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All the news for Friday 5 September 2014

TT hockeymen, women for JA World League qualifiers

Nigel Simon


T&T’s Mickel Pierre tackles an unidentified USA player in their Men’s World League 2012-2014 Round Two qualifiers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on March 3, 2013. T&T won 4-3 in sudden-death penalty-stroke shoot-outs after a 1-1 draw. Photo: Courtesy FIH

This country’ senior men and women’s hockey team will begin their quest towards qualification for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro, Olympic Games in Brazil when the second edition of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World League continues with one of its first round world qualifying tournaments in Kingston, Jamaica from September 30 to October 5.

The tournament will be contested at the newly laid synthetic pitch at Mona Campus, New Kingston, Jamaica with host Jamaica, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Puerto Rico women competing for the lone available spot to round two in Montevideo, Uruguay from February 28-March 8, next year.

Two years, the national women’s team reached as far as round two in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where they ended in fifth spot in the six-team competition with a 1-4 record.

The “Calypso Stickwomen” lone win came against host Brazil, 3-1 while they were overwhelmed by tournament winners USA (7-0), runner-up Chile (6-0), third placed Scotland (7-0) and Uruguay, 6-1.

In the opening round which was held at the National Hockey Centre, Eastern Regional Sports Complex, Tacarigua, T&T was third behind Canada and Uruguay after hammering neighbours Barbados (7-0), Guyana (5-0) and Venezuela (5-1) for a 3-2 record. The two defeats came against round one winner, Canada (4-0) and runner-up Uruguay, 2-0.

Expected to be coach of the team once more, is former national player Anthony Marcano, who was the helm at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland where a very youthful T&T squad was crushed 16 -0 by South Africa, 14-0 both by New Zealand and India, 4-1 by Canada and 4-0 in their tenth placed match against Wales.

.....T&T men favourites to qualify

The national men’s team will be favourites to secure the lone spot available to round two Chula Vista, California, next year (February 28-March 8) when they match sticks with Jamaica, Barbados, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

However, they will enter the tournament without regular coach Glen “Fido” Francis and England-based ace Kwandwane Browne, who both have work commitments.

Reached for comment, Francis said he has been putting off his promotional courses at the T&T Defence Force because of national team duties for a while now, and it cannot wait any longer.

Despite his absence, Francis, a former national goalkeeper said he expects the team to do well.

“Our squad is a very good one with a great mix of youth and experience and I think the T&T Hockey Board will meet shortly to decide on whether to appoint Andrew Wilson or someone here in T&T as the interim coach.

He added, “Wilson is no stranger to the guys as he worked with them at the recent Commonwealth Games in Scotland, Scotland, and even if he is not selected I am confident in whoever the board decides on.”

At the Commonwealth Games, the locals who were without a few key players had a miserable outing ending in tenth spot after a 2-0 loss at the hands of Wales in their playoff.

Earlier in their round-robin group, T&T was also beaten by England (6-1), New Zealand (8-0) and Canada (3-1) before recording a first ever win at the Games, 4-2 over the higher ranked Malaysia.

When the inaugural World League competition was held two years ago, T&T flicked off its round one campaign on home soil in fine style by ending its four-team round-robin series after victories over Chile (2-1), Barbados (3-1) and Venezuela (9-2) at Tacarigua.

However, the second phase in Rio de Janeiro proved much more challenging as T&T suffered losses against Argentina (9-2), South Africa (10-2) and Chile (0-4) but won against Brazil (6-2) and USA, 4-3 via a penalty stroke.

The Trinidad Guardian

Danish Gurwinder Chandi made it to Asia team

Danish Mujtaba and Gurwinder Singh Chandi cement their place in the Asian Games team Indian Men’s Hockey Team announced

s2h Team

New Delhi: Sardar Singh will lead Indian challenge at the 17th Asian Games 2014, scheduled to take place at Incheon, South Korea from 19 September to October.

Inform Goalkeeper P R Sreejesh (106 caps) will be his deputy.

Recovering from Injury, both Mutaba and Chandi, who made last trip, have cemented their place in the prestigious tournament.

Winner of the Asian Games is assured of next Olympic berth.

India opens its campaign with match against Sri Lanka on 21st September, which will be followed by clashes against Oman on 23, the most awaited match against Pakistan on 25th. China will be its rival on 27th. The last edition bronze medallist India will now be looking to better the results at Incheon.

While the preparatory camp is witnessing some hard and rigorous sessions at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi from 10 August 2014, the team is scheduled to depart for South Korea for the 17th Asian Games on 12 September 2014.

Speaking on the team’s current form, Chief Coach, Terry Walsh said, “The whole team is fit and are all charged up for the challenge of the Asian Games 2014. The XX Commonwealth Games’ outing with Silver medal finish has really motivated the team and they are ready to deliver even better results in the upcoming Asian Games.”

