News 04 September 2014
All the news for Thursday 4 September 2014
Teams arrive for championship
By BRIAN YONGA
National men’s hockey team player Ken Nyongesa (right) dribbles past teammate Joseph Obare during a training at City Park Stadium Wednesday. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The tournament’s director, Jean Rose from Zimbabwe arrived in the country Wednesday accompanied by the umpires from South Africa.
Kenya’s opponents in the World Hockey League One Series have all arrived in the country ahead of the event that gets underway tomorrow at the City Park Stadium.
Ghana and Egypt jetted in the country Wednesday morning while neighbours Tanzania arrived on Monday ahead of the three-day event that will double up as a first round qualifier for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The event was originally set to begin on Tuesday but the withdrawal of Nigeria forced the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to delay the release of fixtures.
Egyptian men’s team arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 4am, led by skipper Amr Sayed who is the most capped player in the team, having played for his side 80 times.
NEW PLAYERS
There are only two new players in the squad that won silver at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations held in Nairobi. Mohamed Nasr and Mohamed Zaki are the two youngest players in the team that is ranked 22nd in the world.
Ghana has also included three new players in their women’s squad that will do battle in Nairobi. The West African side is the highest ranked nation in the event and will certainly cause the Kenyan ladies trouble.
On the other hand, neighbouring Tanzania’s men’s team will be making their debut in the event.
Mnonda Magani, coach of Tanzanian men’s team, has expressed confidence that they will give a good account of themselves despite been considered underdogs.
“We have been undergoing intensive training for the past one month and we are heading to Nairobi in high spirits, aiming at causing upsets in the event,” the tactician told Tanzania newspaper Daily News before the team left for Nairobi.
The men’s team will face Kenya in the opener tomorrow at 7pm in their first competitive match. Kenyan coaches, Jos Openda (women) and Meshack Senge (men) have expressed confidence that the teams will emerge victorious come Sunday. Head coach Gerard Rach took the two sides through the last training session yesterday at the City Park Stadium.
The tournament’s director, Jean Rose from Zimbabwe arrived in the country Wednesday accompanied by the umpires from South Africa.
The winners of the events will proceed to the second round set to be held in February in Uruguay (women) and South Africa (men).
Daily Nation
Ghana and Egypt jet in for hockey World League
By Elizabeth Mburugu
Kenya Police's Richard Birir in action. [PHOTO:JENIPHER WACHIE/STANDARD]
Ghana and Egypt national hockey teams arrived in the country yesterday for the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World League One that flicks off tomorrow at City Park Stadium.
Ghana was a major doubt for this tournament following the Ebola outbreak in West Africa that led to the withdrawal of Nigeria.
The West African nation will field both the men and women’s team while Egypt will have a men’s team. Kenya Hockey Union Vice chairperson Elynah Shiveka confirmed the arrival of the teams saying they had undergone proper medical screening at the airport before being cleared.
All matches will be played in a round-robin format. The winners will qualify for league two where they will meet league one winners from other regions and teams ranked from 12-19 in FIH world rankings.
“All is set for the World League. I’m pleased to announce that Ghana also made it, so all the teams are here, we look forward to having a very successful event,” said Shiveka who also tipped Kenyan teams to do well and qualify for round two which will see the men play in Cape Town, South Africa, and the ladies in Montevideo, Uruguay.
“Our teams have trained well, I’m confident they will secure slots to round two. I encourage them to work hard as there are better things to come after they qualify for the next round,” she added.
Shiveka revealed the teams will play friendly matches in Canada in preparation for World League Two courtesy of former hockey players.
National team coaches Jos Openda (women) and Meshack Senge (men) assured the country that all was well in the camps and the players were ready to make the country proud.
Tanzania, who were the first to arrive in the country, have been training at City Park. Tanzania women’s team head coach Valentina Quantara told FeverPitch she had made major changes in the team that played in last year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
“I made changes because I am building a team for the future, I have a very young squad which is determined to impress,” she said.
The Tanzanians will play the opening match against Ghana in the tournament opener tomorrow. Tanzanian men lost 6-2 to Kenyan select men’s side Freezers in a friendly match, while their ladies held Kenyans to a barren draw.
The Standard Online
Reid named Kookaburras coach
Senior Assistant Coach Graham Reid unveiled as new men's National Coach
Hockey Australia CEO, Cam Vale (L) announces Graham Reid (R) is the new Kookaburras head coach
Graham Reid has been appointed as the new National Coach of the Australian men’s hockey team, the Kookaburras, it was announced today by Hockey Australia Chief Executive Cam Vale.
Brisbane-born Reid, 50, has been Senior Assistant Coach with the Kookaburras since January 2009 and most recently took joint-charge of the team at the Commonwealth Games, alongside Paul Gaudoin, following Ric Charlesworth’s decision to step-down early as National Coach.
