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All the news for Thursday 15 November 2018

2018 Test Match: BEL v FRA (M)
Evere (BEL)

BEL v FRA     2 - 0

2018 Test Matches: ESP v GER (M) - Test 3
Alicante (ESP)

ESP v GER     2 - 5

Germany win the 3 Test series 3 - 0

FIH Match Centre

Malaysia squad for World Cup announced



The Malaysian Hockey Confederation has announced the Malaysia men's national team who will compete at the upcoming Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.

Malaysia will play their ninth World Cup

Malaysia have made eight appearances in the World Cup, with their best performance to date coming way back in 1975. Malaysia sit in Group D with Germany, the Netherlands and Pakistan.

Malaysia men's team for the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018:

Norsyafiq Sumantri
Muhamad Ramadan Rosli
Muhammad Marhan Jalil
Mohd Fitri Saari
Joel Samuel van Huizen
Faizal Saari
Syed Muhd Syafiq Syed Cholan
Sukri Mutalib
Muhammad Firhan Ashari
Muhammad Amirol Aideed Mohd. Arshad
Nabil Fiqri Mohd Noor
Kumar Subramiam
Muhammad Razie Abd Rahim
Faiz Helmi Jali
Muhammad Azri Hassan
Meor Muhamad Azuan Hasan
Muhammad Hafizuddin Othman
Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin
Nik Muhammad Aiman Nik Rozemi
Mohammad Hairi Abd Rahman

#HWC2018

FIH site

Pakistan announce squad for World Cup



The Pakistan Hockey Federation has announced the Pakistan men's national team who will compete at the upcoming Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.

Pakistan has won the World Cup a record four times

Pakistan has lifted the World Cup trophy on a record four occasions as well as twice claiming the silver medal. The Green Shirts were victorious at the 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994 events, with their four titles being one more than three-time winners Netherlands and Australia. Pakistan sit in Group D with Germany, Malaysia and the Netherlands.

Pakistan men's team for the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018:

Imran Butt
Mazhar Abbas
M.Irfan Sr
Aleem Bilal
Mubashar Ali
M.Tauseeq Arshad
Tasawwar Abbas
Rashid Mahmood
Ajaz Ahmed
Ammad Shakeel Butt
M.Irfan Jr
M.Rizwan Sr
Ali Shan
Faisal Qadir
Abubakr Mahmood
Umar Bhutta
M.Atiq Arshad
Mohammad Zubair      

#HWC2018

FIH site

China announce squad for World Cup



The Chinese Hockey Association has announced the Chinese men's national team who will compete at the upcoming Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.

China will play their first ever World Cup

For the first time in its history, China has qualified to a men’s World Cup. The newcomers sit in Group B with Australia, England and Ireland.

China men's team for the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018:

Guo Xiaoping
Ao Zhiwei
Guan Quyang
Ao Suozhu
E Wenhui
Ao Yang
Meng Dihao
Su Jun
Meng Nan
Su Wenlin
Su Lixing
Du Chen
Du Talake
Guo Zixiang
E Wenlong
Wang Caiyu
Ao Weibao
Guo Jin

#HWC2018

FIH site

France announce squad for World Cup



The French Hockey Association has announced the French men's national team who will compete at the upcoming Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.

France is back to the World Cup after 28 years

France performed twice at the World Cup. The team participated in the inaugural event in 1971 and nineteen years later at the 1990 competition in Lahore, Pakistan. France sit in Group A with Argentina, New Zealand and Spain.

France men's team for the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018:

Arthur Thieffry
Niels van Straaten
Antoine Ferec
Pieter van Straaten
Tom Genestet
Hugo Genestet
Blaise Rogeau
Viktor Lockwood
Charles Masson
Nicolas Dumont
Gaspard Baumgarten
François Goyet
Cristoforo Peters-Deutz
Jean-Baptiste Forgues
Kevin Mercurio
Etienne Tynevez
Victor Charlet
Adrien Coffigniez
Aristide Coisne
Maximilien Branicki
Timothée Clément
Corentin Saunier

#HWC2018

FIH site

Nine French World Cup players also set for EHL KO16


©: Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics

Nine of France’s confirmed World Cup squad also have the EHL KO16 to look forward to in the New Year as les bleus have named a high quality side to compete in India later this month.

