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News for 14 August 2018

All the news for Tuesday 14 August 2018


2018 PSi International Test Matches: ZIM v NAM (M) - Final test
Harare (ZIM)

ZIM v NAM     1 - 4 (1 - 2)

Namibia clean sweep the 5 test series

2018 PSi International Test Matches: ZIM v RSA (W) - Final test
Harare (ZIM)

ZIM v RSA     2 - 5 (1 - 2)

South Africa win the series 5 - 0

FIH Match Centre



SPAR South Africa complete a whitewash in historic indoor test series


SPAR South Africa ladies that completed a whitewash against Zimbabwe. From L – Cheree Greyvenstein, Zimi Shange, Tegan Fourie, Robyn Johnson, Jessica O’Connor, Eloise Walters, Edith Molikoe, Jenna Shuker, Amore de Wet, Jamie Southgate & Cindy Hack (captain)

SPAR South Africa today completed a series whitewash against Zimbabwe in the first ever indoor hockey test series played in the country. The victory, in front of a full crowd at Hellenic Academy in Harare, was the fifteenth consecutive victory for SPAR South Africa.

Zimbabwe were desperate to give the home crowd something to celebrate and for the first time in the series found themselves in the lead when veteran striker Nicola Watson finished well. This sparked SPAR South Africa into action, but they found a resolute Zimbabwe backline repelling everything that was thrown at them. The pure weight of pressure was always going to tell, and it was Eloise Walters who finished on the rebound after another good save by Haasbroek in Zimbabwe’s goal.

SPAR South Africa continued to tighten the vice-like grip they had on the game and Zimbabwe were punished when they gave too much space to South African captain Cindy Hack who converted brilliantly. There was time for a penalty stroke for South Africa before half-time, but Tegan Fourie was denied by Haasbroek to keep the half-time score at 2-1.

The half-time break did nothing to quell the momentum that had turned in favour of SPAR South Africa and Jessica O’Connor got in on the action with a PC that was pure textbook from the fan favourite. Cindy Hack then extended the lead to 4-1 with a classy reverse stick flick. That goal underlined just how good Hack is when given space and probably how well Zimbabwe had done to limit those opportunities throughout the series.

To the delight of a packed crowd, Nicola Watson got her second of the night after superb work from Nicolle Grant and set up a potential grandstand finish. South Africa would not let happen though as they quickly regained the 3-goal lead through Jessica O’Connor. That would be the last goal of the game and would confirm the whitewash for South Africa.

Throughout the series there were large elements of things that would make coach Lennie Botha happy. The performance of debutants Edith Molikoe and Zimi Shange were fantastic, Edith adapted to International hockey superbly well for an 18-year-old and looked assured in rubbing shoulders with experienced duo Jess O’Connor and Cindy Hack.

Amore de Wet took the series to establish herself as one of the leaders in the South African defence while Cheree Greyvenstein left the South African selectors with tough decisions to make in the future regarding the goalkeeping situation.

SPAR South Africa will next be in action in October when they host African Champions Namibia for the first time since the World Cup Qualifiers. It promises to be a thrilling series and an exciting opportunity for both teams to show their progress they have made.

Series Results

1st Test – Zimbabwe 2-4 South Africa
2nd Test – Zimbabwe 0-1 South Africa
3rd Test – Zimbabwe 2-6 South Africa
4th Test – Zimbabwe 0-3 South Africa
5th Test – Zimbabwe 2-5 South Africa

SA Hockey Association media release



Danny Kerry appointed Head Coach of Great Britain and England Men's teams



England Hockey is delighted to announce the appointment of Danny Kerry as Head Coach of the Great Britain and England men’s international teams.

Danny has spent the best part of 13 years as Head Coach of our women’s international teams, and was the outstanding applicant in a worldwide search to replace Bobby Crutchley, who left his post earlier this year. Danny’s record marks him as the most successful coach in British hockey history, having taken the women’s team to Olympic gold and bronze medals, European gold and their highest ever FIH world ranking.

The 47-year-old accepted the role last week, and will take up his post in early September, as the Great Britain team prepare for their Toshiba International against Belgium on Wednesday 3 October in London, marking 30 years since the gold medal in the Seoul Olympics. In November the England men’s team travel to India for their World Cup, before the FIH Pro League begins at the end of January 2019.

Performance Director Ed Barney said, “On behalf of Great Britain Hockey I am delighted to announce Danny’s appointment. Following an open recruitment process, Danny was clearly the outstanding applicant in a highly competitive pool of experienced and medal-winning candidates. We know first-hand of his qualities and he will bring a fresh perspective to the men’s squad which I am sure will support them in their transition to a place of repeated medal winning success.”

Danny added, “I simply cannot wait to join a great team of staff and athletes and to begin a new chapter in my professional career. I have for many years watched the fellas train and compete and often wondered whether I would one day have an opportunity to work with them. That opportunity has now come and I am excited. There is ability, there is a desire to put in the hard practice, there is a desire to want to be better, and to be selected to serve that programme, I am really delighted. I look forward to working hard to continue to build on the work of the athletes and that of previous coaches Bobby and Jason. The World Cup around the corner in November is an exciting prospect and I know how hard the team and athletes are preparing. Swiftly on the heels of that is the new FIH Pro League and critically we also have Olympic Qualification to attain in 2019, added to that the EuroHockey Championships in August. We have a great programme, staff and athletes and a sense of intent, and I am looking forward to the road ahead.

“After 13 and a half years of serving the women’s programme I am very proud of what the many teams of athletes have achieved. I believe we have been instrumental in raising the profile of women’s team sport and the impact in terms of increased participation in hockey has been astronomical. The incredible scenes at the recent women’s Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup are testimony to that impact. Perhaps more important to me is how those athletes and teams have gone about inspiring future generations. The values of the teams have shone through and I believe we have been a trailblazer for other national teams in that regard. There has been a higher purpose than simple outcome. I believe the team and programme will now benefit from new leadership and I will look back with great fondness of the amazing times spent with so many staff and athletes. I have learnt so much it is hard to express. I would like to thank the many athletes and staff for all they have given to the teams and the sport, and wish the present custodians of the jersey the very best. It has been an honour and a privilege, and now I am I excited and can’t wait to get going with the men’s teams.”

Since Danny’s first appointment as Head Coach of the women’s teams in January 2005, they have risen from 11th to 2nd in the FIH World Rankings, winning medals at four world level events. His England and Great Britain teams won their first ever medal at a World Cup, and first ever women’s gold medals at both the EuroHockey Championships and Olympic games. He was twice named FIH Coach of the Year, as well as Team GB Coach of the Year. In 2016 he was awarded an MBE for services to women’s hockey.