He further added, “There are good teams in our pool alongwith the 2010 Asian Games’ gold medalists Pakistan. We will be playing our first match against Sri Lanka and are looking at a positive start to the tournament. The focus of the team will be on one match at a time and will be progressing step by step for a clean sweep in the pool matches.”

The team
Goalkeepers:
1- P R Sreejesh (106 Caps) Vice-Captain

Defenders:
Gurbaj Singh (170 Caps)
Birendra Lakra (77 Caps)
Rupinder Pal Singh (95 Caps)
Kothajit Singh (77 Caps)
V R Raghunath (166 Caps)

Midfielders:

Dharamvir Singh (81 Caps)
Sardar Singh (191 Caps) Captain
Danish Mujtaba (117 Caps)
Chinglensana Singh Kangujam (58 Caps)
Manpreet Singh (103 Caps)

Forwards:

Ramandeep Singh (17 Caps)
Akashdeep Singh (47 Caps)
S V Sunil (143 Caps)
Gurwinder Singh Chandi (103 Caps)
Nikkin Thimmaiah (17 Caps)

Stick2Hockey.com

India to send unchanged hockey squad for Asian Games


Indian Hockey team members who represented the nation in Glasgow CWG will be sent to Asiad Games.   

India on Thursday named an unchanged side for the men’s hockey competition at the upcoming Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea as the selectors reposed faith on the 16-member squad that won the silver medal in this year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Hockey India today named the 16-member squad to be led by star midfielder Sardar Singh in the 17th Asian Games to be held from September 19 to October 4.

According to a statement from HI, the side was handpicked by selectors B P Govinda, Harbinder Singh, Dr R P Singh and Arjun Halappa along with High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans and chief coach Terry Walsh on the basis of the players’ performance in the Commonwealth Games, Bangladesh tour and selection trials conducted at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on August 11.

P.R. Sreejesh is the lone goalkeeper in the side and will also don the additional responsibility of vice-captain.

The squad has five defenders Gurbaj Singh, Birendra Lakra, Rupinder Pal Singh, Kothajit Singh and V R Raghunath.

While Sardar will man the midfield along with Dharamvir Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Chinglensana Singh and Manpreet Singh, the attacking line will feature Ramandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, S V Sunil, Gurwinder Singh Chandi and Nikkin Thimmaiah.

Last edition’s bronze medallist in Guangzhou, India will play their first match in the Asian Games against Sri Lanka on September 21, followed by clashes against Oman on September 23, arch—rivals Pakistan on September 25 and China on September 27.

The team is scheduled to depart for South Korea on September 12.

Speaking on the team’s current form, chief coach Terry Walsh said: “The whole team is fit and all are charged up for the challenge. The Commonwealth Games’ outing with silver medal finish has really motivated the team and they are ready to deliver even better results in the upcoming Asian Games.

“There are good teams in our pool alongwith the 2010 Asian Games’ gold medalists Pakistan. We will be playing our first match against Sri Lanka and are looking at a positive start to the tournament. The focus of the team will be on one match at a time and will be progressing step by step for a clean sweep in the pool matches,” he added.

Squad:

Goalkeeper: P R Sreejesh (vice—captain)

Defenders: Gurbaj Singh, Birendra Lakra, Rupinder Pal Singh, Kothajit Singh, V R Raghunath

Midfielders: Dharamvir Singh, Sardar Singh (captain), Danish Mujtaba, Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Manpreet Singh

Forwards: Ramandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, S V Sunil, Gurwinder Singh Chandi, Nikkin Thimmaiah.

The Hindu

Raghunath being groomed as back-up goalkeeper


The Indian hockey team during a traning session in New Delhi on Thursday. Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma   

Hockey India named the 16-member men’s squad for the Asian Games on Thursday. The team, unchanged from the one fielded at the Commonwealth Games, would have P.R. Sreejesh as the lone goalkeeper. Defender and penalty corner expert V.R. Raghunath has been groomed as his back-up.

“There is no pressure (being lone goalkeeper). It feels good that the team trusts me so much and I treat it as a positive spur to improve my performance. If something does happen, we will have Raghunath as back-up,” Sreejesh said.

Raghunath, though, hoped he wouldn’t really have to pad up.

The Coorgi, who started as a custodian in school before switching to defending and drag-flicking, agreed it was a change from scoring goals to saving them.

“We have been working on it for some time now.

“Sreejesh is my coach and he tries to keep telling how to move my legs, how to position myself.

“But I am confident that such a situation would not arise.

“Now when we practice, I realise how fast the ball comes during corners. But it can’t be helped,” Raghunath admitted.

India has been clubbed with Pakistan in Pool A and the game would be crucial for the team’s progress in the tournament.

Sreejesh insisted it would be just another team but admitted things don’t always go according to plan against Pakistan.

“Pakistan will be concerned because it hasn’t played a top-level international competition in a long time while we have been visibly improving.

