections. Christian DeAngelis (Doylestown, Pa.) has been invited to make his first trip with the senior squad after a stellar performance representing on the junior level at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia, U-19 USMNT versus Canada series and the past two training camps with the senior team. Additionally, Nick Molscan (Wanganui, New Zealand), currently on the Development Squad, will add as a threat on the forward line and Amrit Beaty (Simi Valley, Calif.), who made his debut with the USMNT in June in France, will add depth on the talented roster.

5 Nations Tournament Roster:
Michael Barminski (Ventura, Calif.), Tom Barratt (Greensboro, N.C.), Amrit Beaty (Simi Valley, Calif.), Sean Cicchi (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), Christian DeAngelis (Doylestown, Pa.), Ajai Dhadwal (Agoura Hills, Calif.), Mohan Gandhi (Ventura, Calif.), Alex Grassi (Brookeville, Md.), Pat Harris (Moorpark, Calif.), Will Holt (Camarillo, Calif.), Deegan Huisman (Almere, The Netherlands), Aki Kaeppeler (Stuttgart, Germany), Brandon Karess (Allentown, Pa.), JaJa Kentwell (Spring City, Pa.) Jon Klages (Berlin, Germany), Adam Miller (Panama City, Fla.), Nick Molscan (Wanganui, New Zealand), Johnny Orozco (Ventura, Calif.) Paul Singh (Simi Valley, Calif.), Tyler Sundeen (Simi Valley, Calif.)

Prior to the 5 Nations Tournament, Team USA will face Spain in two friendly test matches on January 27 and 28. The No. 26 FIH Hero World Ranked USA opens up tournament competition on Monday, January 29 against No. 23 Scotland. This is followed by games with No. 9 Spain, No. 10 Ireland and No. 11 Canada. To finish the trip, they will play Chile in an additional pair of friendly matches on February 6 and 7.

5 Nations Tournament Schedule:
Monday, January 29        USA vs. Scotland       
Wednesday, January 31        USA vs. Spain       
Friday, February 2            USA    vs. Canada
Saturday, February 3        USA    vs. Ireland
*Game times to be confirmed.

USA Field Hockey has been in contact with Hockey Spain on whether or not the 5 Nations Tournament will be live streamed.

USFHA media release

2018 Masters World Cup squads released


Photo: Planet Hockey

Hockey New Zealand and the Masters Advisory Group are pleased to announce the initial squad lists for the 2018 Masters World Cup in Terrassa (27 July - 5 August) and the Grand Masters World Cup in Barcelona (20 - 30 June).

These squads will be where the final 16-18 players selected to travel will come from, which will be selected in January 2018. In some cases, the final team has been named and finalised.

“We would like to congratulate all players who have made themselves available for selection for our New Zealand Masters squads, and in particular to those listed in the initial squads,” Hockey NZ Competitions Manger Aidan O’Connor said.

“We are very excited about the capability of each squad – there have been some excellent players who unfortunately have not been selected which highlights the strength of each squad.

“We have full confidence in our top quality coaches and managers to lead each programme at their respective World Cups in 2018.”

CLICK HERE to view Masters and Grand Masters World Cup squads

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Nominations for Women's Goalkeeper of the Year



The five nominations for the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Women's Goalkeeper of the Year award are all athletic, courageous players who have put in some miraculous performances this year – making crucial saves that are the difference between their team winning a tournament or failing to make the podium. The nominees are in alphabetical order.

VOTE HERE

Jackie Briggs is the USA’s sublime shot-stopper who was voted Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the Hockey World League Semi-Finals in Johannesburg earlier this year. The ‘keeper has been the backbone of a team that rose to fourth in the FIH Hero World Rankings on the back of the win in Johannesburg (USA is now ranked 7). Briggs has been a USA national team member since 2011, helping her team rise through the ranks to become the medal-challenging team it is today. In an era when the women's international game is blessed with great goalkeepers, Briggs is right there leading the way.



