News for 27 May 2009
Wednesday, 27 May 2009 05:34 | 
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All the news for Wednesday 27 May 2009
Australia pip France in 1st test
France took on one of the best teams in the World last night and lost narrowly to Australia 5- 4 having led 4 - 2 at half time.
The French started quickly with Frédéric Soyez.scoring from a penalty corner in the 1st minutes of the game. The Australians then scored two field goals in the 12th and 19th. The Blues restored parity in the 21st minute with a field goal from Martin Genestet before storming ahead with two quick goals in the 27th and 28 minute by Arnaud Becuwe and Sébastien Jeanjean to lead 4 - 2 at the break
After returning from the locker rooms the Australians took charge of the game by capitalising on their opportunities to score three goals to finally win 5 - 4.
Blues coach Scott Goodheart said the results were positive explaining "We have been effective. With fewer opportunities than Australia we managed to score 4 goals. Our keeper Maxime Wilson put up a strong international performance in earning his first cap. Defensively we knew we had a young defence, but we have learned much from this match. The players are aware of this. The attackers and midfielders have also been facing a good team that gives no respite. What is most significant is that this the first time these players have played as a teamand played with a press when we had the ball. The other European teams we play do not play with that kind of press. We have responded well."
The second test takes place at 19:00 on Wednesday 27th at Racing Club de France. By then video analysis for the Blues will discover the Australian flaws and find solutions for them
France vs Australia: 4-5 (4-2)
French Goals: Frédéric Soyez (7th, PC), Martin Genestet (21st, FG, Arnaud Becuwe (27th, FG), Sébastien Jeanjean (28th, FG)
Australian Goals Ford (12th, FG), Orchard (19th, FG), Doerner (43rd, PC), Paterson (52nd, FG), Orachard (65th, FG)
FFH media release (Rough translation of this page)
England Men to Play India at University of Birmingham
England Hockey is delighted to confirm that England’s men will take on India in a three match test series from 29 July – 2 August 2009. The series is organised by England Hockey in partnership with Birmingham City Council and the University of Birmingham, with the matches being staged at the University’s ground where their pitches are currently being resurfaced.
Thanks to the very welcome support of the Council and the University spectators will be able to enjoy the matches from seating and terracing, which will be installed for the matches along with other visitor facilities. The Indian team will be hosted at the University for the duration of their stay.
England’s opponents are currently ranked 12th in the World after missing out on qualification to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the hands of Great Britain. They have recently competed in the Asian Cup, where they finished fifth.
Speaking as the fixtures were announced, England Head Coach Jason Lee described his affection for the opposition. “It is a great pleasure to host a country with such a golden history in our sport as India,” he said. “I know they will be warmly welcomed and will have a lot of support at the matches. Without doubt the impact on both countries of Great Britain’s victory over India in last year’s Olympic Qualifier was significant. I had a real sense of sympathy for India on their failure to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. World hockey would be much stronger if India was to regain some of its former glory. I believe we all hope that they will become strong again.
“I would like to thank India for agreeing to this series of fixtures and to extend my gratitude to Birmingham City Council and the University for their support in what I am sure will be an entertaining set of matches.”
Lee’s men, who are currently ranked seventh in the World, last met India in a competitive game during the 2007 BDO Champions Challenge in Boom, Belgium. On that occasion India emerged victorious, winning the match 4-3 and with it the bronze medal.
Birmingham City Council has been a great supporter of hockey at all levels of the game from grass roots through to the elite and their support was instrumental in the move to the National Indoor Arena of hockey’s Indoor Finals in 2006.
Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture, Councillor Martin Mullaney, said: “Birmingham City Council is delighted to be supporting the hockey test series between England and India. These matches will provide a great opportunity for local people to see international hockey on their doorsteps and also provide us with an excellent chance to profile the city and its superb facilities to the Indian hockey team ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.”
On the pitch, the University of Birmingham has a proud hockey tradition stretching back to the early 1990s when they hosted the Men’s and Women’s European Cup Winners Cup in 1993 followed by a season of Men’s National League games televised on Sky Sports.
Among the players hoping to be part of the squad to face India is University of Birmingham alumnus and Beijing Olympian Simon Mantell, who, if selected, will be returning to play at the campus for the first time since graduating in 2007.
In recent years the University has hosted a number of domestic finals and has recently enjoyed success with their women’s team earning promotion to the England Hockey League Premier Division for 2009-10. The University is also part of the consortium of universities that makes up England Hockey’s West Midlands National Performance Centre, providing top quality coaching and support to some of the country’s top hockey players aged 18-23 as an integral component in England Hockey’s Single System.
Zena Wooldridge, Director of Sport at University of Birmingham, believes the test series fits nicely into the University’s wider strategy: “The University is delighted to be hosting India and the test series with England, in partnership with England Hockey and Birmingham City Council. Hockey is one of the University’s priority sports and India is an important and growing market for international recruitment to the University. This event is a perfect combination of factors for the University and we look forward to welcoming the India and England teams and their supporters from across the City and Region.”
Tickets for the three matches are on sale from the England Hockey website at www.englandhockey.co.uk/india.
Fixtures
Wednesday 29 July 2009 - England (m) v India - 1830hrs - University of Birmingham
Friday 31 July 2009 - England (m) v India - 1830hrs - University of Birmingham
Sunday 2 August 2009 - England (m) v India - 1100hrs - University of Birmingham
England Hockey Media release
Pakistan Lined Up to Play England at Cannock Hockey Club
England Hockey is delighted to announce a three match test series against Pakistan to be staged with support from Staffordshire County Council at Chase Park, the home of Cannock Hockey Club, from 30 June – 3 July 2009.
Jason Lee’s team will take on the three times Olympic champions as they continue their preparations ahead of this summer’s EuroHockey Nations Championships in Amsterdam.
“The clash between Pakistan’s Asian style of hockey and England’s European style should be very interesting for the spectators,” says Head Coach Lee. “These matches will form an important part of England’s build up to this summer’s European Nations Championships.”
The matches should certainly prove to be close encounters with Pakistan having recently leapfrogged England into sixth in world rankings as a result of their second place finish at the Asia Cup. England is ranked seventh.
Continuing, Lee says, “I am sure Pakistan will be warmly welcomed and well supported, which should make the games very special occasions. I’d like to thank Pakistan for coming and Staffordshire County Council and Cannock Hockey Club for their support in what I am sure will be an entertaining set of matches.”
England’s last competitive clash with Pakistan came in the fifth place playoff at the 2006 BDO World Cup in Mönchengladbach, Germany, when a 67th minute goal from Martin Jones proved decisive, netting England fifth place.
The Pakistan matches mark a welcome return for international hockey to Cannock and England Hockey is delighted to be able to stage these matches at Chase Park, one of the top hockey grounds in the country. The club has continued to develop its facilities with the recent installation of 400 seats, which will be on show for the Pakistan series, and their support with the test series is greatly appreciated. Cannock most recently hosted international fixtures against Germany women and Netherlands men in August 2006.
David Linford, president of Cannock Hockey Club said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to host this important international test series. Over the last few years we have invested heavily in our facilities which now include a second international standard hockey pitch which will host its first international game when England meet Pakistan for this series.”
England Hockey is also grateful for the considerable backing of Staffordshire County Council in staging these matches.
Ron Hilton, Chief Executive of Staffordshire County Council said: “We are delighted to welcome the England and Pakistan hockey teams to Staffordshire. We are proud of our county and its hockey facility. These games will provide an ideal opportunity for our local communities to enjoy international hockey on home turf once again.”
Tickets for the matches are on sale from the England Hockey website at www.englandhockey.co.uk/pakistan.