“At the same time, we haven’t seen them so it isn’t easy to plan. However, when it comes to Pakistan, the match itself is big enough to motivate everyone,” he said

He agreed there was more understanding between the players now but was concerned about their confidence levels.

The team:

Goalkeeper: P.R. Sreejesh; Defenders: Gurbaj Singh, Birendra Lakra, Rupinder Pal Singh, Kothajit Singh, V.R. Raghunath; Midfielders: Dharamvir Singh, Sardar Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Chinglensana Singh, Manpreet Singh; Forwards: Ramandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, S.V. Sunil, Gurwinder Singh Chandi, Nikkin Thimmaiah.

The Hindu

Drag-flicker Raghu India’s second choice goalie

Sabi Hussain


VR Raghunath

New Delhi - Either it could be a masterstroke or it could be the reverse. But one thing is sure —it won’t be anywhere in between. Indian men’s hockey team head coach, Terry Walsh, has always believed in experimenting with fresh techniques as part of his process-driven approach.

But, this time, he is experimenting with India’s most trusted and skillful drag-flicker VR Raghunath just days ahead of the forthcoming Asian Games.

In a curious turn of events, Walsh has chosen Raghunath as a second choice goalkeeper, in case PR Sreejesh, the regular goalie, gets injured.

The move could either develop Raghunath into a better player or could seriously compromise his drag-flicking ability, which has always been a high point for the Indian hockey team in international competitions.

Walsh and Hockey India’s High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans are preparing the Karnataka player as a backup option for current goalie Sreejesh.

The move to impart goalkeeping skills to Raghunath is baffling given India have another specialised goalie in Harjot Singh. “Yes, we are preparing Raghu as Sreejesh’s back up. We have been trying him as goalie in the practice games and he is gaining in confidence for any eventuality,” Walsh told reporters at the Dhyan Chand Stadium here today.

India went into the World Cup and recently-held Commonwealth Games with one goalkeeper in Sreejesh, but suddenly showed this urgency to prepare Raghunath as the second choice goalkeeper. “In case something happens to our main goalie, then I expect him to come into play in his new role. There is still a lot of time and I don’t believe there is high probability about his coming into play,” coach said.

Raghunath, on his part, exuded confidence that he can do justice to his new role.

“Sreejesh is my coach. He is giving me all the basic tips that are needed. There is a 99.9 percent chance this situation won’t arise but if it does I am mentally prepared. The coach is using me in the practice matches in the last 10-15 minutes. I have done it (goalkeeping) before. When I was a child I was a goalkeeper. It is not easy. But if really needed, I am ready for the job,” Raghunath said.

Asian Games squad

Goalkeeper: PR Sreejesh (vice-captain) Defenders: Gurbaj Singh, Birendra Lakra, Rupinder Pal Singh, Kothajit Singh, VR Raghunath

Midfielders: Dharamvir Singh, Sardar Singh (captain), Danish Mujtaba, Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Manpreet Singh

Forwards: Ramandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, SV Sunil, Gurwinder Singh Chandi, Nikkin Thimmaiah

The Tribune

Don't expect medals from hockey teams after Govt apathy: Narinder Batra



New Delhi: Hockey India (HI) secretary general Narinder Batra on Thursday said the country should not expect a medal from the national teams in the upcoming Asian Games in the wake of government's "shoddy treatment" of the national sport.

"People should not expect much out of both and men's and women's team in the current scenario. The government has completely turned its back on the sport, especially in the last three months," Batra told PTI claiming lack of adequate funds have hurt the teams' preparations.

"If at all the players are able to make an impact, the credit will only go to them. But I am not very hopeful. The women's team were forced to train on worn out turfs and to top it all the camp of the junior teams have not been sanctioned. You can't expect much in a scenario like this," Batra fumed.

Batra is claiming lack of funds at a time when Sports Authority of India, the government's nodal agency, has released Rs 11.27 crores to HI, an amount more than the sport's annual allocated budget of Rs.10.50 crore.

Indian men bagged a bronze in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou while the women's team returned empty handed.

Talking about the third edition of the Hockey India League, Batra maintained that he has not been intimated about the pull out of Dabur-owned Mumbai franchise, adding the 2015 edition of league will see two more teams than the present six.

"We have already signed a contract with two franchisees. The announcement of where they want to field their teams from will be made in the next two weeks. We have requested the investors to have a South India a base as we already have teams in the other regions of the country."

HIL aims to have 10 teams by 2018.

Zee News

Pakistan hopes to take advantage from early Incheon departure

By Kashif Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: The national hockey team will depart for South Korea on Sept 11 to play some practice matches ahead of the Asian Games.

The mega event is starting in Incheon on Sept 19.

The team tried hard to get an international tour ahead of the Asiad but to no avail.

The government however decided to send the squad on Sept 11 so that players could get a chance to play some practice matches.

Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Rana Mujahid told Dawn, “Our team has not featured in any international event for last one year. We tried hard to get an international tour ahead of the Asian Games but due to shortage of funds and visa-related issues, we could not get a chance.”

Mujahid further said the national team will try to play friendly matches against the hosts, Bangladesh and Japan.

The green-shirts will defend the title they won four years ago in Guangzhou, China.

After winning the title, Pakistan performed miserably and failed to qualify for the recently-held World Cup.

The 35-year-old fullback Mohammad Imran will lead the team.

“It’s a good decision by PHF and Sports Board to send the team to Korea early. We will try to take maximum advantage from it,” Imran said.

He said they will play their first match on Sept 20 against Sri Lanka and the team has sufficient time before this match to acclimatize.

He said he was satisfied with the squad picked by the selectors.

The PHF has announced an 18-member squad for the event. It will drop two players before squad’s departure to South Korea.

Meanwhile, speaking to Dawn, Pakistan Sports Board director general Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera said they had finalised all arrangements for sending the squad on Sept 11.

Squad:

Amjad Butt, Imran Butt, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Irfan, Amir Shahzad, Hamad Shakeel Butt, Mohammad Touseeq, Farid Ahmed, Rashid Mahmood, Rizwan junior, Kashif Shah, Mohammad Waqas, Umar Bhutta, Shahfqat Rasool, Abdul Haseem Khan, Mohammad Dilbar, Shakeel Abbasi and Rizwan senior.

Dawn

Team needs practice to defend Games title: Shahnaz

Mohsin Ali

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan hockey team head coach/manager Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh met with Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada at his office on Thursday.

Talking to The Nation, Shahnaz said that Mian Riaz was very supportive and assured his all-out support for Pakistan hockey in the best possible manner. “Riaz demanded gold medal from the green shirts and I want Pakistan hockey team to return from Asian Games by successfully defending title. We had witnessed Pakistan hockey on top which has been suffering badly due to the recent debacles especially its ouster from the recent Hockey World Cup. It hurts while watching national game of the country declining with each passing day.”

Shahnaz said that he assured the minister that the team was capable enough to defend the title, but also requested to him to use his influence and request Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif to release the special grant of the PHF as early as possible as already too much precious time has been wasted. “I request Riaz to try to clear the financial assistance before the departure of the national team for the Asian Games.”

“I informed the minister about the difficulties we have been facing due to acute shortage of funds. We remained unable to arrange even a single international series. I also requested the minister to make arrangements for hockey team’s early departure to South Korea as it will help us practice well there and adjust in the situation,” he said.

Shahnaz added: “It is not only the Asian Games title which is on stake, but also future of Pakistan hockey is on stake, as it is the direct ticket for the Reo de Janeiro 2016 Olympics, if we manage to successfully defend the title. God forbids, if the national team fails to do so, it has to adopt long hard procedure and have to play qualifying matches to book Olympics berth. I am very thankful to Mian Riaz who promised to look into this matter and manage to meet the prime minister as well as arrange a meeting of hockey federation officials with the PM.”

“All the 27 players have reported in the training camp where we have practice session. The teams of Army, Navy and Rawalpindi-Islamabad Combined XI have also reported on Thursday for the single league matches involving Pakistan Greens team, but due to heavy downpour and wet conditions of the Naseer Bunda Stadium, both the matches on the inaugural day were washed out. We tried and waited for several hours to at least play 30 minutes matches, but it was also not possible,” he said.

“I am quite hopeful today (Friday) matches will be played as per schedule, but weather forecast is not in our favor. We can only hope and pray the proposed matches to be held, as this is the last realistic chance to give boys at least some kind of match practice, otherwise, we will be left with no other option but to reach Korea earlier and play matches against different opponents,” Shahnaz concluded.

The Nation

Pakistan hockey enters final training phase

KARACHI: Pakistan hockey on Thursday began the final phase of its preparations for the Asian Games through league matches at the Naseer Bunda Stadium in Islamabad.

The league matches will continue to run till Monday.

As part of the initial plan, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had intended to organise international tours for the team, but was unable to make the necessary arrangements.

“I have made alternate arrangements to enhance the team’s training by arranging single-league matches [against Pakistan Green, Army, Navy, and Islamabad-Rawalpindi] for them,” said chief coach Shahnaz Sheikh.

The national side, scheduled to depart for South Korea on September 10, will play its first match against Sri Lanka, followed by China, archrivals India and Oman on September 20, 21, 25 and 27 respectively.

“If the team leaves on the 10th, it will benefit by getting to play two warm-up matches against South Korea and one each against Japan and Bangladesh.”

Sheikh further stated that PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid agreed with his suggestions.

While commenting on the team’s current form, the coach said, “The whole team is fit and charged up for the challenge. They are ready to deliver the best results in the upcoming Asian Games.

“There are good teams in our pool along with 2010 Asian Games’ bronze medallists India. We will be playing our first match against Sri Lanka and are looking forward to a positive start to the tournament with a victory.”

