News for 20 February 2015
All the news for Friday 20 February 2015
Uruguay & Azerbaijan top the pools
Quarter-final line-up confirmed as Pool phase ends
(Photo: Danielo Scalese)
Host nation Uruguay have shaken the world rankings by finishing at the top of Pool A ahead of Italy at a fascinating Hockey World League Round 2 event in Montevideo.
Uruguay, who currently sit 31st in the FIH World Rankings, claimed wins against higher-ranked Mexico (WR: 28) and Dominican Republic (WR: 52), but it was their opening day performance against 17th ranked Italy that really made the headlines. The home favourites lead twice against their European opponents thanks to strikes from Janine Stanley and team captain Sofia Mora, but goals from Macarena Ronsisvalli and Chiara Tiddi levelled the scores before Uruguay delighted the home crowd by claiming what proved to be a crucial bonus point by winning the shoot-out. Italy finished second in Pool A having also recorded wins against Mexico and Dominican Republic, who finished third and fourth respectively.
Uruguay may have upset the odds in Pool A, but there was no such drama in Pool B as Azerbaijan (WR: 19) topped the table ahead of France (WR: 24). The Azerbaijanis have been in fine form in Montevideo, defeating Trinidad & Tobago (WR: 29), France and Kenya (WR: 37) to head into the quarter-finals on a wave of confidence. 21-year-old Farida Mammadova has been instrumental in Azerbaijan’s success, netting five times to sit alongside Italy’s Giuliana Ruggieri at the top of the goal-scorers table. Trinidad & Tobago finished third in the table with Kenya in fourth having forfeited their first two games due to their late arrival at the event.
The two Pool winners will face the sides that finished bottom of the other Pool, with host nation Uruguay going head-to-head with Kenya while Azerbaijan face Dominican Republic. France versus Mexico and Italy versus Trinidad & Tobago completes Thursday’s quarter-final line-up. To see all tournament fixtures and results, please click here.
The two highest finishers in the eight-team women’s tournament, which started on Saturday 14th and concludes on Sunday 22nd February, will each be guaranteed a place in the semi-final of the competition, where coveted berths at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games are up for grabs.
You can keep track of all of the action from Montevideo on the official tournament microsite.
FIH site
T&T hockey women face Italy for semis
T&T’s senior women’s hockey team will come up against Italy in the third quarterfinal when knockout matches flick off at the FIH World Hockey League Round Two qualifiers at The British Schools, Gral Maximo, Tajes, Montevideo, Uruguay, today from 5.30 pm.
This after the 29th world-ranked Anthony Marcano-coached Calypso Stickwomen, who were deprived of a full strength team due to other commitments, ended third in Pool B round-robin play on Tuesday following a 0-3 loss to 24th ranked France to end third in the four-team group.
For the French women, Marine Delannoy opened the scoring in the seventh minute from a penalty-corner conversion while Alix Perrocheau added a double in the 16th and 19th minutes for the Europeans.
With the loss, T&T, captained by Alanna Lewis and Patricia Wright-Alexis ended third with three points from as many matches, six adrift of table-toppers and 19th-ranked Azerbaijan while France was second with six points.
In Tuesday’s other Pool match, Azerbaijan won 5-0 over Kenya while in Pool A, group winners Uruguay and Italy, also won by 5-0 margins over Mexico and Dominican Republic, respectively.
The 31st ranked South Americans, who stunned 17th rated Italy 2-0 on a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 draw and also blanked No52 Dominican Republic 5-0, ended with eight points, one ahead of Italy while No28 Mexico had three points and Dominican Republic zero.
On Saturday, T&T, which topped its round one campaign in Jamaica with a 100 per cent winning record, began the tournament with a 1-5 loss to Azerbaijan before earning a default win over the Kenyans.
The Italians won by similar 5-0 margins over Mexico and Dominican Republic.
In today’s other matches, Azerbaijan faces Dominican Republic from 12.30 pm followed by France against Mexico at 3 pm and in the final contest on the night, host Uruguay tackles Kenya from 8 pm.
Tomorrow, in the semifinals, the Italy/T&T winner faces the Azerbaijan/Dominican Republic winner while in the other half of the draw, the Uruguay/Kenya winner will come up against the France/Mexico winner.
However, prior to the main draw semifinals, the losers of the quarterfinals will also clash in cross-over semifinals for fifth to eighth spot.