Belgium’s Red Panthers are going to the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup, London 2018 and goalkeeper Aisling D’Hooghe played a big role in getting them there. Belgium women have been on an upwards trajectory in the past few months, including some good performances at their home event – the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final plus a silver medal at Rabobank EuroHockey Championships 2017. It was at this latter event that D’Hooghe picked up the award for Best Goalkeeper, largely based on her superb performances in the pool match against Spain and then in the semi-final, where Belgium recorded a win over Germany. The silver medal is Belgium women’s first major hockey medal since a bronze medal at the 1978 World Cup.



Since she thwarted the Netherlands in the 2016 Olympic final shoot out, Maddie Hinch has gone from strength to strength. She was voted 2016 FIH Goalkeeper of the Year and is the ‘keeper that strikers fear facing, particularly in a shoot-out contest. Hinch has been a pivotal part of a new-look England team that has won bronze this year at both the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Finals in Johannesburg and the Rabobank EuroHockey Championships in Amsterdam. On the club scene, Hinch has been a key player in the Hoofdklasse league playing hockey for top Netherlands club SCHC.



Li Dongxiao is China’s lithe and athletic goalkeeper, who has certainly played her part in ensuring that China appeared at the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final as well as qualifying for the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018 by virtue of a second place finish at the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final in Brussels. China’s tactics of soaking up pressure then attacking on the counter means the goalkeeper has plenty to do and Li has proven herself a courageous and swiftly-reacting ‘keeper. She has also taken on the challenging role of leading the team from between the posts. She was captain of China’s team during their recent exploits at the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final in Auckland and, with a team of new caps and young players, she steered them towards progressively better performances throughout the competition.



Anne Veenendaal is continuously fighting on two battle fronts. Firstly, the Netherlands ‘keeper is fighting the constant competition for her place from other top class goalkeepers all seeking to cement a spot with the Oranje. Then she has the battle with her knee – a torn meniscus has meant she has missed out on vital matches for club and country. Veenendaal is out of the game until January 2018 and then she has to prove her fitness in time for next year’s Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018. But, if fit, Veenendaal must be favourite to step between the posts following her performances in the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final, where only one goal in match time went past her, and in the EuroHockey Championships, where again, she only allowed one goal in.



#HockeyStarsAwards

FIH site

Hafizuddin replaces Kumar as first choice keeper

By Aftar Singh



KUALA LUMPUR: Muhd Hafizuddin Othman (pic) will replace veteran S. Kumar as the national No. 1 goalkeeper.

The 26-year-old Hafizuddin has been with the national hockey team since the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Mohd Hairi Abdul Rahman, 28, is the other goalkeeper in the squad.

As national chief coach Stephen van Huizen needed another goalkeeper as cover, he has called up Muhamad Zaimi Mat Deris. The 20-year-old played in last year’s Junior World Cup Finals in India.

The 38-year-old Kumar has been provisionally suspended for two years after testing positive for sibutramine in the Asia Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in October.

“We’re not sure how long Kumar will be out of the team. We have confidence in Hafizuddin and Hairi. And I believe it’s time for them to step up,” said Stephen.

It will be a busy year for the team next season. They will kick off their campaign at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh from March 2-10.

Malaysia will also feature in the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, from April 4-15, Asian Games in Indonesia from Aug 18-Sept 2 and World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India, from Nov 28-Dec 16.

On Kumar being tested positive for drugs, Stephen said: “We were shocked when the FIH (International Hockey Federation) sent us a letter stating that Kumar had failed a doping test. We believe that Kumar did the right thing by waiving the B sample test and opting to go for an early hearing. Once he clears his name, he will join the team.”

The hearing is expected to be held in January.

The Star of Malaysia

Customs go Down Fighting against Defending Champions PIA

The youthful Customs side gave the defending champions PIA a real scare before going down  3-4 in an exciting encounter at the 64th National Hockey Championships in Sukkur.

