News for 16 April 2021
All the news for Friday 16 April 2021
Indoor Africa Cup 2021 (M) - 16 April
Durban (RSA)
(All times GMT +2)
16 Apr 2021 10:30 NAM v BOT (RR)
16 Apr 2021 14:30 RSA v BOT (RR)
16 Apr 2021 19:30 RSA v NAM (RR)
17 Apr 2021 10:30 BOT v NAM (RR)
17 Apr 2021 14:30 BOT v RSA (RR)
17 Apr 2021 19:30 NAM v RSA (RR)
18 Apr 2021 16:00 1st RR v 2nd RR (Final)
All matches live streamed on the Watch Hockey app
FIH Match Centre
Indoor Africa Cup 2021 (W) - 16 April
Durban (RSA)
(All times GMT +2)
16 Apr 2021 BOT v RSA (RR) 0 - 26
16 Apr 2021 13:00 NAM v BOT (RR)
16 Apr 2021 18:00 NAM v RSA (RR)
17 Apr 2021 09:00 RSA v BOT (RR)
17 Apr 2021 13:00 BOT v NAM (RR)
17 Apr 2021 18:00 RSA v NAM (RR
18 Apr 2021 14:00 1st RR v 2nd RR (Final)
All matches live streamed on the Watch Hockey app
FIH Match Centre
Success in Argentina a confidence booster, but ultimate goal remains Olympic podium, says Manpreet Singh
Eight-time champions India are looking to end an over four-decade-long Olympic medal drought in Tokyo this year
File image of Indian men's hockey team skipper Manpreet Singh. Hockey India
Buenos Aires: The Indian men's hockey team skipper Manpreet Singh considers the recent success against reigning Olympic champions Argentina a big confidence-booster, but insists that the team still needs to address some grey areas as it pursues a podium finish in Tokyo.
Eight-time champions India are looking to end an over four-decade-long Olympic medal drought in Tokyo this year. India had won the last of their eight Olympic gold medals in the 1980 Moscow Games before the team endured a sharp slide in its fortunes.
"No doubt winning against a really strong team like Argentina in their home ground is a big confidence booster, but we shouldn't read too much into the results.
"We need to keep our heads down and remain focused on the areas that require improvement on the basis of our performance here. Our task is not over until we stand on the podium in Tokyo," Manpreet said in a statement issued by Hockey India.
In the Argentina tour that concluded on Wednesday, India defeated the hosts in a two-leg FIH Pro League away tie, besides registering two wins, one draw and a loss in the four practice matches.
"After the matches, we feel there are a few areas we need to improve upon. While we did well as a team to come back into the game even in the dying minutes of the match, we feel we could have started better," Manpreet said.
"Also playing consistently, keeping up the pressure on the opponents in all quarters is another area we need to work on."
India are scheduled to play Great Britain in the FIH Pro League on May 8 and 9 in London followed by a double header against Spain in Valencia on 15 and 16 May.
After that, the Indians will play Germany in Hamburg on 22 and 23 May.
"It was great to resume the FIH Hockey Pro League with 5 points from Argentina and we would like to keep this momentum going into the matches in Europe. These matches will surely be a litmus test for us before Tokyo," Manpreet said.
Firstpost
Rachael Lynch and Georgie Morgan win appeals over Hockey Australia axings
It took more than 130 days but two Hockeyroos – a current world goalkeeper of the year and former captain – could yet play in the Tokyo Games after their controversial axings last year.
On Thursday, news from Australia saw Rachael Lynch and Georgie Morgan win their appeals over their non-selection for the Tokyo 2020 squad under a previous coaching and performance director regime who have now departed the Hockey Australia programme.
The pair will now be up for women’s programme selection but aren’t yet guaranteed an automatic slot after an independent panel upheld appeals lodged by the two players.
There is a training camp next week in Darwin but new head coach Katrina Powell remained coy as to whether they would be in attendance.
Australian hockey has been embroiled in negative press since Morgan and Lynch were omitted in December. There followed weeks of coverage which lifted the lid on a negative environment in the women’s programme and saw high-profile departures.
Hockey Australia issued a short statement on Thursday confirming the players’ news, while the only public comments came courtesy of pre-recorded comments from Powell.
The former Hockeyroo, who was installed as coach two weeks ago, said: “The actual decision about the players being reinstated will be taken by a formal sitting of the selection panel.
“They will be provided the opportunity to play for selection as are other athletes.
“I’ve been really impressed with the talent and the dedication of the players involved and the task for me is still to make sure that the athletes are united and are looking towards success in Tokyo.
“There’s some amazing talent in the Hockeyroos and my job is to create an environment where the athletes that are selected in the squad can excel and vie for Olympic selection.”
It is understood that a new selection group – not featuring Powell – will convene to consider whether Morgan and Lynch could be selected for Tokyo.
“Hockey Australia accepts the decision of the tribunal and will now move to provide both players with an opportunity to be considered under a new selection panel,” HA said in a statement.
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Lynch & Morgan closer to Tokyo 2021 with appeal victory
Two senior Hockeyroos players, Rachel Lynch and Georgi Morgan, have won an appeal against their withdrawal from the squad in late 2020. However, at this time their involvement in the Tokyo Olympics remains unclear, with new coach Triny Powell still to announce her final squad and needing the agreement of a new selection panel.
Tess Howard’s Olympic hockey dream crushed after ACL injury
By Rod Gilmour
Great Britain team-mates and the hockey community rallied around Tess Howard on Thursday after the highly-rated 21-year-old saw her Olympic dream crushed following a ruptured ACL.
Howard, who plays for East Grinstead, is expected to be sidelined for months after revealing the news with 100 days to until the Tokyo Games.