Fixtures
Tuesday 30 June 2009 - England (m) v Pakistan - 1900hrs - Chase Park, Cannock
Thursday 2 July 2009 - England (m) v Pakistan - 1900hrs - Chase Park, Cannock
Friday 3 July 2009 - England (m) v Pakistan - 1900hrs - Chase Park, Cannock
England Hockey Media release
Malaysia's fate depends on opener
By Ajitpal Singh
MALAYSIA'S hope of advancing beyond the Junior Hockey World Cup group stage boils down to their opening match against England on June 7 in Johor Baru.
A favourable result is needed against England to boost the team's confidence and also give them the edge of advancing to the quarter-finals from Group C, which also consists South Korea, the United States and Spain.
Malaysia's coach K. Rajan, who has been grooming the team since late last year, is aware that his players need to get into their groove to achieve a good result against England.
A win is, of course, attainable considering that England have named a young side with an average age of just below 19, for the tournament.
England coach David Ralph included nine players of the England Under-21 side that finished fifth in last July's European Junior Nations Championships while another 11 also played for the Great Britain Junior team that took bronze in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in January.
Nick Catlin, at 20, is the most experienced player in the England squad having earned two senior caps last year.
Ralph said the Junior World Cup will provide some major challenges for the squad. "Not only do we face some of the top 20 junior teams in the World but the physical demands of the tournament will be tough as well," he told www.fihockey,org.
"A gruelling schedule means we face nine games in 14 days and the environmental conditions will be unlike any that the players have experienced previously,"
On the team's prospects, Ralph is cautiously optimistic.
"We are a very young squad and we face some tough challenges but we are also very excited by this prospect and confident that we have some exciting talent within the squad to compete at this level." he added.
England squad: Ben Arnold, James Bailey, David Beckett, Nick Catlin, David Condon, Richie Dawson-Smith, Marc Edwards, Simon Faulkner, Chris Gregg, Chris Griffiths, Ed Kelleher, Johnny Kinder, Sam Middleton, Ian Scanlon, Alex Edmonstone, Ben Tibble, Henry Weir, Tom Woods.
New Straits Times
Skipper Khairil gets nod to lead team
By AFTAR SINGH
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia have yet to name their final squad for the Junior World Cup Finals. But coach K. Rajan has picked Khairil Anuar Mohd Isa as the skipper of the team.
There are 22 players in the training squad and four will be dropped by June 2 for the Finals, which will be hosted by Malaysia and Singapore from June 7-21.
Rajan said yesterday that Khairil was a commanding figure in the team and deserved to wear the captain’s armband.
“He is a good fullback with the discipline to marshal the defence well. He can play as a sweeper,” said Rajan.
“I gave him the chance to be the captain in one of the matches in the playing tour to Europe in March and I was happy with the way he carried out his duties.”
Khairil, who hails from Penang, said that it was an honour to be the skipper of the team in a world tournament.
“I thought defender Ahmad Kazamirul (Nasruddin), who has been the team captain since last year, would wear the armband. I was surprise when coach Rajan informed me last week that I will be the skipper,” he said.
Khairil, who was the captain of the national Under-18 team for the Junior Asia Cup in Kuantan in 2006, added that he would be shouldering the heaviest responsibility in his hockey career in the Junior World Cup Finals.
“We have the task to meet a top eight target in a 20-team tournament,” he said.
Malaysia will open their campaign in Group C against England on June 7. Their other matches are against South Korea (June 8), United States (June 10) and Spain (June 12).
Malaysia have to finish among the top two in their group to advance to the second round, which begins on June 14.
Khairil added that England and Spain would be their biggest challengers in the bid to reach the second round.
“We played against England and Spain in the four-nation tournament in Seville in March and the matches ended in a 3-3 draw and 1-2 defeat respectively. So we can expect tough times against them in the Junior World Cup,” he said.
Defending champions Argentina are in Group A with Belgium, Egypt, Pakistan and Russia while Group B comprises Australia, Chile, Germany, Japan and South Africa. Group D has India, Holland, New Zealand, Poland and Singapore.
Group A and C matches will be played at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru while Singapore will host the matches in the other two groups.
The Star of Malaysia
Rajan in for a tough time to pick his strikers
KUALA LUMPUR: The national junior forwards have sharpen up and are ready to give their best in the Junior World Cup Finals.
Coach K. Rajan said that when he took charge last September, the forwardline was the weakest link but after eight months, they had improved vastly on their scoring ability.
“I am happy with their commitment in tournaments and I believe they will be able to deliver the goals in the Junior World Cup,” he said.
The forwards in the training squad are Faizal Saari, Mohd Azammi Adabi, Harvinder Singh, Izwan Firdaus, Khairul Azwan Abdul Hamid, Ahmad Termizi and Jamil Saidin.
Rajan said that all seven were equally good and he would have a tough time deciding to drop one of them for the final squad of 18.
“I am impressed with Izwan, who was only called up for training last November. He has improved a lot on his fitness and he is good with his scoring ability.
Rajan was also happy with Harvinder, who can also play as a midfielder.
Harvinder is the younger brother of national midfielder Kelvinder, who picked up the best player award in the last Junior World Cup Finals in Rotterdam in 2005.
The last Finals featured 16 teams and Malaysia finished in 10th place.
The Star of Malaysia
Pakistan follow India's lead
KARACHI: The Pakistan hockey federation (PHF) has withdrawn its team from next month’s four-nation tournament in Moscow because India pulled out of the event.
Shahid Ali Khan, Pakistan team’s head coach said that his team will not be competing in the Moscow quadrangular next month because India’s withdrawal from it will leave the field without any worthwhile competition, the News reported.
"We will not be going to Moscow as it will be useless to play against teams who are quite low in international rankings," said Shahid, a former Olympian.
Earlier, Pakistan had confirmed their participation in the four-nation event.
The Times of India
PHF back to drawing board for World Cup Qualifiers
By Khalid Hussain
KARACHI: Pakistan's hockey chiefs have gone back to the drawing board in a bid to prepare a blueprint for success ahead of this November's World Cup Qualifiers.
The Greenshirts did well to reach the Asia Cup final in Kuantan (Malaysia) earlier this month but their 0-1 defeat in the title match against Korea means that they will have to win a World Cup qualifying event to earn a spot in next year's tournament.
It's a very important assignment for record four-time World Cup champions Pakistan as a failure to win a qualifying event will deny them a place in the quadrennial event for the first time in its history.
The country's hockey bosses have lined up a Test series against England this summer and are also trying to confirm a similar assignment against Wales. An invitation has been sent to the Chinese hockey association for a series here or in Dubai.
A senior Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) official told 'The News' on Tuesday that a number of options are being discussed to ensure that the national team gets the best possible preparation ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers.
Asif Bajwa, the PHF secretary, said that maximum number of matches will be lined up for the national team this summer in a bid to get it ready for the qualifying rounds for the 2010 World Cup which will be held in New Delhi. But he said that the final list of matches will only be prepared once the lineups of the qualifying rounds are available from the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
"There are three continental events still to go and once they are over by this August, we will know the exact details of the qualifying rounds and in which of them our team will be taking part," he said.
The first World Cup qualifying tournament will be held in Lille, France from October 31 to November 8, 2009. The second event will be held in Invercargill, New Zealand from November 7 to November 15, 2009 while the dates and venue for the third event is yet to be finalised. "Once we know the formation of the qualifying event in which our team will be competing, only then we can finalise our complete preparatory programme," said Bajwa, a former Olympian.
"But that doesn't mean our team will sit idle till then. We will fix as many matches as we can to ensure that our boys are match-fit in the lead up to the World Cup Qualifiers," he said.
He said that Pakistan will play a three-match Test series against England early in July and is also likely to play three Tests against Wales during the same tour.
"We have also invited China for a Test series which can be played in Pakistan or in Dubai. We are even willing to send our team to China," he said.
