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News for 04 May 2021

All the news for Tuesday 4 May 2021


2021 Test matches RSA v NAM (M) - 4 May
Johannesburg (RSA)

1 May 2021     RSA v NAM   7 - 0 (Watch the match replay here)
2 May 2021     RSA v NAM.  2 - 1
4 May 2021 19:00 (GMT +2)     RSA v NAM
5 May 2021 19:00 (GMT +2)     RSA v NAM
7 May 2021 19:00 (GMT +2)     RSA v NAM

No Spectators allowed due to COVID restrictions
All matches to be streamed live on the Watch Hockey App

FIH Match Centre



Points percentage to determine Hockey Pro League standings following COVID-19 disruption

By Ali Iveson


Points percentage will decide the Hockey Pro League standings this season ©Getty Images

Points percentage is to be used to decide the final standings in this season's Hockey Pro League, the participating teams and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) have agreed.

The decision comes as the coronavirus pandemic continues to interrupt the schedule and several teams appear unlikely to complete all of their fixtures.

The current season has already been extended until June 2021, having originally been scheduled to wrap up in June of last year.

With the Tokyo 2020 Olympics scheduled this summer, the third Hockey Pro League season due to begin in October and travel restrictions still in place across much of the world, there is little room on the calendar for the FIH to move matches to.

Australia and New Zealand are hoping to face one another in Perth in June, the FIH said, but with both counties largely COVID-19-free and having implemented strict border closures to keep it that way, those games could well be last ones they play this Pro League season.


The Netherlands are set to retain their women's Hockey Pro League title ©Getty Images

China - who are only in the women's tournament - have played just two of their scheduled 16 matches.

India -  who are only in the men's tournament - would likely face serious difficulties in fulfilling their remaining games, given the travel bans many nations have introduced against visitors from India over the nation's escalating coronavirus crisis.

The number of points won over the maximum number of points available in the games a team has played will be used to determine its points percentage.

World and Pro League champions The Netherlands are currently top of the women's standings with percentage of 87.88.

Argentina, with 63.33, are a distant second.

Belgium lead the way in the men's contest with 82.05, but Germany are close behind on 79.17.

Olympic Channel



COVID-induced travel ban likely to hurt Indian hockey teams

The growing list of countries banning travel from India to contain the COVID-19 spread could snatch international matches from the hockey team.

Uthra Ganesan


Indian men's hockey team coach Graham Reid at a training session in SAI, Bengaluru.   -  FILE PHOTO/K. MURALI KUMAR

The Indian men’s hockey team restarted its international assignments after more than a year with a preparatory tour in Europe in February and an extended tour of Argentina for the Pro League games last month. The women went to Argentina and Germany. But they seem to be destined for a long period at home henceforth.

Germany has joined the growing list of countries that have suspended travel from India in the face of growing COVID cases here, starting April 25. Only German citizens are allowed entry back home. Spain, on the other hand, has put in place a hard 10-day mandatory quarantine period for Indians.

Indian men are scheduled to play Pro League games against Spain on May 15-16 and Germany on May 22-23. Their scheduled games against Great Britain on the coming weekend have already been postponed.

With the team still in Bengaluru, the matches appear unlikely, adding another blow to the team’s preparations for Tokyo even as European nations continue to engage each other.

The women are no better. With no Pro League for them, there were plans to travel to Netherlands for practice matches and training but that too seems off and is not listed any more on Hockey India’s website.

Sportstar



Youth HC win Inter Club Hockey League


Abdul Wahab and Zafeer Ahmed received winning trophy from chief guest MPA Arsalan Taj Hussain

LAHORE -Youth Hockey Club won the KHA Inter Club Talent Hunt 5-a-side Hockey League by beating Rabbani Hockey Club on penalty shootout 3-2 in the final played at KHA sports Complex in Pakistan.

The event was organized by Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) under PHF Domestic Hockey Development Vision to promote the game at grassroots level.