Saint Germain’s Tom Genestet, Blaise Rogeau and Francois Goyet; Waterloo Ducks’ Pieter van Straaten, Victor Charlet and Nicolas Dumont along with Royal Leopold’s Gaspard Baumgerten, Aristide Coisne and Jean-Baptiste Forgues are all part of Jeroen Delmee’s plans for the competition.

Saint Ger are set to play Club Egara in the EHL KO16 next Easter while Waterloo meet Surbiton and Royal Leopold - group winners in ROUND1 - will face Spanish champions Real Club de Polo.

The French recently won three matches out of four in South Africa as part of their preparations while they also got a positive result from a tie against England in October.

They play in a tough Pool A in India with an opening game against New Zealand on November 29 before coming up against Spain on December 3. They close out their group against Olympic gold medalists Argentina.

It will France’s first appearance in the World Cup since 1990 when they finished seventh overall in Lahore. Their only other appearance before that was also a seventh place finish, coming in 1971.

Euro Hockey League media release

Surbiton quartet named in the England World Cup squad


©: Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics

Surbiton’s Harry Gibson, Luke Taylor (pictured), Zach Wallace and James Gall have all been named in the England squad to play in the World Cup in India which starts later this month.

They are part of head coach Danny Kerry’s selection of 18 with Surbiton’s Brendan Creed one of two travelling reserves in a panel which has 13 athletes lining out in their first World Cup.

The Surbiton players have a busy season ahead with the EHL KO16 in Eindhoven - and a date with Waterloo Ducks in April - also on the horizon.

Wallace (18), Jack Waller (21) and Rhys Smith (21) are the youngest players to be selected in the England panel having impressed in recent months, while Barry Middleton will compete at his fourth World Cup and Adam Dixon his third.

"The athletes have been working hard and embracing new ideas over the last eight weeks in the build-up to World Cup selection and we could not have asked more from the team in terms of attitude and application," Kerry said.

"We understand the challenge our pool represents and will have to be at our very best to progress to the latter rounds of the tournament. We realise that many teams will start favourites ahead of us, we also know we are capable of threatening all teams.

"The management team have been brilliant in preparing and supporting the team. We all look forward to the many challenges of a World Cup.

The tournament runs from 28 November to 16 December as the world's best sides compete for one of hockey's greatest prizes, with all games live on BT Sport.

In Pool B alongside England are reigning champions, three-time winners and current world number one Australia. Ireland will also provide stiff competition alongside China.

England have finished fourth in the last two editions of the tournament - at The Hague in 2014 and at Delhi in 2010 - and will be aiming to go one further this time round and claim their first medal since 1986.

Euro Hockey League media release

PHF names national team for Hockey World Cup

LAHORE - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Wednesday announced the 18-member national team to represent the country in the Hockey World Cup 2018 being played from November 28 in Bhubaneswar, India.

The team was named following two days trials which concluded here at the outer ground of the National Hockey Stadium. Twenty five camp players were tested in four sessions of 20 minutes each under the floodlights. The trials were watched by national selection committee comprising Islahuddin Siddique (chief selector), Ayaz Mahmood, Qasim Khan and Mussaddiq Hussain (selectors) while PHF President Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar and Secretary Shahbaz Ahmad also witnessed the trials.

M Rizwan Senior will lead the national side with Ammad Shakeel Butt assisting him as vice captain. Pakistan team consist of Imran Butt (goalkeeper), Mazhar Abbas (goalkeeper), M Irfan Sr, Aleem Bilal, Mubashar Ali, M Tauseeq Arshad, Tasawwar Abbas, Rashid Mahmood, Ajaz Ahmed, Ammad Shakeel Butt (vc), M Irfan Jr, M Rizwan Sr (capt), Ali Shan, Faisal Qadir, Abubakr Mahmood, Umar Bhutta, M Atiq Arshad and M Zubair.

The team management comprises Hassan Sardar (manager), Tauqeer Dar (head coach), Rehan Butt and Danish Kaleem (coaches), Nadeem Lodhi (video analyst) and Waqas Mehmood (physiotherapist). Chief selector Islhauddin said that the selected team is a blend of experience and youth. “The team comprise best available hockey talent and performance was the only criteria of selection of players.”

