Welcome to the Fieldhockey.com Archives

Daily Hockey news updated @ 10:00 GMT

News 19 September 2014

All the news for Friday 19 September 2014


17th Asian Games set to showcase hockey revolution

60 minute, four quarter format will make international debut in Incheon, Korea


India goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh has set his sights on the Gold medal and subsequent qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.(Photo: FIH / Frank Uijlenbroek)

Hockey’s long held reputation as one of the world’s most pioneering sports will be strengthened even further in the coming days as the latest in a long line of revolutionary changes come into force at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

The tournament - which offers a place at the Rio 2016 Olympic games to the men’s and women’s Gold medallists - will be the first major international hockey competition to feature the groundbreaking 60 minute format, with the sport moving from two halves of 35 minutes to four 15-minute quarters with 40-second time-outs when a penalty corner is awarded and after a goal is scored.

The additional time-outs for penalty corners and after goals ensures that the new 60-minute format is actual playing time, eliminating the dead time associated with penalty corner set up while also allowing for teams to enjoy their goal celebrations.

India goalkeeper and vice captain P.R. Sreejesh gave a thumbs-up to the new format. “The new format of the game is actually going to act as an added advantage for us in the field. It will not affect us as we already have experience of playing in four quarters in the Hockey India League,” Sreejesh said ahead of Indian men’s opening game against Sri Lanka on September 21.

“It will not only make the game much faster, but will also offer time to the players to re-energise during every quarter”, added India’s ace shot-stopper.

To learn more about the rule changes, click here.

The 2014 Asian Games, officially known as the XVII Asiad, is the biggest sporting event held in Asia and is widely recognised as the second largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games. The event is held every four years, with Hockey being one of 36 different sports set to feature in the Games. The Hockey competition in Incheon will be the biggest in the history of the Games, with ten men’s and eight women’s teams all battling it out for glory and Olympic qualification at the Seonhak Hockey Stadium.

Hockey has featured in every Asian Games since debuting at the Tokyo 1958 event, where the men of Pakistan claimed the first of an incredible eight titles. Remarkably, the Green Shirts come into the 2014 event as reigning champions, having defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the 2010 tournament final in Guangzhou, China. They will be determined to add a ninth title to their collection in Incheon, but the 2013 Asian Champions Trophy winners will face stern opposition from Asia’s finest, including perennial rivals India and hosts Korea. 

India head into the competition as Commonwealth Games Silver medalists and also as the highest placed Asian team at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup thanks to a ninth place finish in The Hague (NED). When it comes to the FIH World Rankings, however, it is Korea who remain the best ranked team and are always a side to be feared on home soil. The world number eight are the second most successful team in the competition with four Asian Games Gold medals, having won the event in 1986, 1994, 2002, and 2006. 

The Asian Games has featured a women’s Hockey tournament since the 1982 event in New Delhi, where host nation India took their one and only title to date. Korea are the most successful team with four Gold medals (1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998), while China have claimed the title in the last three events (2002, 2006 and 2010).

However, in 2014, all eyes will be on Japan. The 2010 Asian Games Bronze medallists enjoyed a highly successful 2013, winning the Asia Cup, East Asia Games Gold medal and also the Asian Champions Trophy. That said, Japan’s 10th place finish at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup earlier this year was a slight disappointment, being outdone by defending Asian Games champions China (6th) and Korea (7th). Both China (WR: 5) and Korea (WR: 9) are both placed higher in the FIH World Rankings than their rapidly-improving Japanese rivals and are certainly capable of grabbing Gold in Incheon.

The Hockey competition runs from 20-27 September 2014. You can keep track of the action at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon on the official event website: http://www.incheon2014ag.org. To see the tournament match schedule, click here.

17th Asian Games
Incheon, Korea

Men’s Hockey competition
Pool A: Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Bangladesh, Singapore.
Pool B:  India, Pakistan, Oman, China, Sri Lanka

Women’s Hockey competition
Pool A: China, India, Malaysia, Thailand
Pool B: Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong

FIH site



Focus on strategies in new field hockey format

By C.RAJSHEKHAR RAO

INCHEON, South Korea (AP) — Coaches and tacticians will be put to the test in Incheon from Saturday when the field hockey competition commences at the Asian Games under a new format introduced in a bid to make the game faster.

Four 15-minute quarters will replace the previous format of two 35-minute halves, bringing coaches and game management more into focus.

The new system has been tested in friendly matches and tournaments such as the Hockey India League, but the blue turf at the Seonhok Stadium will see it for the first time in the international arena.

"The game will become much faster now," Pakistan head coach Shahnaz Sheikh said. "Coaching, strategy and technical aspects will become very important because coaches will need to make substitution charts before the match so that players understand who will come and who will go out and when."

The change in rules will be a challenge for India and defending champion Pakistan, which have found it difficult to adjust to the increasing pace of field hockey, which already had a rolling substitution rule in place. Each team has 11 players on the field and up to five substitutes on the bench.

"Hockey has been a 16-player game for some time now and I'd like to call the new format the '9-11 form' of the game - nine players attacking and all 11 falling back in defense" said Sheikh, a member of Pakistan teams that won the World Cup in 1971 and the bronze medal at the Olympics in 1976.

India's chief coach, Terry Walsh, also understands it will be a challenge and says he had been working hard to instil more "sharpness" in the squad.

"How well we play the crossovers is going to determine where we finish," Walsh said. "This is also a tournament where we want to play the crossovers and learn."

Some teams have been trying to do things differently. India, for instance, has come here with only one goalkeeper to free an extra slot that might be needed for more substitutions.