The Express Tribune

Malaysian team get humbling experience on tour

By Jugjet Singh

THE national hockey team went on a whirlwind four-day Tour of Incheon last week for a feel of the artificial pitch, and were handed a painful lesson by club teams instead.

Coach Arul Selvaraj’s team, preparing for the Asian Games in South Korea from Sept 19-Oct 4, lost 2-0 to Incheon City and drew 1-1 with the National Korean Sports University and the two clubs did not have any national players.

Both the matches may only be friendlies, but it brought back that kind of unpleasant feelings like being beaten 4-2 by Trinidad and Tobago in the Scotland Commonwealth Games.

It was a grim and expensive (considering the money spent in going there) Korean lesson, as well as a wake-up call for the Malaysian side who won silver at the 2010 Games in Guangzhou, China, and are looking to play in the final in Incheon.

“We went on a four-day tour and played at the Games venue, as well as checked out the Games Village as part of our preparations.

“Even though we lost to club sides, but at this stage, results do not matter yet as I get the team back into playing shape,” said Arul Selvaraj.

The “new” coach found himself in the hot-seat after the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) removed K. Dharmaraj 40 days before the Asian Games.

Arul now has a daunting task of not only making sure Malaysia do not lose to Singapore in their opening match on Sept 20, and then winning three more points against Bangladesh the next day, but also taking his team into the final.

Malaysia are in Group A with Singapore, Bangladesh, Japan and South Korea. In Group B are India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Oman and China.

The good thing is that Malaysia have a three-day rest before they play South Korea on Sept 25, followed by Japan on Sept 27 after another rest day.

The formula would be to beat Singapore, Bangladesh and Japan which would be enough to take Malaysia into the semi-finals.

And if they make the semi-finals, Malaysia are highly likely to meet either India or Pakistan in the knock-out cross-over.

There are 20 players in training now, and they will only play against the National Juniors, and train on their fitness back home.

There is much at stake in Incheon, as the champions will advance to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, while the silver medallists and the rest of the Asian teams would have to qualify through the World League format, which is much more challenging.

New Straits Times

Men’s elite aim for NOW: Pensions League glory


NOW: Pensions Domestic Launch 2014

With just nine days to go until the start of the new NOW: Pensions Men’s League season teams are welcoming their new signings and going through their final preparations as they aim to get off to a winning start in their all-important first league game on Saturday 13 September.

Representatives from all ten of the NOW: Pensions Men’s Premier Division teams gathered at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre earlier this week to talk about their chances of making the NOW: Pensions Men’s Finals Weekend next April [11-12] at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Adam Dixon [England & GB], Beeston Captain on defending their title which they have won three times in the last four seasons:

“It’s hard being reigning champions as you are the ones everyone is hunting down. When we first came up we were going after the likes of Cannock, Reading and East Grinstead whereas now we’re the ones they all want to take down. It makes every game tough but we’re ready for the challenge.”

Andy Bull [England & GB], East Grinstead on the title contenders:
“Beeston are our biggest rivals and when we play each other there are a lot of goals and it’s always tasty. Surbiton have recruited well, David Beckett and Rupert Shipperley in particular are both good players, but everyone has plenty of quality in their sides. It should be very close this year.”

Simon Mantell [England & GB], Reading on the rising stars at Sonning Lane:
“We’ve lost a few players but we have some good young players coming through and I look forward to seeing how they develop. Ben Boon was very good for England U21s over the summer; he’ll have a key role for us, whilst people like Pete Scott, Max Heaver and some others will have to really step up and show they deserve a first team spot.”

Surbiton newcomer David Beckett [England & GB] on his team’s ones to watch:
“Matt Daly scored 22 goals last year and about 17 of those were penalty corners. I’m sure teams will be fearful of playing against him. At the other end we have David Kettle who had a fantastic Commonwealth Games for Wales. He made something like 30 saves in the game against Australia, so it’s great to have someone in such good form in our goal.”


Surbiton's David Beckett at the NOW: Pensions League Launch 2014

Ben Allberry on Canterbury’s ambitions for the season:
“This season it’s the top four we’re aiming for. We want to hit teams hard and make sure we get to the finals. We know the games are tough but we want to break into that top group and become a force. We have the capability to win the whole thing. The only team who can stop us, is ourselves.”

Phil Roper [England & GB] on Wimbledon’s two marquee signings:
“Ian Sloan and James Bailey are our two big name signings. Bailey is a great shot stopper and fantastic at keeping out corners.
Ian Sloan is a terrific attacking talent so I can’t wait to link up with him. We have a range of corner options now which takes the pressure off. Sloany will score plenty of goals for us, no doubt.”


Wimbledon's Phil Roper at the NOW: Pensions League launch 2014

Harry Gibson on why he chose to join Hampstead and Westminster:
“It’s a club with a lot of potential. It’s a really good move for me in terms of my personal development. I felt I could make an impact coming in and learn a lot from the people here, too. Michael Johnson is a great coach but it’s all about how quickly we can learn as a team. If it goes to plan we have the ability to be near the top of the table.”

