News 22 July 2014
All the news for Tuesday 22 July 2014
Team USA Notches Third Victory in Chile Series
CHULA VISTA, Calif. – The U.S. Men’s National Team recorded another well-deserved win today against Chile, taking a 3-0 lead in the summer series. After a 1-1 half time score, the squad came out strong with two goals in the first 13 minutes after the break. Although dominating the second half, the U.S. side was unable to capitalize on additional scoring opportunities for the remainder of the game.
Chile got on the scoreboard first after taking advantage of a penalty corner opportunity in the 9th minute of the match. With only a few minutes left in the first half, Tyler Sundeen (Simi Valley, Calif.) found the back of the net to even the score to one goal a-piece heading into the break. Two minutes into the second half, Will Holt (Camarillo, Calif.) converted on a penalty corner to give Team USA the 2-1 lead. At the 48 minute mark, Paul Singh (Simi Valley, Calif.) scored Team USA’s third goal of the match. The final result stood 3-2 in favor of the red, white and blue.
Both Holt and Singh have scored in each of the three games of the series against Chile and have three goals a-piece.
“I do think that we need to be more clinical in the attacking 25,” said Head Coach Chris Clements, content with the squad’s performance. “We continue to show great progress every game with this young group of players. We are looking forward to build on the momentum and will be back tomorrow for game four of the series.”
Tomorrow's match begins at 10:45 a.m. PDT. Follow @USAFieldHockey on Twitter for live match updates and check out usafieldhockey.com for match information and recaps.
USFHA media release
Black Sticks fall to Aussies in warmup
By David Leggat in Glasgow
New Zealand Black Sticks captain Kayla Whitelock sits out the friendly hockey game against Australia. Photo / Greg Bowker
Australia won the skirmish before the real battle when the Commonwealth's top two women's hockey nations met in Glasgow today.
The world No 2 Aussies won the game 2-1 - it was played over two 25-minute halves - after leading 1-0 at the break. The Black Sticks goal came from experienced striker Katie Glynn.
New Zealand captain Kayla Whitelock sat the game out, after taking a blow on an elbow at training 24 hours earlier.
Coach Mark Hager said it that move was more precautionary than of real concern.
He used the game as a chance to tinker with players' roles, and particularly in the absence of the influential midfield organiser Whitelock, it offered a fresh perspective on playing options.
However as New Zealand brought good recent form into the hitout, Hager didn't want to be too clever and risk a bad result.
"Defensively we were a little bit soft in areas, and we had a couple of chances we should have put away in the first half," he said.
"It was pretty even, but we've got to learn to win those games."
Australia had brought more physicality to the game than New Zealand has experienced for some time, but that was good in Hager's book.
"It was a wakeup call for us."
Hager singled out Glynn, who returned to the New Zealand side for last month's World Cup in The Hague after being sidelined for several months with a bad knee injury, for praise.
She had been below her best at the cup but Hager liked what he saw today.
"I thought she was moving a lot freer, and she's getting better and better."
As Glynn is New Zealand's alltime leading goalscorer, having her in sharp touch will be a significant bonus at the Games tournament.
New Zealand will have one final shakedown game against hosts Scotland on Wednesday.
The New Zealand Herald
Kayla Whitelock injured in friendly fire
MATT RICHENS IN GLASGOW
BLACK STICKS SKIPPER: Kayla Whitelock. Getty Images
The New Zealand women's hockey team are confident they will have influential skipper Kayla Whitelock back for the start of the Commonwealth Games tournament after she was felled by friendly fire.
Whitelock missed the Black Sticks' 2-1 warm-up match loss to Australia overnight after she received a nasty whack on her left elbow from team-mate Gemma Flynn's stick at training on Sunday.
Whitelock was forced to sit and watch the Australian loss, clearly frustrated not to be playing and with her left arm bandaged.
She was confident of being on the turf for tomorrow night's final warm-up game against hosts Scotland and adamant she'd play a full part in New Zealand's tournament opener against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday. Her side would do well to get her back as they lacked a leader and on-field inspirer in the loss overnight.
In a closed and eerily empty Glasgow National Hockey Centre, where you could hear each barked instruction from the coaches, New Zealand started the match poorly against the Commonwealth's top ranked side.
They gave up two penalty corners in the opening two minutes and the Australians scored from the second one. New Zealand were stand-offish on defence and paid the price a little for testing combinations and a couple of positional tweaks.