She wrote on Instagram: “It can happen at any time to anyone, and I know that is just part of sport. I know the road to recovery, whilst long, will be worth it everyday.”
Howard has already shown what a gutsy, established player she is for GB and England following her debut in 2018.
At the 2019 Euros, THP revealed that she unknowingly played against the Dutch with a broken hand, competing on the pitch despite being in considerable pain. Originally in print, we have published that piece online this week to underline her resilience.
“Inches from a dream,” she added on social media. “But that dream is still very much alight. Burning in the background, to catch fire when the time is right, but just not now.”
Midfielder Susannah Townsend said that Howard had “a huge career ahead of her” after her summer was blighted by injury, with the early part of next season likely to be sidelined with rehab.
“Your time will come and you will fly,” added Kate Richardson-Walsh, the former GB captain.
Howard said that her GB team-mates could “realise our potential in Tokyo and beyond”, adding: “For we can achieve anything we put our minds to. Truly there is no greater feeling than to be striving for a goal with a group of exceptional people.”
ACL injuries are not uncommon in hockey and Howard’s torn ligament follows GB’s Brendan Creed, who spent months out of the game after rupturing his ACL in 2019.
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Tess Howard: ‘I couldn’t let anyone down, even with a broken hand’
By Rod Gilmour
Tess Howard in action before she broke her hand WORLD SPORT PICS
ARCHIVE: Ahead of Great Britain women’s Olympic qualifying matches in 2019, THP spoke to Tess Howard about playing through pain after a rollercoaster start to her career.
During England’s heavy defeat at the hands of the Dutch at the 2019 EuroHockey Champs, Tess Howard went into a second quarter block tackle with her left hand. The ball avoided the glove and broke her bone inwards.
Not that Howard knew it at the time. Sure, there was pain but she simply didn’t want to let anyone down and effectively played on for over half the game with a broken hand.
“I couldn’t leave my team-mates out there fighting in that game one man down,” she said.
“I was delirious with the pain and they realised it was something worse than a bruise. I had an X-ray the next day and was put in plaster. I was high on adrenaline; there was anger and fuel inside me. I neglected the fact that I was probably not okay so I kept going.”
Howard had to watch with her arm in a sling as England finished outside the medals. On her return to the UK she took herself off to Norway for a few days to clear the mind and then there was surgery.
During the India Test matches, she received the good news from a surgeon that she could return to the pitch. “I live and breathe hockey and when it’s taken away from me you don’t know what to do,” she says.
For the first two domestic games of the season, Howard was an eager touchline presence at her new club East Grinstead.
But back to those recollections of a sultry early evening in Antwerp, during England’s record 8-0 defeat to Holland. “I don’t remember the details but I remember the feeling,” she admits. “It serves us even more fuel to get better and the next time we face them.
“The way we played wasn’t indicative of the way we can play. The Dutch were on fire and I’m a great believer you have to credit brilliant hockey when you see it. Some of the open play field goals … you have to appreciate and it can inspire you to play like that.”
“I try to live by the theory that you get to decide when a story’s finished. A disappointment can either be the end of your story or it can be just a page in your story.”
It was quite a chapter in Belgium. And watching that bronze-medal match in the shoot-out loss against Spain, Howard decided then that it wasn’t going to be the end of her story. “It was just a chapter and you turn the page and start again. The more disappointments you have in your story, the more interesting it is when you turn it around.”
Turning her attention to the Chile matches, Howard admits that training has “never been harder” for the GB squad.
“Our mental preparation has been stellar and it has to be,” she adds. “It’s not us fighting for two games, it’s much bigger. There’s a lot riding on it but it is just two hockey games.
“I’ve no doubt that we will win, but impress our crowd. The underdog can always win, that’s why we play sport. But we’re doing everything we can in our power to be the best we can for these two games.”
This article was first published in print in 2019 and adapted for online in April 2021 to reflect Tess Howard’s ACL injury news
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'There was deathly silence at training': Bethany Barr third Irish hockey star ruled out of Olympics
Barr joins her twin sister Serena and Zoe Wilson in missing out due to ACL injuries
Stephen Findlater
Ireland's Bethany Barr. Picture: INPHO/Bryan Keane
Bethany Barr has become the third Irish player set to miss the Olympic Games due to an ACL injury, ruling her out of Tokyo in the same manner as her twin sister Serena and Zoe Wilson.
It came amid a rough week for the squad who were pencilled in at short notice to travel to Malaysia for a high humidity camp only for the 19-day tour to be cancelled on the day of departure.
And star striker Anna O’Flanagan – speaking at the launch of the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s new Olympic Schools Challenge – admitted it was another rough week on the journey to a first Olympics.
“To have one ACL is terrible, never mind three,” O’Flanagan told the Irish Examiner. “For all the girls, they are such pillars of our team.
“To lose them in such quick succession, I can’t imagine what they are going through personally.
“When Beth was injured, it had already been a tough week. It happened at training and there was just a deathly silence, one of those moments everyone just stands still and we knew it was severe.
“You just think how quick all this can be taken away from you and how lucky the rest of us are to still be able to play and follow our dream to the Olympics. That can just change in a split second.” 
Irish international hockey star Anna O'Flanagan pictured following the launch of the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s new Olympic Schools Challenge, ‘Road to Tokyo’. The interactive challenge will engage with school children, encouraging them to get more active and teaching them about Tokyo and the Olympic Games. The challenge is part of the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s ‘Dare to Believe’ schools programme, which is proudly supported by FBD, and sees Team Ireland calling on schools and families across the country to join them on the Road to Tokyo from May 4th to May 31st. You can find out more here: https://www.daretobelieve.ie/roadtotokyo
On a basic level, it will mean more of a shake-up in defence with all three injured parties deployed in the backline normally. It means Hannah McLoughlin and Sarah MacAuley – who both impressed in the series against Great Britain – come further into the frame for what would be competitive tournament debuts.