Bajwa said that Pakistan have singled out China as an opponent because they are an ever-improving team and playing against them will benefit the national players.
The News International
Roderick Weusthof back in Dutch national team
Penalty corner specialist Roderick Weusthof is back in the national team of Netherlands. Weusthof is selected by coach Michel van den Heuvel for the Hamburg Masters (4-7 June 2009).
Weusthof was one of the Dutch players that finished fourth at the Beijing Olympic Games. After the Olympics, the new coach Van den Heuvel didn’t select Weusthof anymore. During the second part of the Dutch league, the player from SCHC did a great job. He scored 31 times in 15 matches and that was one of the reasons that Van den Heuvel invited Weusthof to be part of the Dutch national team again.
‘I am exited that I am back with the team’, Weusthof stated ‘I will have to do my best now; not only in the matches but also during the training sessions.’
WorldHockey
Ireland playing Wales in double header
Ireland’s National men’s side is bound for Wrexham, Wales to play in a double header on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June.
These matches will afford coach Revington the opportunity to see more players in match action as he continues to work with the team towards preparing for the busy summer ahead which includes both the Champions Challenge II on home turf and the EuroHockey Nations Trophy this coming August also in Wrexham.
Revington commented saying “These games against Wales will provide our squad with another good opportunity to put training hours into test match situations. Michael Watt returns to action after several months completing his studies in Scotland, while the likes of John Jermyn, Stephen Butler, Timmy Cockram and Geoff McCabe will also play their first international games in 2009 having missed the games against France in March. The squad has been working well together and this team will be well tested by a skilful Wales outfit playing on home turf and at the venue of the upcoming Euro Nations Trophy in August.”
Ireland last played this side at Cardiff with a very young squad, in September, where they came home with a draw (2-2) and a loss (3-2). Previous to this Ireland secured a 3-1 victory on home turf in Cork to clinch the Celtic Cup last July.
Irish squad: David Harte, Iain Walker, Ronan Gormley, Tim Lewis, Joe Brennan, Conor Harte, John Jackson, Graham Shaw, Stephen Butler, David Hobbs, John Jermyn, Andy McConnell, Geoff McCabe, Eugene Magee, Timmy Cockram, Mitch Darling, Alan Sothern, Michael Watt.
Management: Paul Revington; Craig Fulton; Peter Jackson; Sinead Murphy; Stephen Barry.
Match schedule:
Saturday 6 June:
Wales – Ireland 14:30
Sunday 7 June:
Wales – Ireland 13:00
Irish Hockey Association media release
Blyth looking forward to captaincy on home soil
While hosting the 2009 Champions Trophy on home soil is a big event for everyone in the Hockeyroos squad, defender Madonna Blyth has a particular reason to look forward to the tournament.
Following the retirements of former captains Nikki Hudson and Melanie Wells, Blyth along with veteran defender Emily Halliday were recently named Hockeyroo co-captains for 2009.
The Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy – Women 2009 Sydney, held from July 11-19 will be Blyth’s first opportunity to captain the team at a major international event, with Blyth looking forward to the opportunity.
“It’s a really big honour and my biggest individual achievement. Having been a member of the team for over four years now I guess I am one of the most experienced. I captained the Queensland Scorchers in the 2009 AHL after the retirement of Nikki Hudson which gave me good exposure to the role of captain so I’m looking forward to this experience,” said Blyth.
Blyth said playing in front of a home crowd at the Champions Trophy will play a big part in motivating the Hockeyroos throughout the tournament.
“Personally I think I’m going to love playing at home in front of my family and friends. There is some added pressure but I also think it is an added help and can be a real advantage when the crowd gets behind you. The excitement and atmosphere often adds to the level of play so I am really looking forward to it,” said Blyth.
Coincidently, Blyth made her Australian debut at the 2004 Champions Trophy event, and says she is looking forward to helping any of the young squad members who will be participating in their first Champions Trophy.
“Everyone knows the team has lost a lot of experience and we are now a different group with some very young players at age 16, so I think I will have to take on a different role in the team and be more responsible. I think it’s important in a team environment that people can learn from their team mates so hopefully I’ll be able to share my experience and knowledge and help some of the new players,” said Blyth.
To support Madonna and the Hockeyroos at the 2009 Champions Trophy, purchase your tickets by either visiting your local Ticketek branch, calling Ticketek on 132 849 or logging onto http://premier.ticketek.com.au/.
Hockey Australia media release
Premier league hockey was a mockery
JONATHAN COOK
SUNDAY was a sad day for KZN Inland hockey.
The powerful Maritzburg Varsity first team obliterated a terribly unfit, under-prepared PMB Collegians side completely out of their depth for a so-called “Premier” league match that made a mockery of its top-of-the-table billing.
Without even sharpening their scalpels, Varsity carved Collegians up, their long-time rivals at an utter loss as to how to counter a team that is arguably the best club side in the country. The score? It was such an ugly sight, who really cares? But for those masochists out there, Varsity had gorged themselves on 14 goals without reply when I left in total despair, although it was so unappetising it was easy to lose count.
Those who remember how it used to be here in the KZN capital city — 500 spectators (and counting) for those classic PMB Collegians/Durban Tech clashes in the late seventies and eighties, not to mention the legendary Varsity/Collegians local derbies, will have turned away as I did, in disgust and disillusionment at how low the game has sunk at club level in Pietermaritzburg. There were around 80 people on and off during this formerly legendary match-up — and many were more interested in chatting to friends than watching.
One breathed a sigh of relief that some of those respected PMB hockey players of the past — Brian Edwards, Graham and Dave Turnbull, Mike Bechet, Jon Harley, Lynton Freese, Keith and Kelly Fairweather, Des Mayne and Andrew Brown, to name a few — were not present.
They would have choked on their beers in disbelief — no wonder the former players hardly ever watch club hockey anymore.
But the on-field massacre was not quite as unpalatable as the shambles around me. No one manning the technical table other than a schoolboy doing his homework and the match started 15 minutes late. No team sheets; electronic scoreboard blank when it worked just fine the day before; eight or nine “Premier” league players without either the correct shirts, shorts or socks — one or two with none of the above. Players without the correct kit would not be allowed go on to the field in an equivalent league — KZN Premier Division club rugby. But then, that league has pride.
The grass surrounding this beautiful AB Jackson Greenfields Turf facility not even cut — two feet deep in places and badly hacked in others. And last, but not least, no confirmation of results, goalscorers and match sheets sent to The Witness hockey writer on Monday — as is the arranged procedure.
But really, what does it matter how many goals were scored by the various Varsity players? They aren’t worth the paper they weren’t written on.
Yet in spite of this total disregard for supporters and the press, the KZN Inland Hockey Association also had the cheek to insist on a fee at the gate. The modest sum is not the point, it’s the principle that matters — and for goodness’ sake, even the refreshment kiosk was closed.
Whoever is responsible for this pathetic state of affairs should be reprimanded in the most severe manner by the KZN Inland Hockey Association.
And please don’t just talk about it — do something. This debacle must never, ever, be allowed to happen again.
The Witness - © www.witness.co.za 2002. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Defender hoping injury doesn't get in way of selection
by Peter Thorley
Northland's "bionic" woman, Jasmin McQuinn, is hoping to close an injury-prone chapter in her fledgling career by relaunching her international career this week.
McQuinn acquired the bionic nickname from teammates after undergoing her second ACL ligament reconstruction last year, albeit on different knees, at the tender age of 18.
She is one of six current or former Northland players hoping to survive the cut as the Black Sticks training squad is reduced from 31 to 24 players at trials this week in Auckland at Lloyd Elsmore Park.
The injury to her left knee this past February, sustained while warming up for her third test in her first international series against Korea, came at a huge cost and saw her miss out on the Beijing Olympics.