Sally Munday, Chief Operating Officer of Great Britain Hockey commented, “I would like to place on record our gratitude to Danny for his achievements with the Great Britain and England women’s teams, and the legacy he leaves behind. His contribution cannot be overestimated, delivering the first Olympic medal in more than 20 years in 2012, then following up with an historic gold in Rio. He has devoted many years of service to the team, sport and governing body and we continue to value the unique strengths, delivery and leadership that Danny brings to England and Great Britain Hockey.”

Danny will be assisted in his new role by Russell Garcia and Jon Bleby. With regards to the vacancy for a women’s teams’ Head Coach, the process will begin immediately and we aim to have a candidate in place well ahead of the FIH Champions Trophy in China later this year.

England Hockey Board Media release



Danny Kerry appointed Great Britain and England men's hockey head coach


Danny Kerry (centre) led the Great Britain women's team to Olympic gold in 2016

Danny Kerry has left his post as head coach of the Great Britain and England Women's hockey teams to take charge of the equivalent men's teams.

The 47-year-old had been in charge of the women's team for 13 years and replaces Bobby Crutchley, who left his post earlier this year.

Kerry led Great Britain's women team to their first Olympic hockey gold medal at Rio 2016.

He said he "cannot wait" to start "a new chapter in my professional career".

England Women recently got knocked out at the quarter-final stage of their home World Cup under Kerry.

England and Great Britain Hockey described Kerry as the "outstanding applicant in a worldwide search" and said he will start his new role in early September.

His first game in charge of the men's teams will be when Great Britain play Belgium on 3 October in London, prior to the England team travelling to India in November to play in the World Cup.

"I have for many years watched the fellas train and compete and often wondered whether I would one day have an opportunity to work with them," added Kerry.

"That opportunity has now come and I am excited.

"There is ability, there is a desire to put in the hard practice, there is a desire to want to be better, and to be selected to serve that programme, I am really delighted."

BBC Sport



Kerry switches from England/GB women to men’s head role


©: Frank Uijlenbroek/ World Sport Pics

Danny Kerry has formally switched from the English and Great Britain women’s head coach role to take on the men’s job as they build up to the World Cup which takes places in India later this year.

The 47-year-old takes over the role vacated by Bobby Crutchley following over a dozen years associated with the women’s team, winning the 2016 Olympic gold medal and 2015 European Championships.

He will take up the role in early September with GB taking on Belgium on October 3 in his first game in charged. Most recently, he was the English women’s coach at the World Cup in London as they reached the quarter-finals.

Speaking about the new job, Kerry said: “I simply cannot wait to join a great team of staff and athletes and to begin a new chapter in my professional career. I have for many years watched the fellas train and compete and often wondered whether I would one day have an opportunity to work with them.

“That opportunity has now come and I am excited. There is ability, there is a desire to put in the hard practice, there is a desire to want to be better, and to be selected to serve that programme, I am really delighted.

He will be assisted in his new role by Russell Garcia and Jon Bleby. England and GB hope to have a new women’s coach in place in time for the Champions Trophy later this year.

Euro Hockey League media release



‘Coordinated’ Pakistan ready for Asian Games challenge

By Nabil Tahir


ARCH-RIVALS’ SHOWDOWN: Pakistan and India have been put in pool A and B respectively, which means a clash can only be expected during the semi-finals or the final of Asian Games. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: As Pakistan Hockey team reaches Indonesia for the Asian Games, the head coach Roelant Oltmans says players now have their roles and positions clear and will go for the kill in all of their matches.

The silver medallist team of the 2014 Asian Games, where they lost the final against arch-rivals India by 4-2 in a penalty shootout after ending the match 1-1 after full time, is all firing on all engines to make it to this year’s final, en route a gold.

And Oltmans, while talking about the team’s preparation, told The Express Tribune that the when he joined, the players did not have clearly defined roles to play in the team.

“It was really surprising for me that the team, which won silver at the Asian Games and Champions Trophy were not clear about their playing positions. They knew which position to play on, but were not aware about the role they had to play in that position,” he explained.

“I worked with them, starting from the basics and then gave them well-defined roles. The senior players picked up instantly, while the young lot took some time to understand the concept. However, they are all clear now about where they have to be and when,” he added.

He further commented on the fitness of the players, saying it was good but up to the standards of international hockey. “We have worked on their fitness too and now they are in a much better shape, we are hoping to see a better show from them,” he said.

Talking about weak areas of the team, Oltmans said team is in complete sync at the moment. “They were weak in defines which is why the block rate was low, whereas finishing was not up to the mark, however, they’ve improved in both areas which will be visible during the matches,” he said.

“Hockey is all about coordination, as soon as you misplace a pass, the next second ball is in other team’s possession. But now they know how to carry the ball forward smoothly and finish their move,” he added.

Oltmans also kept his team’s goal realistic saying they would be hoping to finish at the least on the second position. “We will be trying to finish at the best position we can. Pakistan are the silver medallist in Asian Games and we are aiming for gold but we have to be realistic. Even if they finish on the second position, that would be good enough performance from them,” he said. “But obviously every team is trying to finish on top and so are we, so let’s hope or the best and see what happens at the Games.”

Pakistan will begin their Asian Games journey with the first match against Thailand on August 20, followed by the game against Oman on August 22, Kazakhstan on August 24, Malaysia August 26, and Bangladesh on August 28 in their pool B.

Meanwhile, pool A comprises of India, South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and Indonesia. The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semi-finals to be played on August 30 before the winners compete in the final on September 1.

The Express Tribune



Pakistan hockey team ready for Jakarta Asian Games



KARACHI: As Pakistan hockey team reaches Indonesia for the Asian Games, the head coach Roelant Oltmans says players now have their roles and positions clear and will go for the kill in all of their matches. The silver medallist team of the 2014 Asian Games, where they lost the final against arch-rivals India by 4-2 in a penalty shootout after ending the match 1-1 after full time, is all firing on all engines to make it to this year’s final, en route a gold. And Oltmans, while talking about the team’s preparation, told media that the when he joined, the players did not have clearly defined roles to play in the team.

“It was really surprising for me that the team, which won silver at the Asian Games and Champions Trophy were not clear about their playing positions. They knew which position to play on, but were not aware about the role they had to play in that position,” he explained. “I worked with them, starting from the basics and then gave them well-defined roles. The senior players picked up instantly, while the young lot took some time to understand the concept. However, they are all clear now about where they have to be and when,” he added.

He further commented on the fitness of the players, saying it was good but up to the standards of international hockey. “We have worked on their fitness too and now they are in a much better shape, we are hoping to see a better show from them,” he said. Talking about weak areas of the team, Oltmans said team were in complete sync at the moment. “They were weak in defines which is why the block rate was low, whereas finishing was not up to the mark, however, they’ve improved in both areas which will be visible during the matches,” he said.