They went down 2-0 early in the second of two 25-minute halves, but got one back through veteran striker Katie Glynn.
Glynn was disappointed the senior players couldn't get the side up as Whitelock would have, but expected the team would learn from it.
"We were a lot more aggressive in the second half which was good, but it's a little bit frustrating we took until then to really get going in the match.
"We tried a couple of things we haven't done before, it was a good chance to do that.
"But we can't rely on Kayla, we have to be able to do it without her, she might get injured in the first game."
Life without Whitelock may be something the New Zealand side has to get used to. Her future with the team post-Commonwealth Games remains up in the air as she's set to have a break and join rugby-playing husband George in Japan.
That's not something coach Mark Hager has to concern himself with yet, he was more worried about this "sluggish" effort against Australia.
Hager was disappointed all the aggressiveness and confidence the side showed in winning a four nation tournament in Ireland last week disappeared last night.
"With Australia, there's a little bit of perceived pressure and they tend to panic a little," he said.
"When we first got here, we had a really good training. Yesterday we were a bit flat like we'd gotten a bit complacent. Hopefully this is the wake-up call we needed.
"But this was, in the end, a game that could have gone either way and their second goal, that was a bit soft.
"And we do have a trump card up our sleeve, we get Kayla back."
Stuff
Black Sticks have sights on a medal
MATT RICHENS IN GLASGOW
The New Zealand men's hockey team say they're stronger both defensively and on attack than the team which finished seventh at the World Cup just six weeks ago.
The inclusion of Canterbury defender Brad Shaw has added strength, experience and a monster tackler to the defensive line while coach Colin Batch said the side's finishing from open play, which was a little lacking in last month's World Cup in The Hague, has also improved in training.
The Black Sticks finished seventh in that tournament, but considered a medal in the Commonwealth Games tournament in Glasgow a minimum requirement.
Shaw's inclusion came at some expense.
Shaw and Northland midfielder Shay Neal were added to the squad after the World Cup while Jared Panchia, Stephen Jenness, Kane Russell and goalkeeper Hamish McGregor did not make the cut.
Russell was Andy Hayward's chief back-up drag-flicker and his absence could have left the side a little light at penalty corner time, but Batch insisted they had that aspect of their game well covered.
"We've still got Andy Hayward as our No 1 guy and while we don't have Kane Russell and that probably weakens us just a little, that's balanced out by bringing in Brad Shaw to strengthen up our defence," Batch said.
"We've been working on some really good variations and we need to fine-tune them and we still have Shea McAleese and Nick Haig as options.
Batch's side beat Wales 2-0 in a warm-up match yesterday and used one of their variations well, but the coach added there was always room for improvement when it came to execution.
"Hockey's a low scoring game... you might not get to many opportunities so you need to make the most of them."
Captain Dean Couzins said the inclusion of Shaw did far more than just strengthen the side's defense; it helped them out when it came to setting up attacks and was also a confidence boost.
"From a team's point of view, having Brad here, with his defensive capabilities and experience, gives us a better sense of belief.
"There's a feeling part to it, we know that if teams are attacking we have that ability to soak it up. We know that if we have to grind it out, we can defend well.
"Brad does a lot of his work defensively on the left and that's where a lot of teams look to attack. When you have a guy like him, who's big and mobile and can really get into your face, that can boost the rest of the team as well.
"The flip side of that, of course, is that if he can help shut them down, that will help our confidence and maybe affect theirs too."
New Zealand's first match of the Games is against Canada on Friday morning (NZ time).
Stuff
Veteran pair with eyes on prize
By Kris Shannon in Glasgow
Dean Couzins and Phil Burrows are competing in their fourth Commonwealth Games. Photo / Greg Bowker
A fourth Commonwealth Games is a time for reflection and a renewal of responsibilities for Dean Couzins and Phil Burrows.
The senior pair of the New Zealand men's hockey side spoke in Glasgow today about their role within the side ahead of their opening game against Canada on Friday morning (NZT).
Having played at Manchester in 2002, Melbourne in 2006 and Delhi in 2010, Couzins and Burrows are old hands when it comes to the Commonwealth Games, but the excitement has hardly lessened as the two men approach the tail-end of their careers.
"I'm really looking forward to my fourth Commonwealth Games," Couzins said. "They're really enjoyable events. To be part of a wider New Zealand team is something that is quite unique, so I'm looking forward to that.