With the tournament being an eight-team affair, all participants were already qualified for the cross-over quarterfinals from which the winners will advance to the semifinals, and then the championship and bronze medal encounters.
The top two teams will advance to the Third World World League qualifiers that would guarantee a place in the semi-final of the competition, where the coveted berths at the 2016 Olympic Games are on offer.
Final Pool Standings
GROUP A:
Teams P W L SW SL F A Pts
Uruguay 3 2 0 1 0 12 3 8
Italy 3 2 1 0 1 12 2 7
Mexico 3 1 2 0 0 5 12 3
Dom Rep 3 0 3 0 0 3 15 0
GROUP B:
Azerbaijan 3 3 0 0 0 13 3 9
France 3 2 1 0 0 10 3 6
T&T 3 1 2 0 0 6 8 3
Kenya 3 0 3 0 0 0 15 0
The Trinidad Guardian
Resilient Defense Shuts Out Argentina for 2-0 Win in Final Series Match Up
The U.S. Women's National Team broke a running streak of three ties on Wednesday night at Spooky Nook Sports Dome Arena with a 2-0 victory over Argentina. The intensity of the fourth and final matchup of USA vs Argentina was intensified with red, white, and blue apparel covering the stands filled with passionate USA supporters as match action ensued.
In the opening minutes of play USA's Katie O’Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa.) took the ball into Argentina’s end of the pitch, setting a strong attack tempo from the beginning. On the opposite end of the pitch, with 4:38 left in the first quarter, goalkeeper Alesha Widdall (Whitney Point, N.Y.) saved a shot and prevented Argentina from scoring off its second corner of the game. In the final seconds of the quarter, USA worked the ball up the pitch from its defensive end to fire a shot before the buzzer. Maria Laura Aldro saved the shot to keep the first quarter scoreless.
USA's forward line created a presence in the second quarter by getting two shots off in the first minute of play. Argentina was awarded a corner with 11:39 left before the end of the first half, but Michelle Vitesse (Cherry Hill, N.J.) bolted from the cage to deflect the shot. Less than 30 seconds later, Argentina took another corner, but they could not find a way to the goal. USA's Katie Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.) quickly gained possession and started a USA drive to the cage. Aldro saved the shot off her stick to keep the game tied at 0. With 30 seconds left in the half, Argentina was awarded a corner, but Team USA remained solid and kept the score 0-0.
Argentina was quick to bring the pressure at the start of the second half. However, in the 36th minute, USA scored the first goal of the game. Kat Sharkey (Moosic, Pa.) ripped off a reverse chip shot that fired into the back of the cage with a bang, breaking the tie and making the score USA 1, Argentina 0. Intensity increased as both teams fought for ball control. Argentina had the ball in its offensive circle, but a USA push led to a corner for the opponent. Widdall made a crucial save to keep USA up by one at the end of the third quarter.
With seven minutes left to play, Widdall stopped a shot coming from another Argentinian corner. The red, white, and blue earned a corner at 3:40 that failed to lead to goal, but awarded them with a stroke. Captain Lauren Crandall (Doyelstown, Pa.) sailed the ball to the right of the goalie, increasing USA’s lead to two.
“As a team we’ve been working really hard and diligently and it just feels good to finally shut them out and, as a defensive unit and as a whole, keep Argentina scoreless,” said Widdall.
USA’s two unanswered goals and resilient defense provided a shutout to end the series against Argentina with sweet victory.
Follow Team USA's journey by visiting usafieldhockey.com and join us for the next USWNT series against Ireland at Spooky Nook Sports in May. #UN1TED
USFHA media release
Indian eves lose 1-4 against the men's team of Dutch club GCHC
VALENCIA: The Indian women's hockey team lost 1-4 against the men's team of Dutch side Groningsche Cricket en Hockey Club (GCHC) in their preparatory tour ahead of FIH World League Round 2.
Led by captain Ritu Rani, the Indian eves started off brightly but it was the Dutch side which opened the scoring in the eighth minute through a field goal.
The club side from Holland doubled their lead in the 21st minute, again through a field goal.
In the 28th minute, Yendala Soundarya brought one back for India from a baseline pass off Navjot Kaur.
But GCHC again scored in the 36th and 64th minute, both field goals to take a 4-1, which remained intact till the final hooter.