“Hockey is all about coordination, as soon as you misplace a pass, the next second ball is in other team’s possession. But now they know how to carry the ball forward smoothly and finish their move,” he added. Oltmans also kept his team’s goal realistic saying they would be hoping to finish at the least on the second position. “We will be trying to finish at the best position we can. Pakistan are the silver medallists in Asian Games and we are aiming for gold but we have to be realistic. Even if they finish on the second position, that would be good enough performance from them,” he said. “But obviously every team is trying to finish on top and so are we, so let’s hope or the best and see what happens at the Games.”

Pakistan will begin their Asian Games journey with the first match against Thailand on August 20, followed by the game against Oman on August 22, Kazakhstan on August 24, Malaysia August 26, and Bangladesh on August 28 in their pool B. Meanwhile, pool A comprises of India, South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and Indonesia. The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semi-finals to be played on August 30 before the winners compete in the final on September 1.

The Daily Times



Pakistan dead serious

By Jugjet Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan arrived in Jakarta on Friday for a one-week Asian Games camp before they play Thailand on Aug 20.

Even though the players had complained that they did not receive a cent for the past six months and wanted to boycott the Games, but cool heads prevailed and they are the earliest team to acclimatise for the Games.

Malaysia will only travel on Aug 16, and play their first match against Kazakhstan on Aug 20.

"I believe Pakistan and Malaysia have the same game plan -- to beat each other and top Group A. And their early arrival will give them more time to settle down and acclimatise to the weather and food.

"For us, Jakarta does not pose any problems of acclimatisation and everything suits us just fine," said Malaysian coach Stephen van Huizen.

The good part about the schedule is that Malaysia and Pakistan will play three other matches first before clashing head-on.

"We will first play Kazakhstan, followed by Thailand and Bangladesh and it will give us enough time to get used to the playing surface before we play, what I expect, to be our toughest match in Group B.

"However, we will not take other teams lightly and need to go for goals as well, because if the Pakistan match ends in a draw, we need the advantage to top the group," said van Huizen.

India are the early favourites, and Malaysia must avoid them at all cost in the semi-finals.

The world No 5 are in Group A with South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Malaysia are ranked 12th, while Pakistan 13th in the world.

"Ranking wise, India are far ahead and are one of the favourites to play in the final. Pakistan is just one rung below us, and that's why they have taken extra precaution to have a week-long centralised camp at the tournament venue itself.

"We are also prepared, as both the teams have played each other many times and we know their strengths and weaknesses," said van Huizen.

Both the teams last met at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia and the match ended 1-1. Malaysia went on to play in the fifth-sixth bracket and beat Scotland 2-1, while Pakistan played in the seventh-eighth bracket and beat Canada 3-1.

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey



Indian hockey team favourites to win gold, says PR Sreejesh


PR Sreejesh , File Photo

Indian hockey captain PR Sreejesh on Monday called his team "favourites" for the Asian Games gold medal and said there aim is to secure an early qualification to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

India finished runners-up to Australia in the elite Champions Trophy in the Netherland which saw the team jumped one place to fifth in world rankings. If Sreejesh's team defends the title in Jakarta, it will book an early berth for the 2020 Tokyo Games.

"For us the target is to win a gold and qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, nothing less than that. Then we will get two years to prepare for the Olympics. And going by the current form of the team, we can win gold in Jakarta. We are the favourites to win the gold," Sreejesh told PTI in an interaction.

"We have done well in the Champions Trophy and we could have won the tournament. Confidence level of the team is very high. I would say this (confidence) is a huge change in the last few years. Now, we don't fear of playing against any team in the world," he added.

For coach Harendra Singh, who took charge a few months back, a title in Jakarta would enter into record books as India have never won back-to-back gold in the continental showpiece.

"We want to create a legacy of winning gold in two consecutive Asian Games and this team can defend the title this time. A gold in Jakarta will also build up a nice momentum for a podium finish in the World Cup India is hosting later this year," said Harendra.

With the return of drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh, the Asian Games team has been strengthened with virtually all the top players present, and Sreejesh feels it has the perfect balance.

"Yes, it is a compact and balanced team. Sardar Singh is there in the team from the Champions Trophy onwards and Rupinder has returned for the Asian Games. On an average all the players have played more than 100 matches. Just two or three players have played around 20-30 matches," said the seasoned goalkeeper.

"It is a strong team going to the Asian Games and it augurs well for the World Cup (Bhubaneshwar) later this year."

He admitted that India needed improvement in penalty corner conversion but more than that he would want the team to score more goals by converting the chances.

"We are trying to improve the rate of penalty corner conversion. But more than that our main concern is to score more goals. We would want to score goals first and maintained the lead and keep a comfort level."

"So, it is about scoring more goals, that is our main concern and we are working on that." Harendra also agreed that penalty corner conversion rate was not up to the mark and the team was working on that aspect of the game.

"The rate of penalty corner conversion was poor in the Commonwealth Games and Champions Trophy but we have done well in the recent matches against New Zealand and South Korea. We need improvement and we are working on that," he said.

"I hope the return of Rupinder will also give us better result in that crucial aspect of the game."

Daily News & Analysis



Rani Rampal's Team India sets gold standard

By Rutvick Mehta


Women's Hockey Team

There has been a paradigm shift in the mindset and approach as far as Indian women's hockey is concerned in recent times.

A couple of weeks ago, India went down to Ireland in a penalty shootout after fighting hard in the quarterfinals of the FIH Women's World Cup in London.

That the then 10th-ranked Indian women's hockey side managed to sneak into the last-eight stage of a World Cup after 40 years was a decent achievement, a fact that would've normally been a cause for celebration in itself.However, the current bunch of Indian women hockey players is different.

"The World Cup didn't work out the way we had hoped for," India captain Rani Rampal told DNA. "We could've performed better, but we couldn't."

What should have filled the girls with some sense of satisfaction instead left them with a feeling of underachievement, despite India not even qualifying for the previous Women's World Cup in 2014.

It is with this change in mentality that the Indian women's hockey team enters the Asia Cup, with nothing less than a gold medal and, in turn, a direct ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in its radar.

India bagged a bronze in the previous edition in Incheon, and haven't stood on top of the podium since when women's hockey was first introduced in the Asiad in 1982.

Not that it matters to Rani & Co.



"This time, our target isn't bronze or silver. Our target is gold. Our target is qualifying for the Olympics directly. And we're very confident about achieving this target," said Rani.

The confidence stems from a string of positive results this year, with the team finishing a creditable fourth in the 2018 Commonwealth Games — although they were thrashed 6-0 by England in the bronze medal match — and making it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

The progress has shown in their rankings too, with the team jumping to its best-ever ranking of world No. 9 last week, making India the highest-ranked team in Asia in women's hockey.

