News 05 July 2014
All the news for Saturday 5 July 2014
England Men overcome Ireland threat
Simon Mantell, by Ady Kerry
England Men beat Ireland 3-2 in the first of their two test matches in Dublin, but had to survive a second half fight back from their hosts before securing the win on Friday evening.
A positive first 45 minutes saw England open up a three-nil lead, but a long day of travelling saw fatigue set in and they allowed Ireland to pull back two goals in the closing 20 minutes.
Head Coach Bobby Crutchley said: “Overall I was pleased with our performance after an early start and the travelling today. However, a disappointing period in the second half nearly gave Ireland the opportunity of a share of the spoils which I don’t think would’ve been deserved as we played well for long periods of the game.”
Simon Mantell put England ahead after six minutes when he found space in the circle and smashed a reverse stick shot into the roof of the net from eight yards out.
And just three minutes later their lead was doubled when, from England’s first penalty corner, Ashley Jackson’s low flick was deflected into the goal by a defender.
England continued to dominate play for the remainder of the first half, but it wasn’t until the 42nd minute that they added to their tally. A good move down the left saw Mantell cross from the byline on the reverse stick, for a sliding Barry Middleton to score at the far post.
However, fatigue set in shortly after, and Ireland narrowed the deficit on 53 minutes when Shane O’Donoghue flicked high into the goal from a penalty corner, giving Patrick Smith little chance.
And on the hour mark Michael Watt added a second Irish goal after he had edged ahead of the defence to deflect home a cross from the left.
England will take on the same opponent on Saturday (2pm start) as their preparations for the Investec London Cup continue.
England Hockey Board Media release
Match 1: Ireland 2-3 England
Ireland played England in the first of two matches taking place this weekend in the National Hockey Stadium. In an exhilarating fast paced match England just nudged Ireland for a 3-2 win.
England opened the match with pace, Ireland taking ten minutes to settle down by which time they had conceded two goals, the first from Simon Mantell who picked up from an Ashley Jackson pass to roof it home. Just three minutes later Ashley Jackson was on hand to convert off the set piece close to post.
Ireland stepped up their game finding their rhythm and set up a number of chances including a big chance in the 20th minute thanks to Ronan Gormley but Simon Mantell was on hand to clear the threat and half time closed with Ireland trailing two goals to nil.
Ireland opened the second half with goal scoring intentions showing early, Gormley with a goal which was ruled out only for England to score the next goal in the 42nd minute with Barry Middleton diving on a pass across the goal mouth making it 3-0.
Ireland finally converted on their chances in the 53rd minute thanks to a powerful Shane O’Donoghue drag flick to take it to 3-1. Ireland upped the tempo enjoying dominating the attack and their efforts paid dividends in the 60th minute when Conor Harte battled his way through to set up Michael Watt to tap in the reverse and bring Ireland within a goal to 3-2.
Ireland dominated the final ten finishing strong but the equalising goal didn’t come, the Green Machine won’t have long to wait to level the score when they take on England again tomorrow at 2pm.
Commenting after the match Coach Ned Fulton said “This was a game of two halves, we finished nice and strong, taking our chances in the second half but we were punished in the first half for a slow start. It was an enjoyable game and we are looking forward to tomorrow’s test.”
IRELAND 2 (0) Simon Mantell 6m op; Ashley Jackson 9m pc; Barry Middleton 42m op
ENGLAND 3 (2) Shane O’Donoghue 53 pc; Michael Watt 60m op
Ireland Starting XI: John Jackson; Michael Watt; Bruce McCandless; Mitch Darling; Timmy Cockram; Michael Robson; David Fitzgerald; Paul Gleghorne; Conor Harte; Stuart Loughrey; Shane O’Donoghue.
Reserves: Johnny Bell; Ronan Gormley; Alan Sothern; Eugene Magee; Kirk Shimmins; Kyle Good
England Starting XI: Andrew Bull; Henry Weir; Ashley Jackson; Simon Mantell; Harry Martin; Mark Gleghorne; Barry Middleton; Patrick Smith; Iain Lewers; Nick Catlin; Dan Fox
Reserves: Oliver Willars; Alastair Brogdon; Phil Roper; Adam Dixon; David Condon; Tom Carson;
Irish Hockey Association media release
Men's Squad for the Investec London Cup
England's Mark Gleghorne in action against South Africa in June 2013 - credit Frank Uijlenbroek
There’s less than a week to go before England’s men are back in London at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the Investec London Cup. Head Coach Bobby Crutchley’s side will face Scotland, Ireland and South Africa in a round-robin tournament before the classification matches take place on Sunday 13 July.
The squad includes all 16 athletes who will be competing in Glasgow at the end of the month in the Commonwealth Games, but with the addition of two extra names to build the squad up to 18 - Reading’s James Bailey and Beeston’s Ollie Willars are named alongside their peers. Beeston’s Tim Whiteman is also included in the squad as he continues to recover well following surgery on his broken thumb.