When they get their next chance to push those claims in an international fixture is up in the air after the aborted trip to Kuala Lumpur.
Ireland had originally been due to play four games against GB but further clarification of quarantine conditions meant the plug was pulled when bags were already packed.
“We originally planned to go to Japan but restrictions there meant that wasn’t an option,” said O’Flanagan.
“We were waiting and waiting for confirmation [for Malaysia]. It was like 70% likely to go one day and then 30% the next. Last Wednesday, we had eventually been given the green light, got our PCR tests and packed.”
The plan was to quarantine for seven days but to have gym and swimming pool access after three days. The camp, though, got word that access would not be possible while quarantine would be in single rooms.
With the likelihood of further quarantine on return to Ireland, it reduced the value of the tour significantly.
“At this point, having potentially up to 21 days for an elite athlete to be stuck in a room is too long.
“Seven days in a hotel room without a roommate is, mentally and physically, a big ask. As players, we were willing to do it because we want to travel, get games and prepare as best we can but it wasn’t without its disadvantages!”
The Irish Examiner
New Zealand players set for Olympic trials in North-South hockey series
New Zealand and Australia were due to face each other in the Pro League
A North-South Series in Hamilton this weekend will offer New Zealand players their first competitive outings of the year, as well as doubling as Olympic trials for Tokyo.
The Sentinel Homes North vs South series will see the country’s top men’s and women’s players go head-to-head between April 17-20
The Black Sticks were scheduled to play Australia in the FIH Hockey Pro League at this time but the matches have been postponed.
“The series will not only operate as an Olympic trial with spots on the line for Tokyo but it also gives us a chance to monitor how the next level of talent is tracking for post 2021,” said Black Sticks men’s coach Darren Smith.
Two players from the 25-strong men’s national squad are unavailable for the series. Kane Russell has returned to Germany to complete his contract with the Hamburg club until mid-May, and Brad Read will take some time away from hockey after suffering a concussion last month.
After several months training together, women’s coach Graham Shaw says the series will offer a key marker ahead of Tokyo after his players were last tested in November’s Premier League.
He said: “The series will provide the players with a perfect opportunity to test our style of play and the areas we have focused heavily on since the beginning of the year. It will also give us a good marker on how players are tracking as we get closer to selection for Tokyo.”
A national Under-21 event will be run alongside the series with New Zealand under-21 men’s and women’s teams named afterwards. Junior World Cups are scheduled in India (men) and South Africa (women) in November and December this year.
Sentinel Homes North vs South Teams:
Men – North: Benji Edwards, Steve Edwards , Connor Greentree, Xavier Guy, George Muir, Charl Ulrich (North Harbour); Leon Hayward (GK), Kim Kingstone, Jared Panchia (Auckland); Tim Neild, Aidan Sarikaya, Nic Woods (Waikato); Dom Dixon (GK), Sean Findlay, Sam Hiha, Shea McAleese, Dylan Thomas (Hawke’s Bay); Nick Wilson (Manawatu).
Men – South: Angus Griffin (GK) (Guest – Manawatu); Jordan Cohen (Wanganui); Stephen Jenness, Dane Lett, Oliver McIntyre, Harry Miskimmin, Jacob Smith, Matt Symonds (Wellington); David Brydon, George Connell, George Enersen (GK), Sam Lane, Joseph Morrison, Dominic Newman (Canterbury); Nick Elder, Hugo Inglis, Nick Ross, Blair Tarrant (Otago).
Women – North: Katie Doar, Ella Gunson, Stacey Michelsen, Brooke Roberts (GK) (Northland); Ella Hyatt-Brown (North Harbour); Kate Ivory, Julia King, Tyler Lench, Grace O’Hanlon (GK), Deanna Ritchie, Liz Thompson, Rose Tynan, Tayla White (Auckland); Tarryn Davey (Thames Valley); Alex Lukin, Alia Jaques (Waikato); Samantha Charlton, Frances Davies, Rose Keddell (Tauranga).
Women – South: Kaitlin Cotter (Hawke’s Bay); Anna Crowley, Casey Crowley, Holly Pearson, Hope Ralph (Taranaki); Georgia Barnett (GK), Michaela Curtis, Steph Dickins, Kayla Whitelock, Olivia Shannon (Manawatu); Megan Hull (Wairarapa); Aniwaka Roberts (Wellington); Kelsey Smith (Nelson); Olivia Merry, Georgie Mackay-Stewart, Catherine Tinning (Canterbury); Tessa Jopp, Ginny Wilson (GK) (Otago).
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Historic trophy resurfaces for North-South hockey series
The Havilah Down Cup. Photo: NZ Hockey via RNZ
The North-South hockey rivalry will return to the turf this weekend as Hockey New Zealand gives its elite players some much need competition in an Olympic year.
The Black Sticks men's and women's teams haven't played in more than a year and face the prospect of heading to the Tokyo Olympics without any international matches under their belts.
A three-match series for both the men and women will be played in Hamilton on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.
The trophy the men will be playing for is the Havilah Down Cup, named after a patron of the game.
William Havilah Down was secretary-treasurer of the New Zealand Hockey Association in the early part of last century and organised one of the first major tours by a foreign team, when the Indian Army team played here in 1926.
Perhaps more significant for the future of the game in New Zealand, Havilah Down is the grandfather of the Maister and Miskimmin men who played a major part in the national sides of the 1960s, '70s and '80s.