Youth HC’s Abdul Wahab emerged as top scorer of the tournament with 20 goals and also slammed double hat-trick in the final to earn a cash prize of Rs 10,000.

Abdul Wahab and Zafeer Ahmed also received winning trophy from chief guest MPA Arsalan Taj Hussain. MPA Dr Imran Ali Shah, Shamim Siddiqui and a large number of hockey greats were also present on the occasion.

The Nation



UNC field hockey opens NCAA Tournament with 2-0 win over Stanford

By Kaitlyn Schmidt


Freshman midfielder Kiersten Thomassey handles the ball with ease against Stanford. No. 1 seed Carolina FIeld Hockey defeated the Cardinals in a 2-0 victory, advancing them to the next round of the NCAA D1 Field Hockey Championships. Photo by Caroline Bittenbender | The Daily Tar Heel

Any follower of North Carolina athletics is probably aware that the school's field hockey team is pretty good.

OK, really good.

The program has won back-to-back national championships, has the winningest coach in college field hockey history and recently took its fourth ACC title in a row. But despite these accolades, the Tar Heels still have to navigate through a challenging stretch of opponents in their postseason play.

On Sunday, in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, the Tar Heels did exactly that with a 2-0 win over Stanford.

Despite being unbeaten in the spring season, UNC looked vulnerable in its last four matchups and needed overtime periods to keep its winning streak intact. Against Virginia and Syracuse, the Tar Heels were outshot and out-cornered. They edged Wake Forest in those departments in the ACC automatic qualifier game but only capitalized to score on one corner.

Head coach Karen Shelton knew limiting Stanford’s penalty corners in the NCAA quarterfinal was the key strategy in avoiding more overtime play.

“I thought it was critical to the game and for our success; we needed to stop the penalty corner,” Shelton said. “(Stanford's) Corinne Zanolli is an outstanding player all the way around, but her drag flick on the penalty corner is lethal. We knew if we gave up a lot of corners, we would be facing an extreme threat.”

The Tar Heels stuck to their strategy in the first half, allowing Stanford no penalty corners, while racking up three for themselves. The last corner, inserted by sophomore midfielder Paityn Wirth, was shot clean to the back of the cage by redshirt junior back Cassie Sumfest for UNC’s first goal of the day.

North Carolina’s continued pressure left the Cardinal scrambling to build plays after passing their midline which resulted in a scoreless third quarter. In the fourth, UNC continued its offensive persistence with five total shots on goal, and with just three minutes left, junior forward Erin Matson corralled a rebound and sealed the win with a closing goal into the top corner of the net.

“I think we made a huge emphasis to just put a lot of pressure on them,” Sumfest said. “That was a huge success for us on getting corners, getting goals and getting outcomes.”

After briefly celebrating their win, the Tar Heels did something a bit unusual — they joined in one big huddle with the opposing team.

In the fall, Stanford will cut 11 of its 36 varsity sports programs because of budget ramifications from the pandemic — field hockey included.

“They’re fighting and scratching to keep their program intact,” Shelton said. “It would be a shame for a program that strong, that competitive to have its program dropped.”

Shelton and the players have shown their support for the Cardinal behind the scenes by signing petitions, interacting with social media posts and even writing and signing a letter to send to Stanford’s athletic director.

“At the end of the day, you know, we came out on top and we’re proud with how we played and we got the W, but it’s not just about Stanford-UNC,” Matson said. “It’s about field hockey in general and us trying to grow it in America. I think we made it clear to them that we’re all a family and it’s not even just the two of our teams, it’s the field hockey community coming together.”

North Carolina will face Iowa on Friday in the semifinals and potentially the winner of the Michigan-Louisville game in the NCAA Championship.

The Tar Heels have not faced Iowa or Michigan since they beat both programs in the 2019 ACC-Big Ten Challenge and Iowa again in the second round of the NCAA Tournament the same year. Louisville is the only team to have beaten UNC since 2017, which happened on Oct. 2.

