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News for 29 April 2021

All the news for Thursday 29 April 2021


Irish Women lose again

The Irish women lost their second tie of the week to Great Britain at Bisham Abbey, falling 4-1 to the hosts. Sarah Torrans got the only goal with a peach of a solo goal, taking on a freehit herself before unleashing a rocket of a shot.

The sides meet again on Friday and Sunday in the latest of these uncapped ties as part of their European Championship preparations.

Irish Independent



Katie Mullan on the Upcoming Summer of International Hockey


Ireland's Katie Mullan before the Ireland vs Great Britain in Belfast 14/3/21.  Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Katie Mullan says how each nation adapts to their ever-evolving circumstances will play a key role in ultimate success or otherwise this summer with June’s European Championships and the Olympic Games only six weeks later on the horizon.

Speaking ahead of the Green Army’s four-game series against Great Britain, the Irish skipper was “super excited” to get these high-quality games against the reigning Olympic champions into the agenda.

Ireland were originally hoping to be in Tokyo this month, scoping out the Olympic venue and getting some high-humidity training under their belt. Restrictions meant that plan was switched to Malaysia, but that 19-day tour also bit the dust on the eve of departure. It is indicative of the difficulties in the current COVID-19 environment. But Hockey Ireland acted quickly to work with Great Britain – who also withdrew from the trip to Malaysia – to arrange this latest 12-day camp. Although Ireland played GB as recently as March in the SoftCo Series, Mullan is delighted to meet them again so quickly.

“GB play such a fast, exciting version of hockey and that’s what we want to do too,” she said. “We’re excited to play international hockey and hit the pace we need to prepare for the Europeans [in June]. In a perfect world, playing the same team is not how you would want it, but we are grateful to get the games and it is very good preparation to focus on ourselves.”

Indeed, she is grateful Great Britain are available to play with other options currently limited. Many of the big leagues in Europe are closing in on their end of season playoffs while some nations like Australia, New Zealand and China have not been given clearance to travel to date.

“Every nation has their struggles in terms of best preparing getting out of Covid. You can see how much quicker Australia and New Zealand got out of lockdown and were able to train.

“In one sense, they got a couple of steps ahead. Now, they are not getting games which we are.

“Every team has their own personal journey and it’s going to be whoever manages those ups and downs best who will be the successful teams this summer, especially so for the European teams who have to go and peak twice with this being a qualifier for the World Cup.”

That is a complication Sean Dancer’s side will have to manage carefully. It is something they struggled with in 2017 when the Hockey World League semi-finals – the key World Cup qualifier – was followed just a month later by the European Championships. Ireland excelled at the former to earn their ticket to London 2018 but were close to burn-out for the second tournament and it almost cost them their place in Europe’s top tier.

“It’s been something we’ve spoken about a lot, the double-peak and what we learned from 2017. The biggest thing is back then we weren’t used to being together as a group throughout the year like we are now.

“We came into those tournaments for a very short, intense period of time but were not used to being in each other’s company as consistently.

“The fact we are together now in a semi-professional environment every week for a couple of days, it puts us in a better position and better prepared for the intensity of two international tournaments in one summer.

“It’s going to be a challenge and one we are very aware of. There’s lots we can do to prepare for it and have lots of expertise in the group to manage it.”

For the series at Bisham Abbey, coach Dancer has made a number of changes to the line-up from the SoftCo Series, one which will also be uncapped. There is the potential for UCC’s Caoimhe Perdue – a graduate of Ursulines in Thurles – to play her first minutes of senior international minutes following her inclusion.

UCD skipper Ellen Curran is also back for her first international camp since January 2020 when she scored Ireland’s most recent goal in a capped match, netting against Germany in Stellenbosch.

Lena Tice and Megan Frazer remain in Ireland as they manage injury concerns while Ayeisha McFerran stays in the Netherlands on club duty with SV Kampong.

The game against GB will not be streamed on this occasion.