But even though the hard-nosed defender is fully recovered from her injury, the disappointment still lingers in her psyche.
"At this stage, I'm fully fit and recovered from my injury and that's a plus but I don't want to jinx myself," she said.
"I definitely think about it when I play but you've got to make sure it's in the back of your head if you want to be really any good."
McQuinn worked hard in the gym to recover from her operation and was rewarded with an all clear to join the NZ under-21 squad, that played a series in Australia in December.
"It wasn't really until we went to Australia with the Junior Black Sticks that I felt fully comfortable with playing again ... it takes a lot of time to get your confidence back again after an injury like that."
She survived another injury scare earlier this year - again on her left knee - but bounced back quickly to join the successful Northern U21 team that won the national title in Whangarei, earlier this month.
"I've had a fitness programme to follow and been doing gym sessions twice a week and training just about every day recently, so I'm as ready as I can be."
This week will provide the ultimate test of her recovery.
"This week is going to be pretty hard, there are around 35 players hoping to get into the team but, at this stage, no one's really too sure what's going to happen. At the end of the week, I'm hoping I'll get selected but there's a whole host of good defenders trying to get in so it's not going to be easy."
A few players who were in the squad have pulled out of contention, which is likely to give the side a fairly new-look when it is named later in the week.
"The younger players who have been playing in the NHL and have just missed out in the past because of the older players, are now getting their shot, which is pretty cool," McQuinn said.
Anna Thorpe, Charlotte Harrison, Stacey Michelsen, Alana Millington and Ella Gunson are also seeking selection.
The players underwent fitness testing yesterday and play a series of matches this week.
Northern Advocate
Juniors struggle to score funding
Funding cuts have thrown a world tournament into jeopardy for North Harbour’s best young hockey players.
Ten players currently involved in North Harbour club competition have been selected for Junior Black Sticks sides for this year’s world cups.
However, pulled funding means players themselves, many of whom are students, are having to meet costs.
For the men’s team travelling to Singapore next month that means finding $7000 each while the women’s team, travelling to the United States in August, need $8000 for each player.
Takapuna Hockey Club chairman Brent Edwards says the news is a big blow to New Zealand hockey.
"These are the best young players in the country and they’ve earned a great opportunity," he says.
"But now not only are they having to pay for travel but they’ve also lost training camps which had been planned before funding was pulled," he says.
"Harbour Hockey is doing everything it can to help these guys."
A series of fundraising events is being planned with proceeds going to young Harbour players. Contact Brent Edwards on 027-686-2862 for more information or if you want to donate an auction item.
Stuff
Prem Judge: "Indian shortcomings are too obvious to ignore
“India need to pull up its socks immediately, rectify its mistakes if it wants to do well at the 2010 World Cup”, says Prem Judge, an older timer, who watched all matches at Kuantan Asian Cup.
The Perth based die hard fan of hockey flew down to Kuantan specially to be among the action and he wrote exclusive for stick2hockey.com.
His observations:
Indian defenders were seen busy taking off protective gear after failed penalty corner rather than immediately manning up till the ball out of the danger zone. They can attend to such housekeeping later on?
Three top defenders go up to take the penalty corner; 2 fullbacks are understandable but why should the centre half also go up to take the push in ? This leaves defence in very shaky hand, giving up easy counter attacks. Let one of the forwards take the push in.
Pakistan scored a goal in the very first second of second half with a lightening raid while our boys were still walking to their positions!! Indian goalkeeper was still outside the side line of the goalpost putting away some gear!! He was still getting into position when the attack reached the D. Yes, the referee bungled as he should have made sure that the keepers were in position before blowing the whistle, too late to cry now.
Korea-China match was the perfect example of finishing and availing of chances -- almost a 100% success rate in their opportunities and strike rate. The Koreans carried the ball into the D, held the ball and either earned short corners, converted or passed to players in better position and FINISHED. Indian play sadly has been uni-dimensional, long hits hoping for errors, blasting away from all angles the moment they crossed the D even if there were players in open position
Defence throws long overhead balls thus giving away possession to opponents often, read the play early and moved in early to cover the ball. Indian players were reluctant to carry the ball into the D, create defensive errors to earn short corners. With the kind of ball skill the Indian players have they could have worked for more short corners. Some other teams did this very well and got rewarded. People like me were howling away "pher se pawo" "short corner karo" etc in vain of course.
Sandeep, though good at short corner conversion, lacks in variation, as was seen in the China game. He scored 2 high flicks, fluked one which rolled along and was almost converted by none other than the veteran Dilip who ran in and tried to push it in. What were the other forwards doing? Seem to be bystanders and totally asleep? Then he went for another high one which the goalkeeper had already read. Before leaving for Kuantan my good friend Adolphus felt that Sandeeps flicks would have been read at the Azlan Shah Cup and variation must be used. These are old timers like me who are still good readers of the game as we spend hours watching games.
The Chinese used tactic well too by creating a time out in the last 20 seconds when India won the short corner, a player went down so that time would be stopped and the Indians would not be able to delay the taking of the short corner till time was up and thus could attack with all 10 players at the D. In fact I was screaming at the Indians to go up and crowd the D even if short corner failed and China could score another last minute goal,
The coaches wanted to ensure that they did not lose the game. Still I think I would have just held on to the ball and created another short corner to play time out and then used different variations to ensure that either a goal was scored or a penalty won instead of a wild flick? Being captain and chosen flick taker I think he did not try out Dilip with a direct hit even once, I sense a bit of greed rather than Nation comes first.
There was always a huge gap between the forwards and defenders, almost 30 meters, so when the forwards were attacking there were no half's high up to intercept any quick moves or even to give support. Guess this is where fitness comes in and some were hiding their weakness by staying low. The Chinese, Koreans and Japanese were full of run for almost the full 70 minutes and this may have been the deciding factor.
Players are professionals these days and have to be able to make full use of opportunities and convert even half chances. Remember the first goal against Japan was a gift by the defence as the ball was flicked to top D where Indian player was waiting else story may have been different.
Stick2Hockey.com
Jaguars maul Kimathi College in KHU tie
By Erick Ochieng’
Western Jaguars taught Kimathi University College a hockey lesson with a 7-0 thrashing in a Kenya Hockey Union men’s national league tie played at the City Park stadium at the weekend.
Michael Malungu was the destroyer in chief for Kimathi with four goals. He scored in the 20th, 27th, 61st and 69th minutes. Sammy Mushira weighed in with a brace in the 48th and 60th minutes while Michael Toroitich notched the seventh in the 55th minute.
However, Jaguars failed to escape the wrath of Mombasa Sports Club who nailed them 2-0 with Amas Wanjala and Titus Mulwa scoring the goals in the second match of the day.
It was not a good outing though for Mombasa Sports Club in their second match of the day as they were edged out 1-0 by the University of Nairobi.
In the women matches, national league champions Telkom Orange had no mercies for the hosts as they walloped Mombasa Sports Club 4-0.
The match played at Mombasa Sports Club’s ground saw Rose Mbulo and Florence Olal netting in the 15th and 31st minutes before Jacqueline Mwangi and Betty Tioni added two more after the break.
In the Premier League, visiting Green Sharks edged Mvita X1 1-0 in another match also played in Mombasa. Leonard Mutukutu scored the solitary goal after 25 minutes. Action resumes this weekend at Nairobi’s City Park Stadium.
The Standard Online
Triple for Shaheen in Hong Kong
Defending League and Rabobank Holland Cup holders Shaheen Sports Club took one step further by winning all three majors trophies in Hong Kong. They beat Valley A 7-2 to win the Premier Hockey League on Sunday and earlier they already won the Rabobank Holland Cup and the Perrier-Jinnah Hockey Tournament 2009. It is the 17th times for claiming the senior league and 8 times were the doubles since the club established in 1982.