"There has definitely been a boost in confidence," Rani said. "The World Cup didn't go as we expected, but if there's something we can take out of it, it is that we did something no Indian women's team had achieved in 40 years."The World Cup show also improved our rankings. We can take that confidence into the Asian Games, that we've shown major signs of improvements in our last two tournaments: Commonwealth Games and World Cup."Now, we need to show the outcome and result of it in the Asian Games," she added.

Fitness, mindset change

This kind of self-belief has been missing in Indian women's hockey for a long time, and there's none better than Rani to throw light on the factors behind it.

She might be just 23 but Rani has been the most experienced and most prolific player in the team for a number of years now since making her international debut in 2009.

This will be the Haryana-born Rani's third Asian Games appearance, having been part of the team that finished third in 2014 and fourth in 2010.

She knows exactly what sets this current team apart from the ones before.

"There's a lot of difference," she said. "This team is a lot fitter. Those teams were also fit but over the last one-and-a-half years, we have worked a lot on our fitness, and it has gone to another level.

"Our team has also become stronger than before. This team has a lot of youngsters, which gives a lot of energy to the group," she added.

It's not all just about fitness, skills and age, though.

"There has also been a big change in the mindset," Rani said. "What we've never managed to do in 40 years, we did it now. That has given players some confidence at various levels that, 'OK, we're in the right track now'," she added.

Areas of improvement

They indeed are, but concerns remain.

While this team has a strong defensive structure, having conceded just three goals in five matches at the World Cup, their attacking flair leaves a lot to be desired.

India converted just five goals in the tournament from multiple scoring chances, three of them coming in one match against Italy. Their penalty corner (PC) conversion too needs a lift, something Rani is well aware of.

"Defensively, we did well in the World Cup. But we want to get better at PC conversion and maximise whatever chances we get.

"We also have to convert the goalscoring chances that we create. Once we do that, automatically the team will play with more confidence. The pressure will reduce on us," Rani said.

The team played the CWG and World Cup under two different coaches, Harendra Singh and Sjoerd Marijne, respectively. The Indian was given charge of the men's team and the Dutchman handed back the reins of the women in May.

The musical chairs hasn't affected the stability of the team, according to Rani.

"There have been no major changes. Even under Harry sir, we played under a similar structure. We're doing everything right in terms of creating goalscoring chances, but we're just not getting the outcome. So, focus is on that in the Asian Games," she said.

The girls realise that recent positive results, improved rankings and rewriting history books will be of little relevance if they do not clinch the gold at the Asiad.

"It's very important for us to win gold, because we are eager to qualify directly for the 2020 Olympics. And, we think we are capable of that," Rani said.

Daily News & Analysis



Indian hockey teams have potential to bag gold medal, says former coach Joaquim Carvalho


File image of the Indian women's hockey team. FIH website

Thane: Former national hockey coach Joaquim Carvalho has backed both the Indian men and women's teams to bag the gold medal in the upcoming Asian Games.

The Asian Games are starting on 18 August in Indonesia and will be hosted by two cities - Jakarta and Palembang.

"Both the teams will go into the tournament (Asian Games) as the favourites. Going by the performance of the Indian men's team in the Champions Trophy and the way they have been performing in the last 2-3 years (gold medal looks within their reach)," Carvalho said.

He was speaking on the sidelines of an event organised at the Vivana Mall in Thane to support the Indian contingent at the Asian Games.

"The women's team has also done well in the last World Cup, where the competition (was tough). Coming back to the Asian Games, both the men's and women's team should come back with the gold (medal)," added Carvalho.

The event was also attended by former hockey players Merwyn Fernandes and Dhananjay Mahadik.

According to Carvalho, the performance of the Indian team in the Asian Games will help them to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"This Asian Games will be crucial for the Indian team, because if they win the Asian Games, they will directly qualify for the 2020 Olympics," he added.

Firstpost



Harendra Singh imposing his brand of 'punishments' to weed out callousness, enforce discipline in hockey team

Amit Kamath


Simranjeet Singh dons the rooster hat during a team lunch. Image courtesy: Amit Kamath

Bengaluru: At the upcoming Asian Games, expect the Indian men's hockey team to be as disciplined as an army battalion. That's because of the unique ways India coach Harendra Singh is employing during the national team's camp to enforce discipline and weed out callousness.

Penalties for infringements at the men's national camp range from doing push-ups for a foul during training to walking around with a player on your back for other indiscretions.

There are also steep financial sanctions for things like wearing the wrong training jersey or coming late to sessions. While most of the sanctions are Harendra's ideas, some of them come from former Australian drag-flicker Chris Ciriello, who works with the Indian team as the analytical coach.

"Doing something wrong carries a severe penalty of Rs 500. This doesn’t just apply to the players. Even support staff are fined for such errors," says Harendra, who says till date he himself has had to cough up Rs 2,500 in fines.

"If training starts at 8.55 am and I reach at 8.57 am, I have to pay," the Indian national coach says.

Explaining the rationale behind the punishments, Harendra says, “It’s not just to discipline the players. If 10 of your teammates are doing something right, and you are doing something else, then this serves as a reminder that you have to act as per the team's thinking."

But the most creative sanction seems to be the rooster hat — Harendra’s own creation — which erring players will have to wear in public at all times when not training during national camps.

“The rooster hat is something I had enforced in the junior Indian team as well. Agar aap kuch funny karenge ya aisa kuch karenge jo team ke environment ke liye theek nahin hain ya jane anjane main kuch karte hain, toh aapko ye hat pehena padega jab tak koi aur kuch funny nahin karta (If you do something comical in training or do something that is detrimental to the environment of the team, or make a funny mistake, you get to wear the hat until someone else does the same. Then you pass on the hat to them),” says Harendra.

"We make the players wear this so we can tell even from a distance that this player has done a bewakoofi wali cheez (something stupid) today," he says.

Harendra gives an example of what ‘bewakoofi wali cheez’ can earn you the rooster hat. "The other day, one of our players was going to start the play. But the ball went in one direction while the player went another and fell. On video, the incident looks comical, but it cost his team the possession and hurt the side."

"Yeh topi hasne ke liye bhi hai, aur seekhne ke liye bhi (This hat is a way to laugh at mistakes, but also learn in the process)," says Harendra.

Even being absent-minded can earn one the hat. “If I ask you a question during a team meeting or a session and you answer something completely different, you get the hat," Harendra says.

Perhaps Simranjeet Singh, who currently wears the 'crown', would disagree, but the rest of the players claim to enjoy the punishments.

India captain PR Sreejesh says, "Harendra is a typical Indian coach. He knows how to scold a player. But he also understands when he needs to support or motivate a player. If players feel that training sessions are going to be easy, players will relax and won't focus too much on training. But if the coach is strict, players realise they need to step up their seriousness."