Barry, Selwyn and Chris Maister, along with Peter and Brent Miskimmin, played for New Zealand. Barry and Selwyn Maister won Olympic gold in 1976.
While the engraving on the trophy has the rivalry lasting from 1960 to 1973, Barry Maister says it was in fact played for through until 1975.
He played in eight games up until 1975 with the Canterbury dominated South team winning six of those times.
Maister says William Havilah Down was a dominant figure in New Zealand hockey.
"He lived hockey and did everything that was needed to make it a success."
As for the North-South game itself, Maister says it was always a significant game and everyone wanted to be involved, but the timing was never great.
"It was huge, but unfortunately is was always played at the end of the national tournament, which was stupid, especially for Canterbury which had dominated the national competition."
Keeping the family link going, Peter Miskimmin is coaching the South side this weekend, while his nephew Harry (Brent's son) is playing in the South team.
Defender Dane Lett is looking forward to playing in the traditional white colours of the South.
"I've had a number of past players from a few generations ago talk to me about the games and what a great event it was."
Lett says with no international games for a year and inter-squad games having limited appeal, this provides an extra edge.
"It's better to put something on it and if it's an official event there is more to play for and it'll have that match type feel both before and during the games that will be helpful if we get to the Olympics with little play under our belts."
Lett says there will be plenty of rivalry between the two sides and there has already been some banter between the players since the series was announced.
Black Sticks Men's head coach Darren Smith says it will be fantastic to play some high quality hockey.
"The series will not only operate as an Olympic trial with spots on the line for Tokyo but it also gives us a chance to monitor how the next level of talent is tracking for post 2021."
Women's head coach Graham Shaw says the players are very excited about the series after training together since January.
"The series will provide the players with a perfect opportunity to test our style of play and the areas we have focused heavily on since the beginning of the year. It will also give us a good marker on how players are tracking as we get closer to selection for Tokyo."
"Playing three quality games over four days will test not only their field play but their physical conditioning and their ability to perform consistently in a tournament format which we have not done since the Premier Hockey League in November last year."
The North-South selections are not solely based on the islands, and the divide is different for the men and women to ensure two competitive teams.
There is also a North-South trophy for women that has been retrieved from the back of the New Zealand Hockey trophy cabinet, but because the women's game had a significantly lower profile 40 years ago, there is no engraving on it.
Teams
Men - North: Benji Edwards, Steve Edwards , Connor Greentree, Xavier Guy, George Muir, Charl Ulrich (North Harbour); Leon Hayward (GK), Kim Kingstone, Jared Panchia (Auckland); Tim Neild, Aidan Sarikaya, Nic Woods (Waikato); Dom Dixon (GK), Sean Findlay, Sam Hiha, Shea McAleese, Dylan Thomas (Hawke's Bay); Nick Wilson (Manawatu).
Men - South: Angus Griffin (GK) (Guest - Manawatu); Jordan Cohen (Wanganui); Stephen Jenness, Dane Lett, Oliver McIntyre, Harry Miskimmin, Jacob Smith, Matt Symonds (Wellington); David Brydon, George Connell, George Enersen (GK), Sam Lane, Joseph Morrison, Dominic Newman (Canterbury); Nick Elder, Hugo Inglis, Nick Ross, Blair Tarrant (Otago).
Women - North: Katie Doar, Ella Gunson, Stacey Michelsen, Brooke Roberts (GK) (Northland); Ella Hyatt-Brown (North Harbour); Kate Ivory, Julia King, Tyler Lench, Grace O'Hanlon (GK), Deanna Ritchie, Liz Thompson, Rose Tynan, Tayla White (Auckland); Tarryn Davey (Thames Valley); Alex Lukin, Alia Jaques (Waikato); Samantha Charlton, Frances Davies, Rose Keddell (Tauranga).
Women - South: Kaitlin Cotter (Hawke's Bay); Anna Crowley, Casey Crowley, Holly Pearson, Hope Ralph (Taranaki); Georgia Barnett (GK), Michaela Curtis, Steph Dickins, Kayla Whitelock, Olivia Shannon (Manawatu); Megan Hull (Wairarapa); Aniwaka Roberts (Wellington); Kelsey Smith (Nelson); Olivia Merry, Georgie Mackay-Stewart, Catherine Tinning (Canterbury); Tessa Jopp, Ginny Wilson (GK) (Otago).
Star News
Pakistan Hockey: Three decades of roller coaster ride
By IJAZ CHOUDHRY
PROLOGUE
Pakistan made its international hockey debut in 1948. What Pakistan achieved from 1948 till 1985 was the envy of the hockey world. In nine Olympics: 3 gold, 3 silver, one bronze & two fourth- place finishes. In five World Cups: Three gold, one silver and a fourth- place finish. They were never missed a semi-final spot at the Olympics or the World Cup in that period during which they also harvested six gold medals and a silver.
When Pakistan first won the Olympic gold in 1960, hockey was officially declared Pakistan’s National Sport.
In the second half of the 1980s, Pakistan went from kings to paupers. The slide started at the 1986 Asian Games. Pakistan, winners of the last four editions, lost the final to South Korea who were yet to appear in the World Cup or Olympics. Worse was to follow in a couple of weeks. The 1986 World Cup saw the two-time defending champion finish 11th out of 12 teams. At the 1988 Olympics they failed to qualify for the semifinals for the first time ever, eventually finishing fifth. 