"I think the team's well-placed. We've been to World League, Champions Challenge, World Cup, so we've spent a lot of time together and played a lot of matches."
With all that recent experience together, a podium finish is the bare minimum Colin Batch's side are targeting in Glasgow. Much of the responsibility in accepting that challenge falls at the feet and Couzins and Burrows, something of which the Kiwi captain was well aware.
"It's not just Phil and I - there are other guys - but we have to ensure we lead by example," Couzins said. "Small things like doing your recovery well, doing your preparation well - you want to be role-modelling those types of things. That's the type of people we like to think we are.
"I think that Phil does a fantastic job of the 'follow me' type of leadership. He's the kind of guy who can get the guys really fizzing before a game and if we're chasing then he's definitely one of the guys you want out there getting stuck in."
Burrows, for his part, rated Glasgow neat the top of his Games experiences, with the only problem being the increasingly lengthening line at the food hall in the athletes' village.
Fortunately for the Black Sticks, the veteran's savvy extends to finding the right time for a dinner run, a manoeuvre honed at various tournaments in the 12 years since Manchester.
"It was a long time ago but it was a very special event," Burrows said of his first Games.
"To win silver there, we weren't ranked as highly as we are now so it was a good result. Here we're looking to do the same."
Topping their pool and avoiding Australia until a potential gold-medal game will be crucial in achieving the aim, with Couzins concentrating on creating the type of long-lasting memories that arrive only with success.
"I remember back to our first Olympics, back in 2004, and one of my most vivid memories is [Hamish] Carter and Bevan [Docherty] coming back, and celebrating with them.
"But the biggest memories are the ones you create yourselves and that's something we're trying to do by ensuring we're on the podium."
The New Zealand Herald
Dharma happy to have a healthy Kelvin back
By Aftar Singh
German-born national defender Kevin Lim is back in the hockey team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow starting on Wednesday. - Filepic
GLASGOW: National hockey coach K. Dharmaraj is delighted to have sweeper Kelvin Lim back to plug the team’s porous backline.
Dharmaraj was left to rue the German-born defender’s eleventh-hour pullout from the World Cup in The Hague, Holland, last month.
The defence sorely missed the presence of Kelvin, who withdrew after sustaining a hamstring injury during training.
In his absence, the defence simply crumbled – letting in 26 goals – as the team lost all six matches. Malaysia, who were featuring in the World Cup after a 12-year hiatus, finished last among the 12 teams.
No wonder Dharmaraj is all smiles as he welcomes back Kelvin for the Commonwealth Games challenge.
The 27-year-old Kelvin, who returned to Berlin last month to recover from the injury, is also glad to be back in the side after missing the World Cup.
“The defence crumbled in my absence in The Hague,” Kelvin said after a training session at the Glasgow Green Stadium yesterday.
“But I’m back now … I will try my best to hold the defence together.
“I will do all I can to strengthen the backline,” added Kelvin, who made his international debut for Malaysia in the Champions Challenge I tournament in Kuantan in April.
The other defenders named for the Games are penalty corner specialist Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim, Faiz Helmi Jali, Baljit Singh Charun and Ahmad Kazamirul Nasaruddin.
Razie and Faiz featured in the World Cup while Baljit will be playing in his first tournament this year.
Kazamirul featured in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh in March and the Champions Challenge I.
In Glasgow, Malaysia will open their Group B campaign against Canada on Saturday.
Their other matches are against England (Sunday), Trinidad and Tobago (July 29) and New Zealand (July 31).
Defending champions Australia are in Group A with India, Wales, South Africa and Scotland.
Although the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) have not set any target for the team, Kelvin believes that Malaysia “can finish in the top six” among the 10 teams.
“We definitely want to redeem our pride after our disastrous outing in the World Cup,” said Kelvin.
Malaysia, who finished eighth in the New Delhi Games four years ago, won a silver in the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games and a bronze in the 2006 Melbourne Games.
The Star of Malaysia
Aussie barrage awaits Malaysia hockey girls
By Rajes Paul
GLASGOW: Good role models and a rich family tradition.
These are the two factors, according to 22-year-old Georgia Nanscawen, that have made women’s hockey a thriving sport in Australia.
Nanscawen, whose parents are deeply rooted in sport, hopes to one day emulate her senior, Casey Eastham.