Ireland squad for Bisham Abbey (April 22-May 2):  Michelle Carey (UCD), Naomi Carroll (Catholic Institute), Lizzie Colvin (Belfast Harlequins), Nicci Daly (Loreto), Deirdre Duke (Old Alex), Nikki Evans (Old Alex), Sarah Hawkshaw (Railway Union), Zara Malseed (Ards), Hannah Matthews (Loreto), Sarah McAuley (Muckross), Shirley McCay (Pegasus), Hannah McLoughlin (UCD), Katie Mullan (Ballymoney), Lizzie Murphy (Loreto), Anna O’Flanagan (Muckross), Grace O’Flanagan (Railway Union), Sarah Torrans (Loreto), Roisin Upton (Catholic Institute), Chloe Watkins (Monkstown), Ellen Curran (UCD), Caoimhe Perdue (UCC)

Remaining Match dates and times:

Tuesday 27 April: Great Britain v Ireland, 10am. Score GB 3 – 1 Ireland (O’Flanagan).
Wednesday 28 April: Great Britain v Ireland, 6pm. Score 4 - 1
Friday 30 April: Great Britain v Ireland, 2pm
Sunday 2 May: Great Britain v Ireland, 1pm

Irish Hockey Association media release



Legendary Hockeyroo Katrina Powell eyes Olympic semi-finals as head coach


Photo credit: Hockey Australia

Katrina Powell is an undisputed legend of Australian hockey, enjoying the kind of success that very few people get to experience.

Alongside elder sister Lisa, Katrina Powell was an integral figure in Ric Charlesworth’s sensational Hockeyroos team in the late 1990s and early 2000s, winning Olympic gold at the Olympic Games of Athens 1996 – where she scored in the final to give her team a 3-1 triumph over Korea – and Sydney 2000, claiming her second gold medal in front of an adoring home crowd.

Those Olympic gold medals were separated by a glorious World Cup success at Utrecht 1998, as Australia – powered by the astonishing strike partnership of Powell and Alyson Annan – enjoyed a period of near complete domination.

Following a fifth-place finish at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Powell called time on a wonderful international career that had seen her score 141 goals in 252 games and began the well-trodden path of transitioning from athlete to coach. Now, some 17 years later, she has been named as head coach of the Hockeyroos, stepping into the void left by the recently departed Paul Gaudoin to take charge of a team she represented so brilliantly as a player.

With the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 just a few months away, Katrina Powell talks to FIH about reconnecting with the Hockeyroos as well as her aims and ambitions going into the Olympic Games after a turbulent period for the team.

Katrina Powell, thank you so much for talking to us. Firstly, congratulations on being named as the head coach of Australia women. You must feel incredibly proud about taking charge of a team that, as a player, you gave your all for.

Katrina Powell: “Yes, I’m really proud. Obviously, I have a long history with the Hockeyroos, and as any international player will tell you who has played for a long time, it becomes your family, part of who you are. So now, to be in charge of the team, I’m amazingly proud to be in this position.”

Still early days I guess, but how are you settling into the role?

Katrina Powell: “Pretty well. It is quite a shock to be moving across the country quite quickly [from Sydney to Perth], but I spent pretty much 20 years living where the team is based, so it was pretty easy to get into the way of life in Perth. The stadium that I trained at is still where the Hockeyroos are based, so it felt a little bit like going home. Obviously, the timing of it is what makes it kind of tricky, that the Olympics is just about upon us.  So, there is some time, but not much time at all. It has been pretty much go go go!”

For those who do not know, can you tell people of your journey into coaching following your retirement as a player?

Katrina Powell: “After I returned at the conclusion of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, I got a coaching scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport, giving me the opportunity to coach in pretty much the same environment that I’d just left. There were definitely challenges there. Eventually I coached the national junior team and became a national assistant coach. Later I found myself moving back to the east coast of Australia – where I was originally from and where my family are still based – and started coaching at the New South Wales Institute of Sport, which is part of our development pathway. I got to coach young players that were aspiring to be Hockeyroos, which I found to be really rewarding. I really enjoyed living in Sydney as well, just for a different perspective on the world, being thrown into a big city like that. My time at the New South Wales Institute of Sport was really valuable in terms of my development and growth as a hockey coach. I suppose it helped to rekindle that love of developing the technical and tactical things that athletes are unaware of, and what is required at the next level. I think for a while I found my niche there, coaching and mentoring the next generation of Australian hockey players.”

Are any of those young players you coached part of the current Hockeyroos group?