The former hockey Olympian said that past performance of players was also taken into consideration during the selection of the players. He termed the World Cup ‘a tough and challenging event’ as world’s top notch teams will be participating in the mega event. “Our team is pumped up due to its recent title win in the Asian Champions trophy and players are in right mind set to build on to this success,” said the chief selector.

“The team management made its best efforts to overcome gray areas of the team by engaging the players in difficult drills which has boosted the confidence of the players,” he added.

Ishlahuddin said that the PHF is striving for the cause of hockey despite financial problems. “Players are being looked after in good manner during the camp and PHF is taking measures to acknowledge its recent success in the Asian Champions trophy,” he added.

Islah said the selectors have gelled youth with experience in the team keeping an eye on the future of Pakistan hockey. “I don’t want to make tall claims regarding our team’s performance in the World Cup but I am confident that our players will display their best to attain glory for the country.

“We will be playing against the top teams of the world and our team will be aiming to live up to the expectations during the mega hockey event in India,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan hockey team’s recent long-awaited victory at the Asian Champions Trophy in Oman was acknowledged at a dinner reception on Tuesday night here at a local hotel. Former Punjab Hockey Association (PHA) President Pervez Bhandara has arranged the reception, which was sponsored by Mian Hussain Nasir, the owner of Rolustech. Apart from the players and the management of the team, the event was attended by PHF President Brig (R) Khalid Khokhar, Secretary Shahbaz Ahmed, Islahuddin, Hassan Sardar, Taqueer Dar, Ayaz Mahmood and Tahir Zaman.

Mian Hussain Nisar recalled Pakistan hockey’s glorious past. He congratulated the squad for their win at the Asian Champions Trophy. All the players and the members of the team management were presented shields by Rolustech.

President PHF Brig (R) Khalid Khokhar, Pervez Bhandara and Taqueer Dar also spoke on the occasion. They all thanked Mian Hussain Nisar for honouring the hockey team and said that such gestures would spur the boys to work even harder to achieve glory at the forthcoming World Cup in India. Later, Mian Hussain Nasir was presented with a hockey stick and a shirt, signed by the Pakistan’s winning squad of the Asian Champions Trophy.

The Nation

Rizwan Senior to lead Pakistan at Hockey World Cup in India



LAHORE: After conclusion of two day trials at the National Hockey Stadium Lahore, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Wednesday named an 18-member squad for the World Cup 2018 to be held in Bhubaneswar, India starting from November 28. Mohammad Rizwan Senior will be the captain of the side with Ammad Shakeel Butt as his deputy.

Pakistan, who failed to qualify for the event in 2014, have won four World Cups, more than any other nation. Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup was in doubts after the national federation’s request for financial aid from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was turned down last week. The PHF had requested the PCB for financial aid to clear the outstanding dues of the players and send the national team to the World Cup in India. However, Pakistan Super League franchise Peshawar Zalmi came to its national hockey team’s rescue and signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with the PHF. The last time Pakistan played in Bhubaneswar, they qualified for the final of the FIH Champions Trophy in December 2014. Pakistan, who are placed in Pool D along with Germany, the Netherlands and Malaysia, start their campaign against Germany on December 1.

Pakistan squad: Imran Butt (goalkeeper), Mazhar Abbas (goalkeeper), M Irfan Sr, Aleem Bilal, Mubashar Ali, M Tauseeq Arshad, Tasawwar Abbas, Rashid Mahmood, Ajaz Ahmed, Ammad Shakeel Butt (vice captain), M Irfan Jr, M Rizwan Sr (captain), Ali Shan, Faisal Qadir, Abubakr Mahmood, Umar Bhutta, M.Atiq Arshad and Mohammad Zubair

Officials: Hassan Sardar (manager), Tauqeer Dar (head coach), Rehan Butt and Danish Kaleem (coaches), Nadeem Lodhi (video analyst) and Waqas Mehmood (physiotherapist).