Eastham was a member of the team who won the gold at the last Commonwealth Games in New Delhi four years ago. She is back to steer the team to a fourth gold in Glasgow.
Australia also won the gold in the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games and 2006 Melbourne Games.
“I look up to Casey because she is a lovely person … she’s good at what she does. She was named the Young Hockey Player of the Year in 2009. I’m inspired by that and want to follow in her footsteps,” said Nanscawen.
“Women’s hockey is quite popular Down Under. Many take it up because of the strong influence from their parents and Australia has a very good hockey programme.”
Nanscawen and Eastham are members of the team who finished runners-up to Holland in the World Cup recently. Nanscawen, however, failed to get on the score sheet.
“It is my job to get the goals but I failed to produce the goods at the World Cup. I am ready to make up for it at the Glasgow Games,” she promised.
If Nanscawen lives up to her promise, then Malaysia can expect to bear the brunt of her fury.
Australia take on Malaysia in their opening Group B match on Thursday.
The Star of Malaysia
Hockey pitches softer than usual
By Guy Heveldt
Black Sticks Dean Couzins (Photosport)
The physios for the respective hockey teams at the Commonwealth Games may be in for some extra work over the next fortnight.
The pitches are a little softer in Glasgow than what teams are used to at other venues.
Men's Black Sticks captain Dean Couzins says it puts a bit of added strain on the body.
He says there's a bit more muscle soreness so you have to recover and prepare well.
New Zealand plays India in their final warm-up game tonight.
Radio Sport
Indian Men's Hockey Coach Terry Walsh Targets Semifinal Berth
The Indian men's hockey team start their Commonwealth Games campaign against Wales on Friday.
Indian team during a practice session at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi.
Glasgow: The Indian men's hockey team chief coach Terry Walsh says their first target is to make the semifinals at the Commonwealth Games while Neil Hawgood, the person entrusted with the task of getting the best out of the women's outfit, also expresses confidence of a decent finish. ('India Need to Overcome Challenges Away from Home')
"The first objective is to accumulate sufficient points to go into the semi-final crossovers. Where our rhythm and skill execution has been of very good quality, our penalty corner conversion will be a key component in the whole process," Walsh said. (India Need to Play Better in Glasgow: Walsh)
"Rupinder Pal Singh is overcoming a minimal adductor tweak and V R Raghunath has been executing very efficiently. Of course the key is match situation conversions."
Speaking on the side's preparations, Walsh further said, "The team has now familiarised with the Games village and playing venue. The training level in the past one week has been encouraging and the group is focussed at building towards the performance stage. (Want to Win Commonwealth Gold: Sardar Singh)
"We have a reshape strike group and that continues to grow in understanding and quality."
Meanwhile, having settled down at the Games village, Hawgood said the spirit among the girls is high.
"The team is feeling quite confident and is in good spirits at the moment, with training and village life going along quite smoothly. We are now narrowing our focus to the finer points that will prove to be crucial in our matches and making sure that we are all working together towards our goal.
"Our penalty corner work is progressing. With some good results in Malaysia we are confident that we have enough ideas about the style and execution of our penalty corners and if executed well, then we should see positive results," Hawgood said.
The women's team will take on Canada on Thursday, with their male counterparts clashing with Wales the following day.
NDTV Sport
Glasgow yet to warm up to the party
Thank god for Sardar Singh.
Rohit Mahajan in Glasgow
Sardar with his fiancee
At first sight, Glasgow underwhelms. It’s Monday morning, just two days to go for its biggest party, but where is everybody? Except for the stray banker type rushing off with big strides, the streets seem deserted —has the norovirus bug, causing great devastation in the Games Village in the form of sickness and diarrhoea, driven everyone out?
We go to investigate at the Queen’s Street Railway Station – but there is much surer sign of life there. There is also the larger than life figure of Sardar Singh, the Indian hockey team captain, entering the station. He’s accompanied by his most precious possession... So perhaps he’s escaping the dreaded Glasgow norovirus?
With a laugh, Sardar Singh says no, he’s not going anywhere, and that Glasgow is in no danger of being depopulated. He says that preparations for the hockey tournament are going very well, and that he intends to hang around and try his best. His most precious possession, a pretty girl, nods. She’s his wife-to-be, Ashpal Kaur Bhogal, a British citizen and ace hockey player herself. “It’s not going to be easy,” Sardar Singh says about the possibility of winning a medal. “Need to make sure we reach the semifinals.” Ashpal hasn’t been able to make the England team and is accompanying Sardar as a morale-booster.