North Carolina's remaining path to the championship will take place exclusively in Shelton Stadium, where the team has yet to lose a game since it opened in 2018.

“We’re really excited to be hosting, so like obviously we want to be in that national championship game, but we can’t get there unless we win on Friday,” Sumfest said. “Just focusing on playing our game, keeping it simple and fighting is really important.”

The Daily Tar Heel



Louisville Field Hockey Defeats UConn, Advances to School-First Final Four

The program will face Michigan in their first ever trip to the NCAA Semifinals.

University of Louisville PR

COLLEGE PARK, Pa. – Senior Alli Bitting’s goal in the first quarter stood as the game-winner as the third-ranked University of Louisville field hockey team defeated No. 6 UConn 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Field Hockey Championship Sunday afternoon at Penn State's University Park. With the win, the Cardinals (14-5) advance to the NCAA semifinals for the first time in program history.

Louisville will take on No. 2 Michigan on Friday, May 7 at either 1 p.m. or 4 p.m. in Chapel Hill, N.C. Top-seeded North Carolina and the No. 3 seed Iowa will face off in the other NCAA semifinal. The national championship game will take place on May 9 at 7 p.m. All three games will be televised on ESPN3.

"First of all, hats off to the University of Connecticut and their coaching staff. They're a class program, a storied program and they are very well-coached," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "In regards to our performance, to get the win today and get to our first-ever Final Four, I couldn't be more excited and proud of our team."

The game was tightly-contested with each team firing off nine shots and earning seven corners. UConn (12-2) had five shots on goal while Louisville finished with four.

The Cardinals jumped on the scoreboard with under four minutes left in the first quarter. Bitting got the corner started and senior Meghan Schneider provided the stop for Pastor who sent a shot toward the cage and Bitting was there to deflect it past UConn goalkeeper Cheyenne Sprecher.

The Huskies intensified their attack in the second quarter, holding a 6-2 advantage in shots, but Louisville goalkeeper Sam Minrath picked up three saves to hold UConn at bay.

Louisville entered the break with a 1-0 lead despite UConn holding a 6-3 edge in shots and a 3-2 advantage in corners.

The Cardinals gained some momentum in the third quarter, drawing four corners to one for the Huskies and held on to the 1-0 lead.

The Huskies held an advantage in numbers when the fourth quarter when a yellow card was issued to Erica Cooper, forcing the Cardinals to play with 10 on the field for five minutes, but the defense held strong through three UConn penalty corners with Sam Minrath posting a crucial save.

UConn lifted Sprecher in favor of an extra field player for the final 2:46 of the game and began to surge forward in the final minute, but stalwart defense kept the Huskies out of the circle.

Minrath collected five saves in the game as she tallied her third shutout of the season.

"The entire year has been a very long season – two seasons," said Sowry. "We've had some highs and some lows. We've had some tears and certainly a lot of laughter and fun along the way. And to get to this point we are pretty excited and relieved. The team is excited to get another matchup against Michigan, another quality opponent. We're going to celebrate and get back to business tomorrow morning."

Louisville Report



No. 5 Northwestern falls to No. 4 Iowa in NCAA Tournament quarterfinals

Skye Swann


Redshirt sophomore forward Bente Baekers lunges to block an Iowa player . She scored Northwestern’s lone goal in a loss to the Hawkeyes Sunday in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. Daily file photo by Kelsey Carroll

No. 5 Northwestern lost 3-1 to No. 4 Iowa Sunday in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, ending the team’s chance to win the first national title in program history.

“We were gassed today from playing Friday,” coach Tracey Fuchs said. “We had our chances to get back in the game we just couldn’t get it done today.”

Although the Wildcats (12-6, 5-3 Big Ten) swept the Hawkeyes (12-5, 5-3 Big Ten) in the regular season, the squad struggled offensively Sunday at Karen Shelton Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC. Outshot by Iowa 18-13, the Cats couldn’t connect inside the circle turning the ball over frequently.