Speaking ahead of the Investec London Cup England Captain Barry Middleton said, “It’s great to be playing in the Investec London Cup on home turf and to be back on the Olympic Park at our new legacy venue. We had such good support back here during the recent World Cup in the Netherlands and this tournament will help maintain the interest levels we’ve seen in hockey so far this summer. The opportunity to play four competitive matches in front of a home crowd just one week before the Commonwealth Games will definitely help to sharpen the team up before we head off to Glasgow.”
Ahead of playing back on Olympic Park next week, England Men head to Dublin this weekend for two capped matches against their Investec London Cup rivals.
England men’s squad for the Investec London Cup, 9-13 July
Shirt# - Name - Club
1 - George Pinner - Holcombe
2 - James Bailey - Reading
4 - Ollie Willars - Beeston
6 - Henry Weir - Wimbledon
7 - Ashley Jackson - East Grinstead
8 - Simon Mantell - Reading
9 - Harry Martin - Beeston
11 - Alastair Brogdon - Wimbledon
12 - Michael Hoare - Wimbledon
14 - Mark Gleghorne - East Grinstead
15 - Phil Roper - Wimbledon
16 - Adam Dixon - Beeston
18 - Barry Middleton - Holcombe
21 - Tim Whiteman - Beeston
22 - David Condon - East Grinstead
24 - Iain Lewers - Holcombe
26 - Nick Catlin - Holcombe
27 - Dan Fox - Holcombe
England Hockey Board Media release
Women's Investec London Cup Squad announced
Surbiton's Sarah Haycroft is selected for the Investec London Cup - credit Ady Kerry
There’s less than a week to go before England’s women are back in London at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the Investec London Cup.
England Hockey Performance Director Danny Kerry has temporarily stepped in to take charge of the squad for what will be the first event at hockey’s legacy stadium and for the Commonwealth Games. England will face Scotland, Wales and South Africa in a round-robin tournament before the classification matches take place on Sunday 13 July.
The squad includes all 16 athletes who will be competing in Glasgow at the end of the month in the Commonwealth Games, but with the addition of two extra names to build the squad up to 18. East Grinstead goalkeeper Kirsty Mackay and Surbiton’s Sarah Haycroft are named alongside their peers. Holcombe’s Lucy Wood, newcomer to the squad, will make her international debut against Wales on Wednesday.
Speaking ahead of the Investec London Cup England Captain Kate Richardson-Walsh said, “As ever we are delighted to play in our sponsor’s flagship event. It’s a great opportunity to get the team [tournament] ready for the Commonwealth Games and to play at our new legacy venue on Olympic Park. We hope everyone who comes to watch enjoys what is sure to be a fantastic tournament on home soil.”
England Women’s squad for the Investec London Cup, 9-13 July
Shirt # - Name - Current Club
1 - Maddie Hinch - Holcombe
2 - Kirsty Mackay - East Grinstead
4 - Laura Unsworth - Holcombe
5 - Sarah Haycroft - Surbiton
7 - Georgie Twigg - Surbiton
9 - Susannah Townsend - Reading
10 - Susie Gilbert - Reading
11 - Kate Richardson-Walsh - Reading
13 - Sam Quek - Reading
15 - Alex Danson - Reading
18 - Giselle Ansley - Surbiton
19 - Sophie Bray - East Grinstead
20 - Hollie Webb - Surbiton
21 - Ellie Watton - Beeston
26 - Lily Owsley - University of Birmingham
27 - Zoe Shipperley - Buckingham
28 - Nicola White - Leicester
30 - Lucy Wood – Holcombe
England Hockey Board Media release
Couzins: Black Sticks focused on Games medal
DEAN COUZINS
NEXT STEP: Black Sticks captain Dean Couzins is confident his side will return home from the Commonwealth Games with a medal. JASON OXENHAM/Fairfax
OPINION: As we prepare for this month's Commonwealth Games, it's easy to think that we're putting all our eggs in this particular basket.
To an extent we are; we're doing all we can to give ourselves every chance possible of coming home with a medal and to hopefully push for a spot in the final where we know we could cause an upset.
But everything we're doing now, while currently aimed at Glasgow, is also helping the side build long-term.
The things we're doing off the pitch, all the strength and conditioning, all the planning, the psych work, that is all building this team and will hopefully take us to the next step.
We're currently ranked sixth, but some of us older guys with long memories remember being in the side when we were down around ninth or lower.
While the climb up has been long and tough, the hardest step is our next one; breaking into that top three or four so we're always playing for medals at the tier-one tournaments.
So it's imperative that we're doing everything now as well as we can and better than before.
Improving from where we are is difficult as we're trying to become better than some very good sides and sides that are also looking for every little advantage they can get. They're not just sitting around waiting for us to catch them.