SCORERS:
PIA: Ehasanullah 2, Mudassar Abbas & Usman Ghani
Customs: Salman Hussain, Shahbaz & Farhan

Another exciting match was witnessed between ZTBL and Railways.
The newly raised ZTBL, who are making their debut at the nationals, also went past the rail-men by a
scoreline of 4-3
SCORERS:
ZTBL: Shazaib Khan 2, Hammad Anjum 2
Railways: Mohsin Javed, Zaheer Hussain & M.Sheheryar

Unlike PIA, last year's runners up National Bank had a big win against Port Qasim Authority.
The bankers defeated the hapless PQA 9-0
Dilber, M.Attique and Arslan Qadir had a brace each while Hafiz, Abubakar & Attique Arshad shared the other goals

WAPDA, another contender for the title, also had an easy sailing against Higher Education Commission, winning by eight goals to nil
SCORERS:
M.Imran 2, Tasawwar Abbas, Ajaz Ahmed, Asad Bashir, Irfan, Ghazanfar, Rana Umair

Punjab, a strong provincial outfit, riding on a hat trick by Ahmad Farhan and a brace by Ahmer Ali, defeated Gilgit-Baltistan 7-0. Muzammil Hussan and Jahangir Ali scored a goal each.

PHF Media release

Pakistan hockey coach resigns

KARACHI: The Pakistan hockey team's head coach Farhat Khan on Tuesday stepped down after less than six months in the position following the team's debacles in the Asia Cup and the four-nation invitational event in Australia.
However, the former Olympian said he had resigned due to personal reasons.

"I can't spare time from my duties in Pakistan Customs where I have got a promotion recently. I just didn't feel I could do justice to the important job of coaching the national team," Farhat said.

His resignation comes just hours after it was revealed that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) was looking at hiring a foreign coach with former German captain and Olympic gold medalist, Christian Blunck, the prime candidate under consideration for the job.

Blunck a versatile midfielder spearheaded Germany to a gold medal in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. However, he has never coached any team from any country.

Farhat was brought in as head coach in July after Pakistan fared badly in the Hockey World League tournament in London and replaced Khawaja Junaid and Hanif Khan.

But even his tenure was littered with disappointments with Pakistan failing to even make the final of the Asia Cup. The team was lost by nine goals to Australia in a four-nation event in Perth and also suffered successive defeats against Japan.

The Times of India

Farhat Khan appointed selector for national hockey team

Faizan Lakhani

KARACHI: A day after stepping down as head coach of the Pakistan hockey team, the former center-half, Farhat Khan, has returned to Pakistan hockey management in the role of selector.

An official of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) confirmed that Farhat has been added to Pakistan hockey’s selection committee which now has five members.

“Pakistan Hockey Federation has inducted Farhat Khan and Qasim Khan into the national selection committee headed by Hasan Sardar,” said the spokesman of PHF

Ayaz Mahmood and Mussadiq Hussain will also continue to work as members of Pakistan hockey selection committee.

Farhat, who was a member of the hockey team that won the Bronze medal in Barcelona Olympic in 1992, had earlier stepped down as coach of the team citing personal reasons.

A new appointment within 24 hours of his resignation raises questions if he quit as coach of the team under a deal with PHF.

Meanwhile, sources say, the PHF is looking for a foreign coach for the green-shirts.

According to a source, former German captain and Olympic gold medallist, Christian Blunck, is the prime candidate under consideration for the job.

Blunck a versatile midfielder who spearheaded Germany to a gold medal in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

Geo News

'Skipper' Deepak Thakur finally gets to coach his team

Sudheendra Tripathi

MUMBAI: He officially made the transition from captain to coach last year. But because Indian Oil, a team which has several internationals in its ranks, always had to cope with a shortage of players due to national team commitments, former India striker Deepak Thakur would invariably have to take the field to make up the playing XI in tournaments across the country.
For the first time after being handed the reins of the Indian Oil team, though, Deepak Thakur was seen sitting in the stands with a video analyst observing and recording how his players went about decimating opponents in the ongoing Bombay Gold Cup at the Mumbai Hockey Association Limited Stadium.