Katrina Powell: “Yes, there are a few here now. The likes of Mariah Williams, Geta Hayes, Grace Stewart – most of the ones that have come out of New South Wales I’ve had something to do with. It’s really pleasing to come back and work with them again. That has been the beauty of stepping in now and seeing them in this environment, acknowledging the growth that they have made over that period. It is really nice to see how they have progressed into not just being amongst the world’s best hockey players who really perform on the international stage, but also what good people they are.”

Looking ahead to Tokyo. As always at an Olympics, every match is difficult. The focus will be all about getting out of those tough looking pools and into the quarter-finals. In a pool with Argentina, New Zealand, China, Spain and hosts Japan, it certainly won’t be straight-forward.

Katrina Powell: “No, it won’t be. There is a mixture of styles. I suppose our recent history against some of those teams as well, that we are competing against [could be better]. And playing the host country is never easy, so yes, we have a big task ahead of us. It is all about the preparation to make sure we are playing the best we can. We will face and take on any challenge that comes at us.”

There is the Oceania derby match against New Zealand – you played a few of those in your time. That should be special at an Olympic Games.

Katrina Powell: “Definitely. We seem to regularly get New Zealand in those big tournaments as well, so we have got that fierce rivalry happening. We are obviously ‘cousins’ – the Australia-New Zealand relationship is a really special one, and certainly through covid it has felt even more special. We have been trying to create the ‘Trans-Tasman bubble’, and all that kind of stuff, with both countries having dealt pretty well with the pandemic. We have been helping each other to get through that. In terms sport though, there is a long history of really wanting to beat each other, in any number of sports. That hasn’t changed – it will be the same again. We are probably underdogs in that [rivalry] now. It is not the same as it used to be – they have had the better of it for a number of years. We would go in as the underdog, and they would be the favourite.”

It’s been a turbulent period for the Hockeyroos. With Tokyo so close, does that change the way approach this competition? What is the big goal in Tokyo?

Katrina Powell: “I think for us the objective is to make the semi-finals and see what happens. Obviously, there is a massive quarter-final to get through, so I think we’ve got until the quarter-final to continue to develop and get better – it is not as savage as Atlanta [1996], where you had to finish top two [in the round-robin to play the gold medal game]. We have chances all the way along, so if there is a belief in what we are doing and a development over a number of matches – [keeping in mind that] we will have limited international hockey matches before we get there – we are aiming for our performance to be good in the quarter final, and therefore make the semis. I think that is a realistic goal.”

I guess, once you are in the semis, anything can happen.

Katrina Powell: “Absolutely. I’m banking on it.”

Once again, thanks once again for joining us today. We wish you the very best of luck for Tokyo 2020.

Katrina Powell: “Thank you very much!”

The hockey competitions at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will take place from Saturday 24 July to Friday 6 August 2021. Both the men’s and women’s competitions feature 12 teams, split into two pools of six ahead of quarter-finals, semi-finals and medal matches. For more information about the hockey competitions at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, visit https://tokyo2020.org/en/sports/hockey/.

#Tokyo2020
#StrongerTogether
#HockeyInvites

FIH site



Experience of Argentina tour will make me a better player, says forward Shamsher Singh

'To be among the best, we have to constantly test ourselves against the best and I was very happy with the way I performed in the FIH Hockey Pro League matches against Argentina,' Singh said.


Experience of Argentina tour will make me a better player, says forward Shamsher Singh

India, with 15 points from eight games, climbed up to fourth place in the FIH Hockey Pro League standings. Image Courtesy: Twitter @TheHockeyIndia

Bengaluru: Indian men's hockey team forward Shamsher Singh believes the recent tour of Argentina has given him a chance to test his skills against the best and the exposure will only make him a better player.

The 23-year-old was part of the Indian team that defeated Olympic champions Argentina twice in the FIH Pro League earlier this month.

"One can practice a lot during training sessions, but a player's actual ability can be judged only during matches and therefore I was delighted to play in a big tournament like the FIH Hockey Pro League," Singh said in a release issued by Hockey India.

"To be among the best, we have to constantly test ourselves against the best and I was very happy with the way I performed in the FIH Hockey Pro League matches against Argentina."

India won the first match via a penalty shoot-out, before thumping the hosts 3-0 win in the second game of the two-leg FIH pro league.

"The matches certainly gave me a good idea about the level at which a hockey athlete plays in a big tournament.