"The logic behind the push-ups bit is easy to understand. If you foul someone during a game and you get a card, you will be out of the game for two or five minutes. But your teammates will have to pick up the burden and slog in your absence. We're trying to explain to players that if you foul someone and get carded, the rest of your teammates will have to work for you. So, this is a small punishment for the mistake," Sreeejesh says.

"If you keep repeating mistakes, you have to do front rolls and push-ups. It's not a punishment. All the players are enjoying it. Our biceps are getting bigger," veteran Sardar Singh adds, flashing a grin.

Firstpost



Additional Funding Announced Following World Cup Success



The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross, T.D., and the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin, T.D., today announced the allocation of €1.75million in additional funding for high performance sport. The Board of Sport Ireland has agreed that the funding should be allocated to National Governing Bodies and other sporting bodies to assist athletes’ preparations for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.

Announcing the funding, Minister Ross said: “We have seen some truly extraordinary achievements over the past few weeks, with medal success for our Women’s Hockey Team, as well as Irish rowers, sprinters, para-cyclists and gymnasts. Recognising the success of our sportsmen and women, who do so much to inspire Irish children and young people, I am delighted to announce this additional funding for high performance programmes across a range of sports.

As I indicated previously, a significant proportion – some €500,000 – of this funding is being allocated to Hockey Ireland and I have no doubt that they will continue to build upon their remarkable successes of recent years"

Speaking about the announcement Hockey Ireland's CEO, Jerome Pels said   ‘Hockey Ireland is absolutely delighted with today’s announcement of additional funding of €500,000. This is a great addition to the already substantial high-performance funding we have received for 2018, which included a special grant for World Cup participation. We are very grateful for the continued support of Sport Ireland in providing funding, facilities and services that allow our players to play at the highest level of our sport. This is fantastic news helping Hockey to progress towards Olympic Qualification and a good result in Tokyo.’

Irish Hockey Association media release



Hockey gets huge additional funding boost with new sponsor also on the way


The Irish women’s success in London has played a key part in this funding windfall. Pic: Frank Uijlenbroek

Hockey Ireland were the big beneficiaries today as they were allocated €500,000 from a pot of €1.75 million in additional high performance funding made available for National Governing Bodies (NGB) for sport (NGBs) by Sport Ireland.

The funding, which was confirmed by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, will be used to assist NGB preparations for major competitions including the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and key World Championship events.

The money is earmarked – according to the press statement today – to “support the campaigns of the men’s and women’s senior teams to Tokyo 2020; to further enhance player support under the Carding Scheme; to advance the establishment of a base at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus; and the facilitate greater engagement with the Sport Ireland Institute.”

Reacting to the announcement, Hockey Ireland chief executive Jerome Pels welcomed the news, telling The Hook: “We are very grateful of the support Sport Ireland has given us this year; they already gave us a special grant for the World Cup and so this is fantastic.

“I still need to know the details of it. We just heard it was an additional fund made available by Sport Ireland for Olympic preparation and Olympic sports. There was no further information beyond that but it is only good for us and will help us to move forward to a higher level.”

In the aftermath of the World Cup, both coach Graham Shaw and the Irish players have spoken of the need for a permanent training base and, potentially, a new stadium for hosting games.

Pels said Hockey Ireland has been in talks with Sport Ireland in relation to a training pitch at the National Sports Campus, bringing them closer to their additional high-performance benefits and atmosphere that can bring.

Currently, there is a hockey pitch at the Campus used by Dublin North Hockey Club currently. It is not a water-based astroturf and so there are discussions whether they could replace this or add another pitch there.

“Sport Ireland has indicated they would like as many sports as possible around the National Sports Campus as possible, getting as many sports together working in a high-performance atmosphere. We buy into that which is important.

“Having a stadium is much further away and a bigger project but at least this is about having training facilities available as quickly as possible.

“We still need to discuss what all this additional funding means for us. It’s a very positive step and fantastic news. It has to be acknowledged that we are very grateful for the support received from Sport Ireland in featuring hockey so highly.”


Irish hockey is seeking to set up a permanent high performance base. Pic: Frank Uijlenbroek/World Sport Pics

Pels also added that a new sponsor for the men’s team is in the pipeline with an announcement on the way for late August or early September. There is also the potential of lengthening the agreement with Softco which Pels says is “a beautiful relationship that is working really well”.

For Pels, it is a scenario he could scarcely have envisaged when he took on the role in December 2016. The €500,000 additional fund almost doubles the Sport Ireland allocation for 2018 specifically designated for high-performance hockey; the original amount was €530,000 of a €900,000 total for hockey.

Sport Ireland told The Hook that Hockey Ireland must now present plans to them for the allocation, adding it was “current funding, not capital”.

Some will likely go to “back-funding” some of the additional costs associated with the extended World Cup run. But with the Irish women’s team’s major plans for the year already complete; the junior age groups self-funded programmes concluded and the men’s World Cup plans already set to be well-budgeted for, it will be interesting exactly where this money goes if not into the pitch at Abbotstown.

Indeed, the money is solely a 2018 allocation and does not form part of the new 10-year Sports Policy for Ireland – which aims to double investment – which kicks into gear in 2019.

“This is the result of a lot of hard work,” Pels says of the envious position his organisation finds themselves in as a result of Shaw and the Green Army heroes.

“Sometimes everything aligns at just the right time but we have had increased investment from Sport Ireland and SINI.

“This has allowed the women to be away quite a lot and have a very good preparation. It’s not the same level of funding as other countries but definitely, it all worked really well.”


The Irish men’s team is set to benefit from a new sponsor which will be announced in the coming weeks. Pic: Adrian Boehm

This new money came from a “corporate dividend” from the Irish Aviation Authority which was earmarked for sport last week, something which Minister Ross revealed on the Irish women’s team’s arrival home following the World Cup in London.

He promised a “significant” portion of this windfall for Irish sport would be destined for hockey and the funding comes as “the sport has demonstrated it now has two teams with realistic aims of qualifying and competing in Tokyo 2020” in the press announcement.

Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, added: “In early 2018, Sport Ireland identified an immediate need for investment in order to offset the high costs associated with qualifying and preparing for 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo and participation in other key World Championship events.

The press statement added: “Following a detailed system review in 2017, Sport Ireland identified strategic requirements and specific needs within the High Performance system, not all of which could be addressed in the 2018 funding allocations.

“These requirements were to be a priority should any additional funding become available. The allocations announced today address these needs and reflect successes in performance from High Performance sports in 2018.”

In total seventeen organisations will benefit from this injection of funding with allocations ranging from €20,000 to €500,000.

The Hook



Irish Government pledges additional funding to Olympic sports


The Irish women's team made a triumphant homecoming after their runners-up finish at the Hockey World Cup

Hockey Ireland is to receive an extra £447,000 in the wake of the runners-up finish at the Women's World Cup.

