News for 04 October 2020
All the news for Sunday 4 October 2020
Rupinder Pal Singh: 'We are lucky to be in a centralised coaching programme'
Rupinder Pal Singh said that Hockey India ensuring a centralised training programme for the national teams has been crucial in improving their performance.
One of the other factors that Rupinder believes has helped the men’s team in particular is having events in India. - GETTY IMAGES
Experienced defender Rupinder Pal Singh on Saturday emphasised that Hockey India ensuring a centralised training programme for the national teams has been crucial in improving their performance over the years.
He highlighted that only a few international teams have such a well-rounded set-up with support staff and players living on the same campus.
“We are one of the few teams in the world to have a centralised coaching program where all the players from the core group get to live together, practice together and play competitive matches through the year,” said Rupinder.
The 29-year-old, who made his international debut in 2010, said the centralised coaching program helps develop a consistent playing style. “This helps develop a consistent playing style and we are lucky to have a program like this through the year. Of course, this year has been different with no tournaments due to the COVID-19 situation.
“But having a national program that is scientifically-planned with regular coaching camps followed by tours has largely helped the team climb up the world ranking over the years.”
One of the other factors that Rupinder believes has helped the men’s team in particular is having events in India.
“I feel Hockey India hosting back-to-back events in India has also been a contributing factor to our performance. Playing in front of home crowd is not just an incredible feeling but there’s also a lot of pressure to perform.
“This exposure obviously helps us face greater challenges when we play abroad. Playing in India also increases our fan-base, gets newer spectators to watch the sport and people end up following us when we travel abroad too.”
The drag flicker has been part of some of India’s significant victories such as the 2014 Asian Games, Asian Champions Trophy in 2011 and 2016.
While the past few months have been challenging for the team, Rupinder feels the lockdown period helped the team develop their technical knowledge about the game and also up their skill.
“I always like to see positive side to any scenario and I truly feel the series of lockdowns helped us develop our technical knowledge base.
“We would watch a lot of videos, analyze matches, discuss video referrals etc while we remained indoors with no hockey allowed.
“We have also studied our opponents during this period and all these aspects will be beneficial for us in our preparations for the Olympic Games,” he said.
He further highlighted that going back to basics when activities resumed in the national coaching camp has helped perfect their skills. “We have paid a lot of attention to basics when we resumed activities in SAI, Bengaluru. I believe this has helped the entire group perfect our skills.
“We will be increasing intensity this month onwards and we have built a solid base to take greater work load in the coming months,” stated an optimistic Rupinder.
Sportstar
Pavandip hopes to emulate sister, Kirandeep
By Jugjet Singh
Kuala Lumpur’s Pavandip Singh (centre) in action during the recent Razak Cup. PICTURE COURTESY OF KLHA
KUALA LUMPUR: Pavandip Singh is involved in a friendly tug-a-war with the Malaysian national senior and junior hockey teams, and he has one month to prove himself.
The 20-year-old six-footer had impressed senior coach Arul Selvaraj, as well as junior coach Wallace Tan, at the recent Razak Cup.
He is among the 38 trainees who will report for centralised training with the senior team on Monday.
And after a month, the team will be trimmed to 25 players, and that is where Pavan wants to be.
Wallace also wants him if he keeps his momentum the next 30 days.
"I want to be among the 25 trainees when the final selection is made, so I will give my best to secure the spot. This is a dream chance, and I will fight hard for it," said Pavandip, who is studying engineering at UCSI Cheras Campus.
Pavandip was spotted when he was 16 years old. He was part of the 2020 Junior World Cup training squad but exited halfway. He is now back stronger.
Pavandip is one of six national juniors players included in Arul's training squad.
After naming his 26, Wallace Tan said: "I also have six more players who will train with the seniors, and the understanding with coach Arul is that if the players impress they will play for both teams.
"And Pavandip is one of the six," said Wallace.
