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Kara-Lee Botes in action for South Africa

The fifth test match of the Indoor Hockey International Series between SPAR South Africa and Ireland Indoor Hockey took place at the Belville Velodrome this morning. Being the only morning match of the series offered its own challenges for the two teams, but it promised to still be a good test match.

After a superb defensive block of the opening South African Penalty corner, Ireland created their first chance of the game, but Orla Patton ran out of space before setting up the finish. The opening five minutes produced few chances as both teams were tentatively working their way into the game. The Ireland press was noticeably working together as a unit more efficiently than in the previous games. A tactical first quarter ultimately ended with the score 0-0, a fairly uncommon occurrence in Indoor Hockey.

The second quarter began in much the same way with sustained periods of possession bur very few goal scoring opportunities, but with four minutes remaining in the quarter the SA ladies won a penalty corner. Although the initial attempt was charged down by Orla Patton, the retake was expertly finished by Kara Botes to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Botes and Johnson both had chances to make it 2-0 but were unable to find the back of the net as the Irish stood resolutely and the score remained that way at the half-time interlude.

The second half story seemed to be mimicking the first but at 5 minutes SA won a penalty corner and a slip to Jess Lardant looked destined for the net but for a timely intervention from Niamh Small. Kate McKenna then set up Sophie Barnwell on the break, but her touch was a bit too heavy and the chance was gone.  South Africa then created a chance for Kayla de Waal, but O’Brien denied her but gave away the PC. The resultant PC struck McKenna on the body, but with the ball going wide a PC call was given. South Africa made no mistake with this one as Botes fired in low and hard. 2-0 at the end of the third quarter.

In the final quarter Ireland looked to be creating their best break of the game but Kara Botes first broke the attack down before surging up the other end and converting her hat-trick with her first field goal of the series. Almost immediately from the start it was Ireland who created the next attack and Amy Benson finished pass Greyvenstein expertly for her first International Indoor Hockey goal. Jess O’Connor was next to deny an attack from Ireland with a wonderfully executed tackle before Robyn Johnson fired wide from a great Amy Greaves pass.

With three minutes remaining Ireland withdrew their keeper and SPAR South Africa immediately took advantage of it. Cindy Hack showed incredible hands to get through and teed it up for Robyn Johnson to finish into an empty net. The move did however pay dividends for Ireland when Amy Benson got her second of the game and of her International Indoor career.

The final score – SPAR South Africa 4-2 Ireland. The two teams take each other on again tonight at the Bellville Velodrome and that match will be streamed live on Digitv.co.za.

SPAR Test Series

Durban – Danville Park Girls High School
First Test - Wednesday 4 December – South Africa 2-1 Ireland
Second Test – Thursday 5 December – South Africa 2-1 Ireland

Cape Town – Bellville Velodrome
Third Test – Saturday 7 December – South Africa 5-0 Ireland
Fourth Test – Sunday 8 December – South Africa 6-1 Ireland
Fifth Test – Tuesday 10 December – South Africa 4-2 Ireland
Sixth Test – Tuesday 10 December – 19:00

SA Hockey Association media release

Laguna (PHI)

9 Dec 2019     THA v SGP (SF1)     5 - 1 (2 - 0)
9 Dec 2019     MAS v MYA (SF2)     7 - 0 (3 - 0)

Final Pool standings

FIH Match Centre

Laguna (PHI)

9 Dec 2019     THA v SGP (SF1)     4 - 0 (2 - 0)
9 Dec 2019      MAS v PHI (SF2)     16 - 0 (7 - 0)

Final Pool standings

FIH Match Centre

THAILAND stand in Malaysia’s path for a double glory in indoor hockey after the men’s and women’s teams qualified for the respective finals in Laguna.

The FIH Hockey Pro League second season gets underway in January 2020 after a hugely successful first edition. We caught up with the coaches and players from the participating teams as they prepare for the new look FIH Hockey Pro League season to get underway. In the following interview, Black Sticks captain Stacey Michelsen, who currently has 279 caps for New Zealand, talks about the forthcoming season and what the Hockey Pro League means to her and the team.

The 2020 Vantage Black Sticks Development squads have been named, both sides see a great combination of youth and experience in what is going to be an incredibly important season for the program as they head into the FIH Hockey Pro League Season 2 and the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Exclusive interview: An innocuous shoulder to the side of her head left McCallin dazed, and what followed was a debilitating brain injury which left her housebound and fearing for her career

Lawrence Ostlere


Shona McCallin in action during the Rio Olympics in 2016 ( Getty )

The world of sport is beginning its own age of enlightenment when it comes to the dangers of concussion. It is a brain injury with a range of symptoms which can often go undetected, and we are still figuring out exactly how to manage its potential for harm. Rugby and the NFL are two sports which have drawn most of the focus while football continues to wrestle with the long-term impacts of heading a ball, but the reality is that no game is immune from concussion. Anyone, at any level, can get unlucky. 

Rod Gilmour


Buckingham Ladies are bucking the trend as a small club  Credit: Simon Parker

Buckingham coach Zak Jones says the growth of female hockey coaches at the top of the domestic scene is healthy for the sport and it won’t be long before more women are making inroads into the men’s game.

By AYUMBA AYODI


Butali Sugar Warriors hockey team captain Kennedy Nyongesa (centre) leads teammates in celebrating winning Kenya Hockey Union men Premier League trophy on December 1, 2019 at City Park Stadium. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Kenya men’s hockey Premier League champions Butali Sugar Warriors are planning recruitment especially in the midfield ahead of the new season as they warned opponents to brace up for even tougher battle.