Cam Vale said: “Graham Reid was the unanimous choice of the coaching panel in what was a very difficult decision.
“Graham’s ability to lead the program now through to Rio as evidenced by his past experience in leading the national team at the 2012 Champions Trophy, 2013 Oceania Cup and, with Paul Gaudoin, to 2014 Commonwealth Games success, were key factors. Overall, we believe that Graham has the experience, maturity and leadership to continue to build on the success he has been part of with the Kookaburras since 2009.
“In regards to Paul Gaudoin, this process confirms he is a world class coach and someone we hold in high regard, who has also had a significant impact on our program.
“The Board’s brief to find the best coach made it a difficult decision with these two quality internal candidates balanced against a very strong field of other domestic and international applicants.
“I want to compliment and thank the panel assembled to oversee and assist me in the process of selecting the National Coach; Hockey Australia Directors David Hatt and Clare Prideaux, High Performance Director Trish Heberle and independent panel members Matt Favier, the AIS High Performance Director, and Don Argus.”
Graham Reid said: “I’m very excited and honoured to be appointed as the coach of the Kookaburras. It will be a great challenge to be the custodian of one of Australia’s most successful sports teams and a challenge to follow in the footsteps of Ric Charlesworth, who has transcended our sport and built up a huge list of accomplishments. I am relishing it.
“I see the appointment by Hockey Australia of a coach from within our program as a tremendous vote of confidence in the players and staff that have helped us to such success over the last six years. I’m looking forward to putting my own spin on the lessons learnt and using them to push towards success in Rio.”
A former Kookaburra, two-time Olympian Reid made 130 appearances for Australia between 1984 and 1992, concluding his international career with a silver medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. With 30 international goals to his name, he also won a World Cup bronze medal and four Champions Trophy gold medals in a distinguished playing career. He represented both his home state of Queensland and his adopted home of Western Australia in the Australian Hockey League and, during an extensive playing career in Europe, won the Dutch league title with Amsterdam.
As a coach with the Kookaburras, Reid has helped steer Australia to an Olympic bronze medal, two consecutive World Cup titles, two Commonwealth Games gold medals and four Champion Trophy crowns.
As National Coach, he will be responsible for leading all aspects of the senior men’s team with the goal of achieving success for Australia at the 2016 Olympic Games. That campaign begins in 2015 with two Olympic qualification events, the World League tournament and the Oceania Cup.
Reid began his coaching career in 1988, going on to experience league title success with Victoria Park in Western Australia and Redcliffe Hockey Club in Queensland. He was appointed as coach of the WA Thundersticks in the Australian Hockey League shortly before teaming-up with former Kookaburras teammate Charlesworth in 2009.
Away from hockey, Reid spent 21 years working in the IT industry, nine of which he devoted to running a start-up learning and development company with a colleague, servicing multinationals such as Chevron, Shell and Woodside.
December’s Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar, India, will provide Reid with his first major international competition as the new National Coach.
Graham Reid’s career highlights to date
International playing career
7 December 1984: Made international debut in 2-0 victory over the Netherlands at the Champions Trophy in Karachi, Pakistan.
1 October 1988: Scored Australia’s goal in 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands in XXIV Olympic bronze medal match in Seoul, South Korea.
8 August 1992: Made the last of 130 appearances for Australia, scoring 30 goals, before retiring from international hockey following 2-1 defeat to Germany in XXV Olympic Final in Barcelona.
Olympic Games: 1988 (4th), 1992 (silver medal)
World Cup: 1990 (bronze medal)
Champions Trophy: 1984 (gold medal), 1985 (gold medal), 1986 (silver medal), 1987 (bronze medal), 1988 (bronze medal), 1989 (gold medal), 1990 (gold medal), 1991 (4th), 1992 (silver medal)
International coaching career
As joint-Head Coach (with Paul Gaudoin):
Commonwealth Games: 2014 (gold medal)
As Head Coach (in the absence of Ric Charlesworth):
Champions Trophy: 2012 (gold medal)
Oceania Cup: 2013 (gold medal)
As Senior Assistant Coach:
Olympic Games: 2012 (bronze medal)
World Cup: 2010 (gold medal), 2014 (gold medal)
Commonwealth Games: 2010 (gold medal)
World League Finals: 2014 (4th)
Champions Trophy: 2009 (gold medal), 2010 (gold medal), 2011 (gold medal), 2012 (gold medal)
Hockey Australia media release
Mark Hager misses out on top Aussie job
MATT RICHENS
STAYING PUT: Mark Hager looks set to stay on as the Black Sticks women's coach after he missed out on the Australian men's job. Getty
New Zealand Hockey will retain the services of coach Mark Hager as the Black Sticks women's coach after he missed out on the Australian men's job.