Pakistan’s field hockey had a glorious phase in the 60s to early 90s. Photo: Ashok Vahie
PAKISTAN’S FIELD HOCKEY IN THE LAST THREE DECADES (1990-2020)
FIRST HALF OF THE 1990s: Pakistan regain some past glory
Lahore staged the seventh World Cup in 1990. Pakistan hosted such a mega event for the first time. The final was played in front of some 65,000 fans at the National stadium – the world’s largest. The noise was deafening but it descended into a morgue-like silence as Pakistan went down to The Netherlands 1-3. Such was the legacy created by the all-conquering Pakistan teams of the past that only first place was acceptable to the nation.
There was some consolation that year, however. The Green Shirts regained the Asian Games gold medal in Beijing later that year. At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Pakistan won all pool matches but lost to Germany 1-2 against the run of play in a semi-final that went to extra-time. They won the bronze medal, however, with a spirited comeback against The Netherlands, overcoming a 0-2 deficit to win 4-3.
Pakistan went from strength to strength and lifted the 1994 Champions Trophy in Lahore, ending a 14-year title drought in the event. After failing to retain the Asian Games gold medal at Hiroshima where they finished with the bronze, Pakistan lifted the World Cup at Sydney later that year. A global title came to them after a decade in dramatic fashion. Pakistan won both the semifinal and final on penalty strokes. Mansoor, the goalkeeper, emerged hero in the shootout However, legendary inside-left Shahbaz Ahmad was the popular choice for the Player of the Tournament award. Called the ‘Maradona of Hockey’, pencil-thin Shahbaz mesmerized hockey fans all over the world for almost a decade.
Visionary PHF chief Farooq Umar
A lot of credit for winning the World Cup for the fourth time goes to then Pakistan Hockey President Air Vice Marshal (retd) Farooq Umar. He had taken a revolutionary step by affiliating a foreign coach to the national team, the fabled Dutchman Hans Jorritsma who had guided his home nation to the World Cup victory in 1994. A foreign physiotherapist was also hired and a video analysis utilized in full earnest. It all contributed immensely to Pakistan regaining the World crown for a record fourth time.
NEXT DECADE 1996-2006: Barren global medals
Glory was short lived. Internal bickering and player power played havoc on the eve of the 1996 Olympics. The players revolted, demanding the removal of the existing team management. Preparation suffered and Pakistan finished sixth (their worst ever finish at the Olympics till then). The momentum gained in 1994 was completely lost.
A Pakistan media depiction of state of affairs of country’s hockey in a lighter vein. Circa: Early 1980s
In 10 years (1996-2006), why talk of winning gold? Pakistan didn’t even reach the podium at either the World Cup or Olympics even once. At the continental level, they failed to win the Asian Games or the Asia Cup, which they won three times in a row (1982, 1985 and 1989). Still, they remained part of the big league featuring in the FIH’s annual Champions Trophy (replaced by the FIH Pro League in 2019), apart from the 2000 edition, and also finished among top six at the Olympics and World Cup. Their track record: Olympics: 6th in 1996, 4th in 2000, 5th in 2004. World Cup: 5th in 1998, 5th in 2002, 6th in 2006.
FURTHER FIVE YEARS 2007 to 2012: Dipping to depth
Pakistan achieved worst ever positions in several major title tournaments:
12th and last in the 2010 World Cup,
8th in the 2008 Olympics,
6th in 2007 Asia Cup,
6th in 2010 Commonwealth games At the 2012 Olympics, where Pakistan finished 7th, they lost to Australia 0-7; biggest defeat in over 100 matches in the Olympics Pakistan remained out of the big league (top six) throughout.
They won the Asian Games gold in 2010 after 20 years, however, and that was an achievement that provided some soothing balm. One individual did make Pakistani hockey followers proud, though. Drag flicker Sohail Abbas, in a career from 1998-2012, scored 348 goals which is the highest individual tally in international hockey.
LAST DECADE 2012 ONWARDS: Disasters are a galore
Failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup (for the first time) Failed to qualify for the 2016 Olympics (for the first time)
When Pakistan were unsuccessful in making it to the 2016 Olympics, the Prime Minister, in his capacity as the Patron in Chief of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, dismissed PHF President Akhtar Rasool, though he was a close associate of the then Prime Minister.
Akhtar Rasool’s replacement was yet another political appointee. Brigadier (retd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar is a close relative of Ahsan Iqbal, the then federal minister.
Though Pakistan again failed to qualify for the next Olympics (the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics), Khalid Khokhar wasn’t replaced.
The Olympic qualification failure is just one of the incumbent president’s dubious achievements:
During Khalid Khokhar’s tenure:
* The team’s world ranking fell to 17th; it was 10th when Khokhar took over.
* World Cup 2018: The PHF bragged about its great success, “Pakistan managed to qualify; had failed to do so at the previous edition in 2014.” Pakistan’s qualification to the 2018 World Cup was made possible by the FIH’s decision to increase the number of participating teams from 12 to 16. Pakistan’s performance at the 2018 Bhubaneswar World Cup was a disaster: The team finished 12th thus equaling the worst ever finish, scored just two goals; their lowest World Cup tally, and registered a goal difference of – 10, by far their worst.
* Asian Games 2018: Pakistan ended fourth (equaling their worst ever position at the Asian Games)
* Failed to qualify for the Youth Olympics for the first time after finishing a miserable sixth at the qualifiers in 2018; also suffered 1-12 defeat against Malaysia during these qualifiers.
* Pakistan’s worst ever defeat in international hockey: A 1-9 loss to Australia in November, 2017.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAPSES: Withdrawal from Pro League:
Apart from on-field failures, there have been notable administrative failures. The most deplorable was the withdrawal of the Pakistan team from the world body’s new flagship event, the FIH Pro League. Despite, a ranking of 13 in 2017, Pakistan were selected by the FIH among the nine teams for the first four years (2019-2022) of the home-and-away event. The Scottish hockey association had graciously agreed to host Pakistan’s home matches as no country was prepared to visit the country at the time. In a move that shocked the whole hockey world, PHF pulled out the team just 10 days before Pakistan’s first match in February 2019 citing financial constraints.