The Daily Times

Pakistan capable of winning hockey World Cup: Islah

Mohammad Yaqoob



LAHORE: While only one change was made in the national squad named on Wednesday for the hockey World Cup, a highly-ambitious chief selector Islah­uddin Siddiqui claimed Pakistan — which could not even qualify for the 2014 edition and presently look quite frail to make any major upset at the mega event — were “capable of winning” the global title.

The 14th edition of the World Cup — featuring teams from 16 nations divided into four pools — is being staged in the Indian city of Bhubaneswar from Nov 28 to Dec 16.

While acknowledging the fact that Pakistan’s pool in the presence of Germany and the Netherlands was very tough, Islahuddin reckoned, “Our players on a given day have the ability to stun any side of the world”.

The squad was named after the two-day trials held here at the National Hockey Stadium. The trials were watched by Islahuddin along with selection committee members Ayaz Mahmood, Qasim Khan and Musaddiq Hussain.

Pakistan, once the world hockey powerhouse which won the World Cup for four times, has seen its lowest times during the past two decades or so. So alarming has been their decline that the green-shirts, who last clinched the World Cup back in 1994 at Sydney, failed to even qualify for the 2014 World Cup staged in The Hague, Netherlands.

Their performance was path­etic at the 2006 World Cup held in Monchengladbach, Ger­many where they finished a poor sixth, while the 2010 edition, organised in New Delhi, saw Pakistan drop to their worst-ever performance in a World Cup when they ended last in the 12-team contest.

However, despite Pakis­tan’s extremely embarrassing record in World Cups and other major international events like Olympics and Champions Trophy during the past many years, the chief selector sounded confident about the team’s show in Bhubaneswar.

“Yes, this team is quite capable of winning the World Cup, as nothing is impossible if the will is there,” Islahuddin, who was part of Pakistan’s triumphant World Cup squads in 1971 and 1978, said while announcing the squad here during a press conference.

Noting that two teams from each of the four pools will qualify for the quarter-finals, Islahuddin said every team had to win at least two matches, out of three, to reach the next round.

Announcing the squad, Islah­uddin said Rashid Mahmood replacing Rizwan Junior is the only change in the squad. The remaining 17 players are the same who were part of the squad that participated in last month’s Asian Champions Trophy staged in Muscat where Pakistan and arch-rivals India were declared joint winners after the final was abandoned due to heavy rain.

Rashid, 31, missed the Asian Champions Trophy as he was playing league hockey abroad. However, he reported at the training camp and earned the place for the mega event.

“Rashid is our major player and with his induction the morale of the Asian Champions Trophy-winning team has further increased giving hopes for an improved performance in the World Cup,” Islahuddin said.

“The boys realise the importance of the World Cup and the credentials required for it. They are eager to give their best to earn big name, irrespective of the financial issues they are facing.”

Mohammad Rizwan Senior and Ammad Shakeel Butt have been retained as captain and vice-captain, respectively.

Meanwhile answering a question, Islahuddin said all the dues of the players would be cleared before their departure to India, adding “they should not worry about it”.

Due to financial constraints, the PHF is yet to clear the players’ dues of the Asian Champions Trophy and of the ongoing training camp. The government has not released any grant to address the burning issue despite appeals from the cash-strapped federation which ultimately rescued itself recently — at least for now — after striking a sponsorship deal with a private company.

The Pakistan squad is likely to leave for India on Nov 22 or 23 after getting visa, the process for which is currently ongoing.

Squad: Imran Butt, Mazhar Abbas (goalkeepers); Mohammad Irfan Senior, Aleem Bilal, Mubashar Ali, Mohammad Tauseeq Arshad, Tasawwar Abbas, Rashid Mahmood, Ajaz Ahmed, Ammad Shakeel Butt (vice-captain), Mohammad Irfan Junior, Mohammad Rizwan Senior (captain), Ali Shan, Faisal Qadir, Abubakr Mahmood, Umar Bhutta, Mohammad Atiq Arshad, Mohammad Zubair

Officials:Hasan Sardar (manager); Tauqeer Dar (head coach); Rehan Butt, Danish Kaleem (coaches); Nadeem Lodhi (video analyst); Waqas Mehmood (physiotherapist)

Dawn

Holland to depend on penalty corner specialists

KUALA LUMPUR: Holland continue to show they have enough supply of penalty corner specialists in hockey.