Hockey Australia announced on Thursday afternoon it had appointed former assistant Graham Reid to the head coaching role.
Reid, 50, had been the Kookaburra's senior assistant coach since January 2009 and took the side to the Commonwealth Games in a joint role with Paul Gaudoin following Ric Charlesworth's decision to step-down following the World Cup earlier this year.
Hager previously told Fairfax Media the decision to apply for the Australian's men's coach was a tough one.
"It's obviously a job I'd love to do. I played for the side and it's a tough challenge, but it's tough too because I think there's more we can do with the Black Sticks.
"I'd happily do both jobs so it's a tough decision."
Hager said if he did not get the Australian job he'd happily continue with the New Zealand women's side and push towards the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Hager is contracted through until the end of 2014, but Hockey New Zealand boss Malcolm Harris hopes to have a new contract signed in the next couple of weeks through to at least Rio.
Stuff
Mark Hager to continue as Black Sticks Women’s coach
Hockey New Zealand is thrilled to announce that Mark Hager will continue as head coach of the Black Sticks Women.
Hager started coaching the Black Sticks Women following the 2008 Beijing Olympics moving them from 12th ranked to their current world ranking of fourth.
“Mark has been an integral part of the success of our high performance programme for six years and we are pleased that we can now plan through to Rio Olympics with certainty and confidence,” said high performance director Terry Evans.
“We have high quality coaches in New Zealand and in the world of high performance sport it’s not surprising that other countries approach our staff from time to time. We are very pleased that following this year’s World Cup and Commonwealth Games we have been able to retain our current coaches,” said Evans.
“Mark can see the potential that the Black Sticks Women have – they are a very talented, committed group of players that have huge respect for him.”
Hager is on leave this week, currently watching his daughter play hockey at a New Zealand Secondary School Tournament, and won’t be available for interviews until this Saturday when he will be at the Ford National Hockey League at North Harbour.
About Mark Hager
A former Australian hockey star with 230 caps and 179 goals to his name, Mark has been coaching the New Zealand Women since 2009. He guided the team to victory at the 2009 Champions Challenge, silver at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, bronze at the 2011 Champions Trophy and this year the team finished a credible fifth at the FIH Hockey World Cup and returned from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games with a bronze. Inducted to the Hockey Australia Hall of Fame in 2008, Mark played at two Olympics and captained Australia to a bronze in 1996. Before moving to Auckland, he was assistant coach for the Australian men’s and women’s teams and the Australian Institute of Sport, as well as coaching the Australia junior men and women. Mark is married with three children and lives on Auckland’s North Shore.
Hockey New Zealand Media release
Hager continues with Black Sticks
Mark Hager will continue as head coach of the Black Sticks Women. Photo / Natalie Slade.
Mark Hager will stay on as coach of the New Zealand women's hockey team after being overlooked for a role coaching the Australian men's team.
Hager had applied for the role, but Hockey Australia confirmed the former assistant coach, Graham Reid, as its new head coach today.
The Hockey New Zealand high performance director, Terry Evans, says he's pleased at being able to retain Hager and says they can now begin planning through to the Rio Olympics with certainty.
Hager started coaching the Black Sticks Women following the 2008 Beijing Olympics moving them from 12th ranked to their current world ranking of fourth.
The New Zealand Herald
National hockey team hitting new low
By Aftar Singh
The national players during better days. - filepic
KUALA LUMPUR: It’s getting from bad to worse - the Malaysian national hockey team’s performance, that is.
The team went to South Korea last week for two friendlies against club sides in preparation for the Incheon Asian Games.
The outcome? They lost 2-0 to Incheon City in the first friendly and drew 1-1 with the National Korean Sports University (NKSU) in the other.
What makes the two results even more disappointing is that these two club sides had no national players at all.
The national hockey team have been on a downward spiral since the World Cup, where they finished last after losing all six matches in The Hague in June. Then, at the recent Glasgow Commonwealth Games, they suffered an embarrassing 4-2 loss to Trinidad and Tobago en route to a seventh placing.
Judging by these results, can Malaysia even qualify for the semi-finals at the Asiad – let alone win it?
National coach A. Arulselvaraj, certainly thinks the national players can rise to the occasion.
“Yes, we lost to the club sides ... but we created many scoring chances. The results (of the friendlies) don’t matter as we went to Incheon to see how well the players can combine and also to get used to the pitch,” said Arulselvaraj, who also blamed the pitch conditions for the team’s poor results.
“We also didn’t have the services of defender Faiz (Helmi Jali) in both the friendlies after he suffered a shoulder injury while training in Incheon.”