Indian eves next game will be played against Dutch hockey club Haagsche Delftsche Mixed Hockey Club (HDM) tomorrow. The matches are in preparation for the FIH World League Round 2 to be held in New Delhi from March 7 to 15.
The Times of India
Punjab Warriors sign off in style, beat Dabang Mumbai 3-2
MOHALI: Their semifinal berth already secured, Jaypee Punjab Warriors signed off their league engagements on a resounding note, beating bottom-placed Dabang Mumbai 3-2 on Thursday to finish on top of the round robin stage of the third Hero Hockey India League.
By virtue of this win Punjab Warriors finished on top with 35 points from 10 games ahead of Ranchi Rhinos, Uttar Pradesh Wizards and defending champions Delhi Waveriders.
The Punjab Warriors will now face the Waveriders in the semifinals on Saturday, while Ranchi Rays will be up against Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the other last four match on the same day at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.
Jake Whetton (37th minute), Sandeep Singh (44th) and Kieron Govers (59th) were the goal scorers for the hosts, while Nick Catalin (17th) and Harmanpreet Singh (53rd) dounded the board for the Mumbai outfit.
Contrary to the final result, Punjab Warriors had to slog it out to register the win.
After a barren first quarter, Dabang Mumbai stunned the home crowd by taking the lead in the 17th minute through Catalin's field goal.
Punjab Warriors were up against resolute Mumbai defence which they finally managed to break in the 38th minute when Whetton scored a fine goal after reciving a pass from Sandeep.
Favourites to lift this year's title, the Punjab Warriors then took the lead in the six minutes later when Sandeep scored from a penalty stroke.
But Mumbai were in no mood to give up without a fight and secured the equaliser seven minutes from the final hooter through Harmanpreet's field effort.
Australian Govers came to Punjab Warriors rescue just a minute from full time with a field goal after a good build up skipper Jamie Dwyer.
The Times of India
Punjab top the table
Deepankar Sharda
A match in progress at International stadium in Mohali. Vicky Gharu
Mohali - Punjab Warriors defeated Dabang Mumbai 3-2 in their last home-game of the Hockey India League (HIL) here today.
The visitors dominated the proceedings at the outset, with Nick Catlin sounding the board in the 17th minute. Faced with the reversal, the Punjab outfit changed tactics, with skipper Jamie Dwyer building more attacks. As the match picked up pace, the Warriors leveled the score with Jake Whetton scoring an equalizer in the 37th minute of the match.
Punjab Warriors continued to attack, and won a penalty stroke when Mumbai's Vikas Pillay committed a foul in the penalty area in the 44th minute. Sandeep Singh converted the chance with little fuss.
Mumbai, however, hit back in the 53rd minute when Harmanpreet Singh sounded the board to make it 2-2. Punjab made some quick changes towards the end; it paid rich dividends as Kieran Govers struck the winner in the 59th minute.
With this win, the Punjab Warriors retained the top position with 35 points. Punjab, Ranchi, UP and Delhi have entered the semifinals after playing 10 match each. Punjab and Ranchi have identical points (35). Uttar Pradesh secured 32 points and Delhi could only secure 25 points.
The Tribune
Semfinal line up drawn
s2h Team
With the completion of all the 30 matches today, the semifinal line up of the third Hero Hockey India League has been drawn.
Pool toppers Jaypee Punjab Warriors will take on host team Delhi Waveriders while the other feat will be between Uttar Pradesh Wizards and emerging Ranchi Rays.
Now that the last league match was over after Punjab saw off fighting visitors Dabang Mumbai 3-2 at Mohali, ACTION moves to Delhi where semifinal and final will be played on 21st and 22nd, respectively.
Today's last pool match saw woodenspoon and debutant Dabang Mumbai waging a grim war to secure a consolation win to finish their engagement, but two goals in the third quarter for the host team changed the complexion of the game.
Till Sandeep, who otherwise wasted three penalty corners, struck through a stroke that Gurmail Singh earned off a desparate bad play from out-of-form Tom Boon, the game appeared favourably titled towards the visiting team to Mohali.