"Every tournament we participated in across the country, our players would be away on national duty. I had no choice but take the field to complete the playing XI," Thakur said after his team defeated South Central Railway (SCR) 4-3 in a thrilling semi-final encounter on Tuesday. "For the first time in the last one year, we have a full strength side. There was no need for me to take the field so I can finally do the job that I have been assigned - coach the team."

Explaining the transition that he is going through, Thakur said: "Having played the game for a long time, basics are not a problem. The only difference between playing and coaching, I feel, is patience. As a player you know what you are capable off. But now as a coach, I can sense that a particular player is not playing according to plan or is not playing in the designated position. But you can't do anything about it from the stands. That can get frustrating.

"But had I been on the ground as player, I would have gone to the concerned player and told him then and there what mistake he is making. So yeah, in that sense, I feel a coach needs to be a lot more patient.

In Wednesday's final, Indian Oil will meet Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) who defeated Punjab National Bank in the first semi-final 5-2 earlier in the day.

"It will be a good match for sure. Both sides are balanced," Thakur said of the title clash.

The Times of India

Police, Telkom in own class

By BRIAN YONGA


Strathmore University Scorpions' Carol Njoki (right) advances past Sliders' Nancy Kibogongi during their Kenya Hockey Union Premier League match on December 16, 2017 at the City Park Stadium, Nairobi. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Kenya Police and Telkom head to the Christmas break with one hand on the men and women’s Kenya Hockey Union Premier League titles.

The two teams have unassailable leads after the weekend’s round of matches and look certain to be crowned champions once the league resumes on January 13 for the final month.

Kenya Police just need one more win to win their first league title since 2013, while Telkom need just a point to win a record 20th title.

Police came from a goal down to down former champions Sikh Union Nairobi 4-2 in the encounter at the City Park Stadium, Nairobi. International Allan Iningu had fired the 2012 winners ahead in the second minute but Police levelled in the second quarter through top scorer Amos Barkibir before Willis Okeyo and Richard Birir scored to extend the lead to 3-1.

Jaspreet Kalsi pulled one back for Sikh but Calvins Kanu made sure of the points for Police with a fourth goal. The win took Police to 70 points from 25 matches. They have an 18-pont lead over second placed Greensharks, who beat KCA-U 2-0 at the same venue.

Police coach Kenneth Kaunda lauded his charges impressive throughout the season adding that they deserve to be champions due to their consistency.

“It is unfortunate that we have to wait till next year to be crowned champions because we have been on a roll and been the best in the division,” Kaunda said.

Police play Wazalendo on January 14. Butali, who can mathematically still win the league, are third on 51 points from 21 matches.

Wazalendo and USIU round off the top five places. At the bottom, with TUK already relegated, teams are fighting to ensure they don’t join the students in next season’s National League.

KU Vultures, who are second from bottom with 20 points along with KCAU (22) and Chase Sailors (25) will all resume the fight to stay up next month.

Spluttering champions Strathmore University Gladiators, who were also drawn in the relegation fight, recorded two wins to move 10 points clear off the drop.

In the women’s Premier League, leaders Telkom were the beneficiaries of three free points and five goals after their opponents University of Nairobi failed to show up for their match.

The result took Telkom’s tally to 51 points and they have also scored an impressive 103 goals.

A point against Multimedia University next month will hand them the title. Strathmore are second with 37 points with Amira, USIU Spartans and JKUAT following in that order.

Daily Nation

Chigo Thindwa floored in Hockey elections


Thindwa: Lost his seat.

Chigo Thindwa was the biggest casualty at the Hockey Association of Malawi(HAM) executive committee elections held at the weekend.

The elections took place at Mpira Village, in Blantyre, home of the Football Association of Malawi (FAM).

They were part of HAM’s 80th annual general meeting.

Thindwa who was interim general secretary since 2015 was an influential figure in the hockey fraternity, which boosted his re – election chances.