Vice-captain P.R. Sreejesh is only backed by defender V.R. Raghunath, who is being groomed to take over in goal in case of an emergency.

Sheikh, who is hoping to take Pakistan to a ninth gold at the Asian Games, said he had been rolling through quick substitutions in practice games of four quarters.

"There was a practice game back home where I made 49 changes. That's the kind of thing we're likely to see in the coming days," Sheikh said.

Pakistan captain Muhammad Imran said that the format could make the competition more even.

"Strategies may change every 15 minutes and I feel games may become more competitive as even less-fancied teams will be able to bounce back," he said.

Yahoo news



Good for Malaysia



INTERIM national hockey coach Arul Selvaraj believes the new four-quarter format to be used for the Asian Games will play to Malaysia’s strengths.

The national team are looking to win the men’s hockey gold for the first time which also brings with it qualification for the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics.

The new game duration — four quarters of 15 minutes each — compared to the usual two halves of 35 minutes will place a greater premium on speed.

Arul said that could work to Malaysia’s advantage as they look to press the opposition for shorter periods.

“It’s a format that is gaining acceptance in Europe though it is still new to Asia,” he said upon arriving in Incheon yesterday.

“We have tried it out a few times and the game I think will see more attacking play and goals.

“You will certainly see more opportunities and with 15 minutes in each quarter, you can go all out and send your subs in more often, unlike the 35-minute halves where the pace can be slower.”

With each team limited to a roster of 16 players, Arul decided to pick just one goalkeeper in S. Kumar.

“I don’t think of ‘ifs’ in making the choice or you will never be able to make a decision,” he said of the risk in bringing a solitary goalkeeper.

“The players are aware of their roles and they know they have to protect the goalkeeper. Hockey goalkeepers are the most protected anyway with all their padding.

“In this format, I need legs to win matches and the players know what they are capable of doing.”

Malaysia open against Singapore tomorrow before facing Bangladesh, South Korea and Japan in Pool A.

The national team won silver four years ago in Guangzhou, after a 2-0 defeat by Pakistan in the final, in their best finish at the Asian Games yet.

New Straits Times



Indian Men Begin Quest for Elusive Hockey Gold

India, second-best among Asian teams in world rankings at no. 9 behind leaders, four-time winners and tournament hosts South Korea, have been drawn in a group which features arch-rivals and title holders Pakistan and their clash on September 25 is the highlight of the group phase.


After CWG silver, Indian men's hockey team will be upbeat to go a step further in the Asian Games.

Incheon, South Korea: India will start their elusive quest for the Asian Games men's hockey gold in a new format of the game when they take on minnows Sri Lanka in their Pool B opener at Incheon on Sunday while the women's team begin their campaign on Monday.

The Asian Games will be the first major international hockey competition to feature the new format where the duration of the game has been reduced from 70 to 60 minutes and from two halves of 35 minutes each to four 15-minute quarters with 40-second time-outs when a penalty corner is awarded and after a goal is scored.

The logic behind additional time-outs for penalty corners and after goals is to ensure 60-minute actual playing time by eliminating the dead time associated with set pieces and also allowing the teams to celebrate after scoring a goal, the International Hockey Federation has reasoned.

The added incentive to win the gold is that the winners of both the competitions will earn a direct entry into the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, which India failed to utilise when they slipped in the semi finals to Malaysia four years ago in Guangzhou, China.

India, second-best among Asian teams in world rankings at no. 9 behind leaders, four-time winners and tournament hosts South Korea, have been drawn in a group which features arch-rivals and title holders Pakistan and their clash on September 25 is the highlight of the group phase.

Pakistan start their campaign one day early, on Saturday, when they take on Oman and the Indian think-tank will have a way to assess them through this game.

Though India, who have won the gold only twice in the past, are going into the tournament on a sort of high and with a settled combination after winning silver behind world champions Australia at the Commonwealth Games, any encounter with Pakistan, who are a bit rusty after not having played for almost seven months, is going to be a humdinger.

Sardar Singh, who is India's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony, will have to be at his inspirational best along with the other senior in the squad, goalkeeper P S Sreejesh, if the team has to go all the way and recapture the gold which the country last clutched in 1998 at Bangkok under Dhanraj Pillay's leadership.

The other two teams in India's group are Oman and China whom they are meeting on September 23 and 27.

India coach Terry Walsh has been upbeat about the team's chances ahead of the Games and feels his boys have a realistic chance of lifting the gold and earn a direct berth in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

"My view is that we are progressing really well. There is a considerable difference in our level of performance from pre-World Cup to post-Commonwealth Games," the coach observed.

Insisting that India and Korea are the teams to beat in the Asian Games, Walsh said they have improved upon their defensive skills post the World Cup earlier this year.

"I think this group of players sincerely believes that if they play to their potential they can beat Malaysia, Korea, China, Pakistan, Japan and win the title," he reasoned.

The trick here is how well Walsh utilizes the extra breaks to keep the players fresh right through the duration of what's going to be an even faster game and how quickly the players adapt to the changed format.

Sreejesh feels that having played the four-quarter game at home in the Hockey India league the Indian players have a slight advantage.

"The new format of the game is actually going to act as an added advantage for us in the field. It will not affect us as we already have the experience of playing in four quarters in the Hockey India League," Sreejesh feels.

Indian men should be able to make it to the semi finals from their group, but what happens thereafter is not certain with their past performance in these Games.

The women, on the other hand, do not start as one of the main contenders for the title, with their ranking being 13th. The 1982 champions take on Thailand in their league opener on Monday which they should win followed by the tough group game against 5th ranked China.

The Chinese are attempting to equal the South Korean record of winning four Asian Games titles on the trot -- having dethroned current Games hosts in 2002 and retaining the hold in 2006 and 2010.