But I genuinely think we're on the right track.
We're learning and developing from each tournament we go to and we have the right personnel within and around the team.
We're spending a lot of time together and using that time well.
It's tough as guys are trying to balance jobs and study and we don't get to spend as much time together as some sides, but there's no use complaining about that.
We don't have the luxury of an Australia who can keep everyone together in Perth fulltime or the Netherlands who can travel to each other all the time.
But we can't change that so we do what works best for us. It's a cop-out to use those things as excuses for not improving; we're better off being creative about how we can spend the most time together and getting the most out of these periods together to help us and our development as a team.
When we do come together as a centralised unit - often before tournaments - we work hard and get a lot out of it. Our situation may not be the ideal, but it's working as best as we can make it.
We simply don't have the resources to move everyone to Auckland. My view is we need to leverage off our strengths and we do, we work hard, we work well as a team and we use the time we do have together.
Taking that next step isn't easy though. As I said, other teams aren't just going to lie down, they're searching for every advantage too, but I'm confident we can make it.
In recent years we've been close. At major tournaments it's only been a couple of things that cost us a shot at the semifinals. A mistake here or a slow start there. It's in our vision, within our reach, you know, it's close, like, just there.
But I'm pretty confident we're going to take that next step for a few reasons.
We've got a really good support staff. There's a lot of confidence among the guys in our head coach Colin Batch and his management team and we've got a core group of players with the right amount of experience that they're beginning to peak and will be strong players over the next couple of years.
There's a bit more depth, too, because the youth programmes are stronger, the younger guys coming in are quick learners and good players while some of us old heads are still playing pretty good hockey and know what's needed to be the best.
Hopefully a medal at the Games is the next step on that track and hopefully it's better than the bronze we won four years ago.
Dean Couzins is captain of the men's Black Sticks
Stuff
Kazan the Russian champions for 11th time
Dinamo Kazan won the Russian championship recently with victory in their two-leg final against Izmailovo Moscow, 3-1 and 3-0 respectively, to return to the Euro Hockey League next season.
It was the 11th time they have won the Russian title, confirming their season-long dominance having topped the regular season table, too.
In the first match, Pakistani star man Imran Warsi's double along with an effort from Alexey Mayorov, countered by a goal from Amir Akuneev, decided the first tie.
Warsi and Ravshan Zakirov scored penalty corner goals in the second game while Ilfat Zamalutdinov concluded the second victory.
Euro Hockey League media release
Luijkx adds to Cox's Kampong options
Kampong have strengthened their panel for next season with the arrival of Dutch Under-21 international Pepijn Luijkx, becoming the fourth addition to Alexander Cox's panel for the 2014/15 season.
The midfielder arrives from Den Bosch and will play in the Junior European Championships later this month following a season in which he was nominated as hockey.nl's Talent of the Year.
He follows the additions of Joost van de Vijfeijken, Loïck Luypaert and Lars Balk to the first team panel.
Speaking about the move, Luijkx said: "I look forward to playing for a top team like next season as Kampong are known for an attacking, fast-flowing style. In addition, I expect the daily training and playing with top players like Robbert Kemperman and Sander de Wijn will have huge benefits for my game".
Cox, pictured, added of his new arrival: "I am very happy with the arrival of Pepijn because it fits perfectly with our style of play with his speed and dynamism. He is young and driven which is also important for the future of Kampong".
Euro Hockey League media release
U21 women on target
U21 women take rest day in preparation for their coming matches
The 2014 U21 women’s Australian Championships officially commenced on Tuesday morning bringing the states’ finest seven competing teams together to the home of Australia’s national squads, the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos in Perth, Western Australia.
After an intense three days of competition the U21 women have earned their scheduled rest day today in preparation for the coming four days of pool matches recommencing on Saturday.
Six of the competing state teams are showcasing at least one current member of the 2014 Jillaroos squad providing the competition with tough and experienced matches over the course of the 12 days. Queensland selected five current members from the 2014 Jillaroos squad with Stephanie Kershaw being their current highest scorer of the tournament with three goals.
Queensland, the reigning champions, opened the tournament against hosts Western Australia with an unforgettable match. Looking to go back-to-back title winners, Queenslanders Renee Taylor, Stephanie Kershaw and Savannah Fitzpatrick set up the opening game win as key goal scorers of the match. Savannah Fitzpatrick wrapped the game up late on, expertly finishing off an awkward ball in the circle to give Queensland a 3-0 win.
Queensland’s next door neighbour, New South Wales have come out of the dugout strong. Sitting side-by-side Queensland at the top of the standings with six points each after two matches has put the pressure on as they prepare to face one another on Monday during day five of the tournament.