They have named three calibre drag flickers – Mink van der Weerden, Jeroen Hertzberger and Mirco Pruyser – for the World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India, starting on Nov 28.

Van der Weerden helped Holland to win the silver medal in the 2012 London Olympics and adjudged as the top scorer in the Games with eight goals.

Hertzberger is an all-time top scorer in the European League competition with 26 goals.

He featured for Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) in the Malaysia Hockey League in January and scored 12 goals to help the club win the TNB Cup (overall cup).

Pruyser was the second highest scorer in the Champions Trophy in Breda, Holland, in July with five goals.

The Dutch team have dominated the international hockey scene since the 1970s as they have produced excellent penalty corner experts such as Ties Kruize, Paul Litjens, Taeke Takema and Floris Jan Bovelander.

There are other renowned names in the previous World Cups and Olympic Games teams.

Malaysia’s national coach Roelant Oltmans admitted that Holland would bank on their drag flickers to win matches.

“We cannot afford to give away penalty corners against them in our first match,” said Oltmans.

Holland, who won the World Cup three times in 1973, 1990 and 1998, face Malaysia in the opening match at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Dec 1.

The Star of Malaysia

Solid support system

By Aftar Singh



KUALA LUMPUR: There is a saying – family is not an important thing, it’s everything.

And it’s so true for national hockey skipper Mohd Sukri Abdul Mutalib (pic).

His wife Nur Edayu and daughter Puteri Nurizzara Amanda are his number one fans and have been the pillar of strength in his hockey career.

It’s tough to keep playing his best at the age of 32 but his family has been a source of support.

“My wife is proud that I’m the captain of the national team. She is my inspiration.

“It’s nice to have a loving and caring wife to encourage me to give my best,” said the defender from Perak, who spends quality time with his family when he is not playing hockey.

“At this age, I need all the support I can get. I’ll continue to play for the country as long as my service is needed,” said Sukri.

With the blessing from his family, Sukri, who is in the best shape of his career, aims to make a mark in his second World Cup hockey in Bhubaneswar, India, starting on Nov 28.

Sukri said national coach Roelant Oltmans has been pushing the players to their limits in training.



“The coach has been focusing on fitness ... that’s surely the key to victory at this level of tournament,” said Sukri.

“He is also good in motivating players. He wants us to be physically and mentally ready to match the fitness and strength of the other teams,” said Sukri, who has been the national captain since 2016.

Sixteen teams will feature in the World Cup and Malaysia will open their Group D campaign against three-time world champions Holland on Dec 1.

Malaysia’s other matches are against four-time world champions Pakistan on Dec 5 and two-time world champions Germany on Dec 9.

Malaysia must finish top three in their group to play in the second round to qualify for the quarter-finals.

After the bitter experience of finishing last in the last World Cup in The Hague, Holland, four years ago, Sukri said they did not want to repeat the same mistakes they made in defence.

“This time, we are well prepared for the World Cup as the coach has been focusing on the structure of the game, the offensive and defensive play of the game.

“We are leaving no stone unturned to improve every aspect of the game,” added Sukri.

Malaysia finished a disappointing last in the 12-nation World Cup hockey in 2014 by losing all their six matches.

The Star of Malaysia

Kiwis want to go better than seventh place in World Cup


Malaysia coach: Roelant Oltmans.

KUALA LUMPUR: For New Zealand, the World Cup hockey in India, is no child’s play.

The Kiwis aim to step up at this year’s edition in Bhubaneswar starting on Nov 28 and are banking on their team led by seasoned campaigner Simon Child to do better than the seventh-place finish at the last World Cup in The Hague, Holland, in 2014.

New Zealand coach Darren Smith named an experienced 18-man squad, including eight players with over 100 caps.

The 30-year-old Child is the most capped player for the Kiwis with 274 while captain Blair Tarran, who has 186 caps, is making a return to the squad after missing the Com­monwealth Games in Gold Coast in April due to injury.

New Zealand are featuring for the 10th time in the World Cup since its inception in Barcelona in 1971 and will open their Group A campaign against France on Nov 30.

The others in their group are 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic gold medallists Argentina and Spain.