It is a chance of a lifetime as Pavandip kept on playing to improve in the Junior Hockey League and the Italian League last year when he made his exit.
"I have been keeping myself busy in studies, as well as the JHL and the Italian League. "Playing for Kuala Lumpur in the Razak Cup has also helped my game, and I believe I am ready to make a comeback," said Pavandip.
And if he makes it past the one-month deadline with the seniors, he will surely be selected to train for the Junior Asia Cup (JAC), which is in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Jan 21-30.
The JAC is a Junior World Cup Qualifier, and if Malaysia break into the semi-finals, they will play in India at the end of the year.
While Pavandip is just making inroads into the national team, his 17-year-old sister Kirandeep Kaur is a regular for the women's national team. She featured in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
"My sister has already established herself, and I would like to follow her footsteps," Pavandip added.
He had impressed Arul during the Razak Cup and is just four weeks shy from chasing his dream.
New Straits Times
ROUND-UP: English Women's Hockey League Round 3
Goalmouth action from Hampstead and Westminster v Loughborough Students, Oct 3 2020. Credit Mark Clews
An injury time goal from Olivia Chilton helped Wimbledon edge past rivals Holcombe in a closely-fought Women’s Hockey League Premier Division clash on Saturday.
After a goalless first half Anna Toman broke the deadlock from a penalty corner four minutes after the restart.
Holcombe battled their way back and hoped for at least a point after Joanne Westwood levelled the scores with five minutes remaining.
But Chilton had the last word, finding the net in the 70th minute to clinch victory for Wimbledon.
Hampstead & Westminster hosted Loughborough Students in what turned out to be a six-goal thriller with the visitors taking a 4-2 victory.
The contest got off to a frenetic start with Sarah Robinson putting the home side ahead after just four minutes.
But by the ninth minute the game had already been turned on its head with goals from Lucy Millington and Alice Rolfe making it 2-1 to Loughborough.
Izzy Petter and Jane Kilpatrick put Loughborough further in front and Emily Maguire’s effort for Hampstead proved to be only a consolation.
Surbiton ran out 3-0 winners at the University of Birmingham.
It took just two minutes for Emily Atkinson to give Surbiton the lead, but they had to wait for the second half to put the game to bed with goals from Georgie Twigg and Eloise Stenner.
It was another difficult week for Swansea as their opponents Beeston secured their first win of the season.
Lauren Burrell bagged a brace in the 4-0 win with Maddy Newitt and Kelsey Briddell also contributing.
East Grinstead are level on points with Surbiton at the top of the division after drawing 1-1 with Buckingham. They had fallen behind to a Megan Lewis-Williams field goal but levelled through Ellie Rayer after the break.
Division One North
Two late goals from Bowdon saw them come from behind to beat Ben Rhydding 2-1 in the Women’s Division One North.
Freya Bellamy had given Ben Rhydding the lead but Bowdon hit back through a penalty stroke from Sian French on 62 minutes and then a goal two minutes from time by Aine Curran.
Brooklands-Poynton were quick out of the blocks as Annie Mills and Annabelle Watton put them 2-0 up inside six minutes against Stourport, going on to win 3-1. Beth Merriman pulled one back for Stourport, but Cat Booth restored the hosts’ two-goal cushion in the second half.
A Katie Long double helped Leicester City to a 4-2 win over the University of Nottingham and the University of Durham prevailed over Belper as Emma McIntyre and Hannah De Selincourt scored the goals in a 2-0 win.
Sade Gerald and Alexandra Ogilby were on target in Olton & West Warwicks’ 2-0 defeat of Gloucester City.
Division One South
Reading needed a late Alys Richards goal to keep their 100% record in Division One South.
A double from Jennifer Crossley had put Reading in the driving seat until goals from Lizzie Totten and Rebecca Ross drew Slough level. But Richards scored the deciding goal two minutes from time as Reading won 3-2.