The Australian Capital Territory, who finished fourth in 2013, could very well be the dark horses of this year’s competition. After two wins and one loss they currently sit on six points from three matches. The Australian Capital Territory recorded a narrow 2-1 win over Tasmania in the final game of day one being rewarded in the 56th minute when Kizziah Plumb slotted home to score what would be the decisive goal. They’ll be hoping the 9-0 defeat to NSW was a one-off fluke as they aim to break into the top three in 2014.
South Australia also got their campaign off to the perfect start with a 4-2 win over Victoria. Scoring the first goal of the match in ten minutes of the game commencing, Rachel Divall awarded South Australia the lead they were seeking. Sitting in the middle of the standings sharing three points with Victoria and Western Australia, it’s advantage SA, who have a match in hand over Victoria and WA. Playing critical matches on Saturday and Sunday will help determine the standings coming into the finals later next week.
Victoria rebounded from their opening day defeat to Queensland by finding the net five times against Tasmania on Thursday. With five different scorers hitting the target the Victorians showed they have firepower across the pitch walking away 5-1 victors.
Holding their heads high, Tasmania will be trying to catch up having not secured themselves any points over the past three days. Still yet to take on Queensland and New South Wales may result in Tasmania turning the tables around in order to secure their first points of the tournament.
The U21 women are set to return to the pitch tomorrow morning refreshed and rejuvenated preparing themselves for what will be exciting, intense and crucial remaining pool matches before the finals approach next week.
Keep track of the tournament’s movements with access to live scores, updates and team lists via the competition portal here.
Hockey Australia media release
It's the final countdown at College and Kearsney
JONATHAN COOK at Papes Astro
James Dellis of KZN Coastal finds a way past Connor Beauchamp, James Walters and Philip Basson of Southern Gauteng. Photo: SMUGSHOTS PHOTOGRAPHY
A perfect winter’s day set the scene for two magnificent semi-finals in the A Section of the SA U18 Boys Interprovincial Hockey Tournament on Papes Astro at Maritzburg College Friday afternoon.
In the final analysis KZN Coastal were somewhat fortunate to beat underdogs Southern Gauteng 2-1 in the first semi-final after the score was 2-0 at half-time, while a relieved Western Province edged a desperately unlucky KZN Inland on golden goal in the second period of extra-time after the scores were level 1-1 at the end of regulation time. The scores were deadlocked 0-0 at the changeover.
The first and second semi-finals in front of a sizeable, vociferous crowd, were match-ups of a high intensity and Saturday’s final has a lot to live up to.
The title match between KZN Coastal and WP is at 12 noon on Papes Saturday. The third/fourth place clash between KZN Inland and Southern Gauteng is at 10.15am.
Western Province’s Luke Schooling got that vital golden goal that sent the Cape Town lads’ spirits soaring and took the home province into the depths of sporting despair.
The goals in the second half that led to the 1-1 final scoreline at the end of regulation time went to Ryan Crowe of WP and Peabo Lembethe of KZN Inland.
Both goalkeepers, Michaelhouse’s Justin Miller for Inland and Fairmont High School stopper Matt Martins of WP were superb as the last line of defence but the PMB lads will be kicking themselves for letting so many chances go astray.
The earlier last-four clash saw big Glenwood striker Andile Phehlukwayo and Brandon Watkins of Westville get the goals for Coastal while the hugely impressive Brandon James netted for Southerns via a penalty corner.
However, Southerns could so easily have gone 1-0 up in only the third minute when James’s perfectly executed body swerve and left-right tuck had decimated the Coastal defence, only to suffer the mortification of seeing his shot hit the post and stay out, while the Durban boys also saved two shots on the goalline.
The dreaded battle to save relegation to the B Section between Northern Blues B and Southern Free State is scheduled for 8.45am on Papes.
At the AB Jackson, the B Section final for promotion to the A Section sees KZN Inland B taking on Southerns B at 9.45am.
Down at Kearsney in Hillcrest, Saturday’s gold medal match in the SA U18 Girls IPT features KZN Inland and Southern Free State at 12 noon after both sides emerged victorious following tenacious, at times nail-biting, semi-finals against Southern Gauteng and KZN Coastal respectively.
The curtain-raiser bronze medal match sees KZN Coastal tackling Southern Gauteng.
Both the boys and girls finals could have been KZN derbies but credit must go to the teams from outside the province who emerged victorious - and in most cases played the key moments better.
RESULTS
Boys
A Section: Northern Blues B 0 WP B 6; NB A 4 Southern Free State 1; Eastern Province 4 South Western Districts 1; Boland 1 Border 0; Southern Gauteng 1 KZN Coastal 2; WP 2 (golden goal) KZN Inland 1.
B Section: EP B 4 Northern Cape 2; Mpumalanga 2 Border B 0; KZN Coastal B 1 KZN Inland B 3; East Gauteng 0 SG B 6.