Irish Minister for Sport, Shane Ross has pledged the funding to support the qualification bids for the men's and women's teams for the Tokyo Olympics.

At the homecoming event for the women's team, Minister Ross said hockey would receive a "significant share" of an additional £1.34m for Olympic sports.

"This announcement is a prompt response to our great success," Ross told RTE.

"It should signal to them that 'if you need money for high performance, we are certainly going to make this contribution'.

"If it is not enough then we will certainly look at it again but we're not going to be reckless about it but it is a recognition of the great work that they have done."

Hockey Ireland will receive a third of the funding that will be allocated by Sport Ireland, with the Olympic Council of Ireland and Horse Sport Ireland both to receive over £196,000, while Paralympics Ireland (£112,0000) are the other major beneficiary.

Rhys McClenaghan's gold medal win has helped Gymnastics Ireland to receive a funding boost while Swim Ireland and Athletics Ireland, who also helped to produce medal successes at the European Championships, will earn an additional £67,000 and £45,000 respectively.

"I just think we need that lift, the Olympians and those who are potentially going to the Olympics deserve it and we're going to give them every encouragement and we're not going to leave them wanting in terms of funding," added Ross.

"There was no suggestion it was all going to hockey, it was announced at a time when the hockey team had done so incredibly well.

"The Irish women's team has gone to eighth place in the rankings and they're really in with a chance, not just of qualifying but of getting a medal, and anybody who saw wonderful game, the semi-final when we beat Spain, will recognise that they must be supported."

Amateur boxing, cricket, cycling, golf, sailing, rowing, triathlon, badminton, judo and taekwondo are the other sports that will benefit.

BBC Sport



Hockey will benefit from funding but process must be clearer

What formula other than the flapping hand of minister Ross was used to divide money?

Johnny Watterson


Ireland celebrate with their silver medals after their field hockey World Cup final loss to the Netherlands. Photo: Daniel Leal-Olivas/Getty Images

On the face of it the additional €500,000 for Hockey Ireland on top of the 2018 allocation is a winner for the sport and particularly the women’s national team.

Although it has probably been forgotten, the bump up towards the top of the funding food chain arrives not only after the women’s historic World Cup final but on the back of the men’s team winning a first ever European Championship medal three years ago and a first ever qualification for an Olympic Games two years ago in Rio.

As any sport would, Hockey Ireland reacted positively to their chunk of €1.75 million of tax payers’ money grandiosely promised.

“Hockey Ireland is absolutely delighted with today’s announcement of additional funding of €500,000,” said Hockey Ireland chief executive Jerome Pels.

“We are very grateful for the continued support of Sport Ireland in providing funding, facilities and services that allow our players to play at the highest level of our sport. This is fantastic news helping Hockey to progress towards Olympic Qualification and a good result in Tokyo. ”

Prior to yesterday, hockey was well down the pecking order in terms of funding. It took 19 women to get to the World Cup final and over 30 women to get the team to London before catapulting into the public domain for the first time in the sport’s history.

Additional

Hockey Ireland is now running two programmes for world class male and female athletes for upwards of 60 people. For that reason Emma Beatty was able and prepared to fly over to London the day before the World Cup final to replace the injured Megan Frazer and step into the team.

Prior to the additional €500,000 hockey was awarded yesterday the sport received €815,000 for 2018 across all three funding platforms, core grants, high performance and women in sport.
 
It broke down into €260,000 to run programmes and the federation, €35,000 for women in sport and €520,000 for high performance.

Although hockey also drew a once off €60,000 for the women’s World Cup in London and the men’s World Cup, which takes place in India later this year, players are excluded from the fourth platform, the carding scheme, which funds athletes directly.

In comparison athletics received €1.712 million in 2018 across the three platforms. It drew €887,000 for the core grant, €35,000 for women in sport and €790,000 for high performance. Swimming was given €1.452 million, tennis €538,000 and badminton €490,000.

The best

The extra €500,000 for hockey brings the funding up to €1.375 million, the best it has ever been for the sport.

Minister for Sport Shane Ross pointed out at his car crash announcement with the women’s team on their return that “hockey will enjoy a significant share.” Actually that turned out to be true.

But how the money was directed towards hockey and other sports and why it was directed there remains somewhat mysterious, as does the arbitrary way in which ‘extra’ money appears and seems to be allocated by politicians and distributed by Sport Ireland when it should be the other way around, distributed by politicians and allocated by Sport Ireland.

Ministerial posturing and staged promises entirely designed to maximise publicity by directing money towards certain organisations remains a worrisome trend. Sometimes saying well done just isn’t enough.

One of the roles and functions of Sport Ireland was to remove the remnants of old school interference and halt the practice of cherry-picking sports that catch the public eye or hold the potential to reflect well on politicians. Money becomes confetti.

Gifting

Ireland’s history of funding prior to Sport Ireland was all about ministers gifting their own constituencies. Probity and responsible distribution of funds was questioned.

The week gone has shown that, far from it being a sleight of hand, it has become a face-off with good taste performed with bravado in front of the cameras.

Hockey deserved its €500,000 but what formula other than the flapping hand of the minister was used to give the sport that amount of money or give Swim Ireland €75,000 and Athletics Ireland €50,000? Was Thomas Barr’s bronze in the European Championship 400m hurdles less worthy than Shane Ryan’s backstroke bronze in the pool? And was that extra €75,000 to Gymnastics Ireland for a gold medal in the pommel from Rhys McClenaghan about its worth?

Rowing received an additional €40,000 maybe for the O’Donovan brothers, consistent benchmarks of excellence, pulling like dogs.

Add the veneer of a politician successfully sucking all the oxygen from an otherwise innocent homecoming for the Irish women’s hockey team and the 1980s rise up in front of our eyes. It needs to be called out.

The Irish Times



Irish Under-21s battle hard in three close run ties with England



The Irish Under-21 side played out a hard-fought three game series with England at Stormont over the weekend, drawing one and losing the other by the minimum.

On Thursday, with a dozen of the Irish senior women’s panel in attendance, they tied 1-1 with Siofra O’Brien scoring a cracking equaliser later in the day.

Saturday’s game two and game three on Sunday both finished 1-0 to the visitors to Stormont. It finished off one of the busiest Under-21/23 developmental programmes of recent times, playing 18 games over the summer and giving a taste of the demands of international hockey to up to 30 players.

In the wake of the first Under-21 tie, Megan Frazer spoke to Belfast Telegraph’s John Flack about the injury that forced her to miss the World Cup final.

She said: “I desperately wanted to play but the medics told me it would have been foolish to do so. I was absolutely gutted but, with hindsight, I might have done further damage to my knee which was still a bit sore, but at least I still have a silver medal round my neck.”