SSC Media.
Australia pip France in 1st test
France took on one of the best teams in the World last night and lost narrowly to Australia 5- 4 having led 4 - 2 at half time.
The French started quickly with Frédéric Soyez.scoring from a penalty corner in the 1st minutes of the game. The Australians then scored two field goals in the 12th and 19th. The Blues restored parity in the 21st minute with a field goal from Martin Genestet before storming ahead with two quick goals in the 27th and 28 minute by Arnaud Becuwe and Sébastien Jeanjean to lead 4 - 2 at the break
After returning from the locker rooms the Australians took charge of the game by capitalising on their opportunities to score three goals to finally win 5 - 4.
Blues coach Scott Goodheart said the results were positive explaining "We have been effective. With fewer opportunities than Australia we managed to score 4 goals. Our keeper Maxime Wilson put up a strong international performance in earning his first cap. Defensively we knew we had a young defence, but we have learned much from this match. The players are aware of this. The attackers and midfielders have also been facing a good team that gives no respite. What is most significant is that this the first time these players have played as a teamand played with a press when we had the ball. The other European teams we play do not play with that kind of press. We have responded well."
The second test takes place at 19:00 on Wednesday 27th at Racing Club de France. By then video analysis for the Blues will discover the Australian flaws and find solutions for them
France vs Australia: 4-5 (4-2)
French Goals: Frédéric Soyez (7th, PC), Martin Genestet (21st, FG, Arnaud Becuwe (27th, FG), Sébastien Jeanjean (28th, FG)
Australian Goals Ford (12th, FG), Orchard (19th, FG), Doerner (43rd, PC), Paterson (52nd, FG), Orachard (65th, FG)
FFH media release (Rough translation of this page)
England Men to Play India at University of Birmingham
England Hockey is delighted to confirm that England’s men will take on India in a three match test series from 29 July – 2 August 2009. The series is organised by England Hockey in partnership with Birmingham City Council and the University of Birmingham, with the matches being staged at the University’s ground where their pitches are currently being resurfaced.
Thanks to the very welcome support of the Council and the University spectators will be able to enjoy the matches from seating and terracing, which will be installed for the matches along with other visitor facilities. The Indian team will be hosted at the University for the duration of their stay.
England’s opponents are currently ranked 12th in the World after missing out on qualification to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the hands of Great Britain. They have recently competed in the Asian Cup, where they finished fifth.
Speaking as the fixtures were announced, England Head Coach Jason Lee described his affection for the opposition. “It is a great pleasure to host a country with such a golden history in our sport as India,” he said. “I know they will be warmly welcomed and will have a lot of support at the matches. Without doubt the impact on both countries of Great Britain’s victory over India in last year’s Olympic Qualifier was significant. I had a real sense of sympathy for India on their failure to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. World hockey would be much stronger if India was to regain some of its former glory. I believe we all hope that they will become strong again.
“I would like to thank India for agreeing to this series of fixtures and to extend my gratitude to Birmingham City Council and the University for their support in what I am sure will be an entertaining set of matches.”
Lee’s men, who are currently ranked seventh in the World, last met India in a competitive game during the 2007 BDO Champions Challenge in Boom, Belgium. On that occasion India emerged victorious, winning the match 4-3 and with it the bronze medal.
Birmingham City Council has been a great supporter of hockey at all levels of the game from grass roots through to the elite and their support was instrumental in the move to the National Indoor Arena of hockey’s Indoor Finals in 2006.
Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture, Councillor Martin Mullaney, said: “Birmingham City Council is delighted to be supporting the hockey test series between England and India. These matches will provide a great opportunity for local people to see international hockey on their doorsteps and also provide us with an excellent chance to profile the city and its superb facilities to the Indian hockey team ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.”
On the pitch, the University of Birmingham has a proud hockey tradition stretching back to the early 1990s when they hosted the Men’s and Women’s European Cup Winners Cup in 1993 followed by a season of Men’s National League games televised on Sky Sports.
Among the players hoping to be part of the squad to face India is University of Birmingham alumnus and Beijing Olympian Simon Mantell, who, if selected, will be returning to play at the campus for the first time since graduating in 2007.
In recent years the University has hosted a number of domestic finals and has recently enjoyed success with their women’s team earning promotion to the England Hockey League Premier Division for 2009-10. The University is also part of the consortium of universities that makes up England Hockey’s West Midlands National Performance Centre, providing top quality coaching and support to some of the country’s top hockey players aged 18-23 as an integral component in England Hockey’s Single System.
Zena Wooldridge, Director of Sport at University of Birmingham, believes the test series fits nicely into the University’s wider strategy: “The University is delighted to be hosting India and the test series with England, in partnership with England Hockey and Birmingham City Council. Hockey is one of the University’s priority sports and India is an important and growing market for international recruitment to the University. This event is a perfect combination of factors for the University and we look forward to welcoming the India and England teams and their supporters from across the City and Region.”
Tickets for the three matches are on sale from the England Hockey website at www.englandhockey.co.uk/india.
Fixtures
Wednesday 29 July 2009 - England (m) v India - 1830hrs - University of Birmingham
Friday 31 July 2009 - England (m) v India - 1830hrs - University of Birmingham
Sunday 2 August 2009 - England (m) v India - 1100hrs - University of Birmingham
England Hockey Media release
Pakistan Lined Up to Play England at Cannock Hockey Club
England Hockey is delighted to announce a three match test series against Pakistan to be staged with support from Staffordshire County Council at Chase Park, the home of Cannock Hockey Club, from 30 June – 3 July 2009.
Jason Lee’s team will take on the three times Olympic champions as they continue their preparations ahead of this summer’s EuroHockey Nations Championships in Amsterdam.
“The clash between Pakistan’s Asian style of hockey and England’s European style should be very interesting for the spectators,” says Head Coach Lee. “These matches will form an important part of England’s build up to this summer’s European Nations Championships.”
The matches should certainly prove to be close encounters with Pakistan having recently leapfrogged England into sixth in world rankings as a result of their second place finish at the Asia Cup. England is ranked seventh.
Continuing, Lee says, “I am sure Pakistan will be warmly welcomed and well supported, which should make the games very special occasions. I’d like to thank Pakistan for coming and Staffordshire County Council and Cannock Hockey Club for their support in what I am sure will be an entertaining set of matches.”
England’s last competitive clash with Pakistan came in the fifth place playoff at the 2006 BDO World Cup in Mönchengladbach, Germany, when a 67th minute goal from Martin Jones proved decisive, netting England fifth place.
The Pakistan matches mark a welcome return for international hockey to Cannock and England Hockey is delighted to be able to stage these matches at Chase Park, one of the top hockey grounds in the country. The club has continued to develop its facilities with the recent installation of 400 seats, which will be on show for the Pakistan series, and their support with the test series is greatly appreciated. Cannock most recently hosted international fixtures against Germany women and Netherlands men in August 2006.
David Linford, president of Cannock Hockey Club said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to host this important international test series. Over the last few years we have invested heavily in our facilities which now include a second international standard hockey pitch which will host its first international game when England meet Pakistan for this series.”
England Hockey is also grateful for the considerable backing of Staffordshire County Council in staging these matches.
Ron Hilton, Chief Executive of Staffordshire County Council said: “We are delighted to welcome the England and Pakistan hockey teams to Staffordshire. We are proud of our county and its hockey facility. These games will provide an ideal opportunity for our local communities to enjoy international hockey on home turf once again.”
Tickets for the matches are on sale from the England Hockey website at www.englandhockey.co.uk/pakistan.