India's other league game against Malaysia is on September 26th which appears to be the crux match for the Neil Hawgood-coached team in the preliminary phase.

Women's team captain Ritu Rani is confident of the team's performance after its month-long camp in India.

"We have worked hard on our shortcomings during a one month camp. We have focused our efforts on a few areas, especially in the area of penalty corners, and have made improvements and are very confident on our strengths. We can reach the final of the Asian Games and confident that the gold medal is in our reach," she said ahead of the tournament.

Hawgood has been more circumspect in his appraisal.

"The preparatory camp in Patiala and New Delhi has gone very well. We've had enough time to put in place strategies for each player. We looked closely at our key problems in converting penalty corners and we stressed on rectifying those areas. We are hopeful of doing well and winning gold at the Asian Games to qualify for 2016 Rio Olympics."

NDTV Sports



Hockey captain Sardar Singh to be flag bearer after five others refuse top honour

Chander Shekhar Luthra


Vijay Kumar was flagbearer at CWG, Glasgow

It seems that carrying the tricolour is no longer a matter of pride for some of our top sportspersons. At least this is the impression many got at Incheon, South Korea, where the Indian contingent is readying for the Games which commences today. (Friday). Many top Indian athletes inclduing ace shuttler Saina Nehwal refused to be the flag-bearer for the Asian Games opening ceremony giving some agonising moments to the officials accompanying the team. The choice has now fallen finally on Indian hockey captain, Sardar Singh, who will do the honours.

Other athletes who were considered for the honour but could not confirmed due to one reason or other include, discus thrower Vikas Gowda, shooter Abhinav Bindra, middle distance runner Sudha Singh and tennis start Sania Mirza.

According to a Indian Olympic Association official "this situation has arisen because of the wrong decision of Sports Ministry to only send players five days in advance before their scheduled event".

"There are so many players who are finding it difficult to get used to the conditions here as five days is too short a time to get acclimatised. That's the reason why more and more players are focussing more on their practice instead of doing any duty," the official said.

Though no official reason was given for Saina refusing the be the flagbearer, it was apparently done on the advice of her new coach Vimal Kumar.

"She has a match early next morning. Her coach advised her to focus her attention on winning a medal here and accepting to be a flag bearer could have made it hectic for her," said an official.

Bindra had refused to carry the National Flag during the recently held Commonwealth Games in Glasgow so he was also a no-go. Moreover, Bindra has been staying outside the Games Village , like he has done in previous events, to focus on winning his first Asian gold.

Indian middle-distance athlete Sudha Singh, a gold medallist in 5000m in the last Asian Games, also expressed her inability to carry the flag becasue of her set practice shedule on Wednesday. Glasgow gold medallist and last Asiad bronze winner shot putter Vikas Gowda was next in the list. But he has not yet checked in at the Games Village so far.

At this point, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza's name, too, was discussed amongst the top officials. But when it was learned that that like Gowda, she too had not arrived at the venue.

DNA



Suspense over, hockey skipper Sardar is the flag-bearer

Rohit Mahajan

Incheon - Who'll carry the Indian flag? That’s the game the press usually indulges in before the opening ceremony of any big event — mostly for fun.

But, it seems, this time even the Indian team officials were playing this game, but in an embarrassed, agonised manner. For the record, the hockey team captain, Sardar Singh, is going to be India's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony tomorrow.

However, the decision was made after a torturous time for the officials. For this honour, the Indian Olympic Committee, in principle, selects an athlete who has been an Olympian, has been a winner at the Asian Games, ideally the winner of a gold medal. The IOA had prepared a list of 10 prospective candidates to carry the Indian flag. That, though, was the easy part.

Initially, the preference seemed to be badminton star Saina Nehwal. She, however, had to say no because she was playing her first match the next day, ie Saturday. It has been learnt that Saina and her new coach, Vimal Kumar, very reluctantly declined the offer, explaining their reason.

Sudha Singh, winner of the 3000m steeplechase gold at Guangzhou, was another possibility; she, too, had more pressing business to attend — she had a time trial session to attend for her event on Friday. Abhinav Bindra could have been the most ideal candidate, but he wasn't approached, apparently because he'd declined the offer the Indian flag during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Discus thrower Vikas Gowda would have been a good choice, too, but he has not yet arrived here. The boxers and wrestlers, too, are reaching over the next two days.

The fact that the Indian squad was cleared very late, and many athletes are yet to reach here — the shooters had to apply for visas in New Delhi at a late stage — meant that the athletes were keen to skip the non-essential activities. They, instead, wanted to focus on their training and acclimatisation.

India's chef-de-mission, Adille Sumeriwala, said that deciding on the name of Sardar Singh was not a compromise. “Sardar is one of the best Indian sportspersons in the event here,” he said. “There's absolutely no controversy around his selection. We did have a list of the players and he was among them. We considered everything before approaching an athlete.”

The Tribune



Rani ready for new, quick, deadly hockey

Rohit Mahajan

Incheon - Speed thrills — extreme speed thrills extremely. That's the principle hockey seems to have followed.

Hockey's makeover, to keep it relevant and make it more telegenic, has added a dash of speed and spice into the game. Four quarters, each 15 minutes long, reduce the game by 10 minutes — from 70 minutes to 60 minutes. But the speed increases, as does the demands on the players.

Rani Rampal, the star Indian forward, says that this has made things tougher — and easier. Rani is excited today —she's come to India's flag-hoisting ceremony at the edge of the Athletes Village. She's taking selfies with her phone — not to put on Facebook or twitters, she says dismissively — and is excited bubbly.