Girls
A Section: EP 4 Border 0; Mpumalanga 2 South Gauteng B 1; Boland 4 WP 3; NB 2 WP B 1; KZN Coastal 4 SFS 6; SG 0 KZN Inland 3.
B Section: NC 2 Border B 1; EG 4 KZN Coastal B 2; North West 5 Mpumalanga B 3; SFS 2 NB B 3; Limpopo 0 SWD 2; Northern FS 0 Boland B 1.
SA Hockey Association media release
England's women players sound out potential head coaches themselves after Jason Lee leaves set-up
England Hockey are currently seeking new head coach for women's team, though players taking recruitment into their own hands.
By Rod Gilmour
End of the road: Jason Lee speaks to his players after World Cup defeat to South Africa last month Photo: ADY KERRY
In what has been described as a "mini-uprising", England women’s players are taking matters into their own hands following a poor hockey World Cup showing last month by approaching potential head coaches themselves.
The unusual move follows coach Jason Lee’s departure from the England set-up earlier this week by “mutual consent” and comes only two weeks ahead of the Commonwealth Games, where the women’s team will be aiming to atone for their 11th place finish in The Hague.
It is understood that England players have contacted several national league coaches to ask if they would consider applying for the role. Performance director Danny Kerry will take over the women’s side for the Commonwealth Games before a new head coach is announced.
One leading coach who was contacted told Telegraph Sport: “I think it's already evident that their programme has been in neutral at least, or reverse for some time.
"The coaches are too busy trying to assert themselves with the players or each other for the style to develop. Therefore, players don't develop or evolve and penalty corners don't progress - as was woefully clear in The Hague. It puts your programme back years and what we are seeing is a mini-uprising from the players."
Don Vinson, who left his role as Sutton Coldfield coach at the end of the season, believed that England had “missed the boat” on keeping Craig Parnham within the Great Britain fold.
Parnham, one of Britain’s best coaches, left his assistant role after the Olympics to join USA Hockey, steering the women’s team to an impressive fourth-place finish in Holland.
Asked whether England Hockey believed Parnham would stay, Vinson said: "Perhaps that was a bit arrogant on England’s behalf."
England Hockey have also been accused of keeping previous appointments in-house – Lee switched from men’s to women’s coach following London 2012 – rather than looking further afield for the best available talent.
"I was surprised at his [Lee’s] appointment," added Vinson. "But for someone with Jason’s status over the years [he was men’s coach for 10 years], they could have given him some longevity. It's now about finding that right fit for the group."
Lee left his position after being appointed in February last year. He lifted England to a healthy world ranking ahead of the World Cup – third – before the wheels came off in Holland.
Although they finished bottom of their group, they were far from outplayed and rued a succession of missed opportunities. It culminated in several on-field disagreements between the players as their World Cup hopes diminished.
Following their exit, England, who have fallen three places in the world rankings, remained in The Hague until the end of the tournament. Both Lee and Kerry stated that there had been "complex" issues surrounding England's performances. At the time, England Hockey denied that Lee had left his role.
Meanwhile, England defender Giselle Ansley, who missed out in The Hague before being recalled for the Commonwealth Games, remained coy on who she would like to take over.
"It will be very interesting to see who applies for the job," the Surbiton player said. "Who knows who will take it, but I’m sure whoever it is will step up and bring a lot to the side."
Both England teams return to international action next week when the Investec London Cup takes place at Lee Valley Hockey Centre.
The Telegraph
Under-19 Athletes Close out 2014 US National Futures Championship with Thrills
LANCASTER, Pa. – The 2014 National Futures Championship came to a close today with high intensity competition from the tournament’s most veteran players, the Under-19 division. Warm temperatures and humidity couldn’t damper the spirits of athletes as they battled it out for bragging rights and polished medals. Over the course of six games, Under-19 athletes gave their all in front of a wide variety of college coaches, fans and selectors.
The 2014 National Futures Championship marked the first time that the tournament has been held at the sparkling new Spooky Nook Sports facility in Lancaster, Pa. With the help of the entire Spooky Nook Sports staff, umpires and coaches, the tournament was a great success.
Congratulations to the following teams:
Barbara Longstreth Award for Sportsmanship: Oslo coached by Courtney Veinotte
Third Place: St. Moritz coached by Bill Pullin
Second Place: Barcelona coached by Elizabeth Pinelli
First Place: Rome coached by Paul Lewis
USFHA media release
Indian hockey needs a process to flourish, says Walsh
Harpreet Kaur Lamba
National coach Terry Walsh says the country needs to look at the "bigger picture" and "put in a system in place that allows a process to flourish" to help Indian hockey find the way ahead.
India’s ninth-place finish in the World Cup last month brought forward a lot of questions. While many were quick to dismiss Walsh and high performance director Roelant Oltmans asking for their heads, Hockey India set up an 11-member committee to assess what went wrong.