There’s greater sign of life at the Commonwealth Games Village – a large number of youngsters, dressed in tartan skirts and kilts, are raising quite a din as a prelude to the ceremony of raising the flags of Jamaica, Singapore, Tonga and St Lucia.
It’s an impressive ceremony, which was performed for the Indian contingent yesterday. The wild cheers and excitement of the young performers contrasting with the solemn bearing of the uniformed men from the Army, Navy and the Air Force who are raising the flags.
Among those watching the show are the Indian team coaches – Jude Felix and MK Kaushik. Kaushik says the team has been practising hard. “The competition is tough, so we really can’t promise anything,” he says. “We’ve been practising, but the occasional rain has been causing some problem.”
Elsewhere, chief coach Terry Walsh says that it’s imperative to first ensure that the team reaches the semifinals, and only then look further.
“Our first objective is to get sufficient points to go into the semifinals,” Walsh says. “While our rhythm and skill execution have been of very good quality, our penalty corner conversion will be a key component in the whole process. Rupinder Pal Singh is overcoming a minimal adductor tweak and VR Raghunath has been executing very efficiently. Of course, the key is match situation conversions.”
There are strong hockey teams in the Glasgow CWG – including Australia, England and New Zealand. A hockey medal cheers Indian sports fans like nothing else – a gold would be possible only if the norovirus scares away the Australians from Glasgow. Not happening, though.
The Tribune
Brent Livermore Exclusive
Brent takes Hockey Australia down memory lane ahead of Glasgow 2014
Former Australian men’s captain Brent Livermore takes a walk down memory lane ahead of Glasgow 2014 in a few days’ time.
Three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, two-time Olympian and 2004 Olympic gold medal winner Livermore shares his experience, knowledge and history from the past and present.
A well-respected athlete by coaches, athletes and fans Livermore successfully achieved 317 international senior caps, 67 international caps as captain, 106 international caps as vice-captain alongside 29 International goals.
His first Commonwealth Games journey started in Kuala Lumpur in 1998. A treasured memory of his career, Livermore was honoured to be taking part in a national multi-sport event which introduced team sports from the Commonwealth for the first time.
The Australian men’s hockey team v the Kookaburras
Part of the Kookaburras squad for 13 years, Livermore talks about the differences between being labelled the Kookaburras and the Australian men’s hockey team for the Commonwealth Games.
“There are a lot of differences between these two particular teams. You come into the Commonwealth Games with a lot of media hype and expectations around this particular tournament. Firstly, the induction process when you arrive is alongside other athletes across Australian sports, you are around athletes that you look up to or who may inspire you in their sporting career which you apply to yours.
“The Commonwealth Games uniform that represents Australia is worn every day by competing athletes at the tournament. The uniform is something everyone takes pride in wearing as well as being a part of the exclusive athlete’s village, dining hall and services they provide the athletes such as the massage rooms, you don’t experience these activities when touring as a Kookaburra.”
The feelings, emotions and excitement around the team environment
Each tournament brings different experiences upon different athletes. Whether it’s nerves, excitement, adrenaline, sadness or happiness the feelings and emotions around the team environment can often be hidden behind closed doors from the public.
Livermore describes the team environment at the Commonwealth Games from his past experiences.
“In the early stages of your career, the Commonwealth Games is a mind blowing experience for every single individual. This particular tournament can be overpowering and overwhelming with no shortage of nerves.
“The Commonwealth Games incorporates a family friendly venue with many of the athlete’s family attending to watch the games, which is warming to know your family are out there supporting you. Witnessing big crowds, media exposure on the radio and television is a great experience and learning curve for both juniors and seniors however, it can also be tiring and nerve-racking.”
Role model, leader and motivational speaker
As a young player coming through their career it can be daunting attending a major tournament such as the 2014 Commonwealth Games from Livermore’s experience. It’s important to have seniors who have experienced these types of tournaments to guide and mentor the younger players through their journey, keeping them on track and making their experience a memorable one.
Livermore shares his top tips for our players making their Commonwealth Games debut.
- Ensure you don’t wear yourself out through the hype and expectations of the tournament, take time out when given it and listen to your body.
- Get out and experience what the Commonwealth Games has to offer and enjoy it however, remember your priority is to switch off and prepare with the team when required.