But he was in for a rude awakening, when he was outclassed by Dr Lameck Fiwa.

Fiwa, who is lecturer and director of sports for Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda campus, scooped 8 votes while Thindwa got 6.

Fiwa thanked the affiliates for trusting in his abilities and promised to never let them down.

“My manifesto outlined how keen iam to take hockey all over the country and not just Blantyre. I believe that’s why the affiliates gave me the mandate of general secretary. So i can assure them that am going to live by my word” said Fiwa.

Tochi Gill retained his position as president, and so did his vice Krishna Achutan.

They both went unopposed.

MacDonald Chiyembekezo was also unchallenged for the position of vice general secretary while Fiskani Katundu defended his position of treasurer after defeating Allan Pinheiro 8 – 6 votes.

Sean Liabunya who had been nominated for the same position, was disqualified for not being a qualified accountant.

Kundai Mbawala beat Geoff Biya 10 – 4 to become Chairman of the Development committee while Daniel Matavata and Grace Jana had no challengers to become heads of the Umpires and judges and SRHC Committees.

Two gentlemen, Duncan Gumbi and Joe Gondwe were outsmarted by a lady, Ivy Sibale who now chairs the Marketing and Media Committe as Precious Gwelema pipped Ulemu Ngwira to head the Medical Committee.

Two ladies Audrey Khamisa Panjwani and Joyce Msiska made it into the executive committee unopposed.

Speaking on behalf of his president, Gill who is out of the country, Achutan described the new committee as a strong team.

“Its a young team with very dynamic people and i hope they will contribute immensely towards the development of the sport. I must say over the years, this looks to be the strongest team i have worked with” said Achutan.

Malawi National Council of Sports Administration Manager, Henry Mereka who was the returning officer during the polls, described the election process as free and fair.

He then appealed to the new committee to be fully dedicated in uplifting the sport.

The new office bearers have a four year mandate which runs until 2021.

Malawi 24

Lee Morton selected for GB men’s squad


Lee Morton

Scotland internationalist Lee Morton has been called up to the GB Hockey men’s senior squad.

It’s a huge success for Morton and caps off a fine year for the forward who represented Scotland in the EuroHockey Championship II winning team and at the World League Semi-Final in London.

An ex-Kelburne player, now at Reading Hockey Club, Morton joins fellow Scots Chris Grassick and Alan Forsyth on the programme on the Olympic cycle working towards Tokyo 2020.

“Exciting young player”

Lee Morton said, “I’m delighted to have been called up to the senior GB squad and can’t wait to get started in January. It’s an important next step in my hockey career and I can’t wait to see what the next few years brings”

Scottish Hockey Head of Performance Andy Tennant said, “We’re delighted to have an exciting young player of Lee’s quality on the GB programme.

“Its great news that Lee has earned a place on the Programme, he has worked extremely hard and is a great prospect for the future.”

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Sarah Robertson goes full time with GB



Scotland internationalist Sarah Robertson is now part of the GB Hockey setup on a full time basis. It’s a huge success for Robertson who took time out to concentrate on her studies where she achieved first class honours in Law.

Now that she can concentrate fully on hockey, Sarah Robertson is excited to join the GB programme on a full time basis. She said:

“I’m delighted. It was a big step for me to take a step back from the team after Rio to go back to university in Edinburgh for a year and finish my degree. I always knew I’d have a trial period to prove myself and get back into the team, and I’m delighted it’s gone well and I’ve been offered a position in the team again.

“One thing that’s really exciting about the team is that we’re really ambitious going forward. We’re not just talking about how the girls have won gold, it’s can we repeat it – can we do it again. I think that makes the challenge equally as exciting.

“It’s the first time I’ve been given the opportunity to go full time, in the past when I was in the squad I was still studying, now that I’m finished university I’ll be properly full time with the team so I’m looking forward to seeing where I can go with my hockey.”
“Sarah has worked extremely hard”

Robertson joined the GB programme in 2014 and also represented Scotland at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in the same year. It’s an exciting few years ahead for Robertson as part of both the Scotland and GB squads working towards the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games with Scotland in 2018, and also as part of the GB cycle working towards Tokyo in 2020.