"The competition certainly gave me great exposure and I am sure the experience will help me become a much better player for India."

Shamsher said the performances put in by the youngsters augurs well for the national side.

"The best part about our team is that there is a good mix of experience and youth in our side," he said.

"The experienced players have been performing consistently for many years and therefore the brilliant contributions made by youngsters, such as Rajkumar Pal and Vivek Sagar Prasad, in the tour of Argentina has increased the confidence and the belief in our side tremendously.

"We just have to keep fine-tuning our game and hit our peak by the time we travel for the Olympics," said the Forward.

Shamsher said he has thought about a few aspects of his game on which he needs to improve.

"One has to keep improving with every training session and that's what I look to do. I have thought about a few techniques which I need to work on, and I am working on them one by one at the SAI campus."

Firstpost



Richard Hildreth announces retirement from Men’s National Program

Hildreth calls it quits after 188 caps and over 40 international events with Team Canada



Richard Hildreth played his first international game in a test match in Potchefstroom, South Africa. From there, it took him about five years to establish himself as a consistent starter on the Men’s National Team. Hildreth went on to have a long and decorated career, amassing 188 caps while attending over 40 international competitions. His 17-year career is among the longest — in terms of years — of any active player and is just outside of the top 15 of all-time caps.

According to Hildreth, the decision to retire was a difficult one and one he contemplated over the past year. He had been dealing on and off with a knee injury that had caused him to be in and out of the lineup over the past few seasons. He added that the COVID-19 pandemic was a contributing factor, but his reasons were plenty and decided that now is the time to “hang ‘em up.”

“My body just couldn’t keep up with where it needed to be to play international hockey. I told myself, I’d give it a shot and see how my body did. It just wasn’t working out,” he said. “If [the Olympics] we’re last summer, I probably would have been able to give it a better shot. It’s made things difficult for everybody. It made it a little bit easier knowing it was my knee that wasn’t allowing me to get where I needed to be.”

“We have so much fun. Our group has always been really close, and I’ve felt really fortunate to have had such a close group.”

His teammates, he said, have been supportive of his decision and he is excited to see the success of the team moving forward.

“They’ve been devastated; they hate to see me go,” he laughed, poking fun at some of his long-time teammates. On a more genuine note, he added, “A lot of the reason I’ve stuck around is because of how much fun it is. I’ve had a really close relationship with a lot of the guys on the team. They’ve been really supportive.”






Richard Hildreth played 188 international matches in his career. Photos provided by Yan Huckendubler

Hildreth attended three Pan American Cups, three Commonwealth Games, two World Cups and a Pan American Games throughout his career. For Hildreth, often the World Cup and Olympic qualifying events carry more weight in his memory, as opposed to the major events. He looks back on the 2009 World Cup qualifier in Santiago as one of these qualification moments.

“It’s just so exciting, you play in a semi-final and a final. Usually, we’re playing Argentina,” he said. “It’s a nail-biter. Always comes down to the end and it’s quite dramatic. That’s probably my most memorable on-field moment with the team. There’s just too many to go through.”

Hildreth doesn’t expect he’ll be away from the game for long as he begins to shift his gears to coaching. He likes working with young athletes and thinks his experience sets him up nicely to support developing players. The shift from playing to coaching can be a challenge, but he says he’s looking forward to exploring other avenues and focus more on the contribution he can make off the field.

“I’ve been lucky to have been able to explore other avenues through school and work experience, so I don’t feel completely lost,” he said. “I really want to stay involved in the game. I love it and when I’m helping out coaching. It doesn’t feel like work.”






Hildreth’s 17-year career is one of the longest – in years – in program history. Photos provided by Yan Huckendubler

Hildreth goes down as one of only 20 men’s players to eclipse the 175-cap threshold. For him, most of his memories and reflections are off the field. For him, it’s been about developing the connections and friendships over his near-two-decade career.

“We have so much fun. Our group has always been really close, and I’ve felt really fortunate to have had such a close group,” he said. “It’s the people, really. There’s a lot of mutual respect.”

Congratulations Rich on a tremendous career and for paving the way for the next generation of Team Canada superstars!

Field Hockey Canada media release



NSW Pride Announces Peter Shea As Women’s Head Coach For 2021 Season

The NSW Pride are pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Shea as our Women’s Team Head Coach for the 2021 season.