However, now trailing 1-2, Harmanpreet injected life into the game with a neat conversion of first PC of the team - getting Jaap Stockmann stranded at the other end of the cage (2-2). But later on as the match was seen meandering to a tame draw, came the combined move from three Australians. Simon Orchard took the ball in a dash into D, where on the left Jamie Dwyer got the ball and then selflessly passed to well positioned Kiern Govers who just placed the ball to the right of goalie David Hurt (3-2). Then on, Harmanpreet Singh got a chance to equalize when Mumbai got a second penalty corner out of hard work by left winger Glenn Turner but he could do nothing as the pushed ball was not stopped properly, leaving him to the damage before taking a flick, it was late.
Kalinga Lancers which finished fifth and new team Dabang Mumbai will now be out of action, as all four top-billed teams move to Delhi to give fitting finishing touch to the month-long hockey extravaganza.
Stick2Hockey.com
HIL Finals confirmed
18 Kookaburras past and present to contest final four this weekend
Eighteen Kookaburras past and present will go head-to-head for their Hockey India League (HIL) franchises this weekend as the sport’s top league reaches its thrilling finals series in Delhi with the teams battling for a $500,000 first place prize.
Dual-World Cup winner Kieran Govers’ last minute strike earned the Jaypee Punjab Warriors top spot in the ladder on Thursday evening, setting up a semi final clash on Saturday against 2014 champions Delhi Waveriders. Jake Whetton was also on target in the 3-2 win over Dabang Mumbai.
Ranchi Rays, whose legacy team the Ranchi Rhinos won the inaugural edition of the HIL in 2013, will face Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the other semi final. The Wizards are the only one of the four teams left in the competition that hasn’t previously contested an HIL Grand Final.
The Warriors, led by Australian Olympic gold medal-winning coach Barry Dancer, welcomed back captain Jamie Dwyer for the Dabang Mumbai clash but were without Kookaburras skipper Mark Knowles, who suffered an ankle injury in training during the week.
This season’s full contingent of 25 Australian athletes is the largest representation from a single country aside from the Indians themselves. Four Kookaburras have tasted HIL success in the fledgling competition’s short history. Fergus Kavanagh was a winner with the Ranchi Rhinos in the inaugural season while compatriots Tristan White, Matt Gohdes and Jason Wilson claimed the title with the Delhi Waveriders last year. All four are in contention again for the 2015 title.
Fox Sports 1 will show live coverage of the first semi final between Ranchi Rays and Uttar Pradesh Wizards from 22:00 AEDT on Saturday with the second semi final between Jaypee Punjab Warriors and Delhi Waveriders shown on delay at 11:10am AEDT on Sunday.
Match schedule
Saturday 21 February
Semi 1: Ranchi Rays v Uttar Pradesh Wizards - 16:30 Indian time / 22:00 AEDT
Semi 2: Jaypee Punjab Warriors v Delhi Waveriders - 19:00 Indian time / 00:30 AEDT (Sun)
Sunday 22 February
3/4 Playoff: 16:30 Indian time / 22:00 AEDT
Grand Final: 19:00 Indian time / 00:30 AEDT (Mon)
TV schedule
Saturday 21 February
22:00 AEDT - Semi 1: Ranchi Rays v Uttar Pradesh Wizards (live) – Fox Sports 1
Sunday 22 February
10:00 AEDT – Semi 1: Ranchi Rays v Uttar Pradesh Wizards (delayed replay) – Fox Sports 1
11:10 AEDT – Semi 2: Jaypee Punjab Warriors v Delhi Waveriders (delayed replay) – Fox Sports 1
22:00 AEDT – Third place playoff (live) – Fox Sports 2
Monday 23 February
00:30 AEDT – Final (live) – Fox Sports 2
18:00 AEDT – Final (delayed replay) – Fox Sports 2
Australians competing in the Hockey India League finals 2015
Member of 2015 Kookaburras squad unless otherwise stated
Delhi Waveriders
Matt Gohdes
Tristan White
Jason Wilson (Kookaburras 2009-2014)
Ranchi Rays
Daniel Beale
Nick Budgeon
Fergus Kavanagh
Tyler Lovell
Trent Mitton
Uttar Pradesh Warriors
George Bazeley (Kookaburras 2009-2014)
Eddie Ockenden
Jaypee Punjab Warriors
Chris Ciriello
Jamie Dwyer
Kieran Govers
Rob Hammond (Kookaburras 2001-2014)
Mark Knowles
Simon Orchard
Jake Whetton
Barry Dancer (coach) (Kookaburras coach 2001-2008) (Kookaburras 1973-1979)
Hockey Australia media release
Great Britain & England stars in Hockey India League semi-finals
Ashley Jackson and Barry Middleton celebrate with their rays Teammates at HIL
The Hockey India League is entering its final stages this weekend with three English players, Nick Catlin, Ashley Jackson and Barry Middleton all playing in the competition which started towards the end of January.