The Kiwis, also known as the Black Sticks, arrived here yesterday and will use the Universiti Kuala Lumpur’s Tunku Abdullah Stadium in Bangi as their training base for nine days before leaving for the World Cup.

And they have scheduled three test matches against Malaysia as part of their World Cup preparation.

Malaysia coach Roelant Oltmans said: “I’ll field our full team during the test matches against the world No. 10 New Zealand. It’ll be a good warm-up for our team before the World Cup.”

The Star of Malaysia

Hockey New Zealand announces sponsorship for the 2018 Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup with Computer Concepts Limited



Hockey New Zealand today announced a sponsorship agreement with Computer Concepts Limited (CCL) where CCL will be placed on the back of the Men’s shirts for the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup. 

CCL is a company with its roots in ICT engineering.  Founded in 1990, CCL is a leading IT infrastructure and managed services provider delivering IT services to some of New Zealand’s most recognised businesses. 

CCL has a history of sponsorship in sports as they are also a major sponsor of the Otago Rugby Union and Southland Rugby.  The opportunity to partner with an innovative company like CCL is going to provide several opportunities and support for our men’s team as they begin to prepare for the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup that is starting at the end of November. 

Ian Francis CEO of Hockey New Zealand says “Having a sponsor onboard with the passion of CCL is a fantastic opportunity for Hockey New Zealand.  CCL’s support will assist our players as they prepare for the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup and once they are over there, help the team perform to a high standard during the competition”.

Andrew Allan, CEO of CCL says “We are very proud to be able to sponsor Hockey New Zealand.  As a nationwide company with eight offices around the country, it is great to have a national sporting sponsorship in our portfolio.  It’s an awesome team and a sport which is close to the heart of many of our staff and their families. We are very excited to partner with New Zealand Hockey and the Vantage Black Sticks Men and wish them all the best for the World Cup.”

The Vantage Black Sticks Men will kick off their campaign on November 30th at 2:30am when they take on France and look to be the first Men’s Hockey team to medal at the World Cup.



Hockey New Zealand Media release

2018 Central American Hockey 5s Championship (M) - Day 1
Pinula (GUA)

Results 14 November

HON v PAN (RR)     1 - 0
ESA v CRC (RR)     0 - 2
HON v GUA (RR)     0 - 6
PAN v ESA (RR)     1 - 2
GUA v CRC (RR)     6 - 1

Pool standings

2018 Central American Hockey 5s Championship (W) - Day 1
Pinula (GUA)

Results 14 November

HON v PAN (RR)     1 - 5
ESA v CRC (RR)     0 - 2
HON v GUA (RR)     0 - 9
PAN v ESA (RR)     2 - 0
GUA v CRC (RR)     0 - 2

Pool standings

FIH Match Centre

Change in delivery of coaching across Great Britain



England Hockey, Scottish Hockey and Hockey Wales have announced a new commitment to drive a transformational change in the delivery of coaching across Great Britain.

The commitment will ensure a consistent delivery towards coaching; underpinned by a robust GB partnership.

The new commitment aims to develop and support all coaches, boasting a desire to unleash the power of coaching by providing innovating and engaging support and progression to the people who deliver our sport.

The partnership will drive a cultural shift in how coach development across Great Britain is delivered, moving to a singular approach under the banner of ‘Great Britain Coaching’.

The partnership will see all three Home Nations adopt the following principles:
•    Enhanced engagement and increased GB partnership working across the Home Nation’s
•    Consistency of coaching strategy philosophy and vision across GB
•    Streamlining of systems to improve effectiveness and efficiencies
•    Improved standardisation of delivery, including quality assurance
•    Coaches feeling part of something special, a sense of belonging towards GB
•    Accountability of Home Nation’s to the GB Coaching Strategy
•    Delivery of a high-quality coaching offer across GB

The ‘GB Coaching Strategy’ will provide a clear and positive direction for coach development throughout the sport and importantly across Great Britain leading up to 2021, continuing to drive the vision of ‘Coaches that inspire more, better and happier players’.

This vision clearly shows that coaches are there to support the players experience of hockey.  Be it introducing someone to the game for the first time, working with a club side or engaging with the performance environment across Great Britain. The coach is a critical factor in providing specialised support and guidance aligned to the players individual needs and wants, which will lead to increased participation and international success.