The World Cup meltdown and the loss to Trinidad at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games seem to have affected their confidence, according to Arulselvaraj, who now has two weeks to help the players turn things around for the Asiad.
There are 20 players in the training squad and four will be dropped before the team leave for Incheon on July 17.
Malaysia, who were silver medallists in the 2010 Guangzhou Asiad, are in Group A with South Korea, Japan, Bangladesh and Singapore in Incheon.
Defending champions Pakistan are drawn with arch rivals India, Oman and Sri Lanka.
For a team low on morale and confidence, it’s surprising that the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) are targeting them to qualify for the final in Incheon.
The Asian Games gold medallist will gain an automatic berth to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
The Star of Malaysia
Malaysia Hockey League to start on Oct 27
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Premier Division will begin on Oct 27 and the closing date for entry is Sept 29.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) secretary Datuk Johari Aziz expects eight to 10 teams to feature in the Premier Division.
The Premier Division final will be on Dec 21, thus giving national team ample time to prepare for the World League second round in Singapore from January 17-25.
The World League is the qualifying competition for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Johari said that each team will be allowed to hire six foreign players for the MHL.
Last year, six teams featured in the Premier Division – KL Hockey Club, Tenaga Nasional, Maybank, Sapura, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and MBI-Nur Insafi. The KL Hockey Club bagged a double – league and overall titles – for a record fourth consecutive year.
The Star of Malaysia
Asiad: Hawgood exudes optimism
Ritu Rani to skipper Indian women’s team at Incheon
Ritu Rani. File photo
The 16-member Indian women’s hockey team for the Asian Games, led by Ritu Rani, was named on Wednesday. Though India has reached the semifinals in every edition of the tournament since inception in 1982, it has managed to win the gold only once (1982).
Chief coach Neil Hawgood was optimistic of India reaching the final this time.
“It will be hard, no doubt. But one of the main targets when I took charge was to be the best in Asia and now, two years on, we have a chance to see where we sit,” Hawgood said at a media interaction here on Wednesday.
Women’s hockey at the Asian Games has been dominated by four teams — Korea, China, India and Japan — and the four are again expected to complete the semifinal line-up.
Defending champion China has won the title thrice in a row while host Korea would be looking to add to its four titles.
“Twelve months ago, we were very close to these three teams, beating China twice and losing by narrow margins to the others. We went into tournaments like the Asian Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup with 35 to 40 international matches behind us.
“Since then, they have played the same number of games but we have played only half of that. That said, I don’t see any reason why we can’t still beat them,” Hawgood said.
“We are not going there to make up the numbers. If everything goes right and the girls play at the level they are capable of, the final is a realistic target,” he said.
Asked about the recent war of words between Hockey India and the Sports Authority of India regarding facilities at Patiala — where the team practised before shifting to Delhi — Hawgood was non-committal.
“It would be better to check with SAI as to when was the last time it replaced a turf or laid a new one. That would give you the answer. Turf is an issue and there is no denying that. The best ones we have are here in Delhi, laid way back in 2009. I don’t want to say anything else,” he said.
Ritu Rani said the team was concentrating on penalty corners, one of the areas where the team struggled during the Commonwealth Games.
“It is a young team but we are confident of correcting our mistakes from the CWG,” said Ritu.
India plays Thailand in its opening match at Incheon on September 22 followed by China and Malaysia.
The Hindu
Indian eves eyeing top-two finish
New Delhi - Buoyed by their decent showing in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Indian women's hockey team's chief coach Neil Hawgood is eying a top-two finish in the upcoming Asian Games to be held in Incheon, South Korea, from September 19 to October 4.
The Australian is eager to better his wards fifth place finish in the Commonwealth Games. “The Commonwealth Games was a big improvement. We wanted to secure the fourth position but had to satisfy ourselves with the fifth spot. But this time we wish to reach the final,” Hawgood said during an interaction with the media at the sidelines of the team's training session at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here today.
Hawgood considers the Asian Games a “big challenge” for the Indian eves considering the fact that they haven't played Asian powerhouses like China and Korea in over a year. “We have played a lot of European teams in the last few months and it has been a good experience for the team. But we haven't played Asian countries like China, Japan and Korea in the last 12 months and it is going to be a big challenge for us. China and Korea are major threats to us.”
India captain Ritu Rani feels the team will be high on confidence in Incheon. “We have been working hard for the Asian Games and the preparation is very good. Our confidence is high. The performance at the CWG boosted our morale,” said Ritu.
“We will be aiming for the gold medal,” she added.
“Our main focus will be on scoring more field goals. We are also hoping that our dragflickers covert more and more penalty corner opportunities,” Ritu said.