Walsh reckons it is time to look at "long-term answers".
"There is a perennial question of half full or half empty... and in my view it is half full, and going fuller," Walsh said of India’s progress.
"There is huge potential to grow to a place where hockey in this country can reach to a place where it can produce the life-blood of world body... but it also has the potential to go down the cliff and take world hockey with it. Are we going to do anything about it?"
In an interview with this paper, the Australian reflects on the team’s performance in the World Cup, and how it is significant to put in place a system rather than looking at short-term goals. Excerpts:
What is your assessment of the team’s performance at the World Cup?
We were disappointed with the actual playing position, but believe it or not, we were very pleased with the way they were playing. There are a lot of positive pieces that reflect development... So, it is always a question between the final position and where you actually are in terms of development.
The difference between teams that finished between fourth and ninth isn’t huge, but how you cover that gap is important. I believe that the Indian team plays far too few games against the best sides and the outcome of the World Cup only reinforced this view.
The team appeared completely out of depth in the opening half of the first game against Belgium. At one point, it seemed that they couldn’t even get the basics right... What went wrong?
There were three instances like that, against Belgium, vs Spain and in the game against Australia. That stage was very different. We saw a frightened behaviour... and this happened due to lack of experience.It might have looked like a psychological problem, but it is a culturally-driven problem. The culture in India is that of the seniors and the juniors, which in my view isn’t right in high performance sport.
Someone else is going to fix it up for me... this thought comes from the culture and needs to be changed. You have to have an equal measure of responsibility.
And how do you fix that?
Experience and playing a lot of games against big teams is the only way out. When you play Holland and Germany, that is very different from playing mere practice games. Being there in tough situations and the exposure to those things is extremely significant. India need to play such 35-40 games per year if one is serious about being successful. These are one of the building blocks before one can even get to stages where you think of winning medals. It is like a foundation, and if you shake it now, all is gone.
What are the solutions to get India hockey back on track?
The process is the biggest solution, and that should start from the junior-most level. If you are going to measure the output, you have to measure the inputs first to figure out what is going on. The process is the actual measurable piece in my view.
Dropping two people (Walsh and Oltmans) into the system wouldn’t bring instant changes. What has to alter is the willingness to listen. The idea is not to rely on Oltmans and Walsh. If you look at the process which can build a strong system, there will be a day when Walsh and Oltmans will be out of it, but the system will continue and get you the results. That’s the objective for Indian hockey.
Do you feel the pressure of short-term goals?
The playing group is very good and if it is looked after consistently it would be fine. The administration can change coaches if they want to... they are in the capacity to do that.
Is that a smart thing to do? In my view, it would be crazy. We have to allow this programme to grow. In all honestly, I believe this group can reach the top-six in a few months and they can win a gold at the Asian Games. That is their potential.
The Asian Age
World Cup wrap-up
As the Hockey World Cup at The Hague becomes a memory, we say goodbye to three of the sport's superstars
The Hockey World Cup is over for another four years and, like all sporting cycles, its ending means saying goodbye to some of the people who have lit up the international stage in recent years. We take a quick look at three greats of the game.
The coach:
Australia men's head coach, Ric Charlesworth is the first coach to call it a day after The Hague, and really the Kookaburra’s coach couldn’t have left at a higher point in his long and illustrious career.
Although the Kookaburra’s always knew they would be losing Charleworth’s services this year, they had expected it to be after the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. However, staying true to his habit of doing or saying the unexpected, the Australian head coach has announced that he will be stepping down from the role as his team board the plane bound for Scotland.
Explaining his decision, Charlesworth said: “The World Cup final is the best full stop I could wish for in my coaching career. I believe it would be indulgent for me to go to the Commonwealth Games.
“I have thought about it a lot. The high point of my year was the World Cup. The team will be moving on and it’s my personal decision - I don’t want to be packing up and away for another three weeks.”
Among his achievements, Charlesworth has led the Australian women’s hockey team, the Hockeyroos, to two Olympic Gold medals (1996 and 2000) and the men’s team to World Cup gold twice – in 2010 and this year’s 6-1 triumph over the Netherlands.
He also spent time coaching the India men’s and women’s national team and has written three books on sports coaching.
Citing his reason for retirement, Charlesworth said: “I have grandchildren, children and a very patient wife. Now I need to make time for my family, and spending at least three months a year away from home at hockey competitions is not the way to do that.”
The Player:
When Pietie Coetzee got the call up to represent her country at this year's Hockey World Cup it was both a surprise and an honour, but one the 36-year-old readily admits she wasn’t ready for. “I had discussed things with my coach in February and we both thought I would target the Commonwealth Games.”
A last minute injury to Lenise Marais, meant that Coetzee’s re-emergence in the national team was hastened forward and suddenly her steady preparations for Glasgow were speeded up for The Hague.