Remember, the PHF had a year and half to plan as the schedule had been announced in July 2017.
The FIH Pro League offered a potential lifeline for Pakistan hockey as they would have competed against world`s best teams annually for at least four years. Some former hockey stalwarts rightly termed this withdrawal as the “PHF’s Crime of the Decade”.
Pakistan couldn’t appear at the last Junior World Cup in 2016 in India, because the PHF had failed to apply for the players’ visas in time. Since late 2016, the PHF has been talking about a hockey league on the pattern of cricket`s PSL with foreign players participating. It has been rescheduled and then deferred over one excuse or another — such as the government’s failure in issuing NOCs or a busy calendar for foreign players playing in European Leagues. Presently, the Covid-19 pandemic has given them a ready made excuse. The fact of the matter is that the corporate sector is reluctant to invest in hockey in the presence of an inept and failed PHF hierarchy.
Ijaz Chaudhry writes on hockey & other sports. For more about him and his work, visit: www.sportscorrespondent.info
Note and Courtesy: Most graphics used in the article are collected from various vintage Pakistan publications
Stick2Hockey.com
New FIH Academy course puts Hockey5s centre stage
Photo credit: Oceania Hockey Federation
As Hockey5s gains momentum across the globe offering another exciting format of the game, the FIH Academy hosted its inaugural online Level One Hockey5s Coaching Course.
Leading the course were two exceptional hockey coaches and educators – Tsoanelo Pholo from South Africa and Mateusz Grochal from Poland.
Participants on the course represented the global community, with attendees coming from all five hockey-playing continents. The Level One Coaching Course took place over three days,which were spread over two weeks. Candidates were introduced to a wealth of information delivered by the two course leaders and then asked to deliver their own presentations on key topics.
We caught up with three of the coaches who took part in the coaching course with a view to developing Hockey5s within their own national association.
Barbara Von Foerster is an Argentinean hockey coach living and working in New Zealand. She praised the energy of the course leaders and the tempo of the course, although she added that, with the amount of information available, she would have liked more time to digest the course material.
“Among the main takeaways for me were a reminder of the principles of attack and defence. Although each country, association, and coach can create their own principles, a reminder of the key principles was great.”
Von Foerster added that the course had provided some thoughtful insight into developing communication skills. “Coach Pholo was great at emphasising the importance of clear communications, not just when coaching but during presentations as well.
“For example, If I have been asked: what is the colour of this apple? I would probably have just replied green, red, yellow. Other people were answering with things like ‘the apples are on top of the fridge, there are 10 of them, some are ripe’. That really demonstrated the importance of being open-minded and realising there is always space to do things in a different way.”
For Von Foerster, one of the biggest advantages of Hockey5s will be for countries that are emerging as hockey-playing national associations. “It is a great way to develop skills and knowledge in countries where maybe not that many players are involved in the sport yet or where there are not many resources or turfs available.”
Genevieve Rowe is a South African hockey coach working in Hong Kong. She was delighted to be participating in a course that involved other coaches from across the world.
“These courses are always a wonderful mixed bag of coaches from around the world, so it’s always great to collaborate with and learn from each other. This is what I enjoy most from these courses.”
In Hong Kong, Rowe is seeking to establish Hockey5s within the overall hockey calendar of activities. She has already started to implement Hockey5s within various youth groups. In the future, Hockey5s will be introduced to schools and local communities.
“There are a mountain of benefits that Hockey5s can provide,” says Rowe. “At elite level it's essentially a small-sided game with more variations as the boards come into play. Tighter skills are required and fitness is paramount. Hockey5s could also make for a more rounded player as most players will need to be able to play all positions, with the exception of goalkeeper. For grass roots, it allows for a smaller number of players to have a game, which leads to more touches on the ball and more contribution from each player. And of course, Hockey5s can be played on most surfaces. This will allow for a further reach of the game.”
For Rowe, the ability to play on a range of surfaces is extremely important as she explains: “We don't have many hockey pitches in Hong Kong and, with other sports fighting to make use of the same facilities, it makes it tricky to get on the pitches. With the introduction of Hockey5s, this will open up the ability for us to introduce, teach and play the game on almost any surface. There are a lot of smaller concrete football pitches and basketball courts that can be used as well as school courtyards.”
In answer to people who suggest that Hockey5s may detract from the 11-a-side version of the game, Ireland’s Dwyne Hill has this answer: “It’s not taking anything away from indoor or the 11-a-side game but is actually complementing those formats.”
As Ireland Hockey Project Manager, Hill says: “I have brought Hockey5s to a national level meeting in Hockey Ireland, and I’m going to start playing Hockey5s with my own team and introduce it to local schools.”
And Rowe reiterates the ambition that underpins the format: “Hockey5s will allow for a greater reach and hopefully more players taking up hockey and enable us to continue with our mission to #growthegame.”
You can view our interviews with Mateusz Grochal and Tsoanelo Pholo on the FIH website.
#Hockey5s
FIH site
Double delight for NSW at Under 15 Hockey Championships
The New South Wales State teams have been crowned 2021 Australian Under 15 Boys and Girls Hockey Champions as this year’s championships came to a close in Bathurst.
Both NSW State teams won exciting gold medal matches to cap off a hotly contested week of competition.
A double from equal top scorer Martina Williams plus goals from Grace Jones, Ziggy Leong and Taylah Jones gave NSW State a 5-3 victory of Western Australia Gold in the Girls Final.