“See, it can be looked at both ways,” says Rani, the 19-year-old Shahbad girl who got into the Indian team at age 16. “It's tougher because the game is faster, it's more intense, and more demanding on the body. It's easier because earlier, we used to play 35 minutes without a break, now we play 15 minutes and then there's a two-minute break. The total playing time has decreased too, to 60 minutes.”

In Asia, the women's hockey world is a bit topsy turvy — in rankings, the Chinese are top dogs (world No. 5), followed by South Korea (9), Japan (10) and India (13). But in last year's Asia Cup, Japan won the title by beating South Korea in the final; and India finished third by beating China 3-2 via a penalty shootout.

That makes Rani believe that the four teams are equals. “China, Korea, Japan and India equals,” she says. “We are playing China, Malaysia and Thailand in our pool, and that's what we're concentrating on — we want to top the pool so that we can play semifinals with the second team of the other group.”

This, she says, is the Asiad — the winner of gold qualifies for the Olympics. “That's why it's very competitive — everyone is determined to win gold and qualify for the Rio Olympic Games,” Rani adds.

“So, every time we play, every match we play, we would play like a semifinal,” she says.

The team has been focussing on scoring on penalty-corners, because that's a high percentage strategy. “See, in today's hockey, it's difficult to make field goals because teams don't allow field goals,” she says.

Coach Neil Hawgood has changed the way the team plays, she says — they attack in waves, together, and then when the ball is lost, they fall back in defence together. The others play this way too, and the defences are generally packed, and that makes goals difficult to come by.

“So penalty corners give you an easier opportunity to score. We try to focus on penalty corners — to create maximum penalty corners, and then try to score off them.” “There are separate variations, and we can't say anyone is specialist,” says the star forward. “Drag-flicker, hitter, slapper… Different experts, because we can't use the same variation with every team. We don't want to be predictable, because everyone (opponents) has the software, they watch videos. So they are prepared for us, and we should be ready with other options.”

Still a teen, Rani has the stature and the confidence of a senior player. “As a senior, I want to lead by example,” she says. “I think it's my responsibility to help and guide the younger players.”

The Tribune



Greenshirts gain confidence with 2-0 win

KARACHI: Pakistan’s hockey team warmed up for the Asian Games with a 2-0 win in a practice match against a Korean club on Wednesday, while another similar encounter with Bangladesh on Thursday was cancelled due to the opponents’ late arrival at Incheon.

“We were relying on the practice match against Bangladesh which was to be played today [Thursday], but it has been cancelled,” head coach Shahnaz Sheikh told The Express Tribune from Korea. “Now we only have our training and practice to count on.

“It’s unfortunate that despite our repeated requests to the national teams of Korea, Malaysia, Japan and others, we were unable to play any warm-up matches with them due to their prior commitments. As a result, we are well short of competitive match-practice.”

Talking about the game against the local Korean club, the coach said, “We started the game on a positive note, but our players suffered from the rough and dangerous play of the opponents. So we mutually decided to reduce the match to only two quarters in order to avoid any injuries at this stage.”

The Greenshirts grabbed the lead in the 13th minute through a penalty corner by Muhammad Imran, ending the first quarter on 1-0. In the second session, Muhammad Waqas scored the second goal in the last minutes of the match.

“The last goal was superbly taken, it was an enjoyable spectacle,” said Shaikh.

The Express Tribune



East Grinstead face rivals Reading


Andy Hayward, Hampstead and Westminster v Wimbledon, Sept 13 2014 - credit Mark Clews

AFTER salvaging a win with just seven seconds remaining at Cannock last weekend, East Grinstead could be facing another tough clash in this weekend’s NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Premier Division when they head to rivals Reading on Sunday.

Last season’s runners-up, the Sussex outfit fielded four debutants last weekend, and may well do the same against as they bid to beat a Reading side who were beaten 3-1 by Surbiton a week earlier.

Manager Matt Jones said: “Historically there have been some great match-ups with such a lot of talent on show, and both teams have taken points at home and away, so you can never predict what’s going to happen between Reading and East Grinstead.

“We got off to a great start with a great performance at Cannock, even though we needed a last minute goal. We want 70 minutes of quality hockey rather than patches, and we will be working on that.

“But we’re in really good shape with the four key players who were missing last week coming back into contention. And we’ve got a lot of talented players who will also be pushing for a place in the team.”

Elsewhere, Hampstead and Westminster go into their clash with Canterbury full of confidence after their new-look side secured a dramatic late win over much-fancied Wimbledon.

Top signing Andy Hayward slotted home his first for the club with a trademark penalty corner late on, and then almost from the re-start Will Naylor popped up with the winner with just two minutes remaining.

Saturday evening’s sole match sees Cannock play host to Brooklands Manchester University, while on Sunday champions Beeston – who beat Canterbury 6-2 last weekend – go to Wimbledon in search of more goals.

After beating Reading last weekend Surbiton are on the road for Southgate on Sunday.

Following last weekend’s emphatic 11-0 drubbing of Whitchurch, NOW: Pensions Conference West leaders Cardiff and Met – who missed out on promotion in the play-offs - head to Indian Gymkhana on Sunday.

The early leaders in the NOW: Pensions Conference North, former Premier Division side Sheffield Hallam head to Deeside Ramblers, while Bowdon will want to build on last weekend’s 6-3 win over Wakefield when they go to Leek.

Ambitious Holcombe continue their bid for promotion when they go to Bromley and Beckenham in the NOW: Pensions Conference East. They will want to show the form which led to them beating Old Loughtonians 5-1 last weekend.

NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League

Saturday, September 20 2014

NOW: Pensions Premier Division
Cannock v Brooklands Manchester Univ 18:00

Sunday, September 21 2014

NOW: Pensions Premier Division
Hampstead & Westminster v Canterbury 14:00
Reading v East Grinstead 14:30
Southgate v Surbiton 14:30
Wimbledon v Beeston 14:00

NOW: Pensions Conference West
Barford Tigers v Guildford 13:00
Indian Gymkhana v Cardiff & Met 14:00
Team Bath Buccaneers v Fareham 13:00
Univ of Birmingham v Cheltenham 12:30
Whitchurch v Univ of Exeter 13:00

NOW: Pensions Conference North
Belper v Doncaster 12:30
Deeside Ramblers v Sheffield Hallam 13:30
Leek v Bowdon 14:00
Loughborough Students v Univ of Durham 14:00
Wakefield v Olton & West Warwicks 13:30

NOW: Pensions Conference East
Bromley and Beckenham v Holcombe 13:00
Cambridge City v Brighton and Hove 12:30
Chichester Priory Park v Richmond 13:30
Old Loughtonians v West Herts 14:00
Oxted v Teddington 12:45

England Hockey Board Media release



Top two face off in Investec Premier Division


Lauren Osborn, Holcombe v Bowdon, Sept 13 2014, credit Peter Savage

AFTER their emphatic 5-1 win on the opening day of the season, Canterbury will be aiming to maintain their good start to the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division when they head to second-placed Holcombe on Saturday evening.

Canterbury beat Beeston last weekend, but face Kent rivals Holcombe just a week after they overcame Bowdon Hightown 3-0.

New to the Premier Division this term, Holcombe won the Investec Conference East last season, and Holcombe Captain Leigh Maasdorp said: “We’re looking forward to Canterbury - It’ll be a really good game and it could go either way. We’re respectful of them, but we want to win.

“For us every game is an unknown at this level so we don’t prepare any differently for Canterbury than anyone else. We’ve got almost a full team to pick from, with just Lucy Wood a doubt (hip).

“Starting at 6pm does make the day a bit longer because you’re waiting for the game, but for the club and the crowd it makes it a great occasion.”

Elsewhere, last season’s Champions Surbiton go to the University of Bimingham in search of their first win – and their first goal – following a tight 0-0 draw with rivals Reading last weekend.

Third last season after they beat Clifton 6-0 in the Finals weekend, Reading entertain them again on Saturday in the league.

Leicester head to Buckingham with both sides in search of their first win, while Bowdon Hightown are at home against Beeston. Both sides suffered bruising defeats last weekend and will want to get back on track.

In the Investec Women’s Conference West, the top two in the early table face each other, with Bristol Firebrands heading to Swansea City.

Firebrands beat former Premier Division outfit Olton & West Warwicks 4-0 last weekend, while Swansea City are second by virtue of their 3-0 win over Stourport.

Relegated from the Premier Division last season, Sutton Coldfield will be aiming to build on their emphatic 7-1 opening day victory in the Investec Conference North when they head to Whitley Bay and Tynemouth.

And in the Investec Conference East, early leaders East Grinstead host Chelmsford, with Wimbledon facing Harleston Magpies in search of a second win of the season.

Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, September 20 2014)

Investec Premier Division
Bowdon Hightown v Beeston 13:45
Buckingham v Leicester 12:00
Holcombe v Canterbury 18:00
Reading v Clifton 13:30
Univ of Birmingham v Surbiton 12:30

Investec Conference West
Cheltenham v Trojans 12:30
Gloucester City v Isca 12:00
Olton & West Warwicks v Oxford Hawks 12:00
Slough v Stourport 12:30
Swansea City v Bristol Firebrands 12:00

Investec Conference North
Ben Rhydding v Wakefield 13:30
Cannock v Univ of Durham 14:00
Kendal v Liverpool Sefton 12:30
Loughborough Students v Brooklands Poynton 12:30
Whitley Bay & Tynemouth v Sutton Coldfield 12:30

Investec Conference East
East Grinstead v Chelmsford 13:30
Harleston Magpies v Wimbledon 14:00
Horsham v Ipswich 14:00
Sevenoaks v Bedford 13:30
St Albans v Maidenhead 13:00

England Hockey Board Media release



Cooper Calls On Clubs to Seriously Consider Future of  Irish Club Hockey

Written by Stephen Findlater on behalf of Irish Hockey

Inez Cooper, the Irish Hockey Association’s Chair of Competitions, is encouraging all clubs to debate the Irish Hockey League proposal that is being brought before an EGM on Sunday, October 5 (11.30am Stillorgan Park Hotel) and to then come along and make sure their vote counts.

A vote in favour of the proposal on the table would see a “full IHL” coming into effect for the 2015/16 season with a two-tiered national competition proposed (full details can be found on the IHA website here).

She explained that there are a number of drivers of this proposal, the development of the sport at elite level while key among the reasons is not the only reason.

“Firstly, we really need a platform to promote our sport. The Sports Council survey asked schoolchildren what sport they have played in the past seven days. The results are pretty astounding; hockey came out at about 100,000.  (This is the Republic only)”.

“At times, I think we are like an underground movement – why doesn’t this level of involvement get recognized? We need to create heroes, attract sponsors and bring more money in through sponsorship and the Sports Council to increase the visibility of hockey. Funding currently is really poor compared to other sports.”

“When we see women’s rugby getting in €1.3m with 3,700 adult players. We’re missing a trick here and we are not helping promote ourselves. A national league would be a pillar for helping to get regular exposure for hockey.”

The often cited comparison is to Belgium, a country that made a move toward a men’s professional league, a move credited with boosting the country’s rise to the world’s top four having languished outside Olympic qualification for 32 years between 1976 to 2008.