Although Catlin’s Dabang Mumbai side have missed out on the semi-finals, his international team mates, Jackson and Middleton and their Ranchi Rays outfit are still very much in the hunt.
East Grinstead’s Jackson, who is captaining the Rays this season, struck a dramatic hat-trick in their final match of the pool phase to give his side a 3-2 win over the Jaypee Punjab Warriors, clinching second place in the league section and a semi-final against the Uttar Pradesh Wizards. The Wizards boast some stellar names including Dutchmen Jeroen Hertzberger and Wouter Jolie, Australian Eddie Ockenden and India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. Jackson, who is currently the competition’s top scorer with 11 goals, lines up alongside his international captain, Middleton as well as South African skipper Austin Smith, Australian Fergus Kavanagh and New Zealand’s Nick Wilson.
The semi-finals take place this Saturday with Ranchi Rays vs UP Wizards at 11am GMT, the final is on Sunday at 13:30 GMT. You can watch all the action by visiting the Star Sports Website and follow the latest updates from the Hockey India League website.
England Hockey Board Media release
Reading in Europe
Reading celebrate winning 2014 Hockey 5s
This weekend Reading travel to Siauliai, Lithuania to represent England in the EuroHockey Indoor Club Cup.
Merijn van Willigen’s side qualified by virtue of their Hockey 5s title win in 2014 and because they won the EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy last season they are this season competing in the cup.
They start their campaign with a tough match against Dutch outfit HC ‘s-Hertogenbosch at 10:40 on Friday before taking on MSC Sumchanka of the Ukraine at 1430 the same day. They round off their pool stage against UHC Hamburg on Saturday at 830am.
Pool B consists of Club de Campo de villa de Madrid (ESP), SK Slavia Praha (CZE), Cambrai HC (FRA) and Gintra-Strekte Uni (LTU).
Reading will be captained, as ever by the tenacious Emma Thomas and will include the likes of Great Britain stars Emily Maguire and Susie Gilbert in their line up. Their efforts this weekend will determine which level of European competition 2015 Hockey 5s winners Bowdon Hightown compete in next season.
To follow their progress keep an eye on the EuroHockey Website or view the live match system here.
England Hockey Board Media release
Wimbledon chasing Finals Weekend
Wimbledon goalkeeper James Bailey keeps out Hampstead, Credit Mark Clews
IN only their second season in the top flight, Wimbledon could clinch a spot at the end of season Finals Weekend on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park when they host leaders Surbiton on Saturday evening.
Currently fourth, a win could see Wimbledon achieve their stated aim of finishing in the top four, depending on the result of Reading’s match at Southgate on Sunday.
“It’s a massive game for us, but we’re feeling in high spirits and in a really good frame of mind,” said Wimbledon coach Ben Marsden. “It’s going to be an exciting local derby match in front of a large home crowd for us.
“We’re delighted to be fourth and we’ve already got a good buffer against Reading. It’s great to be looking up the table, instead of down! We’re targeting our next two games against Surbiton and Beeston, then we will look to see where we are.
“Since getting promotion our objective has been to be safe last season and make the play-offs this season. We’re on track, but we’re conscious that we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves.”
Also aiming to secure their place in the play-offs at the Men’s Finals Weekend are second-placed East Grinstead and third-placed Beeston, who face each other at Saint Hill Road on Sunday.
At the other end of the table Canterbury have their backs against the wall in their fight to avoid relegation. They go to Cannock in search of much-needed points.
Brooklands Manchester University stepped away from the relegation places following their win over Reading last weekend, and they are gunning for another victory when they face Hampstead and Westminster at home on Sunday.
Cardiff and Met face a crucial double header in the NOW: Pensions Conference West this weekend, with a home game against the University of Exeter on Saturday and a trip to the University of Birmingham on Sunday.
Two wins could see them take over at the top of the table, but current leaders Team Bath Buccaneers will want to stay top with a win at Fareham on Sunday.