Canterbury left it even later in their 2-1 win over Trojans with Chloe Plumb striking in the final minute of the game.
A second half brace from Fifi Robinson wasn’t enough to earn Surbiton 2s a share of the spoils as they lost 3-2 to Cambridge City and Harleston Magpies drew 1-1 with Isca.
In the other game of the day, goals from Annie Wilson and Maddie Thompson saw Sevenoaks beat Wimbledon seconds 2-0.
Conference East
Barnes continued their perfect start to the season, beating Horsham 5-0 in the Women’s Conference East with goals from Aleesa Ferguson, Olivia Martineau, Lydia Thacker, Triona Doyle and Charlotte Elms.
Bedford top the table after following up last week’s thumping win with another victory. This time, Charlotte Drummond and Beth Noble scored the goals as they beat East London 2-1.
Elsewhere, Bromley & Beckenham ran out 4-1 winners against Southgate, Hampstead & Westminster seconds beat Canterbury seconds 5-2 and St Albans edged Chelmsford 1-0.
Conference West
Aisling Madden hit a brace to fire the University of Birmingham 2s to a 4-1 win over Bristol Firebrands in the Women’s Conference West.
Sutton Coldfield are now the only team in the table with a 100% record. Emma McCabe, Laura Groves and Susan Wood were on target as they beat Clifton Robinsons 2s 3-1 away from home.
Oxford Hawks made it two wins from two with a 2-0 defeat of Basingstoke and Cheltenham drew 2-2 with Team Bath Buccaneers.
Conference North
Pendle Forest survived a late scare to hold on for a 3-2 win against Loughborough Students in Conference North. Goals from Freya Bythell, Steph Bedford and Charlotte Hartley put Pendle 3-0 up but two goals in the last five minutes from Charlotte Grunbaum made for a tense finish.
Cannock didn’t go down without a fight as they lost 4-3 to Wakefield and Doncaster came from behind to beat Fylde 3-1. Timperley beat Alderley Edge 5-2 whilst Leeds and Didsbury Northern drew 1-1.
RESULTS
Women’s Hockey League (Sat, 3 October 2020):
Premier Division: Hampstead & Westminster 2, Loughborough Students 4; Beeston 4, Swansea 0; Univ of Birmingham 0, Surbiton 3; East Grinstead 1, Buckingham 1; Holcombe 0, Wimbledon 0.
Division One North: Belper 0, Univ of Durham 2; Bowdon 2, Ben Rhydding 1; Brooklands-Poynton 3, Stourport 1; Gloucester City 0, Olton & West Warwicks 2; Leicester City 4, Univ of Nottingham 2.
Division One South: Cambridge City 3, Surbiton 2; Harleston Magpies 1, Isca 1; Reading 3, Slough 2; Sevenoaks 2, Wimbledon 0; Trojans 1, Canterbury 2.
Conference East: Barnes 5, Horsham 0; Bedford 2, East London 1; Bromley & Beckenham 4, Southgate 1; Canterbury 2s 2, Hampstead & Westminster 2s 5; Chelmsford 0, St Albans 1.
Conference West: Cheltenham 2, Team Bath Buccaneers 2; Oxford Hawks 2, Basingstoke 0; Clifton Robinsons 1, Sutton Coldfield 3; Univ of Birmingham 4, Bristol Firebrands 1.
Conference North: Pendle Forest 3, Loughborough Students 2; Doncaster 3, Fylde 1; Cannock 3, Wakefield 4; Leeds 1, Didsbury Northern 1; Timperley 5, Alderley Edge 2.
England Hockey Board Media release
Lisnagarvey maintain winning start to season with away victory over Pembroke
By Nigel Ringland
Lisnagarvey have won their opening two games in the Irish Hockey League
Lisnagarvey maintained their perfect start to the Men's Irish Hockey League season with a 3-2 win over Pembroke in Dublin.
They were joined with two wins from two games by YMCA and Monkstown, who beat Annadale 2-1.