A highly respected figure in NSW hockey circles, Peter brings three decades worth of representative coaching experience to the role, as well as a decorated playing career that included playing for NSW and the ACT.

Over half of Peter’s 30-year coaching career has been spent at the helm of several successful female teams from Under 18’s right through to the Arrows at AHL level.

Among his long list of coaching achievements are two Under 18 National titles, two Under 21 National titles and the 2002 Women’s AHL Championship.

Peter has also had a significant involvement in the development of junior hockey at Sutherland and Moorebank Hockey Clubs, as well as recently in the Central West Premier League.

In addition to his successful hockey background, Peter is a veteran teacher and is the current Head of Science at Orange High School in the State’s Central West.

Peter’s appointment was made after a robust selection process, which included a selection panel consisting of some of Australia’s best past players and coaches such as Larry McIntosh, Loretta Dorman and Casey Sablowski.

Peter is excited to join the NSW Pride and work with our top female athletes to challenge for the Hockey One Championship.

“It is an honour to be appointed as Head Coach of the NSW Pride for the 2021 Hockey One season. I am incredibly passionate about hockey and I’m eager to once again lead a talented NSW team through what I hope is a very successful season,” said Shea.

“The NSW Pride are in an excellent position to put in place processes that will allow the team and players to grow, and continue the successful legacy of women’s hockey in NSW.”

“One of my main focuses will be on player welfare and I have made a commitment to build a culture that is positive, empathetic and values based. I want to create a team that women and girls aspire to be in.”

“I want to help the players and staff develop a drive for continual improvement and growth through clear expectations and a culture of collaborative development. I’m excited to get underway with the team and start the hard-work that will be required over the coming months.”

David Thompson, Hockey NSW CEO, believes that Peter’s extensive experience as both a representative coach and former National player will be a great asset to the NSW Pride during the upcoming season.

“Peter brings to the table a proven coaching record at State level including multiple National titles and a Women’s NHL championship. He’s been at the helm of several successful female NSW teams over a number of years and has coached a number of players that have gone on to represent Australia,” said Thompson.

“Peter is a very respected figure in NSW hockey and we’re pleased to have him on board. He has a fantastic vision for our team and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

Peter replaces inaugural head coach Katrina Powell who was appointed Hockeyroos head coach earlier this month.

“We would like to thank Katrina for her service during our inaugural season. While it is disappointing to see her leave, she was offered an incredible opportunity that was impossible to turn down. We wish her the best of luck with the Hockeyroos and will be cheering her and our girls on to gold in Tokyo,” said Thompson.

Peter will join our panel of selectors at the Open Women’s State Championships in June to appoint our 2021 NSW Pride squad.

Sultana Bran Hockey One League Media release



KLHA to restart development programme

By Jugjet Singh


KLHA acting president I. Vikneswaran. BERNAMA PIC

KUALA LUMPUR: The hugely popular Kuala Lumpur Hockey Development Programme (KLHDP) is set to make a return after being shackled for a year by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kuala Lumpur HA (KLHA) acting president I. Vikneswaran is working with various agencies to restart the programme, and it will be known as 'Hockey For All'.

"We have started work to revive the KLHDP. It will cater for youth players. It is not all about producing quality players but also promoting healthy living among kids," said the former national player.

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) have also launched their National Hockey Development Programme (NHDP) nationwide.

The programme has attracted 306 kids, and a selection is being held to trim the numbers.

"In no way are KLHA in competition with the parent body. Our development programme will complement their initiative.

"Kids in the Klang Valley can always join our programme if they do not make it at the MHC centres."

The KLHDP has been running since 2017, and Vikneswaran is seeking the National Security Council's approval to reopen their field.

"We are also working with the KL Education Department and KL City Council as well, and I believe in a few weeks we will be ready to restart our programme.

"We will empower parents as well as the schools and clubs in the Klang Valley to participate as partners and make hockey a fun sport for the youth," Vikneswaran added.

New Straits Times



Maggie Young Named Inaugural Head Women’s Field Hockey Coach

Courtesy of Maryville Athletics



The Maryville University Department of Athletics and Campus Recreation announced Maggie Young as the inaugural head coach of the women's field hockey program. She will spend the 2021-22 academic year recruiting Saints student-athletes. Maryville will officially begin NCAA Division II competition in the fall of 2022.