Fixtures
Tuesday 30 June 2009 - England (m) v Pakistan - 1900hrs - Chase Park, Cannock
Thursday 2 July 2009 - England (m) v Pakistan - 1900hrs - Chase Park, Cannock
Friday 3 July 2009 - England (m) v Pakistan - 1900hrs - Chase Park, Cannock
England Hockey Media release
Malaysia's fate depends on opener
By Ajitpal Singh
MALAYSIA'S hope of advancing beyond the Junior Hockey World Cup group stage boils down to their opening match against England on June 7 in Johor Baru.
A favourable result is needed against England to boost the team's confidence and also give them the edge of advancing to the quarter-finals from Group C, which also consists South Korea, the United States and Spain.
Malaysia's coach K. Rajan, who has been grooming the team since late last year, is aware that his players need to get into their groove to achieve a good result against England.
A win is, of course, attainable considering that England have named a young side with an average age of just below 19, for the tournament.
England coach David Ralph included nine players of the England Under-21 side that finished fifth in last July's European Junior Nations Championships while another 11 also played for the Great Britain Junior team that took bronze in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in January.
Nick Catlin, at 20, is the most experienced player in the England squad having earned two senior caps last year.
Ralph said the Junior World Cup will provide some major challenges for the squad. "Not only do we face some of the top 20 junior teams in the World but the physical demands of the tournament will be tough as well," he told www.fihockey,org.
"A gruelling schedule means we face nine games in 14 days and the environmental conditions will be unlike any that the players have experienced previously,"
On the team's prospects, Ralph is cautiously optimistic.
"We are a very young squad and we face some tough challenges but we are also very excited by this prospect and confident that we have some exciting talent within the squad to compete at this level." he added.
England squad: Ben Arnold, James Bailey, David Beckett, Nick Catlin, David Condon, Richie Dawson-Smith, Marc Edwards, Simon Faulkner, Chris Gregg, Chris Griffiths, Ed Kelleher, Johnny Kinder, Sam Middleton, Ian Scanlon, Alex Edmonstone, Ben Tibble, Henry Weir, Tom Woods.
New Straits Times
Skipper Khairil gets nod to lead team
By AFTAR SINGH
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia have yet to name their final squad for the Junior World Cup Finals. But coach K. Rajan has picked Khairil Anuar Mohd Isa as the skipper of the team.
There are 22 players in the training squad and four will be dropped by June 2 for the Finals, which will be hosted by Malaysia and Singapore from June 7-21.
Rajan said yesterday that Khairil was a commanding figure in the team and deserved to wear the captain’s armband.
“He is a good fullback with the discipline to marshal the defence well. He can play as a sweeper,” said Rajan.
“I gave him the chance to be the captain in one of the matches in the playing tour to Europe in March and I was happy with the way he carried out his duties.”
Khairil, who hails from Penang, said that it was an honour to be the skipper of the team in a world tournament.
“I thought defender Ahmad Kazamirul (Nasruddin), who has been the team captain since last year, would wear the armband. I was surprise when coach Rajan informed me last week that I will be the skipper,” he said.
Khairil, who was the captain of the national Under-18 team for the Junior Asia Cup in Kuantan in 2006, added that he would be shouldering the heaviest responsibility in his hockey career in the Junior World Cup Finals.
“We have the task to meet a top eight target in a 20-team tournament,” he said.
Malaysia will open their campaign in Group C against England on June 7. Their other matches are against South Korea (June 8), United States (June 10) and Spain (June 12).
Malaysia have to finish among the top two in their group to advance to the second round, which begins on June 14.
Khairil added that England and Spain would be their biggest challengers in the bid to reach the second round.
“We played against England and Spain in the four-nation tournament in Seville in March and the matches ended in a 3-3 draw and 1-2 defeat respectively. So we can expect tough times against them in the Junior World Cup,” he said.
Defending champions Argentina are in Group A with Belgium, Egypt, Pakistan and Russia while Group B comprises Australia, Chile, Germany, Japan and South Africa. Group D has India, Holland, New Zealand, Poland and Singapore.
Group A and C matches will be played at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru while Singapore will host the matches in the other two groups.
The Star of Malaysia
Rajan in for a tough time to pick his strikers
KUALA LUMPUR: The national junior forwards have sharpen up and are ready to give their best in the Junior World Cup Finals.
Coach K. Rajan said that when he took charge last September, the forwardline was the weakest link but after eight months, they had improved vastly on their scoring ability.
“I am happy with their commitment in tournaments and I believe they will be able to deliver the goals in the Junior World Cup,” he said.
The forwards in the training squad are Faizal Saari, Mohd Azammi Adabi, Harvinder Singh, Izwan Firdaus, Khairul Azwan Abdul Hamid, Ahmad Termizi and Jamil Saidin.
Rajan said that all seven were equally good and he would have a tough time deciding to drop one of them for the final squad of 18.
“I am impressed with Izwan, who was only called up for training last November. He has improved a lot on his fitness and he is good with his scoring ability.
Rajan was also happy with Harvinder, who can also play as a midfielder.
Harvinder is the younger brother of national midfielder Kelvinder, who picked up the best player award in the last Junior World Cup Finals in Rotterdam in 2005.
The last Finals featured 16 teams and Malaysia finished in 10th place.
The Star of Malaysia
Pakistan follow India's lead
KARACHI: The Pakistan hockey federation (PHF) has withdrawn its team from next month’s four-nation tournament in Moscow because India pulled out of the event.
Shahid Ali Khan, Pakistan team’s head coach said that his team will not be competing in the Moscow quadrangular next month because India’s withdrawal from it will leave the field without any worthwhile competition, the News reported.
"We will not be going to Moscow as it will be useless to play against teams who are quite low in international rankings," said Shahid, a former Olympian.
Earlier, Pakistan had confirmed their participation in the four-nation event.
The Times of India
PHF back to drawing board for World Cup Qualifiers
By Khalid Hussain
KARACHI: Pakistan's hockey chiefs have gone back to the drawing board in a bid to prepare a blueprint for success ahead of this November's World Cup Qualifiers.
The Greenshirts did well to reach the Asia Cup final in Kuantan (Malaysia) earlier this month but their 0-1 defeat in the title match against Korea means that they will have to win a World Cup qualifying event to earn a spot in next year's tournament.
It's a very important assignment for record four-time World Cup champions Pakistan as a failure to win a qualifying event will deny them a place in the quadrennial event for the first time in its history.
The country's hockey bosses have lined up a Test series against England this summer and are also trying to confirm a similar assignment against Wales. An invitation has been sent to the Chinese hockey association for a series here or in Dubai.
A senior Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) official told 'The News' on Tuesday that a number of options are being discussed to ensure that the national team gets the best possible preparation ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers.
Asif Bajwa, the PHF secretary, said that maximum number of matches will be lined up for the national team this summer in a bid to get it ready for the qualifying rounds for the 2010 World Cup which will be held in New Delhi. But he said that the final list of matches will only be prepared once the lineups of the qualifying rounds are available from the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
"There are three continental events still to go and once they are over by this August, we will know the exact details of the qualifying rounds and in which of them our team will be taking part," he said.
The first World Cup qualifying tournament will be held in Lille, France from October 31 to November 8, 2009. The second event will be held in Invercargill, New Zealand from November 7 to November 15, 2009 while the dates and venue for the third event is yet to be finalised. "Once we know the formation of the qualifying event in which our team will be competing, only then we can finalise our complete preparatory programme," said Bajwa, a former Olympian.
"But that doesn't mean our team will sit idle till then. We will fix as many matches as we can to ensure that our boys are match-fit in the lead up to the World Cup Qualifiers," he said.
He said that Pakistan will play a three-match Test series against England early in July and is also likely to play three Tests against Wales during the same tour.
"We have also invited China for a Test series which can be played in Pakistan or in Dubai. We are even willing to send our team to China," he said.