“Youngsters have been given opportunity and we hope that they will be able to score more goals. We also want to rectify the minor mistakes we committed at the Commonwealth Games.”
The Tribune
At junior camp, he learnt from seniors
Walmiki brothers teach citymate Rajat Sharma a few hockey moves that come handy for the teenager
Adit Ganguly
Union Bank’s Rajat Sharma (No. 10) celebrates after scoring against Maharashtra State Police at MHAL ground on Wednesday Salman Ansari DNA
Being the only teenager from Mumbai amongst the 33 probables at the junior hockey camp held in Delhi this April, Rajat Sharma got the chance to learn from citymates — brothers Yuvraj and Devinder Walmiki — who were there as part of the senior national team.
The 19-year-old watched the brothers and even got many inputs from them. On Wednesday at the MHAL, Churchgate, the Union Bank of India midfielder put them to use and scored a goal in his side's 3-0 win over Maharashtra State Police in a Super League encounter that involved speed, trickery and the ability to fool the goalkeeper.
And Sharma gave the credit where it is due. "Yuvraj kept trying the same move again and again in training. The way he starts a move and finishes with a goal fascinated me. The 'keeper thinks you're trying to cross to your teammate or earn a penalty corner, but only you know that you want to score and that's exactly what happened today," says the 12th standard commerce student from Rizvi College (Bandra).
A product of Mezbaan Patel's, known popularly as Bawa, Children's Academy (Malad), Sharma first faced rejection from the coach who has mentored Olympians like Adrian D'souza, Gavin Periera and Viren Rasquinha. "Bawa initially rejected me in the third standard saying I was too short to play hockey," says Sharma.
It was his medal-winning performances for the school in the 4x100 metre that caught the attention of Patel, who decided that it was his speed rather than height that would come in handy in the game.
This is Sharma's first outing in the Super League as he was infected with dengue last year. He made up for lost time and participated in the second division with Bombay Republicans, which led to a call-up to the junior camp in Delhi this April.
"Having been trained by Bawa was the best ice-breaker I could have asked for. Yuvraj was delighted to see someone from his city amongst the juniors. His tips and advice helped me immensely.
"Both the brothers made me feel at home and used to ask me to join them whenever they went out," says Sharma.
About the day he made the cut of 33 from a total of 60, he says, "Yuvraj bhai came up to me and told me that making the cut was the easy part. The tough part is maintaining one's game so that he stays in the squad."
Stopwatch: Union Bank of India 3 (R Sharma, N Kumar, M Pullanthara) bt Maharashtra State Police 0
DNA
Hockey needs all round support
K. Arumugam
A couple of months ago when the Senior Men’s World Cup team was given a ceremonial send off on a grand manner, for which the present dispensation, Hockey India, is known for, there was a great bonhomie between Sports Authority of India, top officials of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, with the national governing body of our national game.
Narinder Batra, the face of Hockey India, even said on mike – while introducing Jiji Thompson, Director General of SAI, and Sharan, Secretary, MYAS – paid rich tributes to the duo.
Said Batra: “The contribution of SAI in developing hockey is significant and that they need all praise’.
On their part, these two top officials too expressed total support to the development of the sport which needs all round support to maintain whatever status it is in.
Everything looked great and normal in June this year. And it seems two months are big period in Indian hockey. There were murmurs and even feeble protest by HI in the issue of Indian hockey teams taking part in the Commonwealth Games, as shortage of funds cropped up from the part of patrons, SAI and MoYS.
All of a sudden things soured, and HI feels the top two bodies are short-shrifting hockey. There are genuine complaints that hockey camps are not sanctioned – SAI provides infrastructure and support structure to selected trainees.
Things have drifted to such an extent that personal verbacity rent the air, further vitiating the atmosphere.
Officials are public servants, supposed to serve the cause for which they are paid for without bringing in personal prejudices and preferences. HI on its part is a beneficiary of SAI and MoYS. There is a need for restraint from everyone concerned, as what matters ultimately is hockey and its development.
Hockey not given Arjuna award is a sour point, so also SAI’s reluctant to sanction camps.
We know in India unwilling babudom can wreck havoc. While they need to understand the kind of competitive task that lie before hockey in the forthcoming months, what is required at this point of time is not a scene of donor and receiver kind, but concerted effort from everyone to propel hockey to next level. We plead restraint from everyone in the interest of hockey.
Hockey lovers expect junior men and women camp start as early as possible, as much time had already been lost.
Tailpiece: HI is seeking appointment with Prime Minister of the country to discuss the issue.