Marc Edwards on Cannock proving the doubters wrong:
“We didn’t do ourselves justice last season so I believe we will be mid table and maybe push for playoffs. We’ll cause teams some problems if we play to our potential. People outside the club think we’re relegation material but we know we’re not. We have to prove it now.”

Aidan Khares on Brooklands MU’s formidable home form:
“We see plenty of games this season as winnable. We’ve always done well at home against the big teams because no one likes coming up north! We’ll try and turn our home ground into a fortress and pick up plenty of points there.”

Jonty Robinson on consolidating Southgate’s position:
“We want to stay up but we’re also ambitious and want to establish ourselves in this league. If we can finish mid-table that’s great, then hopefully within a few years we can push on for the places at the top of the table.”

First weekend of NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League fixtures:
 
Saturday 13 September
 
Men's Premier Division
Hampstead and Westminster v Wimbledon 15:00
Beeston v Canterbury 16:00
Surbiton v Reading 16:30
Brooklands MU v Southgate 13:30
Cannock v East Grinstead 18:00
 
Men's Conference West
Cheltenham v Team Bath Buccaneers 12:30
Cardiff & Met v Whitchurch 13:00
Fareham v Barford Tigers 13:30
Guildford v University of Birmingham 14:00
University of Exeter v Indian Gymkhana 14:00
 
Men's Conference North
Bowdon v Wakefield 11:45
Olton & West Warwicks v Deeside Ramblers 13:30
Doncaster v Loughborough Students 14:00
University of Durham v Belper 14:00
Sheffield Hallam v Leek 18:30
 
Men's Conference East
Teddington v Bromley and Beckenham 13:45
Brighton and Hove v Chichester Priory Park 16:00
Oxted v Richmond 17:00
Holcombe v Old Loughtonians 18:00
 
Sunday 14 September
West Herts v Cambridge City 14:00
 
Click here to see the full fixture list for the NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League for the 2014/15 season.

England Hockey Board Media release

Rivals ready to challenge for Investec title


Investec Women's League Launch 2014

With the first round of games in the Investec Women’s Premier League looming large on the horizon in just nine days’ time, the teams are honing their skills and going through the last of their preparations before the big day arrives on Saturday 13 September.

Representatives from the Investec Women’s Premier Division teams gathered at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre earlier this week to talk about their chances of making the Investec Women’s Finals Weekend and wrestling the coveted trophy away from holders Surbiton.

The Finals Weekend will be held at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from 18-19 April 2015.

Sarah Haycroft [England & GB], Surbiton captain on retaining the trophy:
“We’re taking it as it comes and trying to win every game. Of course we have more pressure as defending champions but we have a good squad who can cope with that. It’s our first season in Europe so were looking forward to all competitions. We’d love to defend the title and the cup and have as good a season as last.”

Grace Balsdon [GB], Canterbury captain on her team’s recipe for success:
“As was our mantra last year we’ll take it one game at a time. We have to focus on performing and hopefully the results will come. Building on Jen Wilson’s success as a coach last year, we’d obviously like to achieve the same and more this season. It’s all about one game at a time and we’ll see where we end up.”


Grace Balsdon Cantebury Investec League Launch 2014

Susie Gilbert [England & GB], Reading on rivals Surbiton: 
“Sarah Page is an exciting player going forward who can make a difference in any game and Surbiton as a whole were very tough last season. We lost in the play-offs to them on Investec Finals Weekend so they’re the big rivals and the team we hope to beat this time around.”

Joie Leigh [England & GB] on Clifton’s strength across the field:
“One of our strengths last year was we were hard to beat. We perhaps drew too many games, though. We’d like to win more of the games and get that momentum to move to the top of the table. Els Mansell scored plenty of goals and we have a new forward in Claire Thomas who’ll do well. We also have a great defence with players like Harriet Pearce, overall we’re pretty strong all over and a good team unit.”

Lauren Turner [England], Leicester on coming of age:
“It’s good to be back where it all began with my first club. I’m looking forward to playing English hockey again but I’ll have to remember I’m not 17 anymore! I need to take more responsibility but also use the technical side of the game I picked up in Holland along with my experience to be more of a leader in the team.”

Suzy Petty [England & GB] on Beeston’s young squad:
“We’re quite a young team building on our juniors and building on last season’s efforts. We have an amazing goalkeeper in Lucy Dawkins who came back from a car accident last year and of course Sophie Robinson is a great goal scorer. We’re really looking to our juniors to step up.”

Lily Owsley [England & GB] on University of Birmingham and competing:
“We had some close games last year. We were unlucky a lot and hopefully we’ll turn those games into 1-0 and 2-0 wins instead of losses. We competed and showed that we can live with the top teams but we need to show it every week. It’s tough to predict how we’ll do. We could finish almost anywhere. We need to get a few games in and see where we are but I think we can finish top six.”