- When allowed, attend other sports during the team’s allocated spare time. Utilise other athletes’ success to inspire you to go out there and perform to your best.
- Enjoy yourself, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The pinnacle of his Commonwealth Games history
Often your first Commonwealth Games experience is always a special one from every angle of the game to the people, fans, village and media.
Torn between two highlights of his playing career, Livermore made his Commonwealth Games debut back in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, which was one of his fondest playing moments however, mixing a gold medal with the arrival of his daughter was the peak of his career.
Back at the 2006 Commonwealth Games two hours before the Australian men’s semi-final in Melbourne, Livermore received a life changing phone call from his wife who was pregnant at the time. She was in labour with their second daughter, Zoe.
“Running off adrenaline, I had to contain my excitement and emotion as I was preparing to walk out into a semi-final in front of a huge crowd which would ultimately decide whether we would play for gold in the following days.”
“That weekend I met my second daughter Zoe for the first time and won gold at the Commonwealth Games, what more could you ask for in your career?”
The voice of men’s hockey for the 2014 Commonwealth Games
In 2010 Livermore was the commentator of hockey on Channel 10 at the Commonwealth Games and he will be dusting off the microphone again to commentate on the Australian men’s team at Glasgow 2014.
Offered the exciting opportunity once again, Livermore cannot wait to see what tactics and strategies are showcased from world number ones, the Australian men’s team.
“It’s exciting to see how they will handle the pressure from the other competing countries and the hype of the Commonwealth Games. From both a commentator and spectators point of view, I cannot wait.”
Hockey Australia media release
Hockey youngster Lucy Wood's England dream still alive after injury
By Graham Wilson
Wood's dream of playing for England was in doubt after she suffered knee ligament damage in 2013 [PA]
LUCY WOOD could not run this time last year and believed her dream of playing for England was over.
Now she finds herself at the age of 20 competing in the Commonwealth Games.
Striker Wood suffered knee ligament damage in January 2013 which needed reconstructive surgery during which time she admits she was at her lowest ebb.
But surgeons gave her a glimmer of hope and with the help of her family in Horsham, Sussex, which includes identical twin Izzy, she set about getting fit again.
"I trained every single day for six months in the gym at the Pavilions in the Park sports centre to strengthen the muscles around my knee," she said.
"I could not have done it without their support and the help of my trainer Jordan Stannard.
"I was learning how to run this time last year. He was amazing, he gave me belief. I can never thank them all enough. They waited on me hand and foot."
Wood, who started off at the Horsham club, went on to East Grinstead, Sevenoaks and now premier division side Holcombe, made her senior debut nearly a fortnight ago against Wales in the Investec London Cup at hockey's new Lee Valley Olympic legacy arena in East London, which England won 8-0.
They went on to win the tournament which has given them renewed confidence going into the Glasgow Games following a disappointing 11th place in the World Cup.
"The call-up was surprising, I was just over the moon," said Wood. "We all had a celebration with family and friends. My sister is so proud of me. She cried during the national anthem at Lee Valley. I didn't score which I want to put right in Glasgow."
That she can do when England come up against Wales in the opener on Thursday.
"There is a notable step up in standard and you have to adapt quickly but the squad have been really welcoming. On Wednesday evening we go on parade in the opening ceremony.
"The village is amazing, there is a real buzz about the place and in the dining halls they have every food you could think of on offer. It's fantastic."
Lucy's whole family are also coming up to watch her in action, including another sister who plays, plus grandparents and uncle.
Twin Izzy went some way in the junior ranks but decided to pursue a career in medicine and is studying at Southampton University to be a doctor.
"I always wanted to stay in hockey," said Lucy. Her bravery and perseverance has paid off. Not only that, her experience has inspired her to become a personal trainer.
Daily Express
Players' thoughts on the Commonwealth Games
The 2014 Commonwealth Games get underway soon and as ever they’re bound to be a real feast of hockey. We've spoken to some of the team to find out what the players make of it all.
This summer 10 nations will be participating in the 2014 Commonwealth Games hockey competitions. The men's and women's events, hosted in Glasgow, will take place over 11 days and feature 54 games.
All of the hockey matches will take place at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre – specifically designed to host the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games hockey competition. The venue boasts two synthetic pitches along with athlete and official support areas, meaning everything is in place for a fantastic spectacle of hockey.