Redshirt sophomore forward Bente Baekers scored the team’s lone goal, continuing her eight game scoring streak. But the rest of the offense struggled. NU was unsuccessful in six out of the seven penalty corner attempts in the game, which Fuchs felt contributed to the loss.

“I’m happy we improved (on our corner attempts), but we just didn’t have enough gas in the tank today,” Fuchs said.

The Cats started the first quarter on the defensive, unable to stop the Hawkeyes’ quick ball movement Seven minutes into the game, Iowa junior forward Ciara Smith scored a goal to give the Hawkeyes a 1-0 lead.

After Iowa got on the board, NU started off slow, but eventually went on the offensive late in the first quarter for an unsuccessful corner attempt.

The Cats’ offensive momentum carried into the second quarter when Baekers scored on a corner attempt. The goal gave the Netherlands native — who tallied all three scores in the regular season showdowns against Iowa — her fifteenth of the season.

However, the tie was short-lived as Iowa senior forward Maddy Murphy captured her own rebound, scoring in the twentieth minute.

NU didn’t tie the score before the end of the half, allowing Iowa to take the advantage. Freshman goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz spent the remainder of the quarter on her heels making saves.

The third quarter started in the same fashion as the beginning of the game: with the Cats on the defensive.

Iowa received another penalty corner eighteen seconds into the third quarter. Even though the shot was blocked, Murphy kept the ball inside the circle to force another attempt. This allowed junior midfielder Lokke Stribos to extend the Hawkeyes’ lead to 3-1.

For the rest of the game, the Cats’ attempts to get at the goal were stifled by the Hawkeyes’ defense and junior goalkeeper Grace McGuire. McGuire made eight saves throughout the course of the game.

Meanwhile, Skubisz made seven saves, but gave up three goals to McGuire’s one.

Finishing the 2021 season with 12 wins and an appearance in the national quarterfinals, Fuchs said she’s optimistic about next season, as many players are returning to Evanston.

“We had freshmen that contributed significantly, including our goalkeeper,” Fuchs said. “Anytime you get to experience an NCAA tournament you’re going to be better for it so I’m looking forward to the future.”

Daily Northwestern



Ohio Field Hockey’s Shive and Warren Named First Team All-MAC



CLEVELAND, Ohio – Two members of the Ohio field hockey team earned Mid-American Conference postseason awards, the league announced today (May 3). Seniors Jillian Shive (Lebanon, Ohio) and Leah Warren (Hamilton, New Zealand) both earned a spot on the All-MAC First Team.

This is the first time that Shive has earned a spot on the All-MAC First Team, after being named to the All-MAC Second Team the past two seasons. Shive led the Bobcats offensively this year. The midfielder played in all 14 games for Ohio, starting 13 of them. Shive scored a team-leading nine goals and four assists for 22 total points. She recorded 51 shots with 37 on goal for a .725 shots on goal percentage, while recording two game-winning goals. Shive registered two multi-goal games this season. The first on March 26 in Ohio's 3-1 win over Central Michigan, and again on April 25 in the Bobcats' 5-1 win over Bellarmine. She recorded seven multi-point games this year, registering six points against Bellarmine on April 25 and four points against CMU. Shive finished the season third in the MAC in goals scored and fourth in points.  

This is the second-straight year that Warren has earned a spot on the All-MAC First Team. Warren finished the season with one goal and one assist for three points. The defender recorded 28 shots and made three defensive saves. Warren also recorded one game-winning goal on March 28 at Ball State in overtime, helping the Bobcats to a 2-1 win. Warren played and started in 13 games for Ohio, while registering a season-high six shots against CMU on March 26 and four shots against Bellarmine on April 24. Warren was also on the field to help the Bobcats secure the 2-0 shutout victory on April 24 against Bellarmine, their first of the season.

The Bobcats concluded the 2020-21 season on April 25 and are expected to be back on the pitch this fall.