In December 2018 we will be launching an annual programme of coach development opportunities, starting in January 2019.  To support you in identifying what opportunities are right for you we will also be sharing our interactive GB Coaching offer.

England Hockey CEO Sally Munday said: “Working collectively with Scottish Hockey and Hockey Wales, under the banner of GB Coaching, allows another positive step in transforming our coaching offer. 

"This commitment will benefit the ongoing support and development that we are able to provide to coaches, who play such a critical part in our sport in achieving more, better and happier players.”

Hockey Wales CEO David Phenis said: “We’re determined to do all we can to improve our coaching offer and we are very grateful for colleagues across Great Britain for the production of such an excellent product. This is a very exciting opportunity to share the vast experience, expertise and resource across all Home Nations to have a truly consistent approach to coaching, with a collective desire to achieve more, better, happier players.

"The new offer will benefit all coaches working across Wales, whatever level they’re at or environment they’re in as there’s something on offer for everyone.”

Scottish Hockey CEO, David Sweetman, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to work with our partners at England Hockey and Hockey Wales, under the banner of GB Coaching, to develop an exciting resource for coaches, and drive a consistent approach in the delivery of coaching across Great Britain.

"This is a great joint-approach across all three nations with a range of resources to enable the development of coaches, and people who want to be coaches.”

Great Britain Hockey media release

Brown enjoying new challenge at East Grinstead

By John Flack


Chloe Brown in action for East Grinstead against Beeston

Chloe Brown is thoroughly enjoying her first season in the English Premiership and, if all goes to plan, she hopes to extend her stay, having moved from Ards to East Grinstead over the summer, writes John Flack.

The 24-year-old Irish international was renowned for her goal-scoring ability in both the indoor and outdoor game in her seven years with the Ulster side.

She scored more than 50 times for Ards in seven European indoor tournaments and topped the charts in the three years she played with the club in the EY Irish Hockey League.

However, she is enjoying a new role with East Grinstead where she is playing as a football-style wing-back, joining the attack whenever possible.

Brown said: “I’m loving life at East Grinstead and it’s everything I ever imagined plus more. The past 11 weeks have been amazing, not just for my hockey development but my professional development at the school where I am teaching PE.”

“The standard of the league is good and I believe that it’s higher than the IHL with far more teams fighting for the league positions.

“The game is far more intense and this is the best bit for me as it will develop me as a hockey player.

“We have two-hour training sessions twice a week and we are expected to do our own running programme outside of that so we don’t have to spend time during training working on our fitness.

“East Grinstead have many internationals from all around the world including Great Britain, Wales, Malaysia, Argentina and New Zealand so it’s a league of nations you could say.”

Among the star-studded line-up, Brown is playing alongside two players who won gold with GB at the Rio Olympics in the shape of Laura Unsworth and Sophie Bray.

The Sussex club are currently occupying a play-off spot in the Premier League and lost for the first time this season on Saturday.

They went down 1-0 to Bowdon-Hightown in Liverpool but recovered to beat Canterbury 5-0 at home on Sunday. With her new role Brown, who has been capped 53 times by Ireland, has had more pitch time than she would have had as a striker.

“I have played all the games so far and have had almost 70 minutes in each of them and the plan is to return to the club next season although nothing has been confirmed yet.”

“I’m also looking forward to the indoor hockey season over here and playing with new teammates and under a different coach should hopefully make me a more versatile player.”

“The outdoor season finishes on the 24th of November. We then move into indoor training and our first weekend of games is on December 15-16. The second weekend is January 4-5 and then hopefully we qualify for the Super Sixes (finals) at the end of January.

“I’m really looking forward to a new challenge. I’ve had a very successful indoor career with Ards including winning the all Irelands and playing in Europe for the past seven years. It will be a different experience playing for East Grinstead but one I cannot wait for.”

The English club’s gain has certainly been Ards’ loss as Brown’s former club have been struggling without her in their EYHL campaign.

The Hook

East Grinstead deducted points over administration error


Rosa Villagra, an Argentina development player, joined East Grinstead this season

East Grinstead are cursing an administration error which saw them deducted points in the Investec Women’s Premier Division.