Stick2Hockey.com
Preparing for Greatness: The Three 2013 National Championship Coaches’ Game Plans
by Kathleen Harte Simone
Bertie Landes, Shippensburg University Head Coach
We all marvel at the skill of a champion forward; her stick work so polished that she makes eliminating a triple team seem effortless. We gasp at the speed and agility of a champion midfielder as she navigates the field with authority. And we are star struck by a champion defender; the essence of power and poise. We’re in awe. We applaud the champion field hockey players' remarkable athleticism and acknowledge what it takes to get there: extra training sessions, countless hours in the gym, and that eye-of-the-tiger focus. But behind every champion and every championship team is a champion coach, an extraordinary leader who teaches, inspires and leads her players to greatness.
Take a behind-the-scenes look into the locker room, huddle and minds of the three 2013 champion coaches. We caught up with Nancy Stevens, who led her UConn Huskies to three Division I National Championships, Bertie Landes who steered her Shippensburg Red Raiders to the university’s first-ever DII National Championship, and Nicky Pearson who guided her Bowdoin Bears to four DIII National Titles.
All three coaches share some likeness including their extensive list of coaching records and accolades as well as their steadfast dedication to their student athletes. Differently, they each have unique and obviously effective coaching styles and approaches to regular and post-season play.
Stevens compared entering the Final Four to how trainers prepare their horses to run on Derby Day – rested, fresh, and ready to compete. “I always find it interesting that we actually do less preparation for the NCAA games because all the hard work is done earlier in the season. Building the team during the early and middle parts of the season is an arduous task that requires countless hours of film study and practice. When we reach the NCAA Tournament, we reduce the amount of time we have our players study film and their practices are shortened.”
Landes’ team prepared for each game with a keen eye on their opponent and a constant focus on fundamentals. “We watch film of our opponent and decide what their strengths and weaknesses are. I'm a basic skills coach. I love to teach the girls the proper way to do the skills and then put it together for team attack and team defense. The game of hockey is very simple; it all breaks down into 2 v 1, 3 v 2 and 3 v 1.”
Pearson, however, stays focused on her team’s assets, not the opponents’ weaknesses. “I try to approach every game the same to avoid having a ‘yo-yo’ team that gets up for specific games. We respect our opponents but try to keep the focus on us and what our strengths are. Our preparations are the same for the first game of the year until the last.”
Nancy Stevens, University of Connecticut Head Coach
Of all three coaches, it is Landes who distinguishes her 2013 squad as possessing the qualities that propelled the team to the national title. “The leadership of the nine seniors and their sacrifice of their egos for the good of the team (set the team apart). Their work ethic was excellent; they wanted to be challenged every practice. This team came together quicker than any team I have coached and they had a confidence in themselves and their teammates that was so rewarding.”
Differently, Stevens views her 2013 team as a team that capitalized on opportunity, a skill that often separates the good from the great. “To be honest, there was very little that distinguished our 2013 team from previous teams I've coached. Our program has reached the Final Four four times in the past eight years and each of those teams was special in its own way. This team was able to win two more games and that resulted in the National Championship. For that to happen, our attack corners had to be terrific, which they were, and our goalkeeping had to be stellar, which it was.”
Pearson, however, veers away from zoning in that X-factor. “… I always tell my team that I start a new job in August and we will only be together for one year and that each team is unique and each year is special. We try to stay away from comparisons. I believe history has its uses and disadvantages and we try to use it only for positive gains.”
Mental preparation as well as drawing on the leadership and motivational skills of key players and staff is an integral part of each coach’s success. Stevens, who holds a Master’s Degree in Sports Psychology, has a particular interest in performance imagery. “Mental preparation throughout the season is a key factor to winning a championship. We do our best to approach every film session, strength and conditioning workout and daily practice with a champion’s mentality. It would be foolish to think you could just show up and play like a champion on the final Sunday of a tournament.” Stevens added that the team does more imagery and relaxation techniques during the NCAA Tournament. “This helps the team play free, despite the pressure to win the games that define your season and your career.”
Motivation comes from various people in Stevens’ opinion. “We entrust a good deal of team motivation to our senior class each year; they will set the tenor and tone of each practice and their voices will be heard most clearly. If we have a player who has a gift for inspiring her teammates, then we will empower her to do just that.” Stevens also acknowledged that her 2013 captains were outstanding. “When teammates see their leaders laying it all out there on the field, they find that inspiring. It raises the level of everyone's play.” In addition, Stevens’ assistant coach, Cheri Herr, compiles a highlight video, with music, of great plays made by the team to play before key games.
Landes regularly reads inspiring stories to her team; the lessons, she says, motivate her players for games and life. Landes also stressed the value of everyone having a voice. “Each of my assistants and each player feel comfortable to say what is on their heart which helps them and in turn helps our team. A junior stepped forward at the national tournament with a motivational talk before our semi-final game and championship game.”