Bajwa said that Pakistan have singled out China as an opponent because they are an ever-improving team and playing against them will benefit the national players.
The News International
Roderick Weusthof back in Dutch national team
Penalty corner specialist Roderick Weusthof is back in the national team of Netherlands. Weusthof is selected by coach Michel van den Heuvel for the Hamburg Masters (4-7 June 2009).
Weusthof was one of the Dutch players that finished fourth at the Beijing Olympic Games. After the Olympics, the new coach Van den Heuvel didn’t select Weusthof anymore. During the second part of the Dutch league, the player from SCHC did a great job. He scored 31 times in 15 matches and that was one of the reasons that Van den Heuvel invited Weusthof to be part of the Dutch national team again.
‘I am exited that I am back with the team’, Weusthof stated ‘I will have to do my best now; not only in the matches but also during the training sessions.’
WorldHockey
Ireland playing Wales in double header
Ireland’s National men’s side is bound for Wrexham, Wales to play in a double header on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June.
These matches will afford coach Revington the opportunity to see more players in match action as he continues to work with the team towards preparing for the busy summer ahead which includes both the Champions Challenge II on home turf and the EuroHockey Nations Trophy this coming August also in Wrexham.
Revington commented saying “These games against Wales will provide our squad with another good opportunity to put training hours into test match situations. Michael Watt returns to action after several months completing his studies in Scotland, while the likes of John Jermyn, Stephen Butler, Timmy Cockram and Geoff McCabe will also play their first international games in 2009 having missed the games against France in March. The squad has been working well together and this team will be well tested by a skilful Wales outfit playing on home turf and at the venue of the upcoming Euro Nations Trophy in August.”
Ireland last played this side at Cardiff with a very young squad, in September, where they came home with a draw (2-2) and a loss (3-2). Previous to this Ireland secured a 3-1 victory on home turf in Cork to clinch the Celtic Cup last July.
Irish squad: David Harte, Iain Walker, Ronan Gormley, Tim Lewis, Joe Brennan, Conor Harte, John Jackson, Graham Shaw, Stephen Butler, David Hobbs, John Jermyn, Andy McConnell, Geoff McCabe, Eugene Magee, Timmy Cockram, Mitch Darling, Alan Sothern, Michael Watt.
Management: Paul Revington; Craig Fulton; Peter Jackson; Sinead Murphy; Stephen Barry.
Match schedule:
Saturday 6 June:
Wales – Ireland 14:30
Sunday 7 June:
Wales – Ireland 13:00
Irish Hockey Association media release
Blyth looking forward to captaincy on home soil
While hosting the 2009 Champions Trophy on home soil is a big event for everyone in the Hockeyroos squad, defender Madonna Blyth has a particular reason to look forward to the tournament.
Following the retirements of former captains Nikki Hudson and Melanie Wells, Blyth along with veteran defender Emily Halliday were recently named Hockeyroo co-captains for 2009.
The Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy – Women 2009 Sydney, held from July 11-19 will be Blyth’s first opportunity to captain the team at a major international event, with Blyth looking forward to the opportunity.
“It’s a really big honour and my biggest individual achievement. Having been a member of the team for over four years now I guess I am one of the most experienced. I captained the Queensland Scorchers in the 2009 AHL after the retirement of Nikki Hudson which gave me good exposure to the role of captain so I’m looking forward to this experience,” said Blyth.
Blyth said playing in front of a home crowd at the Champions Trophy will play a big part in motivating the Hockeyroos throughout the tournament.
“Personally I think I’m going to love playing at home in front of my family and friends. There is some added pressure but I also think it is an added help and can be a real advantage when the crowd gets behind you. The excitement and atmosphere often adds to the level of play so I am really looking forward to it,” said Blyth.
Coincidently, Blyth made her Australian debut at the 2004 Champions Trophy event, and says she is looking forward to helping any of the young squad members who will be participating in their first Champions Trophy.
“Everyone knows the team has lost a lot of experience and we are now a different group with some very young players at age 16, so I think I will have to take on a different role in the team and be more responsible. I think it’s important in a team environment that people can learn from their team mates so hopefully I’ll be able to share my experience and knowledge and help some of the new players,” said Blyth.
To support Madonna and the Hockeyroos at the 2009 Champions Trophy, purchase your tickets by either visiting your local Ticketek branch, calling Ticketek on 132 849 or logging onto http://premier.ticketek.com.au/.
Hockey Australia media release
Premier league hockey was a mockery
JONATHAN COOK
SUNDAY was a sad day for KZN Inland hockey.
The powerful Maritzburg Varsity first team obliterated a terribly unfit, under-prepared PMB Collegians side completely out of their depth for a so-called “Premier” league match that made a mockery of its top-of-the-table billing.
Without even sharpening their scalpels, Varsity carved Collegians up, their long-time rivals at an utter loss as to how to counter a team that is arguably the best club side in the country. The score? It was such an ugly sight, who really cares? But for those masochists out there, Varsity had gorged themselves on 14 goals without reply when I left in total despair, although it was so unappetising it was easy to lose count.
Those who remember how it used to be here in the KZN capital city — 500 spectators (and counting) for those classic PMB Collegians/Durban Tech clashes in the late seventies and eighties, not to mention the legendary Varsity/Collegians local derbies, will have turned away as I did, in disgust and disillusionment at how low the game has sunk at club level in Pietermaritzburg. There were around 80 people on and off during this formerly legendary match-up — and many were more interested in chatting to friends than watching.
One breathed a sigh of relief that some of those respected PMB hockey players of the past — Brian Edwards, Graham and Dave Turnbull, Mike Bechet, Jon Harley, Lynton Freese, Keith and Kelly Fairweather, Des Mayne and Andrew Brown, to name a few — were not present.
They would have choked on their beers in disbelief — no wonder the former players hardly ever watch club hockey anymore.
But the on-field massacre was not quite as unpalatable as the shambles around me. No one manning the technical table other than a schoolboy doing his homework and the match started 15 minutes late. No team sheets; electronic scoreboard blank when it worked just fine the day before; eight or nine “Premier” league players without either the correct shirts, shorts or socks — one or two with none of the above. Players without the correct kit would not be allowed go on to the field in an equivalent league — KZN Premier Division club rugby. But then, that league has pride.
The grass surrounding this beautiful AB Jackson Greenfields Turf facility not even cut — two feet deep in places and badly hacked in others. And last, but not least, no confirmation of results, goalscorers and match sheets sent to The Witness hockey writer on Monday — as is the arranged procedure.
But really, what does it matter how many goals were scored by the various Varsity players? They aren’t worth the paper they weren’t written on.
Yet in spite of this total disregard for supporters and the press, the KZN Inland Hockey Association also had the cheek to insist on a fee at the gate. The modest sum is not the point, it’s the principle that matters — and for goodness’ sake, even the refreshment kiosk was closed.
Whoever is responsible for this pathetic state of affairs should be reprimanded in the most severe manner by the KZN Inland Hockey Association.
And please don’t just talk about it — do something. This debacle must never, ever, be allowed to happen again.
The Witness - © www.witness.co.za 2002. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Defender hoping injury doesn't get in way of selection
by Peter Thorley
Northland's "bionic" woman, Jasmin McQuinn, is hoping to close an injury-prone chapter in her fledgling career by relaunching her international career this week.
McQuinn acquired the bionic nickname from teammates after undergoing her second ACL ligament reconstruction last year, albeit on different knees, at the tender age of 18.
She is one of six current or former Northland players hoping to survive the cut as the Black Sticks training squad is reduced from 31 to 24 players at trials this week in Auckland at Lloyd Elsmore Park.
The injury to her left knee this past February, sustained while warming up for her third test in her first international series against Korea, came at a huge cost and saw her miss out on the Beijing Olympics.
But even though the hard-nosed defender is fully recovered from her injury, the disappointment still lingers in her psyche.