Georgia Hiskins, Sienna Robinson and Ellie Samsa all got on the score sheet for a WA Gold team who head home with well deserved silver medals.
In the Boys gold medal match there were four goals in a scintillating opening 15 minutes that left NSW State and Tasmania locked 2-2 at half time.
But top goal scorer Josh Robson’s second of the match and Henry Tyree’s goal with nine minutes remaining ensured the gold medals were not leaving the home state.
Despite going down in the championship decider, Tasmania’s Boys team leave with heads high after a host of impressive performances, none more so than their thrilling 5-4 semi final win over Victoria.
They also had the Just Hockey Player of the Tournament with Oliver Stebbings taking home the individual honour.
Queensland Maroon Lily Richardson was named Girls Just Hockey Player of the Tournament. She also leaves with a bronze medal after Queensland Maroon defeated Victoria 4-1 in the match for third place.
The Boys bronze medal match saw Victoria defeat WA Gold 5-2.
For a comprehensive wrap up of the final day, read News Corp journalist Amanda Lulham’s final day coverage.
All of the results, goal scorers and final standings can be found on the respective Altius pages.
Boys Championship Details
Girls Championship Details
2021 Australian Under 15 Hockey Championships
U15 BOYS
Gold Medal (1st place) - NSW STATE
Silver Medal (2nd place) - TASMANIA
Bronze Medal (3rd place) - VICTORIA
Boys Just Hockey Player of the Tournament - Oliver Stebbings (Tasmania)
Boys Top Goal Scorer - Joshua Robson (NSW State)
Play the Whistle Award - ACT
Umpires of the Bronze Final - Cooper Alderton, Hayden Michel, Jaren Maddocks
Technical Official of the Bronze Final - Mike Trenery
Umpires of the Gold Final - Nathan McDonald, Cameron Rutley, Joshua May
U15 Girls
Gold Medal (1st place) - NSW STATE
Silver Medals (2nd place) - WESTERN AUSTRALIA GOLD
Bronze Medals (3rd place) - QUEENSLAND MAROON
Girls Just Hockey Player of the Tournament - Lily Richardson (Queensland Maroon)
Girls Top Goal Scorer - Martina Williams (NSW State), Sophia Papantoniou (Queensland Maroon)
Play the Whistle Award - NT
Umpires of the Bronze Final - Sarah Steinhardt, Jemaya Staines, Madeline Smith-Gander
Technical Official of the Bronze Final - John Newman
Umpires of the Gold Final - Madeline Dooley, Annemijn Flokstra, Natalie Walker
Technical Official of the Gold Final - Fiona Porter
Hockey Australia media release
Weekend College Games: April 15 - 21
As more conference tournaments start to begin, the 2020v2 college season still has some exciting games to follow this coming weekend and week! (schedule subject to change)
Penalty corner unit shines as No. 12 Maryland field hockey beats No. 6 Rutgers, 4-2
Shane Connuck
Defender Riley Donnelly whips a ball toward the cage during Maryland field hockey's 4-2 win over Rutgers on April 15, 2021. (Freddy Wolfe/The Diamondback)
Riley Donnelly stood tall, staring down Rutgers goalkeeper Gianna Glatz. For the third time this season, Maryland field hockey had drawn a penalty stroke, and its drag-flicking shooter was looking to bury it for the third time.
And she did. With triple zeros lighting up the clock on the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex scoreboard, Donnelly dragged her shot past Glatz, giving the Terps a 2-1 advantage over a top-ten opponent.
They didn’t look back. Maryland posted its second-highest scoring performance of the season, downing the No. 6 Scarlet Knights in a 4-2 slugfest.
Coach Missy Meharg has talked throughout the season about the importance of not just drawing penalty corners, but capitalizing on those opportunities. And on Friday, the Terps did just that: three of their four goals resulted from penalty corners.
“I would say in a week we probably trained an hour and 45 minutes just on penalty corners,” Meharg said. “Penalty corners are one of those things that if you just keep working and being vigilant, they’re going to fall.”
As the sun peeked over the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex, Maryland’s attack got started early. After a series of passes, Kyler Greenwalt took a hard shot that bounced off Rutgers goalkeeper Glatz’s blocker.
The Scarlet Knights soon gained possession and drew the match’s first penalty corner. Bridy Molyneaux’s subsequent effort evaded goalkeeper Noelle Frost, leading a wave of white and black jerseys to rush in front of the cage. The ball eventually drifted out of play and Rutgers was awarded another corner.
This time, the Scarlet Knights capitalized. After the initial shot from Milena Redlingshoefer was kicked away by Frost, it ended up in the back of the net, courtesy of a last-second intervention by Liz Romano.
Not even four minutes into the match, Rutgers had a 1-0 lead. And it took about eight minutes for the Terps to draw their first corner — when Donnelly was instantly greeted by a swarming Scarlet Knights’ defense after attempting the shot.
The wind started to blow as the clock was reset to 15 minutes. And neither offense could get a shot off for nearly seven minutes.
But when Maryland did break out of its shotless stupor, it did so with style. Donnelly was the point figure, cushioning a set before rifling a shot that careened off the post and out of play.
Then came the storm. Three-and-a-half minutes later, defender Maura Verleg blasted the ball toward net. Glatz got a strong touch on the ball, sending it up into the air.
But midfielder Emma DeBerdine was quick to pounce, slipping in to tap the ball into the cage and knot the score at one.
“Getting goals is fun,” Emma DeBerdine said. “It was exciting.”
Still, Meharg’s squad wasn’t done. Not even when the horn sounded to end the first half.
With triple zeros on the clock, Maryland was awarded its fourth penalty corner of the half. On the subsequent effort, a foul was adjudged on Rutgers, giving Meharg’s squad a penalty stroke.