The sport has developed significantly at elite level but also at participation level where Belgium is set to overtake Ireland in the coming year or two having had less than half of the playing population a decade ago.

Wentink (Belgium’s Technical Director) has previously admitted that it was a financial risk but that without a target and a method to get there, Belgian hockey would stagnate.

“You look at Belgium and ask which came first? The money or the success?” Cooper adds. “I think they go hand in hand. But for a few seconds [at the 2012 Olympic qualifiers], we could have had that success and I’m sure the financial outcome would have been very different.

“We have got to take a risk and create a positive situation. Women’s rugby has proved a point; cricket has proved a point. They have got money and exposure because  they have had success. We are not doing nearly enough to promote our sport. It is not visible; we are not giving those 100,000 children something to aspire to.”

The proposals for an expanded IHL came about following a lengthy consultation process that initially saw the competition’s committee consult with the provincial branches and their competition groups as well as the IHA’s high performance unit.

From there, the floor was opened in a series of provincial forums, actively seeking players, clubs and umpires’ opinions about the best format to progress the sport in Ireland.

Following the forums in the respective provinces, Cooper says that the overwhelming feedback was that there is a need to change and develop the IHL.

“When we did the consultation process, I never heard ‘it’s not broken, don’t fix it’. There was a resounding voice for change; the difficulty is there isn’t consensus on what that change is to be. There was a consistent message – even from the most resistant – for change.

“The final driver for a new IHL is that our players want to be the best, to play against the best.” That is the nature of competition. It is not just elite players who want this, we hear it from senior club players.

Should change not occur, Cooper feels this could cause significant damage to the progression of the sport.

“For our players and our sport, we are always looking inwards rather than outwards. We should consider our competition that is out there and hockey is losing young people to other sports and we are now losing our female adult players to rugby and other sports. We’re just missing a trick. If we go back to the Belgium example, it wasn’t just that more money came into the sport, the participation levels shot up – clubs filled up, new clubs and facilities emerged – all challenges, but exciting challenges.

“I think without foresight and a move to a full IHL, we would continue to tread water possibly getting hit more and more. We would see players go to other sports, particularly in the women’s game as well as continuing the lost opportunity with all those school kids that we aren’t converting into regular club players. Women’s rugby provides an opportunity to try another sport and maybe an Olympic appearance or represent your country.”

“People have asked ‘what would happen if there was no change?’ I think it will create a vacuum. When we go back to 2008 when the IHL was formed, the best part of two or three years were lost after the initial proposal was rejected.

“I understand and accept there’s a fear of change. That was the same when we went into the IHL first time round and now, nobody wants to go back to the old system. With all its faults, clubs and players aspire to be in the IHL. There are some genuine fears – costs, loss of players – but these are things that can be managed and are addressed in the proposal.”

In terms of player movement, Cooper says that there is an onus on clubs to provide an attractive environment for their players.

“At the consultation stage at the forum in Dublin, Trevor Watkins was very eloquent on this point. Your club has to work hard , create a development plan, to develop from within and set out an ambitious and attractive stall.

“Monkstown epitomise that. If you go back to year one of the IHL, they scraped into the IHL and weren’t really contenders in the first few seasons. But they were working on a plan and went from there.

“If we are promoting our sport, getting visibility, creating heroes, I feel we could see a lot more youngsters and players coming into the game. It’s a cycle, but if we see participation shoot up, I don’t think clubs will be worrying so much about player movement..”

That idea of creating heroes is a central theme in her proposed marketing and promotion of the enlarged IHL, making role models of our top stars, going beyond simple coverage of games and major events. “To see the numbers of kids in Boom (European Championships) and The Hague (World Cup) and the excitement generated by being with the players and at the game, it would leave you in awe – fantastic to see’

“We have very sporadic opportunities to promote our sport. We don’t get enough media coverage to focus in on individuals. We have some fantastically marketable people in our sport; they ooze vitality, competitive, leading healthy lives. Why wouldn’t they be out there as role models for our youngsters?”

“I firmly believe, if we have something we can promote, the financial side of things will come together. Money coming in would be about promoting the league but also about supporting the clubs. For Leinster and Ulster clubs, when you breakdown the actual number of away out of province games, the cost differential is not much,  the increase is approximately 2 to 3 games – definitely there are people creating  noise on this without actually looking through what a season’s program would look like.

 “Ireland is the only top European country without a national league. With my role in the EHF, I get the chance to talk to other countries, places like Italy which is huge in size but does not have as many players as us.

“Their national league has teams in Sardinia and Sicily and the north of Italy; it’s totally dispersed. They fly to matches – there and back in the day; match times are scheduled around flights. When we compare to other sports and other countries, travel and cost should not be an issue. I believe it is a mindset issue.

“Similarly, we are talking about [this affecting] 2 percent of all teams in Irish hockey. The key thing is, it’s not the whole club that is no longer playing provincial hockey. It’s one team. The province is still central and paramount for that club so I think such fears are overstated.”

Cooper added “It gets suggested to me, that this is only for the elite clubs and while other clubs may understand the arguments for growing and promoting the sport, there are clubs in Leinster who will see this as a threat. I say quite the opposite! – It’s an opportunity for many clubs. I’ll use the women’s game to illustrate. Division 1 has 3 ‘competitions’ – those 4 – 5 clubs battling for IHL, 2-3 clubs battling to avoid last place and the remainder for the midpoint position. We have Division 2 as a barrier for developing clubs to break through due to the number of 2 XI’s. A full IHL would see a competitive Division 1 with the top 3 finishes in the play-offs with the other provincial top finishers and 9th in the IHL with two IHL places up for grabs. I know clubs like Muckross, see this as very attractive – they have a successful development plan in operation for a few years and can see that being in the IHL within 1 season of a full IHL is within their grasp and potential. It really is what lens you look through. That same opportunity is there for any club who can set out their stall and ambitions to their players and puts a plan in place to achieve it.”