Scottish Hockey’s Head of Performance Andy Tennant said:

“We are delighted that Sarah has earned a full time place on the GB Central Programme. Having made the tough decision to take time out to complete her studies – and been rewarded by achieving a first class honours in Law, Sarah has worked extremely hard and demonstrated outstanding skill to get back onto the programme”.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

2018 FACE Grant Recipients – Jamie Wallace and Inderpal Sehmbi



Every year, Petro-Canada gives out 55 grants to Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls. Since 1988, the FACE Program has supported close to 3,000 Canadian athletes and coaches. According to the Petro-Canada FACE Grant website, “Petro-Canada’s FACE Program supports up-and-coming athletes when they need it most – when they are striving to represent Canada at the Olympic or Paralympic Games, but don’t yet qualify for government funding.”

To reinforce the importance of positive role models and the support that coaches provide in young athlete development, Petro-Canada offers the grant to a player/coach combination. Jamie Wallace and Inderpal Sehmbi from Field Hockey Canada’s U21 national team program were recipients of the 2018 Petro-Canada FACE grant.

For Sehmbi, he said the grant comes at a great time for him as he is working towards a Master’s degree in high performance coaching. The additional funds will allow him to work towards the higher level of NCCP Coaching Certifications.

“Some coaches also use it for coaching or training opportunities,” he said. “….as well, you could go abroad with a team or go to coaching courses around the world.”

Sehmbi went on to say that similar to athletes, coaches sacrifice time and money to become certified and developed coaches. This grant is a way to offset the cost of missing work in order to coach. Wallace said that for him, receiving this grant is a good reinforcement that he is on the right path.

“It shows that my hard work is paying off,” he said. “It definitely motivates me to keep pushing to try to make the senior team.”

Wallace has immediate goals of making a senior team tour and wants to contribute to the Men’s National Team’s quest for Tokyo 2020 qualification.

    List of Field Hockey Canada recipients
    2016 – Brandon Pereira & Inderpal Sehmbi
    2017 – Thomson Harris & Geoff Matthews
    2018 – Jamie Wallace & Inderpal Sehmbi

Field Hockey Canada media release

Former England Hockey chairman receives OBE


Phil Kimberley

Former England Hockey chairman Philip Kimberley has received his OBE having been named in the Queen’s birthday honours list earlier this year.

Philip was presented with his OBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in a ceremony at Windsor Castle and was joined by his wife Linda and sons Nick and Tom.

Philip acted as Chairman of England Hockey from 2002 to 2015, leading a complete rebuild of the organisation, from a position of bankruptcy to being recognised as one of the best run governing bodies in British sport.

Under his stewardship, the organisation set on the road to its highest ever participation figures, was awarded the right to host major events including the 2018 Women’s World Cup, and also won medals in all of the sport’s major international tournaments, including a first Olympic medal in 20 years.

Philip said: “I am very honoured to receive this award, and the news came as a wonderful surprise. So many people have contributed to the continued growth of England Hockey, and I was fortunate to help steer the ship at a time when it needed guidance.

“There are some wonderful people in the organisation, and indeed in the sport itself, which made my job so much easier, and I am forever grateful to them. It gives me great pride to see the sport thriving and long may it continue.”
 
Chief Executive Sally Munday said: “I am absolutely delighted that Philip has been recognised in this manner. Everyone at Great Britain and England Hockey is already fully aware of his contribution to the sport, and it is only right that this achievement is recognised publically.
 
“Philip deserves huge credit for the role he played in completely revitalising the organisation and picking it up from what can best be described as rock bottom. The Governing Body was on its knees and he set the pathway for a complete recovery, operationally, financially and from an international performance perspective. He does not seek personal accolades and is humble in the receipt of compliments, but he is hugely deserving of his OBE.”

England Hockey Board Media release