Ohio Bobcats



Wellington striker named top Black Sticks player



Outstanding performances in both the FIH Pro League and the new Sentinel Homes Premier Hockey League have seen Jacob Smith named Vantage Black Sticks Men’s 2020 Player of the Year at the Hockey New Zealand Awards.

Vantage Black Sticks Head Coach Darren Smith said the Wellington striker had a fantastic year.

“Jacob was instrumental in the qualification for Tokyo and he then carried that form on into the early parts of the Pro League.”

The 30-year-old was also in fine form in the new Premier Hockey League in late 2020 helping his Central Falcons side to the inaugural title with five goals, and claiming the Most Valuable Player award.

Jacob Smith, who works as a solicitor at Dentons Kensington Swan, has 86 caps and 12 goals for his country after making his debut in 2012.

Under-21 Player of the Year

Meanwhile new Vantage Black Stick Sean Findlay was named Under-21 Player of the Year at Friday’s awards.

The Hawke’s Bay midfielder was named in the 2021 Black Sticks squad after a strong performance in last year’s Premier Hockey League with the victorious Central Falcons side.

Findlay, who is the youngest member of the current Black Sticks squad and is yet to make his debut, was also outstanding in the 2019 Sultan of Johor Cup for New Zealand Under-21.

Hockey New Zealand Media release



Helping hockey get back on its feet in Christchurch


2020 Pakistan Trophy winner – Peter Cox

The Pakistan Trophy is awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the administration of hockey in New Zealand in the previous 12 months.

At this year’s Hockey New Zealand awards, we acknowledged two Pakistan Trophy winners – both the 2019 and 2020 recipients of this prestigious award due to last year’s ceremony being cancelled.

Peter Cox was instrumental in getting Christchurch’s Nunweek Park redeveloped post the city’s devastating earthquake.

His leadership and drive meant hockey was well ahead of other sports, and ensured our hockey community got to keep playing the game they loved.

Cox has been a member of the Canterbury Artificial Surfaces Trust since 2000, spending 10 years as Chair. His management skills were also used by the North Canterbury Sports Trust to help with the Mainpower Waimakariri Turf which is a focal point for that community.

Our 2020 Pakistan Trophy winner has been a Nga Puna Wai trustee since its inception, helping to develop the venue into a cornerstone of the Canterbury hockey community.

He has been working recently to establish a turf in Rolleston to meet the area’s growing population, and by the end of the year they will have their own full-sized turf.

A Life Member of Canterbury Hockey, Cox has outstanding facilities knowledge and business nous which he is always willing to offer to secure the future of our ever-growing game.

A humble man, who doesn’t like to be recognised for his efforts, Cox always finds time for hockey despite sitting on numerous other boards.

Hockey New Zealand Media release



Framesby thrilled to host SPAR hockey tournament

 
The Framesby hockey players who have been preparing for the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge at Framesby in Port Elizabeth on May 9 are, back from left, Chrystal van Rensburg, Chanelle Steyn, Zoë Terblanche, Milla Otto, Denise van der Spuy, Anya Weyers, Josie Strauss, Mienke Vinson, Zani Vlok, Nianke Bezuidenhout, Jordan Drury (coach), and front, Miecke Smuts, Clarissa van Rooyen, Shani Dames, Larunette Louw, Carla Gouws. Absent: Tristin Kearns, Anzell Ferreira. Photo: Rea Ann van Zyl

Framesby High’s players are relishing the opportunity to showcase their new astroturf facility and their development as a team when the school hosts the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge on May 9.

The Port Elizabeth Coastal leg is one of five tournaments in this annual series, which is back on track after the disruption of Covid-19 last year.

Other regional playoffs, each involving about 100 players, will take place in East London, Queenstown, Grahamstown and George, with the winners qualifying for the provincial finals at Collegiate in Port Elizabeth on July 31 and August 1.

Games are played over 20 minutes, which creates a challenging environment for everyone.

Framesby director of hockey Jordan Drury acknowledged that this would be a wonderful chance to demonstrate the school’s hockey credentials.