What the crowds saw at The Hague was a player who wasn’t at her sharpest or fittest, but who still had the heart and the ability to make a difference to her team. “I know that my role in this competition will be different,” said Coetzee on the eve of South Africa’s opening game against the reigning champions, Argentina. And she wasn’t exaggerating. The world’s leading goal scorer played that game, and all subsequent games, as right defence. And while there were time when she tackled like the forward she is, she also distributed the ball with imagination and creativity that comes from years of making scoring opportunities. The fact she scored in her last game for the national team was the ending to a great career that everyone wanted.
Coetzee announced her retirement from the game after South Africa’s last match, a win over Japan and a game in which she scored her 282nd goal. “I intend to take a complete break for two weeks and then I will see what I do next,” she said. And that means no appearance for the South African legend at Glasgow, not even if she gets a last minute phone call.
The Umpire:
This was Lisa Roach's last World Cup as she has now reached the age where, as the forthright Australian says: "I am just seen as too old right now." Her international umpiring career began in 2000 and Lisa, who has umpired at every level of the game, reached the pinnacle of the umpiring ladder when she umpired the 2010 women’s World Cup Final in Argentina and the gold medal match at the 2012 London Olympics. “I can’t describe the pride and honour I felt being appointed to both of those games, they were two very special highlights of my career.”
These are only two of the highlights in an international career that includes two Olympic Games, two World Cups, six Champions Trophies and a host of other world-class events. She earned her golden whistle in 2011, one of only four Australian umpires to do so.
For her, the World Cup in The Hague had an added poignancy as she was umpiring with Maio Lin when the Chinese umpire received the golden whistle for her 100th international match. After the match a clearly emotional Lisa said: “This has been a really special tournament for me, and to umpire my last World Cup game with someone who has not only been my umpiring colleague for so long, but who is also a really close friend, has made it all even more special. We have had a few tears today.”
Many players, who had not seen the sentimental side of Lisa, may have been surprised at the tears but, as the umpire explained: “The umpires become a team themselves at tournaments like this. I have travelled all over the world with hockey and made some great life-long friends. There is a real, close bond between us.”
Talking about her role, Lisa said: “I have always prided myself on being fair, honest, consistent and respectful. I always try to understand what players are trying to do on the pitch and work with my colleague to get the best from the game. I also try to take the emotion out of what I am doing on the pitch. I think most players would call me a players’ umpire with empathy towards the players.”
And it is not just the players who appreciate Lisa’s calm approach. Kylie Seymour is an upcoming international umpire from Australia: “Among others, I have Lisa Roach to thank for her continuous patience, support, guidance and expertise.” And an anonymous umpiring colleague wrote: “I’m a big fan of Lisa’s. I watch her a lot and really like her style. We’re often told that the way to develop your style is to fins someone high up that looks a little like you and then try to emulate certain things - posture, build – well I’m no tall Aussie, but I hope I umpire with even a small amount of her no-nonsense, concise and strong presentation. I’d be so pleased if I was that confident and calm.”
Lisa is not quite done with international hockey yet, she will be blowing the whistle at the Champions Trophy in Argentina later this year and plans to go on umpiring and umpire-training for many years to come.
FIH site
Five points to remember when India hosts next World Cup
Last 3,4 years have been remarkable and heart-warming insofar more hockey on Indian televisions and India hosting many major tournaments on its soils.
Now, almost all major tournaments are telecast live; with quality production to boot; and also shown on prime time.
Hockey India League and hosting of 2,3 major FIH tournaments addressed another vacuum. The sport is definitely more visible now.
Still, hockey doesn’t attract much crowd on the stands matching its potential except in some non-traditional centres. Its popularity has not increased even with the narrowing down of historical shortcomings mentioned above.
We saw empty stands during Senior and Junior World Cups; some other international events were hosted without public even taking any serious note of it.
Hockey India has been largely successful in organizing events, sometimes continuously one after other, with precision.
Administratively, yes we are vibrant and dynamic; with most events sold commercially too. We even set benchmark.
We host more tournaments than any other country; more competitions are telecast Live.
Can we then say that our hockey’s popularity has increased?
Only marginally. The crowd did not throng stands either.
What are the reasons?
What needs to be done?
First, we have understand where do we fail. Then only we can devise solution.
We in India conceive hosting tournaments as a competition, nothing beyond that. Hype is thus created as to which medal India will win. One big problem here is once we lose the steam in the competition --which are quicker nowadays -- the event hardly evokes any interest with the home public. Most followers know India cannot beat the best of the world, so they neglect.
So the first need is not to see hosting tournament merely as a competition. We have to look beyond and define the concept and contours of competitions, and think out of box.
I advocate the following five points to help redefine the way we organize events, the objective behind and how we can move to next level insofar as the subject in question.
These are suggested after carefully following the recent World Cup.