The Hook



Junior USMNT Scores Winning Goal with Time Expired to Take Game 3 Against Chile


Image by Maryse Govaert

GREENWICH, Conn. - In the third game of the Junior U.S. Men's National Team series against Chile on Thursday, USA knew what to expect from their opponent and took the field looking for a win. Tied 1-1 at halftime, both sides shared goals in the third and fourth quarters but USA scored the winning goal with time expired to take the game 4-3.

"We're very excited about the win," said Rutger Wiese, Junior USMNT Head Coach. "We will continue to work on our team defense and individual defensive skills."

Chile struck first in the game with a field goal at 6th minute but their lead was short-lived when USA’s Alberto Montilla (Allen, Texas) successfully converted on a penalty stroke goal to bring the score to 1-1 in the 12th minute. Both teams dug in for the remainder of the first quarter and all of the second, but the score held 1-1 at the end of the half.
 
USA pulled ahead with a second goal from Montilla in the 39th minute and further extended their lead with a shot across the goal and successful redirect into goal by Alex Curtis (London, United Kingdom) to close the third quarter, 3-1.
 
Chile assumed the dominant role in the fourth frame with multiple circle penetrations and came up with a goal at 58th minute and a successful penalty corner conversion a in the 58th minute to bring the score to a 3-3 deadlock. In a final dramatic turn, USA earned a penalty corner at the final buzzer and another was awarded due to foot foul. The second chance was converted on a shot by Finlay Quaile (Tauton, United Kingdom) to win the game 4-3.

USFHA media release



Four Game Series Concludes Between Junior USMNT and Chile


Image by Maryse Govaert

GREENWICH, Conn. - After a full week of training and matches, the Junior U.S. Men's National Team went into the fourth and final game hoping to split the series with Chile. Instead, Chile's experience forced a fatigued USA to cede the game 0-3.

Chile scored their first field goal at in the 11th minute and continued to apply pressure to USA’s defensive structure. USA worked diligently and shut down six penalty corner attempts by Chile throughout the first three periods. The halftime score finished 0-1.
While USA was trying to create opportunities in the offense, they were unable to capitalize on four penalty corner attempts. In the final frame, unfortunate breakaways allowed Chile to notch two more goals to end the game 0-3.

“It was a great summer for our Junior National teams with many games and trainings," said Rutger Wiese, Junior USMNT Head Coach. "It is really great and encouraging to see how much progress these guys continue to make. We have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us as all players and coaches are really excited about the direction the program is heading. I personally would like to thank all coaches, trainers, managers, coordinators and parents for all their help this summer."

The Junior U.S. Men's National Team will meet again from October 6-8 for a training camp weekend in Greenwich, Conn. They will finish out the year by another training camp from November 18-22 in Moorpark, Calif., which will include a test series against Canada.

USFHA media release



Scotland U21 women win series against Vermont



Scotland women`s under-21 side beat touring side Vermont University from the United States 2-1 over a three match series despite losing the final game 3-1 at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

Watsonians` Georgia Jones put the young Scots ahead but the American students retaliated with three goals through Pleun Haantjes, Carla Godsman, and Taryn Marra to gain their first win of the series.

The Scots were unlucky to lose, the Vermont keeper made a series of fine saves and then Tara Aitchison had the misfortune to see her deflection rebound off the post.

The young Scots were comfortable 4-0 winners in the opening encounter, Jones was again on target with a brace while the other strikes came from Aitchison and Cat Booth at a penalty corner.

The second match was level at 1-1 at the interval, Jones opened the scoring only for the visitors from Vermont to equalise.  But the second half belong to the Scots with additional strikes coming from Jones again, Grove Menzieshill`s Georgia Smith and Aitchison.

Scotland coach Neil Menzies said: “This was a very useful exercise as we only had a few games this year and I was able to include some players from the under-18 side.

“It was a good chance to see other players in the squad before next year`s European championships.”

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Unsung Heroes of 1948 Gold



"Indeed to my mind if a special souvenir was to be awarded to any one player, who contributed most to Indian’s victory, I would unhesitatingly give the palm to our squat, smiling-faced Leo. His display in the semifinal against Holland should forever niche for Pinto a plaque to himself in the hockey hall of fame".

The above words were not from any writer to take it lightly. A player of the 1948 Indian Olympic hockey team, who got injured mid way through the hockey event, wrote even before landing home country. (Locating of his writings is the best finding in this writer's career).


Leo Pinto in his late 80s at home in Bandra (Mumbai)

He was professionally a journalist, and wrote reams about 1948 Olympics. Since he himself played a match, and part of the team, his words should count.

His appreciation was not without merit. India was almost pushed to corner in the last moments of the semifinal. India 2 Holland 1 with just six minutes left in the clock. Holland has got six penalty corners in that spell, defenders RS Gentle and Trilochan Singh having very rough to contain the 'direct hockey' of the Dutch. It was Leo, born in Africa, brought up in Bombay, who missed the 1936 Olympics due to injury, who stood between Dutch goal and India. While Pakistan caved in in such situation against Britain in the other semis, Leo did not allow such a disaster for India.

Leo incidentally was the senior most in the team. He died when he was 96.

Britain got a penalty bully (equivalent of penalty stroke) mid way in the final, it was left to Leo to tackle in the resultant one-to-one duel against the Britain captain. Lion-hearted Leo discarded his pads for a while, faced it, and saved too. Otherwise, the score would have been 2-1, and had been so, who knows what course the match would have taken, how we would have secured the unblemished 4-0 score which now is the final historic label.

Next comes second senior most in the team Kishen Lal, the unanimous choice of captain.


Kishen Lal

The speedy forward was one of the six players in the team to play all the Five Matches, which meant the kind of fitness they had had. India was struggling against Spain in the league and against Dutch in the semifinals. It was left to the second senior most in the team Kishen to lift the sagging morale of his team with a move or two on the field that would even surprise him, and energize the team which is in loathe. Every match report published in those times give full credit to him for such specs of spectacular moves that silenced the rivals, leading to Indian fame.


Keshav Dutt (inset his young age)

In today's parlance he is prototype of SV Sunil, tireless cross manufacturer. Of course crosses are forgotten goals that came out of another'a adept is.

Third in the row is Keshav Dutt. He was affected by Partition, stranded in Mumbai. His family wrote to him not to return, as the city is in flames, they themselves were out to leave Lahore. Keshav found a stay in Mumbai, cajoled everyone to take him into Bombay side for the Selection National, and the rest is history. He is in modern day parlance equated to Manpreet Singh. He played all the six matches, where he excelled.

Then you have KD Singh Babu, who is ambitious, self-conscious, emotional cauldron, aristocratic life style, but gem of a player, team man, who will part balls selflessly in the circle in order to see team wins.