Greece and Slovenia are two nations where hockey is growing in both participation numbers and national profile. Now a generous gesture by one of the giants of European Hockey has given yet another boost to the sport in these two countries.

It should be a given fact that everyone involved in hockey, whether as a player, coach or official, should be able to enjoy the sport in a safe and respectful environment. Our stance on equality is ingrained in all that we do as a hockey community and now, a new safeguarding policy is ensuring that the value of respect towards others is also embedded in our sport’s culture.

Kevin Davasagayam


Liew with his teammates and officials in the 70s.  Sunpix by the Asyraf Rasid

PETALING JAYA: Being diagnosed with epilepsy at a young age did not stop Liew Khiam Hon from realising his dream of representing the nation in hockey.

Cape Town

8 Dec 2019     RSA v IRL     6 - 1

FIH Match Centre

The fourth test of the inaugural indoor hockey test series between SPAR South Africa and Ireland Indoor Hockey took place at the Bellville Velodrome in the Western Cape last night. The South Africans headed into the game on the back of a 17-match unbeaten run stretching back to January and led the series 3-0. They were expecting a backlash from the Irish in game four in front of about 2000 spectators.

Laguna (PHI)

8 Dec 2019     SGP v THA (RR)     1 - 1 (0 - 1)
8 Dec 2019     MAS v PHI (RR)     5 - 0 (3 - 0)

Pool standings

FIH Match Centre

Laguna (PHI)

8 Dec 2019     THA v SGP (RR)     10 - 0 (5 - 0)
8 Dec 2019      CAM v MAS (RR)     0 - 10 (0 - 5

9 Dec 2019     THA v SGP (SF1)     4 - 0 (2 - 0)

Pool standings

FIH Match Centre

Muscat (OMA)

8 Dec 2019     UZB v IRI (Pool A)     2 - 0
8 Dec 2019     SGP v OMA (Pool B)     1 - 4

Pool standings

FIH Match Centre

The New Zealand U21 Women’s team took off for tri-series in Canberra where they would take on the best U21 players from Australia and India in a two-round competition.

Back in Bengaluru for the national camp, head coach Sjoerd Marijne insists the team is focused on delivering consistent performances.


The head coach of the Indian women’s hockey team Sjoerd Marijne believes that its important to keep the players fresh building up to the 2020 Olympic Games. Image courtesy: Hockey India

It’s been a year to remember for the Indian women’s hockey team.

A hat-trick from Ed Horler helped Wimbledon beat play-off rivals Old Georgians 4-2 in the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division on Saturday, in the final set of matches before the winter break.

Paul Thompson tackles Alex Burns. Picture: Alan Donnelly

Ulster Premier side Cookstown produced a thrilling comeback to defeat top tier Pembroke to reach the final four of the Irish Senior Cup joining UCD, Glenanne and Lisnagarvey on a weekend where Three Rock Rovers were dethroned.

Michael Styles’ student side hold on for a 3-2 success in the Irish Senior Cup quarter-finals


UCD’s Mark Samuel (right) takes on Three Rock Rovers’s James Walker during their Irish Senior Cup match at Belfield. Photograph: Inpho
 
UCD inflicted a first cup defeat on Three Rock Rovers since February 2017, ending a remarkable run of 34 successive victories for the Rathfarnham club.

Pegasus celebrate Shirley McCay’s last minute winner. Pic: Billy Pollock

Pegasus produced yet another almighty comeback to beat Pembroke and move clear in women's EYHL; Old Alex and UCD recorded good wins while Corinthian added yet another victory in EYHL2

Defending champions seal 4-3 victory having trailed 3-0

Mary Hannigan


Pegasus’s Shirley left Pembroke shattered when she fired home with the last action of the game. Photograph: Inpho
 
Shirley McCay completed a remarkable Hockey League comeback for Pegasus at Queens on Saturday when her goal on the stroke of full-time gave the Belfast side a 4-3 victory over Pembroke Wanderers, having trailed 3-0.

Champions Dundee Wanderers, Clydesdale Western and Inverleith share top spot in the women`s indoor National League 1 table after the first day`s round of games at the Bell`s Sports Centre in Perth.

LAHORE-Pakistan Wapda outclassed Pakistan Customs to emerge as title holders in the 36th National Junior Hockey Championship 2019, which concluded here at the National Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

By AGNES MAKHANDIA


Kisumu Youngstars' Bonface Aliwa (left) vies for the ball with Mombasa Sports Club's Brian Magombe during their Kenya Hockey Union Super League match played at City Park Stadium on December 8, 2019. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Coastal side Mombasa Sports Club (MSC) will play in the Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier next season.

David Harte has been confirmed by the IOC as one of 30 athletes who will be seeking election onto the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission next summer.

By Washington Onyango


Lakers Hockey Club players celebrate after winning a past match in Kisumu. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

Lakers Hockey Club captain Linnah Baraza has told her teammates and supporters to enjoy their top-four finish in their debut season in the 2019 Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Women Premier League.

Under 21 Women.s Outdoor

5 Dec 2019     IND v AUS (RR)     1 - 1

Pool standings

FIH Match Centre

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –  USA Field Hockey has opened the recruitment process to fill the role of the U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach.

CLICK HERE FOR THE JOB DESCRIPTION

All interested applicants that met the required skills listed in the job description posted above are encouraged to apply.

USFHA media release