Alistair Brogdon: “Glasgow’s going to be interesting! We played up there in the Four Nations and there was a really good crowd in, lots of school kids cheering and making some noise, although we were definitely the least popular side there! But it was good fun, I really like having a bit of a crowd in and a bit of banter flying around, I think it makes for a better spectacle and a more fun playing environment! It should be a great tournament and a chance to show the wider public what we can do.”
Maddie Hinch: “The Commonwealth Games are great. They’re similar to the Olympics in many ways, they’re another opportunity to get people watching and learning about our game. Hopefully both the men’s team and the women’s team can put on a good show and remind people, just as we did at the Olympics, why hockey is such a great game. Then hopefully we can push on from there.”
Dan Fox: “It involves a lot of the top sides in the world, you’ve got Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa and so on, so there’s a lot of tough competition. We’ve actually been a bit disappointed with how we’ve gone in previous years, and with the standards we set ourselves we really want to be medalling and ideally competing in that final. We’re pretty determined to go out and win it – we want to take our best side and show everyone what we can do.”
Mark Gleghorne: “We’re really looking forward to Glasgow. Multi-sport events are really exciting because they’re that little bit different, there are all the other sports going on which makes them exciting to be a part of and they’re great because they generally get greater media attention and offer us a chance to put hockey on the map. Hockey at the London Olympics was really well done – really well presented – and seemed to get the general public interested in the game, so hopefully Glasgow will be the same!"
England Hockey Board Media release
Spain pain for England U21 Women
England v Spain U21 W, July 21 2014, Steph Addison - credit Frank Uijlenbroek
A goal from a penalty corner in the second minute proved to be enough for Spain to beat England Under-21 Women on day two of the EuroHockey Junior Nations Championships in Belgium on Monday afternoon.
Begona Garcia was awarded a goal from Spain’s very first – and only - penalty corner, and despite England proving industrious and creating chances of their own, the Spanish defence held firm and no further goals were scored.
Head Coach Kevin Johnson said: “After a disappointing start conceding a disputed goal in the opening couple of minutes from a penalty corner, we grew into the game but couldn’t apply enough quality execution in the final third.
“I’m pleased we showed tremendous spirit to push hard and dominate the second half as we approach our important final group game against France.”
Spain’s goal came from their only penalty corner of the match, and despite the shot being saved it came off a post and was deemed to have crossed the goal line by the umpire.
England were awarded four penalty corners, and created some other chances on goal, but couldn’t make them count, and will want to sharpen up their conversion rate before taking on the French on Tuesday lunchtime.
England Hockey Board Media release
Barcelona awaits for Round 1 of the EHL
The European Hockey Federation and EHL are delighted to release the draw and match schedule for Round 1 of the 2014/15 edition of the Euro Hockey League. In the new format, four groups of three clubs will contest Round 1 in Barcelona, hoping to claim top spot in their respective pool which brings a golden ticket to next Easter’s KO16, the marquee event in the EHL calendar.
Pool A sees a potential battle royale between Dutch kingpins SV Kampong and a star- studded East Grinstead side who return to the competition with Russian representative Dinamo Stroitel aiming to cause an upset.
Two of the competition’s new boys – Belgium’s Royal Daring and Ireland’s Monkstown – have been drawn against each other in Pool B, joined by Racing Club de France. Pool C puts Rot-Weiss Koln against Italian champions HC Bra and Poland’s WKS Grunwald Poznan while Pool D is occupied by home favourites Atletic Terrassa, Scotland’s Kelburne and Austria’s SV Arminen.
This season, the 12 top ranked teams have received a bye into the KO16. For the second season running, the KO16 and Final 4 will be combined over Easter week due to the proximity of World League 3 to the traditional Final 4 dates on the Whitsun weekend. This move, combined with only one Round 1 allows players to combine their National team and Club commitments. The following seasons will revert to KO16 at Easter and Final 4 at Whitsun.
The 12 teams that have received a Bye into KO16 are: Oranje Zwart, Bloemendaal (both NED); Waterloo Ducks, KHC Dragons (BEL); Harvestehuder THC, UHC Hamburg (GER); RC Polo de Barcelona, Club Egara (ESP); Beeston (ENG), KS Pomorzanin Torun (POL), St Germain (FRA) and Dinamo Kazan (RUS).
Jons Hensel Chairman of the EHL Board said: "We are delighted to announce the Round 1 draw and match schedule for this seasons EHL - the pinnacle of Club competition in Europe. It is sure to be another feast of Hockey for Hockey fans, with Europe's top Clubs battling it out to be crowned Hockey Champions of Europe."