Banbridge came from 2-0 down to force a 2-2 draw at Glenanne
In the Women's IHL, Dublin sides Railway Union and Old Alex lead the way with two victories from the opening two games.
Pegasus failed to join them as they lost 2-1 at Loreto, but Belfast Harlequins will be happy with an excellent 1-1 draw away to UCD.
Lisnagarvey found themselves behind to a Nick Burns deflection at Pembroke, but they dominated the second quarter and once again it was the young guns who found themselves on the score line as Daniel Nelson equalised before Troy Chambers pounced on a rebound to put Garvey 2-1 ahead.
However, Alan Sothern levelled matters after half-time with the eventual winner for the Ulster side coming shortly afterwards when Andy Williamson's effort from a penalty corner went in off Pembroke's Harry Spain.
Lisnagarvey came from behind to beat Pembroke in Dublin
Annadale produced a spirited performance and will be disappointed to lose 2-1 to Monkstown.
The visitors opened the scoring with Andrew Fogarty knocking in a rebound but inspired by the likes of James Clark, who hit the crossbar, Adam McAllister and goalkeeper Sam Hamill, they got their reward with the final play of a dominating third quarter when Clark stooped low to beat Irish international Davy Fitzgerald.
The manner of Monkstown's winner will annoy Annadale. They had 11 men behind the ball but allowed themselves to be too easily passed around before leaving Jeremy Duncan unmarked on the penalty spot to slot home into an unguarded net.
Penalty corner conversions from Stephen Brownlow and Shane O'Donoghue put Glenanne in control of their game against Banbridge heading into the final quarter, but two goals from Edward Rowe saw Bann earn a point in their opening game of the campaign.
Elsewhere YMCA made it two wins out of two with a 2-1 win over UCD, who missed a stroke in the final minute and Three Rock Rovers beat Corinthian 6-1.
Belfast Harlequins were without injured Irish internationals Lizzie Colvin, Megan Frazer and long-term absentee Serena Barr for their trip to UCD so they will be pleased to come home with a point.
Emma Upritchard gave Harlequins the lead before half-time and they held it until the final quarter when Rachel Kelly equalised from a penalty corner, her shot taking a deflection off a Harlequins stick.
Goals from Sarah Torrans and Siofra O'Brien put Loreto 2-0 ahead against Pegasus and, despite Ruth Maguire scoring from a penalty stroke, the Belfast side couldn't find an equaliser.
Railway Union and Old Alex moved to the top of the standings with six points after wins over Muckross and Pembroke respectively while in the Munster derby a Julia McCarthy goal five minutes from time gave Cork Harlequins a 1-1 draw with Catholic Institute.
BBC Sport
Saturday round-up – October 3
YMCA lead the Irish men's EYHL on goal difference while Railway and Old Alex head up the women's competition; here's the Saturday round-up
Men
EYHL Division 1: Annadale 1 (J Clark) Monkstown 2 (A Fogarty, J Duncan); Corinthian 1 (D Howard) Three Rock Rovers 6 (B Johnson 2, E Jennings, R Canning, B Walker, S Grace); Glenanne 2 (S Brownlow, S O’Donoghue) Banbridge 2 (E Rowe 2); Pembroke 2 (N Burns, A Sothern) Lisnagarvey 3 (D Nelson, T Chambers, A Williamson); UCD 1 (G Sarratt) YMCA 2 (R Henderson, B Campbell)
Munster Division 1: Ashton 0 Bandon 3; Cork Harlequins 1 (A Dale) Cork C of I 2 (R Sweetnam, M Collins); Midleton 1 (J McEvoy) UCC 3 (S Lilburn, S Dring, S Jermyn); Waterford 4 (B McInerney, R Isaacs, H Belton, T Delaney) Catholic Institute 0
Neville Davin Cup final: Pembroke v Corinthian, Serpentine Avenue, 5.30pm