"At this stage, I'm fully fit and recovered from my injury and that's a plus but I don't want to jinx myself," she said.
"I definitely think about it when I play but you've got to make sure it's in the back of your head if you want to be really any good."
McQuinn worked hard in the gym to recover from her operation and was rewarded with an all clear to join the NZ under-21 squad, that played a series in Australia in December.
"It wasn't really until we went to Australia with the Junior Black Sticks that I felt fully comfortable with playing again ... it takes a lot of time to get your confidence back again after an injury like that."
She survived another injury scare earlier this year - again on her left knee - but bounced back quickly to join the successful Northern U21 team that won the national title in Whangarei, earlier this month.
"I've had a fitness programme to follow and been doing gym sessions twice a week and training just about every day recently, so I'm as ready as I can be."
This week will provide the ultimate test of her recovery.
"This week is going to be pretty hard, there are around 35 players hoping to get into the team but, at this stage, no one's really too sure what's going to happen. At the end of the week, I'm hoping I'll get selected but there's a whole host of good defenders trying to get in so it's not going to be easy."
A few players who were in the squad have pulled out of contention, which is likely to give the side a fairly new-look when it is named later in the week.
"The younger players who have been playing in the NHL and have just missed out in the past because of the older players, are now getting their shot, which is pretty cool," McQuinn said.
Anna Thorpe, Charlotte Harrison, Stacey Michelsen, Alana Millington and Ella Gunson are also seeking selection.
The players underwent fitness testing yesterday and play a series of matches this week.
Northern Advocate
Juniors struggle to score funding
Funding cuts have thrown a world tournament into jeopardy for North Harbour’s best young hockey players.
Ten players currently involved in North Harbour club competition have been selected for Junior Black Sticks sides for this year’s world cups.
However, pulled funding means players themselves, many of whom are students, are having to meet costs.
For the men’s team travelling to Singapore next month that means finding $7000 each while the women’s team, travelling to the United States in August, need $8000 for each player.
Takapuna Hockey Club chairman Brent Edwards says the news is a big blow to New Zealand hockey.
"These are the best young players in the country and they’ve earned a great opportunity," he says.
"But now not only are they having to pay for travel but they’ve also lost training camps which had been planned before funding was pulled," he says.
"Harbour Hockey is doing everything it can to help these guys."
A series of fundraising events is being planned with proceeds going to young Harbour players. Contact Brent Edwards on 027-686-2862 for more information or if you want to donate an auction item.
Stuff
Prem Judge: "Indian shortcomings are too obvious to ignore
“India need to pull up its socks immediately, rectify its mistakes if it wants to do well at the 2010 World Cup”, says Prem Judge, an older timer, who watched all matches at Kuantan Asian Cup.
The Perth based die hard fan of hockey flew down to Kuantan specially to be among the action and he wrote exclusive for stick2hockey.com.
His observations:
Indian defenders were seen busy taking off protective gear after failed penalty corner rather than immediately manning up till the ball out of the danger zone. They can attend to such housekeeping later on?
Three top defenders go up to take the penalty corner; 2 fullbacks are understandable but why should the centre half also go up to take the push in ? This leaves defence in very shaky hand, giving up easy counter attacks. Let one of the forwards take the push in.
Pakistan scored a goal in the very first second of second half with a lightening raid while our boys were still walking to their positions!! Indian goalkeeper was still outside the side line of the goalpost putting away some gear!! He was still getting into position when the attack reached the D. Yes, the referee bungled as he should have made sure that the keepers were in position before blowing the whistle, too late to cry now.
Korea-China match was the perfect example of finishing and availing of chances -- almost a 100% success rate in their opportunities and strike rate. The Koreans carried the ball into the D, held the ball and either earned short corners, converted or passed to players in better position and FINISHED. Indian play sadly has been uni-dimensional, long hits hoping for errors, blasting away from all angles the moment they crossed the D even if there were players in open position
Defence throws long overhead balls thus giving away possession to opponents often, read the play early and moved in early to cover the ball. Indian players were reluctant to carry the ball into the D, create defensive errors to earn short corners. With the kind of ball skill the Indian players have they could have worked for more short corners. Some other teams did this very well and got rewarded. People like me were howling away "pher se pawo" "short corner karo" etc in vain of course.
Sandeep, though good at short corner conversion, lacks in variation, as was seen in the China game. He scored 2 high flicks, fluked one which rolled along and was almost converted by none other than the veteran Dilip who ran in and tried to push it in. What were the other forwards doing? Seem to be bystanders and totally asleep? Then he went for another high one which the goalkeeper had already read. Before leaving for Kuantan my good friend Adolphus felt that Sandeeps flicks would have been read at the Azlan Shah Cup and variation must be used. These are old timers like me who are still good readers of the game as we spend hours watching games.
The Chinese used tactic well too by creating a time out in the last 20 seconds when India won the short corner, a player went down so that time would be stopped and the Indians would not be able to delay the taking of the short corner till time was up and thus could attack with all 10 players at the D. In fact I was screaming at the Indians to go up and crowd the D even if short corner failed and China could score another last minute goal,
The coaches wanted to ensure that they did not lose the game. Still I think I would have just held on to the ball and created another short corner to play time out and then used different variations to ensure that either a goal was scored or a penalty won instead of a wild flick? Being captain and chosen flick taker I think he did not try out Dilip with a direct hit even once, I sense a bit of greed rather than Nation comes first.
There was always a huge gap between the forwards and defenders, almost 30 meters, so when the forwards were attacking there were no half's high up to intercept any quick moves or even to give support. Guess this is where fitness comes in and some were hiding their weakness by staying low. The Chinese, Koreans and Japanese were full of run for almost the full 70 minutes and this may have been the deciding factor.
Players are professionals these days and have to be able to make full use of opportunities and convert even half chances. Remember the first goal against Japan was a gift by the defence as the ball was flicked to top D where Indian player was waiting else story may have been different.
Stick2Hockey.com
Jaguars maul Kimathi College in KHU tie
By Erick Ochieng’
Western Jaguars taught Kimathi University College a hockey lesson with a 7-0 thrashing in a Kenya Hockey Union men’s national league tie played at the City Park stadium at the weekend.
Michael Malungu was the destroyer in chief for Kimathi with four goals. He scored in the 20th, 27th, 61st and 69th minutes. Sammy Mushira weighed in with a brace in the 48th and 60th minutes while Michael Toroitich notched the seventh in the 55th minute.
However, Jaguars failed to escape the wrath of Mombasa Sports Club who nailed them 2-0 with Amas Wanjala and Titus Mulwa scoring the goals in the second match of the day.
It was not a good outing though for Mombasa Sports Club in their second match of the day as they were edged out 1-0 by the University of Nairobi.
In the women matches, national league champions Telkom Orange had no mercies for the hosts as they walloped Mombasa Sports Club 4-0.
The match played at Mombasa Sports Club’s ground saw Rose Mbulo and Florence Olal netting in the 15th and 31st minutes before Jacqueline Mwangi and Betty Tioni added two more after the break.
In the Premier League, visiting Green Sharks edged Mvita X1 1-0 in another match also played in Mombasa. Leonard Mutukutu scored the solitary goal after 25 minutes. Action resumes this weekend at Nairobi’s City Park Stadium.
The Standard Online
Triple for Shaheen in Hong Kong
Defending League and Rabobank Holland Cup holders Shaheen Sports Club took one step further by winning all three majors trophies in Hong Kong. They beat Valley A 7-2 to win the Premier Hockey League on Sunday and earlier they already won the Rabobank Holland Cup and the Perrier-Jinnah Hockey Tournament 2009. It is the 17th times for claiming the senior league and 8 times were the doubles since the club established in 1982.
SSC Media.