“I try to create an environment where every player feels valued and respected, where their input is important and I hope they feel ownership,” shared Pearson. “I view motivation as a joint effort between the athlete and coach.” At the 2013 Championship game my assistant actually gave most of the pre-game speech. She had won a championship so who better to offer advice and inspire them.”
Pre-game speeches are an area of great difference between these coaching giants. Pearson isn’t reluctant to share the pre-game talk with her assistant or alumni, which she has done before Homecoming games, and has even shown motivational speeches. Regardless of how or who delivers the pep talk, Pearson is deliberate in helping the players enter the game with clear minds and full hearts. “I don’t like to overload them with tactically information because we should have taken care of that in practice. My main objective is to make sure the players are focused and have let go of everything that has happened during the day.”
Stevens was quick to share her thoughts that pep talks are great for movies and rarely have a lasting effect on a team’s performance. “My comments to the team are made after considerable thought. We discuss performance goals before each game and review tactics in detail. Each player needs to have a clear vision of how we want the game to go for us that day. Together we also need a collective vision such as overcoming adversity, celebrating your greatness, or playing for a teammate. Players want to play for more than just winning; they want a narrative that captures their imagination and sparks their soul.”
Landes’ style is more relaxed. “I basically talk off the cuff although I do write some thoughts at times” For the championship game, “(My assistant coach and) I were confident and knew we did everything we could to prepare the team for the game.”
On game day of the Finals, the three coaches and teams were busy preparing their own way. While Bowdoin’s team was blaring St. Elmo’s Fire in the locker room, Pearson was getting fired up herself. “It definitely starts with a strong cup of coffee,” Pearson said with a smile. After reviewing game tape one last time and reviewing notes, she joined the team for a pre-game meal and headed into the locker room 70 minutes before game time, just like every other game, for a pre-game talk before the team headed to the field for a 35-40 minute warm-up.
Landes and her assistant coach took a walk along Virginia Beach before boarding the bus that the team parents had decorated; they formed an arch for players to walk through and cheered loudly. Landes followed the team into the locker room, reviewed the game strategies, and “I told them told them how proud I was of them and that all we had to do was to continue to play together as a team.”
Stevens’ game-day prep, as always, began with physical activity to free her mind, followed by a methodical practice. “I spend as much time as possible visualizing how I want the game to proceed. Of course, it seldom plays out that way! More importantly, I run all the offensive corner scenarios in my mind, playing out our corner options against the anticipated defensive schemes of the opponent. This may actually take me several days, but I run it one more time on game day. I need to see each outcome clearly, before I will commit to putting it in the game plan. I will then script the first six attack corners for the game. The key is to then stick with those scripted corners for as long as possible during the game, because those decisions were made outside of the pressures of the game. During our run to the 2013 National Championship, we scored on a corner in overtime to win at the NCAA Regional and all three goals at the Final Four were from attack corners.”While Stevens is preparing, the UConn Huskies had their music cranked so loudly in the locker room, it could be heard throughout the building. About 90 minutes before game time, the team met to review a printed game plan before heading to the field for warm-up an hour before the game. “This is a very special time for the team. They are preparing to go into battle with the people they care most about at their side. It is a bond that is difficult to find outside of athletics. There is a nervous excitement of shared anticipation for the day ahead. Game Day is the best day of the year.”
Nancy Stevens, Bertie Landes and Nicky Pearson – as different as their styles may be – all set the tone, inspired their players, and prepared their teams for greatness and the National Title. They, too, are true champions. We are in awe, are star stuck, and we applaud them.
Nicky Pearson, Bowdoin College Head Coach
Kathleen Harte Simone is a freelance writer, founder and editor of philafieldhockey.com
USFHA media release
$20,000 at stake in T&T's Malvern Hockey 5s festival
More than $20,000 in cash and prizes when Notre Dame men and women put their respective titles on the line in the third annual Malvern Sports Club International Invitational Hockey 5s Tournament (five-a-side) at the National Hockey Centre, Eastern Regional Sports Complex, Tacarigua from 7 pm today until Sunday.
In addition to Notre Dame, Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC), Petrotrin, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) I, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) II, and host Courts Malvern will battle it out for the men’s top prize while the Dames will put their women’s title on the line against Harvard, Shandy Carib Magnolias, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) 1, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) II and host Courts Malvern.
In the Under-19 age-group, title-holder Magnolias come up against Harvard, Ventures, Notre Dame, Paragon and Courts Malvern in the girls’ and the quintet of Paragon, Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC), Notre Dame, Shape and Raiders go after Courts Malvern boy’s crown.
And in the inaugural veterans’ competition, visiting Cayman Island Hockey will match sticks with Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC), Notre Dame, Fatima and Courts Malvern.