“When I took up my position at the beginning of last year, we were really excited to be asked to host the PE Coastal playoffs and nothing has changed despite the delay of a year,” he said.

“After telling the girls we would be hosting the tournament, there was an explosion of joy. This is an opportunity to showcase what Framesby has to offer and what we are trying to achieve in the sport.

“We are privileged to have a top-class facility of this nature and I feel it can take Framesby hockey to the next level.”

Meanwhile, Drury has been working hard with the first team squad since October last year when lockdown restrictions were eased.

“Besides the holidays, we haven’t stopped the hard graft as we try to instil a new culture into Framesby hockey.

“Previously there might have been a feeling that ‘if I can hold a hockey stick, I can play in the first team’, but the girls now know that hard work, commitment and fitness are required to make the side.

“We are also focused on creating a family group of players who have respect for themselves, for others and for the game.”

The Framesby mentor realised the pressure would be on in the playoffs, which will be a test of fitness and mental strength given the shortened nature of the matches.

“We have focused a lot on fitness, which is one of my big things,” said Drury. “The girls are excited about the challenge and the school is looking forward to witnessing the growth of the sport.”

SPAR EC promotions and events manager Alan Stapleton was equally delighted to have the event back on track.

“It’s wonderful to be able to welcome back 100s of young hockey players to the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge.

“It’s a tournament geared to bring schools which do not often have the opportunity to compete against each other together in a spirit of competitive camaraderie,” he said.

“While all Covid protocols will be followed, with no spectators, the tournaments will enable our young hockey players to again come together in a celebration of women and sport in a spirit of living limitlessly.”

The other teams to compete at Framesby are Alexander Road, Collegiate, DF Malherbe, Nico Malan, Pearson and Westering.

Fullstop Communications Media release for SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge



SPAR hockey tournament a landmark event for Clarendon captain


Clarendon captain Aspen Gilbert will be running out for her 50th cap when the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge is played at Merrifield College in East London on May 9. Photo: Supplied

For long-serving Clarendon player Aspen Gilbert the resumption of the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge on May 9 in East London will have special significance.

The 17-year-old matric pupil will be able to put a frustrating year, deprived of sport, behind her as she runs out for her 50th game for the school’s first team at the EL Coastal playoffs of the tournament at Merrifield College.

Gilbert acknowledged the disappointment of the Covid-enforced break in 2020, but preferred to dwell on the positive.

“Despite the challenges of last year, my teammates and I are feeling exceptionally excited, privileged and more than ready to return to competitive sport,” she said.

“While it was sad to miss the Hockey Challenge in 2020 after we played in 2019, we are thrilled that the tournament is back this year.

“This will be a very special time for me, having played 49 games for the first team so far.

“The absence of school sport last year prevented some of us from reaching the mark of 100 or more caps, which would have been a special achievement, but we are now ready to move forward.”

The Clarendon captain, who has been in the first team since Grade 10, when she was 15, said their desire to compete had gained even more intensity following the lack of schools sport.

“We are all eager to see how far we can get and hope to reach the finals,” said Gilbert.

“We are aiming high this year to add additional fixtures to our list in case of any interruptions due to the uncertainty of Covid-19.

“I want to do well as it might be the last tournament of this nature I and my vice-captain, Carla Naude, play for the school, being the two Grade 12s in the team. We would like to end on a high.”

In previous tournaments, Clarendon won the EL Coastal playoffs in 2017 – when they were also crowned provincial champions – and 2019.

With matches being played over a shortened format of 20 minutes, Gilbert underlined the importance of starting well.

“The plan is to get a nice rhythm going in the first game which we can sustain in the other fixtures to keep the team on a high,” she said.

“Basically you want to keep that momentum throughout the day, because the shorter games don’t give you much of an opportunity to experiment with any changes.

“My message to my teammates will be to play every game like it could be your last as that could very well be the case.

“We need to give it our all and appreciate the fact that we have been given the privilege to play.”