Steph Elliott [England & GB] on Holcombe’s debut in the Investec Premier League:
“We’ve lost a few good players but gained some good ones too. We want to compete having just come up but I have a good feeling about it. We’re aiming for mid table. We don’t know what to expect but we’d like to give the league a bit of a shake up.”


Steph Elliott Holciombe Investec League Launch 2014

Zoe Shipperley [England & GB] on the challenges ahead for Buckingham:
“We’re massively excited about the season. The girls are fully into training ready and raring to go. Four times missing out through playoffs was hard. We knew we could compete against these teams but now we have the chance to prove ourselves against the best.”

First weekend of Investec Women’s Hockey League fixtures
Saturday 13 September

Women's Premier Division
Clifton v Buckingham 13:00
Beeston v Canterbury 14:00
Holcombe v Bowdon Hightown 14:00
Surbiton v Reading 14:00
University of Birmingham v Leicester 14:30

Women's Conference West
Bristol Firebrands v Olton & West Warwicks 12:00
Isca University v Cheltenham 12:00
Oxford Hawks v Gloucester City 12:00
Trojans v Slough 12:00
Stourport v Swansea City 13:45

Women's Conference North
Brooklands Poynton v Ben Rhydding 11:45
University of Durham v Whitley Bay and Tynemouth 12:00
Liverpool Sefton v Loughborough Students 12:30
Wakefield v Cannock 13:00
Sutton Coldfield v Kendal 14:00

Women's Conference East
Sevenoaks v East Grinstead 12:00
Bedford v Horsham 13:00
Maidenhead v Harleston Magpies 13:00
Chelmsford v St. Albans 14:00
Wimbledon v Ipswich 14:00

Click here to see the full fixture list for the Investec Women’s Hockey League for the 2014/15 season.

England Hockey Board Media release

Kelburne ready for 11th title push

Scottish champions Bromac Kelburne have confirmed four new arrivals to their panel for the new season which starts this Saturday with a tie against Watsonians in pursuit of their 11th successive league title.

The club welcome back Iain Scholefield who has returned to the fold after spells in Belgium and the Netherlands while Douglas Simpson has joined from rivals Western Wildcats.

The ex-Scotland international has many years of experience to call upon and represented Scotland at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Of their foreign imports, Jordi Rovira is now studying in Scotland and so has joined the team from Club Egara. Ben Rennie is an Australian international indoor goalkeeper pushing for selection of the next Indoor World Cup.

He arrives from Hale Hockey Club, Perth and will be competing along with Andrew Wilkie for the number one spot in goals following the retirement of club stalwart Mark Fulton.

On the flip side, young stars Jack McAllister and Ed Greaves have moved to Loughborough University in England. Player/coach Mark Ralph, who is ex-Scotland and Great Britain international, leads the side and will be assisted by Craig Walker.

They head up a side who are preparing for the EHL in early October where they will be grouped with Austria’s SV Arminen and Spain’s Atletic Terrassa.

Euro Hockey League media release

Pallarols' Atletic comeback kids return to EHL

Atlètic Terrassa coach Roger Pallarols, pictured, is looking forward to his side’s return for a seventh run in the EuroHockey League as the beneficiaries of the increasing Spanish quota in the competition.

They qualified as third in the Spanish league last season, coming back into the EHL after missing out last year for the first time ever.

Coach Pallarols believs that it will temper some expectations, saying: “our supporters must have in mind that we arrive to the EHL as the third Spanish team, so we are not among the ten most powerful teams in the competition, as we were some years ago”.

But, after three years of exodus, this summer only one player left to play in another league, goalkeeper Cristian Peñalba. According to Pallarols, “this is a very important fact, because we have worked to build the team we want, and we have the best team a club with our economic limitations can have.

“We only have one top international player, Marc Sallés, while our rivals Polo and Egara have much more. But, with our ingredients, we work hard and we try to cook the best paella we can every season!”

Pallarols is aware that some people see the possibility to make it to the knock-out rounds, maybe KO8 or KO4, and he is “very proud of that. The players know that we are the most powerful team in our group but we must be at our 100% both matches if we want to beat our rivals.

“After that, if we make to KO16, we know we will be the underdog playing against teams filled of international players, but we will fight match after match, and maybe we will cause a nice surprise!”

Euro Hockey League media release

Canadian field hockey players headed overseas to play professionally

Thirteen Men's National Program members playing with world's best

Shaheed Devji

Vancouver, BC – Much like Canada serves as the home to ice hockey, Europe and Oceana are the world’s mecca of field hockey. This fall, a number of athletes who are a part of the Canadian Men’s National Field Hockey Program are headed overseas for a chance to play in the world’s best professional domestic field hockey leagues.