The Round 1 Pools are as follows
Pool A: SV Kampong (NED), Dinamo-Stroitel (RUS), East Grinstead (ENG)
Pool B: Royal Daring (BEL), Racing Club de France (FRA), Monkstown (IRL)
Pool C: KTHC Rot-Weiss Koln (GER), HC Bra (ITA), WKS Grunwald Poznan (POL)
Pool D: Atletic Terrassa (ESP), Kelburne (SCO), SV Arminen (AUT)
Match Schedule Pau Negre Stadium, Barcelona, 10th-12th October 2014
Friday 10 October 2014 (all times local)
10am, Pool C, HC Bra v WKS Grunwald Poznan
12.30pm, Pool D, Kelburne v SV Arminen
3pm, Pool B, Monkstown v Racing Club de France
5.30pm, Pool A, East Grinstead v Dinamo-Stroitel
Saturday 11 October 2014
10am, Pool C, KTHC Rot-Weiss Koln v WKS Grunwald Poznan
12.30pm, Pool D, Atletic Terrassa v SV Arminen
3pm, Pool B, Royal Daring v Monkstown
5.30pm, Pool A, SV Kampong v East Grinstead
Sunday 12 October 2014
9.30am, Pool C, KTHC Rot-Weiss Koln v HC Bra
12pm, Pool D, Atletic Terrassa v Kelburne
2.30pm, Pool B, Royal Daring v Racing Club de France
5pm, Pool A, SV Kampong v Dinamo-Stroitel
Updated EHL Regulations are available on http://www.ehlhockey.tv/rules-regulations/
Note: Fixtures may change subject to TV schedule requirements. EHF/July 2014
Euro Hockey League media release
Players allowed to don state colours
By Jugjet Singh
MALAYSIAN PROJECT 2016 coach A. Arul Selvaraj will release his 25 players to return to their states for the 52nd Razak Cup in Kuantan from Aug 15-24.
Earlier, Arul had wanted to field his charges as a team, but felt it would be better if they played for their respective states.
“Initially I wanted to field the Project 2016 as a team, but after many requests, I will release them to don their state colours,” said Arul.
Last year, Perak ended their 21-year wait for the Razak Cup title when they beat favourites Kuala Lumpur 3-0 in the Division One final.
In Division Two, Selangor gained promotion after a five-year hiatus by beating Armed Forces 3-1 and will hold an open trial on Aug 3 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
The Project 2016 squad are in training for the Junior World Cup in India and their first test would be the Sultan of Johor Cup.
Defending champions India have confirmed their entry and will join hosts Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, England and Pakistan at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru from Oct 12-19.
“The Johor tournament will be their first test, as we get ready for the Junior Asia Cup in Kuantan next year, which is a qualifier for the 2016 Junior World Cup.
In 2012, Malaysia won the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca to qualify for the 2013 World Cup where they finished fourth.
New Straits Times
Hockey clubs band together in support of Alex Mckinnon
RISING SUPPORT: A-grade hockey players from Norths and Wests join forces before Sunday’s match at Raceview to support the “Rise for Alex” initiative. RISING SUPPORT: A-grade hockey players from Norths and Wests join forces before Sunday’s match at Raceview to support the “Rise for Alex” initiative. CONTRIBUTED
IT was not only rugby league banding together to raise money for seriously injured footballer Alex McKinnon at the weekend.
Two Ipswich hockey teams joined forces to raise money for the Newcastle rugby league player.
Wests skipper Nathan Hooper and Norths captain Mark Pocock were keen to be part of the National Rugby League's "Rise for Alex" weekend.
The captains rallied their players before their A-grade game on Sunday, asking everyone to chip in $5 for the fund.
"The teams mixed together to show mutual respect for each other and a united front to a good cause," Hooper said.
Pocock said the pre-game initiative showed how sports could help each other.
"Nathan came up with the idea and I thought it was a great thing for both clubs to do," Pocock said.
"We all get on pretty well as a group - Wests and Norths - so we thought it would be a show of support for Alex and the hockey community that we are doing something as well."
Norths were victorious 3-2 in the hard-fought match that followed.
"Wests played really well. They played out of their skin," Pocock said.
"That was certainly the best team we could put on the paddock and they competed really good."
The Queensland Times