Young was the recipient of the St. Louis Field Hockey Association Coach of the Year Award in 2018. Her Whitfield girl's lacrosse squad earned the "Grow the Game – Spirit of the Game Award" in 2018 from the Missouri State Lacrosse Association.

Prior to Whitfield, she was the coach of the varsity and JV teams at Holland Hall High School in Tulsa, Okla. In 2008, she guided the team to the Southwest Preparatory Conference Division 2 championship. The next season, the team finished as the runner up, falling on a goal in overtime of the championship game. Young also was the USA Field Hockey Futures Site Director, coach and selector for the National Futures Tournament in Tulsa.

Young worked as an assistant field hockey coach at MICDS and helped the Rams reach the 2007 State Championship game. Off the field, she was the President of the St. Louis Field Hockey Association for eight years before stepping down in 2019, and also served as the Region 5 representative of the NFHS. Young is the St. Louis Field Hockey Association scholarship advisor for the Rob and Kathleen Durbin Memorial Scholarship which will be awarded starting in 2022. The award was named after her parents who passed away in 2019, and her mom is a graduate of Maryville.

Young is a graduate of Villa Duchesne High School and earned her bachelor's degree from Ball State University in 2007. She and her husband, Michael Young, have three daughters ages five, seven and eight who all play field hockey for Gateway Club.

Student-athletes interesting in joining the Saints field hockey program should contact coach Young at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

USFHA media release



How a gap year brought Iowa field hockey’s Murphy to Iowa

The Hawkeyes’ top goalscorer took a trip around the world and found her home in Iowa City.

Ben Palya


Iowa forward Maddy Murphy attempts to shoot at the empty goal during the fourth quarter of a field hockey game against Maryland on Sunday, April 4, 2021 at Grant Field. The Hawkeyes defeated the Terrapins, 3-0. With 12 minutes left of the game, Maryland decided to pull their goalkeeper to replace the position with another player on offense, but switched back to having a goalkeeper after 10 minutes of game play. Hannah Kinson

After playing field hockey for much of her life, Iowa senior forward Maddy Murphy wanted to test the waters throughout Europe and the U.S.

A gap year not only allowed her the opportunity to explore the world but explore some potential next steps in her field hockey career.

Unlike the U.S., the gap year is extremely popular for teenagers after finishing up high school in Tasmania.

“I didn’t want to really jump into anything too quickly, so I travelled a little bit and worked,” Murphy said. “If I had jumped in, I would not have had this opportunity and things would have been so different.”

Along with visiting Europe and the U.S., Murphy got to focus on field hockey without the distraction of school by playing in the country’s field hockey league.

Her trip to the U.S. was a special one to her. She flew out to Iowa City before trekking across the United States and visiting many colleges within a two week span. Having her father there was incredible, as they embraced the U.S. culture and even got to visit family in Minnesota.

Thanks to a friend she made back home during her gap year, Murphy got connected to Iowa specifically. After going through the process of going to European camps and visiting colleges in the U.S., Murphy decided on Iowa.

“I was hopping across the U.S. looking at schools, and I really fell in love with Iowa,” Murphy said. “No other schools compared, I loved the schools, I loved the team and it felt like home.”

After getting home from her trip to Iowa City, Murphy soon discovered that Hobart, the capital city of her homeland in Tasmania, is modeled after Iowa City. Not only was it an interesting connection for Murphy, but it made Iowa City feel even more like home. Hobart also has a river going through the city and even a university in the heart of it, just like Iowa City.

Just a few months later after the trip, Murphy became a student-athlete for the Hawkeyes and made her way to Iowa City to start her college career.

Since becoming a part of the Iowa field hockey team, Murphy has set herself apart as an incredible player and great teammate.

“She always has so much energy, and she brings so much to the team,” senior midfielder Nikki Freeman said. “She’s so positive, and in practice she’s scoring all the goals just like she does in games.”

Murphy got off to a strong start as a freshman and was second best on the team with 11 goals and three assists.

Over the course of her four years at Iowa, Murphy has amassed 43 goals and 23 assists. During her sophomore and junior campaigns, she was recognized as a first team All-Big Ten selection and a second team All-American by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

After her season at Iowa, Murphy is looking to continue her field hockey career and believes she has plenty left in the tank.