Bowdon could secure the NOW: Pensions Conference North title if they win at Wakefield on Sunday and rivals Sheffield Hallam lose at Olton and West Warwickshire. Meanwhile, Belper host relegation rivals Leek at the other end of the table.
Bromley and Beckenham’s faint promotion hopes hang in the balance as they go to Chichester Priory Park in the NOW: Pensions Conference East on Sunday. They need to win – and hope leaders Holcombe lose at Brighton and Hove – to maintain their title hopes.
NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League (Saturday, February 21 2015)
NOW: Pensions Premier Division
Wimbledon v Surbiton 18:00
NOW: Pensions Conference West
Cardiff & Met v Univ of Exeter 14:30
NOW: Pensions Conference East
Teddington v Old Loughtonians 13:45
NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League (Sunday, February 22 2015)
NOW: Pensions Premier Division
Brooklands Manchester Univ v Hampstead & Westminster 14:00
Cannock v Canterbury 14:00
East Grinstead v Beeston 14:00
Southgate v Reading 14:30
NOW: Pensions Conference West
Univ of Birmingham v Cardiff & Met 12:30
Univ of Exeter v Cheltenham 12:30
Whitchurch v Guildford 13:00
Fareham v Team Bath Buccaneers 13:30
Indian Gymkhana v Barford Tigers 14:00
NOW: Pensions Conference North
Olton & West Warwicks v Sheffield Hallam 13:30
Deeside Ramblers v Univ of Durham 13:30
Wakefield v Bowdon 13:30
Belper v Leek 14:00
Loughborough Students v Doncaster 14:00
NOW: Pensions Conference East
Cambridge City v Oxted 12:30
Brighton and Hove v Holcombe 13:00
Chichester Priory Park v Bromley and Beckenham 13:30
West Herts v Richmond 14:00
England Hockey Board Media release
Expansion plan for hockey in West Africa launches FIH Hockey Targeted Assistance Programme
(Photo: Joeleo Sports)
FIH have partnered with UK Sport, England Hockey and the African Hockey Federation to deliver an exciting four year expansion plan for hockey in West Africa – the first project of the FIH Hockey Targeted Assistance Programme.
Hockey TAP is part of the ‘Engage and Empower Programmes’ of the ‘Hockey Revolution’, the FIH`s new 10 year strategy for hockey. Hockey TAP brings together funding and delivery partners from the hockey family and beyond to maximise the impact, efficiency and sustainability of engagement projects.
At the end of 2014, representatives from FIH, UK Sport, England Hockey and the African Hockey Federation (AHF) met with the Ghana Hockey Association in the nation’s capital Accra. During the visit, the group also met with a number of different stakeholder groups including; officials, athletes, coaches, teachers and young players: and developed a four year assistance plan for hockey in West Africa which was put into operation in January 2015.
The plan includes providing hockey equipment (4,000 sticks, 4,000 balls and 20 goalkeeper kits to be distributed) and resources in schools and clubs across West Africa to recruit new players and the training of over 70 new coaches to support the recruitment. While at the other end of the spectrum ensuring the Ghana women’s national team receives high performance coaching and athlete support at FIH events such as the Hockey World League.
The partnership was formed following England Hockey’s successful bid to host the 2018 FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. As a legacy element of their bid, England Hockey secured a four year, international development partnership with UK Sport.
Liz Nicholl, Chief Executive of UK Sport said: “The UK is committed to playing its role as a strong and supportive member of the international sporting community through wonderful initiatives like Hockey TAP. Providing this kind of international development opportunity is now a key consideration for UK Sport when bidding for major sporting events and I am particularly pleased one of the key beneficiaries of this programme will be women’s hockey in Ghana.”
The Hockey TAP West Africa project will run through to 2018 but it has clear sustainability objectives that will encourage a long term twinning programme between Ghana Hockey and England Hockey.
England Hockey CEO Sally Munday said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for England Hockey to use the knowledge, experience and passion of our staff, volunteers, clubs and partners here in England to support the development of hockey within West Africa.”
The breadth and depth of the objectives and initiatives of the project have enthused FIH President, Leandro Negre who said: “Hockey TAP West Africa is a perfect example of the kind of partnerships hockey needs if we are to achieve our ambition – to raise the global status and popularity of hockey. The vision and professionalism of England Hockey and the generosity and belief of UK Sport has enabled a project that will have a significant impact on the expansion of hockey in West Africa.”
FIH site