It provides plenty of food for thought and Cooper is hopeful that clubs, having been given the opportunity to vote at the EGM on the introduction of an increased Irish Hockey League consider the proposals seriously.

She believes it is in the long-term interests of the sport, benefiting the elite and senior club players with an elevated stage while also giving a much higher profile to market the game to newcomers and bring more kids and players into the sport.

“I would love to see every club debate it and whatever vote they take, they have a mandate to go to the EGM and represent their club’s wishes. I would say to players and clubs - make sure your club does turn out and vote!”

Clubs - Make sure you have registered your delegate who will cast your club's vote by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Sunday 28th September (queries 01 7163269)
EGM Details: Sunday 5th October, Stillorgan Park Hotel

Irish Hockey Association media release



Boys will be Boys



Boys will play against other boys for the first time during US NATIONAL HOCKEY FESTIVAL

Parent Insists Boys Run Wild Playing Field Hockey! Boys Beaten with Sticks, In Plain View of Thousands, On Turf Field!!!!!

Or to put it another way, Boys will play together at the 2014 Hockey Festival.

Somehow it is a big news item when a boy wants to play hockey and the only opportunity seen as available is for him to play on a girls team.

Come to California and play against other guys.

Dude against Dude
Mano a Mano
Man to Man
Boys versus Boys



RUN WILD PLAYING FIELD HOCKEY!!!!!

For more information - Email Liz Tchou:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We want all the boys who play in MA, PA, NJ, NY, CO, CA, DE, MD, CT,  to show up at this event and participate.

This is YOUR chance to play without the hoopla.

Meet the USA Men's team, talk with the coach.



For brothers, sons, dads, uncles, nephews, cousins, boyfriends, and just plain guys who have never picked up a stick, there will be a variety of clinics. Whether they don't know how to hold a stick or or can air dribble like a rock star, there will be a chance to play, a chance to learn, a chance to be a boy with a stick and a ball.

Encourage every boy and man to pick up a stick and head to California for Hockey Festival.

GIVE BOYS A PLACE TO PLAY

Send them outside and tell them to run around tell them to beat the other boys with sticks

Make that the news

Dita USA, Proud Sponsor of Boys Development



Pt. 2 Where are our players internationally?

Updating fans on the Kookaburras' movements in international leagues



Yesterday we told you how three of the Hockeyroos are getting on in the Netherlands. Now it’s the turn of the Kookaburras.

Many of the 2014 Australian squad members are currently based in Perth or their respective home states and territories, preparing for the 2014 Australian Hockey League, powered by Premier Technology Solutions.

A handful of Kookaburras have taken the opportunity to travel to the Netherlands and New Zealand hockey leagues.

New Zealand’s National Hockey League featured four Kookaburras throughout September; Simon Orchard, Nick Budgeon, Jamie Dwyer and Tim Deavin.

Jamie Dwyer travelled across the country to play for the Auckland Fury earlier this month. Having returned to Australia this week, Jamie has been no stranger when it comes to travelling the world with his hockey.

Tim Deavin embarked on his third season in New Zealand, this year playing for the Midlands. Much like Jamie Dwyer’s experience in India and the Netherlands, Tim has also previously played in the England, Malaysian and Indian hockey leagues.

“I really enjoy playing overseas as it’s beneficial for the development of my hockey,” said Deavin.

“Training all year, doing the same drills with the same people can sometimes get stale, just like a work environment. Playing in a new environment, with new people and new coaches can stimulate and freshen you up.”

Considering the opportunities that playing internationally can offer Australian players, he added, “You learn different things as you train and play with different coaches and players across the world, not to mention the friends you make along the way. Keeping fit while testing your abilities against a stronger level of competition is always beneficial.”

Moving over the globe, Europe is where you’ll find Fergus Kavanagh, Matthew Swann and Russell Ford. Playing for various Hoofdklasse clubs, Kavanagh is playing for Amsterdam, Swann at HC Bloemendaal and Ford at Tilburg.

“The club scene in the Netherlands is fantastic, every game is of the highest quality. I’m learning different styles of play as well as different philosophies on training,” said Ford.

The only Australian duo to play at the same international club, Matthew Swann has been joined by Hockeyroo Jayde Taylor. The pair will take on some of the world’s best hockey players with HC Bloemendaal for their hockey season ahead.

Australian athletes that are currently based in Europe will return home for the start of the Australian Hockey League in Adelaide, South Australia next month.

Immediately following the Australian Hockey League, the 2014 Champions Trophy squad will be named ahead of December’s tournament in Bhubaneswar. The Kookaburras’ training will recommence for the Champions Trophy on 20 October, as the squad sets out to chase their sixth consecutive win at the Champions Trophy in India.

Hockey Australia media release



Pillay surprises rivals, gives them a pep-talk

Sudheendra Tripathi

MUMBAI: As an aspiring hockey player, the legendary Dhanraj Pillay had played for the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF) for two seasons (1987 and 1988). Not surprisingly he impressed the RCF management so much that he landed a job too. Those two formative years with RCF, could well be a vital cog in the making well be a vital cog in the making of Dhanraj.

On Wednesday at Churchgate's Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd ground, Dhanraj decided to return the favour. The Khel Ratna awardee stunned everyone present in stunned everyone present in the RCF dressing room by delivering a pep talk to the RCF players, who incidentally were to take on the Air India, the team coached by Dhanraj.