Railway Cup final: Monkstown II 2 (A Rooney, S Hohn) Three Rock Rovers II 3 (B Ryder, M Maguire, L Adams)
Intermediate Cup final: Bray II 4 Dublin University II 2
Minor Cup final: North Kildare II 0 Avoca IV 1 (C Robinson)
Women
EYHL Division 1: Cork Harlequins 1 (J McCarthy) Catholic Institute 1 (N Carroll); Loreto 2 (S Torrans, S O’Brien) Pegasus 1 (R Maguire); Muckross 1 (S MacAuley) Railway Union 2 (S Hawkshaw, Z Delany); Pembroke 1 (S Campbell) Old Alex 2 (A Russell, E Ryan Doyle); UCD 1 (R Kelly) Belfast Harlequins 1 (E Uprichard)
Leinster Division 1: Genesis 2 (A Farrell, L Barrie) Rathgar 1 (R Harrison); Glenanne 0 Corinthian 2 (C Vincent, L McGrane); Monkstown 6 (S Murdoch 2, S Hoban Logan 2, N Twomey 2) Clontarf 0; Naas 1 Trinity 3 (H Kelly, R Keating, K Orr); North Kildare 0 Avoca 3 (H Lennon, S Dillon, N O’Brien)
Munster Division 1: Bandon v UCC; Cork C of I 3 (H Honner, E Barber, S Bowe) Limerick 1; Waterford 0 Ashton 3 (L Lynch 2, K Harvey)
Sunday 4th October 2020
Women
Jacqui Potter Senior Shield – 2019/20 Final: Muckross II v Old Alex II, Muckross Park, 3.15pm
The Hook
UNC field hockey loses to Louisville, ends 47-game winning streak
By Lindsay Callihan
UNC sophomore forward Erin Matson (1) defends against Iowa senior defender Katie Birch (11). The Hawkeyes were tied with the Tar Heels 1-1 at halftime. The Tar Heels won 2-1 on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019 in Karen Shelton Stadium. Photo: Abe Loven
After opening its season with a win, the North Carolina field hockey team fell short to Louisville, 3-1, on Friday night. The Tar Heels had not lost a game since Oct. 20, 2017. Friday’s loss ended the 47-game winning streak for UNC, previously the longest win streak streak in Division 1 athletics and the second longest in Division 1 field hockey history.
What happened?
After battling a strong Louisville defense for the entirety of the game, the Tar Heels came away with just one goal by way of junior forward Erin Matson, while Louisville came away with three. Though the Tar Heels continued to attack — notching seven shots — head coach Karen Shelton said Louisville was solid on defense, making it tough for the Tar Heels to get the ball out of the back with a press.
Matson led the Tar Heels' offensive attack, scoring 35 minutes into the game. This was her second goal for the season. Shelton said the team is not passing ball as well as they’d like, so it needs to get back to the basics to fine-tune some offensive skills and increase cohesion.
Who stood out?
Shelton said senior goalkeeper Amanda Hendry stood out for the Tar Heels throughout the game. While Louisville had 12 shots on goal, Hendry had 7 saves.
“She showed leadership with the goal and she had some big time saves,” Shelton said.
Matson was also an impressive force for the Tar Heels, coming off of a season in which she was named ACC Female Athlete of the Year.
When was it decided?
Louisville’s third goal pulled it away from the Tar Heels, making a comeback difficult. After this goal, UNC took Hendry out of the game to try and score an equalizer and send the game into overtime, leaving the net exposed in the games closing moments.
Why does it matter?
This loss was especially tough for UNC, as the team had not lost a game since 2017 Friday. It was the end to a 47-game, 3-year streak, in which the Tar Heels won two national championships, two ACC titles and dominated some of the best competition in the country.
While losing was certainly not an expected part of the Tar Heels' plans, Shelton said the loss could help the team in the long run.
“Sometimes you learn more from a loss than you do from a win,” Shelton said.