There was then Pat Jansen, whom you may compare to Baljit Singh Dhillon.

Then you have the awe-evoking Penalty Corner expert lanky Trilochan Singh Bawa.


Amir Kumar

He played for Faridkot team, and had the company of legendary Udham Singh (four times Olympian). Impeccable interceptor of ball, game accelerator par excellence when team is down, his role had been vital in every game. He is much like present day Rupinder Pal Singh.

The most important cog in the wheel, that smashed the British Pride once for all, was Amir Kumar, the fulcrum around which the entire team would move-- the centre-half.

He can truly be equated to present day Sardar Singh. As a true team man, he played as per the game plan, never worked for himself, never gave interviews in his entire career. It does't mean the former Dockyard player, later Dunlop player, played less role.

So much so, he was selected for his second Olympics in 1956, despite missing 1952 number. When India was leading 1-0 in the 1956 final, it was Amir who saved a penalty bully, and thus saw to it Indian score doesn't become 1-1.

When the nation rejoices the 1948 Olympic Gold these heroes, their relatives and promoters too deserve all adulation.

Are we doing it?

ARE WE FAIR TO THOSE DEPARTED AND LIVING SOULS?

Stick2Hockey.com



Ahead of Gold release, Akshay Kumar meets Hockey legend Balbir Singh

Balbir Singh was a part of the winning team that brought home the first prestigious Gold for India back in 1948.


Akshay Kumar with Balbir Singh.

New Delhi: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar on Monday met the 'living hockey legend', Balbir Singh.

Kumar took to Twitter to praise Balbir Singh, stating that he was a part of the winning team that brought home the first prestigious Gold for India back in 1948.

Balbir Singh is a three-time Olympic gold champion. He played a key role in India's Olympic victories in London (1948), as a Vice-Captain in Helsinki (1952) and as the Captain in Melbourne (1956).

He is even called the greatest hockey player ever and is regarded as the greatest centre-forward that the sport of Hockey has ever witnessed.

Interestingly, his Olympic record for the maximum number of most goals scored by an individual in a men's hockey final still remains unbeaten.

Akshay Kumar's sports drama 'Gold' is set to take the audience back in time to witness a team's struggle to make India proud.

The upcoming flick will release this Independence Day, marking the occasion of the 70th anniversary of free India's first gold medal at the 1948 Olympics.

The film boasts of an ensemble cast including Amit Sadh, Kunal Kapoor, Vineet Singh, and Sunny Kaushal, apart from Akshay Kumar. It also marks the big screen debut of TV sensation Mouni Roy.

Deccan Herald



FIH seeks Athletes' Committee nominations


Currently players and recently retired are being encouraged to put themselves forward Photo: FIH

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is calling on nominations for its Athletes' Committee, the key link between those who play and the governing body, to make sure the Athletes have a voice in the FIH decision making process.

This is a unique opportunity for current and recently retired athletes looking to make an impact on the future of the sport, with all costs covered by the FIH.

Regular Members and Liaison Members are currently being sought. All nominations must reach the FIH by 25 August 2018 in order to commence voting in September.

If you're interested in representing athletes across the world, contact your National Association and ask them to put you forward as a nominee to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CANDIDATE NOMINATIONS
We are looking for nominations for both Regular Members of the Athletes’ Committee and for a new position of Liaison Members.

Regular Members
Candidates must have played at an FIH competition within four (4) years as of 1 September 2018. Regular Members will be expected to:

    Commit a minimum of 6-8 days each year (+ travel time)
    Attend all Athletes’ Committee meetings x 2 times per year
    Be the Athletes’ Committee’s representative on at least one other FIH Panel or Committee
    Attend other stakeholder (eg. WADA, IOC) Athlete Forums/Symposiums in your geographical region
    Be in regular email and telephone dialogue regarding Athletes’ Committee related matters

Liaison Members
Candidates must be current players who have played at an FIH competition within the past 12 months and be part of their current National Association squad.

The requirements and time commitment for Liaison Members are much less than for Regular Members and their role is to strengthen the link between the FIH Athletes’ Committee and current players. As such expectations are limited to:

    Commit a minimum of 1-2 days per year (+ travel time)
    Attend at least one Athletes’ Committee meeting per year (subject to playing commitments)
    Be responsible for channelling messages to/from the Athletes’ Committee and current players

All candidates will be expected to have the following skills and competencies:

    A good standard of written and spoken English
    A good network amongst other athletes
    Comfortable presenting and speaking in public
    Demonstrate a desire to give athletes a stronger voice within the administration of the sport

As part of FIH's 'Equally Amazing' values, the FIH is asking each National Association to nominate one female and one male candidate for each position – Regular Members and Liaison Members.

No National Association will be able to have more than one representative on the Athletes Committee, so should a National Association have more than one athlete voted in through the elections, the athlete with the highest percentage of the vote will be successful.

ABOUT THE FIH ATHLETES' COMMITTEE
The members of the Athletes’ Committee serve as a consultative body and make recommendations to the FIH Executive Board, FIH Committees, Advisory Panels and other bodies.

The roles cover seeking and providing feedback to the FIH on behalf of all athletes, whilst developing and promoting resources and initiatives to athletes such as health and welfare, anti-doping, social media, our need to create stars to attract new fans, career preparation and management.

The Committee also plays a central role in liaising with the Athletes’ Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other sporting organisations to enable the sharing of information and research and ultimately developing the game of hockey.

FIH site



Blacks Sticks Women's coach opened rift with squad after mistakenly emailing criticism of team to players


NZ coach Mark Hager. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

A slip of the fingers has caused embarrassment for Hockey New Zealand and its national women's coach Mark Hager.

One News have reported former Australian international striker and long term Black Sticks coach Hager inadvertently sent an email critical of some players to more than the intended support staff colleague.

The email reached his players. In it, Hager was critical of players for being struggling to run, being unable to do repeat efforts at training and battling to push through pain and heat.

Hager also made the point the players do not train hard enough.

The Black Sticks, who were ranked fourth at the time, had a poor World Cup campaign in London last month, failing to reach the last eight and dropping two spots in the world rankings.

In April they had been jubilant having won a maiden Commonwealth Games title on the Gold Coast, but there have been some ordinary results this year.

Hager, a straight-shooting personality who has kept the Black Sticks among the world's elite teams throughout his term, is in his 10th year in charge of the team.

He apologised for his comments which he acknowledged were poor and he had no excuses.

HNZ said it was aware of the incident. The matter had been dealt with immediately by senior players and Hager took full responsibility.

It believes no further investigation is required and both parties are understood to have put the incident behind them.

In a recent interview with the Herald, Hager admitted he was likely to stand down after the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, no matter the outcome there, as it would be time for a new voice.

The New Zealand Herald

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