And for the third time this season, Donnelly buried the free shot, using her signature drag flick to send the ball past Glatz — giving the Terps a 2-1 upper hand as they excitedly ran to the locker room.
Maryland’s liveliness continued to show itself in the second half. Penalty corners — a challenge for the Terps at times this season — offered yet another outlet for Maryland to overpower the Scarlet Knights’ weary back line.
On their sixth corner of the day, they struck once more. Fiechter set the ball up for Verleg, who summarily rolled her shot sharply inside the right post.
“I’m super proud of Maura. She had a new penalty corner that we put in,” Meharg said. “And she nailed it the first time we’ve used it.”
Maryland was fired up. It had a two-goal lead over the No. 6-ranked team in the nation. And it kept its intensity going throughout the frame, eventually adding a fourth in similar fashion.
The Terps lined up for another corner attempt with just under a minute to play. Donnelly missed on her initial stroke and the ball veered across the circle. DeBerdine was the beneficiary, slotting her second goal to put the game away.
“It was very chaotic,” DeBerdine said about all the action that transpired before her second goal. “It’s exciting to finally just end it and put it in the cage, get the goal and finish it.”
The Terps headed to the fourth quarter with a commanding 4-1 lead — and already had their second-most goals scored in any match this season.
But Rutgers wasn’t quite out of gas just yet. Off its second straight corner, Redlingshoefer slotted past Frost, cutting the deficit to two with just under eight minutes to play.
Still, Maryland found a way through, holding the Scarlet Knights fairly quiet as the game drifted to its finish. With a constant threat on the other end of the pitch, the defense killed the game off with relative ease.
The Terps cruised to victory over top-ten opposition, adding a bit of color in a season largely defined by dullness.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the women,” Meharg said. “Rutgers is an awesome team, and I’m so proud of the women for playing so connected.”
The Diamondback
Princeton Hires Van Sickle as Assistant Coach
PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton Field Hockey Team has hired a new assistant coach, Caitlin (Poppy) Van Sickle, head coach Carla Tagliente has announced.
Van Sickle comes from Powerhouse Field Hockey Club in Wayne, Pa., where she was the Director of Coaching.
"I am beyond excited to become the new Assistant Coach at Princeton," stated Van Sickle. "I wanted to first thank Carla Tagliente for the opportunity to work at such a prestigious university and accomplished program. The success Carla and the team of student athletes have had in the last few seasons is a tribute to the strength and support of the athletic department. I am anxious and thrilled to get on campus to meet the team and get the ball rolling for what I know will be another successful season for the Tigers."
"We are excited to welcome Caitlin to the Princeton family," said Tagliente. "Her progressive and current hockey knowledge paired with her experience as a formidable defender on the world stage will be so valuable for our talented Tiger defenders. She is a natural leader that has had success at every level that she has played at. As a three-time All-American, National Champion, and Olympian, Caitlin has the experience and proven track record to be a valuable mentor to our student-athletes as they work to achieve their academic and athletic goals.
Van Sickle recorded 148 international caps with the United States Field Hockey Team from 2013-19. Some of her signature moments include a bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Games and a fifth-place finish at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. She was teammates on the national squad with Princeton alumnae Kat Sharkey '13, Katie Reinprecht '13 and Julia Reinprecht '14.
Van Sickle graduated from North Carolina in 2013 following a decorated career with the Tar Heels. Her last three years included three straight Team Most Valuable Player Awards, First-Team All-America accolades, ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors, All-ACC and All-ACC Tournament selections. In addition, she was named the 2012 ACC Tournament MVP and helped the squad win consecutive ACC titles in 2011-12. The Tar Heels played in the National Championship all four years she was there highlighted by the 2009 title.
Van Sickle Testimonials
Caitlin was one of the greatest players to ever wear a Carolina uniform, then had a remarkable career with U.S. National team and ultimately became an Olympian in Rio. She's been a success at every level, and I'm so proud to see her jump into the coaching ranks. I have no doubt she'll be a success there as well. The sport of field hockey needs more people like Poppy – she's a great ambassador for our game, and I know she's going to make an impact.
– Karen Shelton, North Carolina head coach
I couldn't be happier to hear that Caitlin will be joining the program. I was fortunate to be her teammate for a number of years on the US National Team. Her technical and tactical knowledge of the game is world class. In addition, her work ethic, leadership, and all-around passion for field hockey is contagious and will absolutely impact the program in a positive way both on and off the field.
– Kat Sharkey '13 – USA Field Hockey teammate
I had the pleasure of playing with Caitlyn as we trained for the 2016 Olympics. At our first practice, I learned right away who Caitlyn was - a fierce competitor, passionate leader and thoughtful teammate - and she remained that way until our final match together. I have no doubt that she will continue to share her passion and enthusiasm for the sport with the Princeton team. She will challenge them (as she did me) to push to their highest potential at every practice and during every game.
– Julia Reinprecht '14 – USA Field Hockey teammate
I'm absolutely thrilled to hear Caitlin (Poppy) will be joining the Princeton field hockey family. Having played with Caitlin for several years, I can truly say she is one of the most hardworking and selfless teammates I've come in contact with. I have no doubt Caitlin will bring the same work ethic, dedication and loyalty to Princeton that she displayed while on the national team. Arguably even more valuable than having Caitlin as a teammate, was gaining her as a friend. She is kind, generous and lights up any conversation she joins in. I'm excited to see the impact that Caitlin has on the Princeton field hockey team and staff as well as the Princeton community at large.
– Katie Reinprecht '13 – USA Field Hockey teammate
Content Courtesy of Princeton Athletics
USFHA media release