“I have no reason to retire and love it so much,” Murphy said. “Playing here I have made so many connections worldwide, so it is cool I could play club league anywhere.”

First though, Murphy and the Hawkeyes have some business to handle in the NCAA Tournament. Iowa will face the winner of the Northwestern-Delaware game in the second round for a spot in the final four.

The Daily Iowan



Field hockey tours and tournaments in France

Some French guys came back from the UK in 2004 and set up ComeOn Sport, the first French Sport Agency that organises Sports tours & festivals in France.

Since 2005, ComeOn Sport & ComeOn Tours have organizsed sports tours, tournaments, travel arrangements, pre-season tours for foreign teams wishing to come to France. In 15 years, a lot of hockey teams (field hockey) have toured France and Europe with our agency.

Hockey teams come from Europe (England, Ireland, Germany, Holland etc….) but also from South Africa and Australia. American soccer teams came over in 2018 during the World Cup and we would be able to welcome field hockey teams from America too.

Youth teams, schools, universities or veterans hockey teams are more than welcome here in France and our services provide accommodation, advice, games/trainings, transport, sightseeing & leisure activities for players and parents.

Some hockey tours packages:

In 2022, we also prepare hockey tours in Paris, Belgium and Northern France for foreign teams.https://www.comeonsport.com/field-hockey

In May 2022, a veteran hockey festival will be organised again in Bordeaux https://www.comeonsport.com/packages/field-hockey-tournament-bordeaux/ Foreign teams can attend to it thanks to our help with accommodation, transport, activities, wines tastings and registration!

ComeOn Sport ComeOn Tours are also on social medias (facebook, twitter and instagram) and on www.comeonsport.com so that people can get more details & news about our French Agency and Sport Packages for 2021-2022-2023!

Come on Sport media release



RIP Cees Koppelaar

Hockey Ireland are saddened to learn of the passing of Cees Koppelaar, former Hockey Ireland Men’s Coach from 1987 to 1997 and honorary life member. A member of the Dutch national team in the early 1960’s as an 800 meter runner and member of the 4 x 400 meter relay team, he came into soccer and hockey through athletics. Koppelaar was the first professional coach assigned to the Hockey Ireland job and guided Ireland to the World Cup finals in Lahore, Pakistan in 1990.

A further write up will follow. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.

Irish Hockey Association media release



Irish hockey mourns loss of former men's national coach Cees Koppelaar


Cees Koppelaar

Irish hockey is mourning the passing of groundbreaking former men’s national coach Cees Koppelaar who passed away in the Netherlands on Monday at the age of 81.

The Dutchman arrived in the role after an impressive career in athletics – working with Fanny Blankers-Koen – and then in football with Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff as Ajax’s physical coach.

In the late 1970s, he grew fascinated by hockey following a spell with HC Bloemendaal and while doing his coaching courses came into contact with Reg Treacy who co-opted him into the Irish set-upas the first paid coach in 1986.

He would go on to hold that role until 1997 – making him the longest holder of the role – with highlights including a fifth place finish in Europe in 1995, the best result to that point, and qualificationto the 1990 World Cup.

More than that, his empathetic manner and notorious willingness to engage with the Irish hockey public made him a memorable figure to so many.

He went on to become an Honorary Life Member of Hockey Ireland before becoming a pivotal figure in the world leading Dutch system with Teun de Nooijer – widely regarded as the greatest player of alltime – describing him as a vital mentor.

Irish Independent



Mazhar Jabalpuri was Pakistan`s Most Prolific Hockey Writer & Statistician

By Ijaz Chaudhry



Just a few days after passing away of India`s world famed hockey statistician and historian B.G.Joshi, Pakistan also lost its most eminent hockey writer.

Mazhar Jabalpuri passed away on April 21st in Karachi at the age of 91.

In a period spanning more than half a century, he penned down hundreds of articles in English and Urdu. They appeared in leading newspapers of the country including THE NEWS, DAWN, Pakistan Times, Jang and Jassarat, as well as in the sports and hockey magazines including FIH`s official magazines.

He also contributed to the souvenirs of numerous domestic tournaments including more than 30 national championships for men, women and juniors, apart from international events and matches staged in Pakistan.

He wrote 15 books on hockey- more than anyone in Pakistan.