Thirteen members of the Canadian Men’s National will be flying Canadian colours overseas as they join the world’s best field hockey players in the search for domestic titles.

This represents significant progress in the development of the Men’s National Program, as homegrown Canadian athletes are now among the world’s elite, competing at the highest level of the sport.

“The benefit of being able to off-shore players to top quality leagues around the world is huge,” says Men’s National Program Head Coach and Director Anthony Farry. “They are provided with top quality games on a week-in, week-out basis which is something that we can't replicate here.”

The Men’s National Program is currently in a de-centralized phase of training, which allows for these athletes to compete abroad without interrupting their training with the National Program.

“We can see the direct correlation with the number of guys playing professionally overseas to our program’s consistent and positive results in international tournaments this year which is very pleasing,” adds Farry.

“We know the benefit of having guys gain valuable experience in different, and sometimes challenging environments, it's not always easy and that is often good thing for the athlete.”

The following is the list the of Canadian National Program athletes confirmed to play overseas and their clubs for the 2014-2015 season:

Field Hockey Canada media release

Olympic Training Center dubs USMNT midfielder Paul Singh Athlete of the Month

The Chula Vista Olympic Training Center celebrates Team USA competitor of the month USMNT athlete Paul Singh



Paul Singh has been a fixture on the U.S. Men’s National Field Hockey Team at the senior level since 2012, but this summer he has had numerous opportunities to demonstrate his skill and highlight his scoring capabilities in this summer’s international series against Chile, Mexico and Argentina. Singh has played field hockey since 2000 and has racked up a few career highlights in recent years for being a part of the team that placed first in the World League Round 1 tournament in 2012 and playing on the 2011 Pan American Junior Championship team in Guadalajara, Mexico. He plays every game with the mindset that “anything is possible if you believe” and makes an effort to pair physical strength with mental sharpness. Beginning in early July, the U.S. Men’s National Team began a rigorous two-month regimen of training, practicing, lifting and competing.

Singh drew on his strength and mental toughness as the team went undefeated against Chile and Mexico. The tournament against Argentina proved to be a bigger challenge, but brought more learning opportunities and showed Team USA’s knowledge and momentum gain from throughout the summer.

In the series against Chile, Singh scored in three games of the six-match test series. In game one, Singh notched the game winning goal in the 66th minute to give Team USA the victory. In game two, Team USA returned from 2-0 at half time to battle back for a 3-2 victory. Singh’s contribution to that win came in the 68th minute as he scored the game-winning goal from a combination on a penalty corner. Two minutes into the second half of game three, Singh converted another penalty corner to give Team USA the lead that they needed. Teammate Will Holt scored Team USA’s third goal of the match bringing the final result to 3-1. The fourth game of the Chile series ended with another Team USA win followed by ties in game five and six, which left Team USA with no losses against a higher-ranked Chilean team. In the series against Mexico, Singh made himself known in the first two games of the series contributing goals in each game to secure a 6-1 win in game one and an impressive 8-0 shutout win in game two. Team USA nabbed wins of 2-1 and 5-1 in games three and four, respectively, before a tie in game five. Team USA ended the series on with a 3-1 victory, maintaining their streak of going undefeated in the last 12 matches. In that game, Singh found the back of the net on a penalty corner variation at the 20 minute mark. Singh’s favorite sports quote comes from Kobe Bryant, “I’ll do whatever to win games, whether it’s sitting on the bench waiving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game winning shot.”

USA Field Hockey sends our congratulations to Paul for this outstanding achievement!

USFHA media release

Hockey coach filmed changing room

The Hague - Dutch police have arrested a coach suspected of secretly filming hundreds of women and girls inside a changing room at a prestigious hockey club where three princesses are members, prosecutors said on Thursday.

"A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography and secretly filming women and girls inside the club's changing room," the public prosecutor's office said in a statement, adding that the princesses had not been filmed.

The child pornography charge is unrelated to the hockey club, the prosecutor said.

The secret changing room recordings were made at the upmarket HGC club in Wassenaar, an expensive suburb north of The Hague, where Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima's three daughters also play hockey.

The recordings were made between 2006-2011 and "the princesses are not on the images," Ilse de Heer, spokesperson for the prosecutor's office, told AFP.

The public prosecutor said that the youngest girls on the images were aged 12. Crown Princess Amalia is now 10.

"During an investigation into child pornography, police discovered DVDs which contained secretly-recorded images of women and girls at the club as they changed clothing," the statement said.

"The images were recorded by a fixed camera," prosecution spokesperson De Heer said.

The suspect was identified because his face was recorded when he checked the camera.

"This isn't just girls and women from HGC, but also members of 34 visiting clubs," De Heer said, adding that the images were "mainly of women aged 16 years and older."

The man was arrested on 26 August and was remanded in custody for another 30 days on Thursday.

"The hockey club has been informed about the investigation," the statement added.

The club is to hold a meeting for its members on Tuesday, Dutch media reported.

News24