The new team has 6 first-years, making it a fairly young squad after losing some senior leadership from the last two year's national title teams.
“The freshman are gaining experience every day,” Shelton said.
Despite the loss, Shelton emphasized her congratulations to Louisville on a great game and win to top a North Carolina team that at times in the last two seasons looked unbeatable.
“Now we can just focus on getting better,” said Shelton.
When do they play next?
Shelton said the team has a short period of time to reflect on the loss and adapt before its next match. The team’s next showdown is slated for Sunday, when the Tar Heels will go head-to-head against Duke. The game will take place at Duke and is scheduled to start at noon. The last time UNC lost a regular season game before Friday was to Duke on Oct. 20, 2017.
UNC now stands at 1-1 for its season and Duke stands at 0-2.
The Daily Tar Heel
Fabian Amor leading Nelson Hockey to new heights
Since Professor Fabian Amor stepped into his role as Operations Manager at Nelson Hockey Association in 2017, the Association has gone from strength-to-strength, so much so that he has been named Hockey New Zealand’s 2019 Administrator of the Year.
As an Operations Manager Fabian is known to put in long hours, much more than his 9-5 role, to ensure future success for the Association. In his position, he oversees one full-time Regional Development Officer, a part-time administrator, plus a contracted part-time Performance Officer and is responsible for the efficient running of all Hockey Nelson’s operations. He also assists with the coordination of activities involving four South Island hockey Associations and Tasman District representative teams.
Not afraid to try new things
He has contributed hugely to the development and sustainability of Nelson Hockey, continuing to create new initiatives to support player development and improve the hockey experience for members of their community.
In 2019, Fabian oversaw the establishment of a “Super League” competition for the Associations located at the top of the South Island. This involved three men’s teams and three women’s teams forming from the top players in the local Associations to compete in an innovative competition with power plays and other non-traditional rules. This resulted in extremely competitive, highly-skilled hockey, that was as enjoyable to watch as it was to play. As a by-product of the Super League, this initiative built relationships across not only different clubs but Associations too, strengthening ties and enabling all players to experience top-level hockey.
Along with this new initiative, in 2018 Fabian helped institute a multi-sport holiday programme which has continued to have good attendance and great feedback from participants.
Development opportunities for the community are key
Added to these achievements is the fact that most of the Nelson junior representative teams in 2019 markedly improved their performances from previous years. This has been credited in large part due to Fabian seeing the need for and creating a dedicated Performance Officer role and introducing specific development programmes.
In introducing these development programmes, he has been at the forefront of the move to adopt the new approach to junior sport, trying to educate the sporting community to take the emphasis off high-performance at the junior level. His keenness to ensure that sport should be available to all and his view that the role of a coach is to educate people for life through sport is admirable.
Growth and sustainability for long-term success
Fabian’s dedication to growth and sustainability of the sport in Nelson saw Nelson Hockey achieve a profitable year for the first time in four years. A remarkable result considering the cost of replacing a turf in 2019. Fabian’s relationship with significant contributors and his ability to access funding has been critical in the financial turnaround in the region.
Collaboration multiples success
Administration may not be for everyone but Fabian loves the collaboration and support from the Nelson Hockey Board and Community to get things done and believes that this area of his role is the most rewarding.
His strengths as an administrator are evident through his willingness and ability to enlist help from those with expertise in specific areas, such as working closely with Sport Tasman to provide relevant courses and seminars for members, networking with other sporting organisations for best practice solutions, and collaborating with Council staff and organisations for turf improvements and funding opportunities.
Although Rugby is Fabian’s sport of choice, he channels everything that he has and all the skills he has learnt in sports administration to improving the delivery of hockey and providing more quality experiences to the community in the Nelson/Tasman region.
Congratulations, Fabian! Your work with Nelson Hockey has been outstanding and has made a real contribution in such a short amount of time.
Hockey New Zealand Media release