The mistake stemmed from the introduction of new Argentinian recruit Rosa Villagra, who came on against Beeston, her former club, in a 2-1 win in September.

England Hockey deducted the three points accrued from their victory after Villagra had played for Popeye BC in the Argentina Women’s Club Championships in September.

According to England Hockey “this made her ineligible to subsequently participate in the league”.

The problem also hinged on the fact she had also been registered to Beeston two years ago, before playing for Repton, a Midlands League side.

By England Hockey rules, Villagra, an Argentina development squad player, should have been de-registered at the time, although East Grinstead say that they couldn’t find the original registration on the national governing body’s player administration system.

“Even finding players to check if they are registered is tough,” said Mary Booth, East Grinstead’s coach. “In the past everything seemed to be transparent and straight forward but our mistake was to be frustrated with the process.

“We were trying to be robust as we missed a player a few years ago. We did look to complain but if you go by the absolute letter of the law, we registered her two days early.”

The Sussex side are making decent progress despite the setback and with a depleted squad.

They are unbeaten since the opening day of the season and currently lie in fourth place, dropping two places since the points’ deduction, and they have since lost several key players due to Great Britain’s Champions Trophy campaign.

“It makes life very interesting for the rest of the season. Losing points is irritating and we will have to dig deep,” added Booth, with her side set to play University of Birmingham this weekend.

Some other English clubs have complained of England Hockey’s clunky player registration system.

On the opening day of the season, Fareham were unable to play five players in the Conference West due to “player pending applications”. The club said that up to several dozen players could have been affected across the division.

The Hockey Paper

Lizzy Dessoye gave up soccer to follow her sister’s footsteps to Maryland field hockey

Dessoye has played in 20 games this year, notching a goal and an assist.

By Lila Bromberg


Forward Lizzy Dessoye controls the ball during Maryland’s 6-0 Big Ten quarterfinal win over Michigan State at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex on Oct. 28, 2018. (Corey Hart/The Diamondback)

When Anna Dessoye began playing field hockey, she recruited her sister Lizzy to practice with her in the front yard.

At that time, Lizzy — four grades below her sister — played soccer. But as Anna improved at the sport, Lizzy was also drawn to the game. She spent time around Maryland field hockey, watching Anna play for Missy Meharg’s squad from 2012 to 2015.

When it came time for Lizzy to decide where she’d play college field hockey, Maryland was the obvious choice, following in her sister’s footsteps.

“Her being here allowed me to have more insight than I could have at any other school,” Lizzy said. “I knew the schedule and the coaches’ personalities. … I just liked everything she was saying, so that was a big factor.”

Anna was a key player for the Terps. During her four-year Maryland career, she started in all but five games, tallying 38 goals and 56 assists.

While Anna immediately assumed a large role, it took her sister more time to break into Meharg’s system. Through her first two years in College Park, Lizzy only saw action in 19 games coming off the bench, registering one goal on eight shots.

But as a junior, Lizzy has played in 20 games, notching a goal and an assist in addition to 14 shots. Lizzy has started in three contests after injuries along the Terps’ forward line left them short.

“They’re all such superstars coming out of their high school, and for some, the transition is a little bit easier and quicker, and for others, it takes a little bit more time,” Meharg said. “It’s the ability to really outwork other people, both in your position and your teammates, and that’s where both girls have the ability and the drive.”

With Maryland’s recent spate of injuries, Lizzy’s hard work has proved crucial.

She played a season-high 60 minutes against Ohio State in the Big Ten semifinals, and featured for 36 minutes against Albany to open the NCAA tournament. She started in the NCAA quarterfinals last weekend, playing 40 minutes in a 2-1 victory over UConn.

“She’s doing excellent out there on the field,” forward Julie Duncan said. “Her getting the opportunity to see the field and for her to excel just shows that she really is a positive force on this team.”

And while Lizzy’s playing time has changed over the years, one thing has been constant: her sister in the stands cheering her on and helping her improve.

“It would have been nice to be able to play with my sister, but after she left it was just nice to have her come to games and watch,” Lizzy said. “I always hear her on the sidelines anyway if she’s screaming, yelling, so it’s nice to have her here and then use what she learns.”

The Diamondback