Innovative concept beyond competition: Let’s celebrate hockey was the concept of The Hague World Cup. It was a huge hit. HI need to create an entity like this, and sell to the public, and make hockey event not just a competition but a festival to celebrate and be part of it.
Sowing seeds for Family Culture: Except Chandigarh and Ranchi, it seems hockey venues do not attract family fans, instead only hockey fans. Devise ways and means to make Indian sports applicable to families, and this is not an easy job without Club culture in place, but better to try. Proper scheduling of matches, events enticing to kids are must.
Entertaining Environment: People won’t purchase one ticket for one match and then go back to home. Normally, people go by a day’s ticket. How will they then spend the whole day, say 8-10 hours in the stadium? Make elaborate environ, with stalls all around, music and entertainment in place, effectively there should be scope for anybody to spend two to three hours easily in the surroundings of stadium, tension free, mere entertainment beyond competition, where all team members to come and mingle.
Creation of Merchandise mania: Create and popularize merchandise. This culture doesn’t exist now, has to be developed to catch up with Indian Football and cricket. For that first step is NOT to change the national colours. Polularize National team wear, hockey sticks (plastic, balloon kind) and set a target at least 25 % percent of stands should wear Indian team jersey; waving merely the national flags is not sufficient.
Side events: The Hague World Cup was known for Side Events, number of which exceeds even the number of matches played in the World Cups. There are well documented reports on this, need not elaborate further except India need to popularize systematically veteran, indoor, street, disabled, corporate, celebrity kind of hockey involving in particular corporate and Municipal complexes. The side-events has to start unfolding at least six months before the World Cup. Chain of cheap events in big and branded school and college complexes (esp. Management institutes) and top brand educational institutions are a must.
What happens in India is once a title sponsor is obtained, administrators go relax, stop thinking everything else, except to bring more political heavyweights to matches and ceremonies. Distributing complementary tickets and VIP muska mindset sets in. One can always understand the exigencies of such things in our set up, but at the same time if HI is interested to revive hockey, it should first change the way it organizes major events. Hosting is improve the profile of hockey, not just to compete well.
It should now on consider fans the focal point of hosting tournaments and bringing more and more sections of people into the fold of hockey.
Its better to think about and implement each of the above suggestions, or something better HI may postulate, one by one in each tournament we host, starting from Bbhubneswar Champions Trophy, and then everything in the next four years when we host the 16-team World Cup in 2018.
Stick2Hockey.com
Emily Wold represents United States in field hockey World Cup
Sherlon Christie
(Photo: FILE PHOTO )
Freehold’s Emily Wold can cross participating in the Rabobank Hockey World Cup off her list of accomplishments.
Wold – a rising junior field hockey player at the University of North Carolina and also the youngest member of the USA Field Hockey national team at 19 – was picked for the USA Field Hockey team to represent the United States at the prestigious world competition that was held in the Hague, Netherlands, from May 31 to June 15.
“When I got the email, I was like wow, this is a big deal. I took the spring semester off from UNC this year so that I could train for this event,” Wold said. “It is a dream to play in the field hockey World Cup. There were no expectations for the USA team going into the event and we just had an unbelievable tournament even though we didn’t come away with a medal.”
The United States finished fourth in the women’s field hockey standings while the Netherlands took the gold, Australia took the silver and Argentina got the bronze.
“Coming in fourth place was a tremendous achievement for the USA team,” said Mark Wold, Emily’s father. “The USA was ranked 10th in the world and the top 12 teams in the World were there.”
Although Wold didn’t score in the tournament, she helped team USA win the Group B division of pool play with a 4-1 record. In the semifinals on June 12, the United States lost to Australia, 3-1, in a shootout. On June 14 the United lost to Argentina, 2-1, in the third-place game.
With the Rabobank Hockey World Cup experience over, Wold has turned her attention back to the UNC squad with the hope of helping the Tar Heels win a national championship.
“In 2012, we made it to the (NCAA Division 1) championship game and we lost to Princeton, 3-2,” Wold said. “In 2013, we made it to the semifinals and lost to UConn in a shootout. So, I have two more years to try and win a national championship.”
Wold, who is a starting center midfielder on the UNC squad, was the 2012 ACC Freshman of the Year after starting all 20 games in which she appeared in that season. In 2012, Wold had three goals and eight assists for the Tar Heels and in 2013 had six goals and 23 assists.
In high school, Wold was the 2010 and 2011 Asbury Park Press Field Hockey Player of the Year after she led Freehold to consecutive NJSIAA Group III titles and consecutive appearances in the Shore Conference Tournament Final.
In her senior year, she was the team’s leading scorer with 50 goals and 27 assists for 127 points. For her high school career, she held school records for goals in a season (50), assists in a season (27), goals in a career (115), assists in a career (81) and points in a career (311).
Asbury Park Press