Tomorrow, the senior national women’s team which recently participated at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, will get some much needed match practice when they face Georgetown CC as they look ahead to the FIH World League round one matches in Kingston, Jamaica from September 30 and the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Veracruz, Mexico in November.
schedule
Today
Malvern Hockey 5’s group matches, 7 pm-10 pm
Tomorrow
Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) vs T&T women’s team, 6.30 pm
Malvern Hockey 5’2 group matches, 7.30 pm-10 pm
Saturday
Malvern Hockey 5’s 9am-10 pm
Sunday
Malvern Hockey 5’s, 10am-6 pm
The Trinidad Guardian
Punjab govt releases Rs30m grant for hockey stadium
Mohsin Ali
ISLAMABAD- Punjab government has released Rs 30 million grant for the construction of pavilion/building of Shahnaz Sheikh International Hockey Stadium here at Muslim High School ground.
Talking to The Nation, Hanif Abbasi confirmed this saying Punjab chief minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has very kindly ordered release of Rs 30 million, while remaining Rs 45 million will be released soon after construction of pavilion/building.
“We have requested the CM to sanction Rs 75 million for laying down of astroturf, construction of 5000 sitting capacity pavilion and building for players, changing rooms, washrooms and other required stuff and thanks to the Punjab CM, who immediately has released Rs 30 million. Now we will invite tenders very soon, while after the completion of the building, the remaining amount for laying of astroturf and floodlights will be issued,” he added.
“As I promised the youth of Rawalpindi would be provided with the best sports facilities, the time has come to fulfill all my promises. Muslim High School cricket ground is almost complete with all the basic facilities, including floodlights, pavilion and changing rooms. It will be handed over to the local administration by September 15. I must confess that this dream could have never materialized, had Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz not taken keen interest in it. They very kindly accepted all my proposals regarding upgradation of existing facilities, construction of new cricket, hockey grounds, swimming pool and special cricket ground for female players at Viqar-un-Nisa College,” Abassi asserted.
“Jamia High School Cricket Stadium is also in final touches. I will invite all the stake-holders, players and journalists to visit Jamia High School Cricket Stadium and watch the state-of-the-art stadium, equipped with latest facilities. This ground will also be inaugurated as soon as political situation of the twin cities improves,” he added.
He elaborated: “I appreciate all the staff that worked day and night to turn dream projects into reality and that too in a very short span of time. The youth of Rawalpindi was facing acute shortage of grounds, where they can fulfill their potential. The construction work of swimming pool at Rawal Road will be started soon after the completion of metro bus project.”
Abbasi said: “Four practice pitches at Muslim High School also completed which will be handed over to the local association during a ceremony in which heroes of Rawalpindi will be invited and honoured. We want to get inaugurated Viqar-un-Nisa College cricket ground at the hands of national women team captain Sana Mir, so as soon as the ground possession is handed over to us, I will personally contact Sana for its inauguration,” Abbasi concluded.
Sharing his views, Shahnaz Sheikh thanked the Punjab government and also Hanif Abbasi whose sincere efforts bore fruit and the city got international standard sports facilities. “I am grateful to Hanif Abbas for naming hockey stadium after me as it is indeed a great honor. I am obliged and I will ensure my physical presence at the stadium and try to pass on the knowledge to the next generation.”
The Nation
Former Olympians felicitate PHF officials
LAHORE- Former Olympians have felicitated Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Chaudhry Akhtar Rasool and secretary Rana Mujahid Ali for their election as member of the executive board and vice president of the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
In a statement here on Wednesday, Shahnaz Shiekh, who is also head coach of the national team, has said that the election of Akhtar Rasool and Rana Mujahid is the manifestation of the trust that the Asian body attached to the PHF. “It is a great achievement which will go a long way in the promotion and development of hockey in Pakistan.”
Shahnaz added the new PHF management was striving hard to bring international hockey back in Pakistan and hoped that both newly-elected officials of the PHF would be successful to convince the international teams to visit Pakistan.
Islahuddin Siddiqui said the result of the election reflected that Pakistan was still a force in international hockey. He opined that both Rasool and Mujahid would play their role effectively in the AHF and soon hockey lovers would see foreign teams coming to Pakistan.
Shahbaz Senior said the election would enhance the confidence of the sponsors to help the national game. “I am sure that a new era has opened in Pakistan and the election of two officials in the Asian body has raised hopes that the potential sponsors would take Pakistan hockey seriously and help it on the road of progress.
Meanwhile, Olympians Nasir Ali, Khalid Bashir, Musaddiq Hussain, Arshad Ali Chawdhry, M Akhlaq, Khawaja Junaid and Tahir Zaman have also congratulated both the PHF officials.
The Nation