SPAR EC promotions and events manager Alan Stapleton was delighted to have the event back on track.

“It’s wonderful to be able to welcome back 100s of young hockey players to the SPAR Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge.

“It’s a tournament geared to bring schools which do not often have the opportunity to compete against each other together in a spirit of competitive camaraderie,” he said.

“While all Covid protocols will be followed, with no spectators, the tournaments will enable our young hockey players to again come together in a celebration of women and sport in a spirit of living limitlessly.”

The EL Coastal leg is one of five tournaments in this annual series. It will be played on a round-robin format and will be contested by Cambridge, Clarendon, Hudson Park, Merrifield, Port Rex and Stirling. The top two teams on the log will meet in a final.

Play starts at 8am and the final is scheduled for 3.05pm.

Other regional playoffs will take place in Port Elizabeth, Queenstown, Grahamstown and George, with the winners qualifying for the provincial finals at Collegiate in PE on July 31 and August 1.

Fullstop Communications Media release for SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge



Tribute to Colin Prince (JAM)

Jamaica Hockey Federation


Colin Prince (JAM)   

Colin Prince was an Accountant by profession and a person that gave a high standard of voluntary ‘service above self’ to the Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF), its extended hockey family, as well as, the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) for over 40 years. He was a national junior representative, and a foundation member of the Circus Circle Hockey Team. However, he will be remembered as an astute, stylish and confident umpire who exhibited exemplary performances at the local and international levels.

Based on his consistent desire to improve and be amongst the best officials in the region, he was awarded his Federation of International Hockey (FIH) Grade 1 Umpire designation at the age of 29 years. His tenure as a Grade 1 umpire and subsequent international exposure allowed him to become one of Jamaica’s most decorated and respected umpires regionally. Based on his well-earned professional reputation, he officiated in some of the largest field hockey festivals and tournaments in the Pan American region.  These, inter alia, included a number of Pan American Games (PANAM), Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC), Regional Games and Banks International Festivals in Barbados, until his retirement in 1998.

His umpiring appointments have included:
- 1998 CAC Games, Venezuela
- 1995 Panam Games, Argentina (Mar Del Plata)
- 1991 Panam Games, Cuba
- 1988 Junior Panam Games, Trinidad
- 1986 CAC Games, Mexico
- Banks Festival (Barbados)

Colin’s retirement from international duties as an umpire saw him focusing his attention on the development of the Game and the mentorship of the next generation of Jamaican field hockey umpires. A few under his influence and guidance have embarked on their own international umpiring career as recent as 2018.

While Colin Prince is well known for his achievements as an international umpire, his above average knowledge of other critical levels of the sport were demonstrated by his tenure in coaching and playing at the local level. He was appointed an Assistant Coach of the Jamaica Men’s team to the 2006 CAC Games held in Puerto, and has served as a national selector to several other teams. At the local level with Circus Circle, he was a club captain, as club coach (Circus Circle & the Jamaica Defense Force - JDF), both competition champions during his tenure. He was also involved in many coaching and umpiring seminars, as well as, field hockey outreach programs across Jamaica.

Colin Prince lived a life governed by high moral and ethical standards on and off the hockey pitch. He was always punctual, prepared and very positive in his approach to tasks and challenges. It was easy to appreciate his objectivity and astute umpiring decisions based on his quiet, stoic demeanor and British-style wit. Collin’s quiet confidence is best summed up by a quote from Mohammed Ali: “it’s not bragging if you can back it up.”

The Board of Directors, Jamaica Hockey Federation, Board of Directors of the Barbados Hockey Federation, the President and other senior members of the Pan American Hockey Federation, and our wider hockey family and friends in the region wish to convey our deepest sympathies for the passing of a true stalwart and servant of the field hockey community and a friend to us all.

We are also expressing our condolences to his family and son, Chad Prince, and trust that Colin’s legacy and respect throughout the region will provide some comfort during these difficult times.

“Walk Good Our Friend and Rest in Peace”

Pan American Hockey Federation media release

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