As his name suggests, he was born in Jabalpur in what is now the state of Madhya Pradesh in India.  Hockey was a popular sport in Jabalpur and he was a member of school`s hockey and soccer teams.

His family migrated to Pakistan in 1947 when Jabalpuri was only 17.

His love for hockey continued in Karachi where he played for top local clubs including the renowned Pak Independent where quite a few Olympians were his team mates. With appeared for these clubs in domestic tournaments in different parts of the country. Moreover, he represented the strong Karachi zone team in the national championships.

Once, his playing days were over, Jabalpuri established and ran clubs, not only hockey but also soccer, shooting ball and even wrestling.

For his day job, he worked in Pakistan`s foreign ministry for around 25 years and also served on overseas assignments in India, Mauritius and Yemen.

Jabalpuri began writing sports articles in 1956. First few years, there were quite a few on football as well along with hockey plus occasionally on other sports such as wrestling, shooting ball, volleyball, tennis, bodybuilding, etc.

Later, it was almost exclusively hockey pieces which covered every aspect: Previews and reviews of tournaments (international as well as domestic), statistical records of major events, players and administrators` interviews/profiles/obituaries, comments on teams` selections, Karachi`s local hockey scene, among others.

Like all hockey lovers, he was greatly perturbed by Pakistan hockey`s continuous decline over last 25 years. And he expressed it in a number of articles where he often criticized the PHF officials with no holds barred.

Mazhar Jabalpur`s 15 hockey books are a treasure trove of information for all the hockey lovers especially his compatriots.

His book, `World Hockey Statistics` published in 1991, covered the big five events i.e. Olympics, World Cup, Champions Trophy, Asian Games and Asia Cup from 1908- 1991: Results of all the matches, team positions, leading scorers, names of gold, silver and bronze medal teams players, and Pakistan team`s players and scorers.

He came out with other books, also covering the history of the game: World Cup, Asian Hockey History, Champions Hockey Trophy, Junior Asia Cup, Indo-Pak Hockey Competitions, Olympic Games Hockey  and Pakistan, Pakistan First to Last Hockey Gold, Pakistan Hockey`s Highs and Lows.

Books dwelling on Pakistan hockey`s history not only provide records but also a lot of information regarding what were the factors and who were the main actors behind these campaigns especially where Pakistan failed.

`Ready Reckoner Pakistan Hockey` encompassed every aspect of Pakistan hockey in facts and figures in as many as 56 chapters.

`Pakistan Hockey- Stars and Heroes` profiles no less than 180 international players who represented the country with distinction. Jabalpuri contacted players in different parts of the country as well as outside. Big effort in those times considering there was no mobile phone or internet.

`Hockey Markaz Karachi` is a history of the game in Jabalpuri`s home town which is also Pakistan`s biggest city and a major hockey centre.

Gulistan Hockey Coaching` carries instructions for practicing all the hockey skills with graphics and also elaborates the positional play in defence, midfield and attack. No surprise as Jabalpuri remained an active player for more than two decades and also managed hockey clubs.

`Jamalistan Hockey Quiz` contains 1,250 interesting questions and their answers related to different aspects of game- real gift for the lovers of the game.

Hence, Jabalpuri touched upon the game of hockey in every possible way.His books on hockey`s history are extremely useful to hockey journalists, writers and commentators.

The scribe has been a great beneficiary.

He also wrote a book on football in Pakistan (1960) and one on fishing (1997).

It was labour of love; never a source of income.  Sometimes, he found sponsors who helped him cover the cost of publication but at times he had to spend from his own pocket. Poor reading culture in this country means there were very few buyers. He was often seen distributing his books among enthusiasts at the hockey grounds.

His last book appeared about 10 years back.  He had started working on a couple more but couldn`t finish them because of deteriorating health especially poor eye sight.

I often contacted him regarding information for my articles and he always obliged. If I pointed out some correction in his work, he appreciated.

Pakistan`s national game will always remain indebted to the selfless writer.

It would be befitting if media box in Karachi`s Abdul Sattar Hockey Stadium or Lahore`s National Hockey Stadium is named after Mazhar Jabalpuri. It will only be a small tribute to his great services to hockey.

Ijaz Chaudhry writes on hockey & other sports. For more about him and his work, visit: www.sportscorrespondent.info

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