That RCF were beaten 9-1 is another matter. For the young RCF boys, it was a dream come true. Interestingly , RCF is being coached by Dhanraj's older brother Ramesh, a fantastic hockey player in his playing days.

"Don't go by big names and big teams," Dhanraj told the RCF players. "Don't worry , play your game and you will be fine." Dhanraj spoke and the players were all ears. He also caught up with Ramesh after the match, exchanging notes while watching Central Secretariat take on Punjab National Bank.

Ramesh, clearly upset with the defeat, said: "We are a young and inexperienced side. The scoreline may not give the right mood of the match, but they were not too bad. We hope to improve with every match. Our aim is to qualify for the Bombay Gold Cup and we are on course for that," Ramesh said. Ramesh said.

Dhanraj was also of the opinion that the team will improve with time."Air India is a good team and plays quality tournaments around the country. We have many internationals also in our ranks. I am sure this fact must have been on RCF players mind. But I found RCF impressive. If they play against better teams in the future, they will improve. The boys have the potential to thrive on the big stage," Dhanraj told ToI.

The Times of India



Hockey India to provide FIH certification to coaches

Rajesh Sharma

Una - In an effort to improve the level of training at the grassroots level, Hockey India (HI) has proposed to start FIH-certified courses for coaches, High Performance Manager (North Zone), Sukhvir Singh Grewal said today.

He said that coaches would get to attend refresher clinics by world-renowned coaches including High Performance Director, Roelant Oltmans, and chief coach of Indian men’s team, Terry Walsh.

The present system of a one-time course at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) had become obsolete as the game was ever changing and new methodologies in training, planning, tactics and fitness were emerging, he told The Tribune during his inspection visit of the synthetic turf at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex here today.

The former India player said he was touring Himachal Pradesh to identify the available infrastructure for the development of the game. He expressed concern over the fact that the turf, laid a year ago at a cost of more than Rs 5 crores, was being grossly under-utilised as there was no hockey coach here.

He said HI was already in discussion with the state authorities for proper utilization of infrastructure. “While HI can only give technical assistance, the services of coaches and turf maintenance has to be done by the state governments,” he said.

Meanwhile, a section of pitch has been covered by rubble for two days after rain caused landslide at the hillock adjoining the field. The debris has broken a part of the iron grills and some damage to the water sprinkler system is also being feared. District Sports Officer Ishwar Chaudhary said the Public Works Department officials have been informed about the incident.

The Tribune



Hockey India inducts new Associate Member

NEW DELHI: Hockey India (HI) Thursday announced Major Ports Sports Control Board as its 23rd Associate Member.

Since its inception in 1976, Major Ports Sports Control Board has successfully participated in zonal as well as national level championships. They have also organised the All India Major Ports Hockey Championship for over 30 years.

"On behalf of HI, I whole-heartedly welcome Major Ports Sports Control Board in the HI family. Working together with them will provide further opportunities in the area of sports and we look forward to it," HI secretary general Narinder Batra said.

Atulya Misra is the president and G. Harichandran the general secretary of the Major Ports Sports Control Board.

HI now has 26 Permanent Members, 23 Associate Members, one Member through State Olympic Associations, seven Academy Members and one Hoc-Key Member.

The Times of India



HI inducts Major Ports Sports Control Board as new member

NEW DELHI: Continuing its endeavour to identify and nurture young players in the country, Hockey India on Thursday gave affiliation to Major Ports Sports Control Board as its 23rd Associate Member.

Since its inception in 1976, Major Ports Sports Control Board has successfully participated in the zonal as well as national level championships around the year and which has helped identify players at a very young age.

They even have to their credit of organising the 'All India Major Ports Hockey Championship' from over 30 years.

Speaking on the new associate member, Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra said, "On behalf of Hockey India, I whole-heartedly welcome Major Ports Sports Control Board in the Hockey India family.

"Working together with Major Ports Sports Control Board will provide further opportunities in the area of sports and we look forward to working with them."

Atulya Misra is the president and G Harichandran is the general secretary of the Major Ports Sports Control Board.

Hockey India currently has 26 Permanent Members, 23 Associate Members, 1 Member through State Olympic Associations, 7 Academy Members and 1 Hoc-Key Member.

The Times of India



Colour change

Rashneel Kumar


Martin Fong president of Marist Hockey Club, left, Gary Barnett Director of Geotech Drilling International Service and Paul Fraser vice-president of Marist Hockey Club at the jersey presentation yesterday. Picture: KIMBERLEY SACHS

MARIST White is going back to its original colour in its quest to win the 20th Geotech Drilling Marist Eastgate Memorial Tournament which kicks off this evening at the Fiji National Hockey Centre.

Yesterday, the Geotech Drilling-sponsored host team unveiled its new blue and white jersey which the Marist players used to wear more than a decade ago.

Marist Hockey Club president Martin Fong said the players were excited and looking forward to the tournament.

He thanked Geotech Drilling International Services for its support.

The company presented $6000 to the organisers of which $2000 went to the Marist club.

"It's been 13 years we last wore the club colours. There is no pressure on the players who will be in this colours this weekend. We will go out there to try our best to win our own tournament," said Fong.

Geotech director Gary Barnett was pleased with the new look jersey and wished the team well for the tournament this weekend.

"They are going back to its original colours and it's good to have our logo in their jersey," Barnett said.

Ventures is the defending champions in both men's and women's category.

The three-day tournament will start at 6pm.

The Fiji Times

Fieldhockey.com uses cookies to assist with navigating between pages. Please leave the site if you disagree with this policy.
Copyright remains with the credited source or author