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All the news for Wednesday 1 April 2015

Gold dare

By Jugjet Singh

AFTER playing bridesmaid for the last two years, Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah wants a golden farewell before he vacates his seat on May 13.

However, with Australia and India sending their best players, Malaysia might even struggle to play in the final of the Azlan Shah Cup which starts on Sunday.

The other challenges for the title are New Zealand, South Korea and Canada.

Malaysia lost to Australia in both the finals, with 3-2 and 8-3 scores respectively. The tournament, incepted in 1983, has yet to see Malaysia lift the trophy but have finished second five times in 1985, 2007, 2009, 2013 and 2014.

"Sadly, we have yet to win this title but this time, we are looking forward to lift the Azlan Shah Cup for the first time. I truly hope we can win this year," said Tengku Abdullah who will not seek re-election in the May 13 elections.

Coach Tai Beng Hai named 20 players with two to be dropped after the New Zealand friendly. The prominent name missing from the list was Fitri Saari, who has some personal issues to sort out.

World champions Australia, with eight Azlan Shah Cup titles under their belt, are almost sure bets to claim the ninth as well.

The Kookaburras' squad is a combination of new and senior players while seeing the return of some of the injured.

Captain Mark Knowles will return to the international fold after recovering from an ankle injury he suffered in the Commonwealth Games.

Two of the Kookaburras’ most experienced players, Jamie Dwyer and Glenn Turner will return after being out since the World Cup.

Kookaburras Head Coach Graham Reid said: "What I love about the Azlan Shah Cup is that it’s one of the toughest places to play hockey. With high humidity and heat conditions it tests our players both physically and mentally. Our opponents will be tough to play and it will be a great competition to be a part of.”

As for India, midfielder Sardar Singh will lead a full side, with just three changes from the last December's Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar.

MALAYSIA: Goalkeepers: Roslan Jamaluddin (191 caps), S. Kumar (242); Azreen Rizal (51), Baljit Singh (164), Marhan Jalil (139), Izwan Firdaus (82), Haziq Shamsul (11), Faizal Saari (138), Shahrun Nabil (218), Sukri Mutalib (211), Firhan Ashaari (64), Azlan Misron (336), Nabil Fiqri (140), Razie Rahim (167), Faiz Helmi (51), Meor Azuan (23), Tengku Ahmad Tajudin (192), Ahmad Kazamirul (27), Ramadan Rosli (39), Izad Hakimi (46).

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey

Hockey team told to win Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

By Aftar Singh



KUALA LUMPUR: Go and win the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

That’s the tall order from the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) ahead of the six-nation tournament, which will begin in Ipoh on Sunday.

The national hockey team have reached five finals since the tournament’s inception in 1983 – but fell short each time.

In last year’s final, Malaysia were outplayed 8-3 by eight-time champions Australia.

This year’s tournament will feature world champions and world No. 1 Australia, New Zealand (world No. 7), South Korea (world No. 8), India (world No. 9), Malaysia (world No. 12) and Canada (world No. 16).

National team manager Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad said that “MHC president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah wants the team to win the tournament”.

“It’ll be tough ... but not impossible. The players need to give their best in every match,” said Nur Azmi, who is also senior vice-president of MHC.

“We qualified for last year’s final ... we can do it again this year. The players just need to have faith and courage to do it.”

Malaysia will open their campaign against New Zealand on Sunday before facing Australia (April 6), India (April 8), South Korea (April 9) and Canada (April 11).

The final is on April 12.

Nur Azmi also said that defender and penalty corner specialist Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim, who is recovering from a thumb injury, is among the 20 players who will travel to Ipoh to play a friendly against New Zealand on Thursday.

“We’ll drop two players after the friendly and finalise the squad,” he said.

The 20 players

S. Kumar, Roslan Jamaluddin, Azreen Rizal Nasir, Baljit Singh Charun, Mohd Marhan Mohd Jalil, Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajudin, Mohd Haziq Shamsul, Faizal Saari, Mohd Shahrun Nabil Abdullah, Mohd Sukri Mutalib, Mohd Firhan Ashaari, Azlan Misron, Nabil Fiqri Mohd Noor, Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim, Faiz Helmi Jali, Meor Mohd Azuan Hasan, Tengku Ahmad Tajudin Tengku Abdul Jalil, Ahmad Kazamirul Nasruddin, Mohd Ramadan Rosli, Mohd Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin.

The Star of Malaysia

No red cards or tackles, Paul van Ass tells team

Harpreet Kaur Lamba

India hockey coach Paul van Ass has warned his players against picking up cards or indulging in rough play, as they prepare for the Azlan Shah tournament.

The 18-strong squad leave for Ipoh on Thursday where they will face Australia, Korea, New Zealand, Canada and hosts Malaysia.

The Dutchman, who took charge a fortnight ago, is focusing on technical and tactical aspects of the game, but has also called for more discipline from his boys.

Picking up cards under pressure and conceding last minute goals have been India’s perennial weak points. One such instance was the India-Pakistan semi-final clash in the Champions Trophy at home last December. India were well placed with an early lead, till a yellow card for Gurbaj Singh changed things in the visitors’ favour. Many believed it to be the turning point of the game, which Pakistan went on to win 4-3.

The 54-year has asked his players to be "very careful" during such situations and has even warned that repeat offenders could find themselves out of the squad or even national camps.

Of the lot, defender V.R. Raghunath, young strikers Satbir Singh and Mandeep Singh have been guilty of the same in the past.

‘Keeping things simple’

Goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh says van Ass’ message of "keeping things simple" is something that all of them have to learn and imbibe.

"There are two things in these. Playing with discipline and winning respectfully. The coach said rough body play, injury to other players and stick checks were a problem for any team and we should control ourselves.

"In the last two weeks, a lot of work has been put on defence, building up attacks, creating spaces, positional plays both during attack and defence, and understanding what is needed of each player on the field. It is about playing for each other first, rather than individually," Sreejesh said.

Tough test ahead

Midfielder Manpreet Singh reckons the Azlan Shah tournament will be a test of grit.

"Every nation is preparing for the 2016 Olympics, and this is the first event of the season. I think it will be tough with teams like Korea, New Zealand and Australia coming with full strength teams," the 23-year-old says.

Besides discipline, van Ass is aiming at developing a team who can perform at their peak for a longer period.

"One of the key things that the coach noted was that the Indian team were good physically and mentally but only till the first three matches of a tournament - a trend he says we have to break.

"As the tournament progresses, there is a sharp drop in energy and focus as compared to the top nations. Now, we are undergoing high intensity training and there is greater focus on these things and proper recovery," said Manpreet, who was named best midfielder for 2014 in the recent Hockey India awards.

In a break from the past where they got a Sunday off, the squad now undergo two days of training followed by a full day’s rest, before the cycle is repeated.

The Asian Age

‘Versatile, speedy’ Gurbaj key for India in Azlan Shah: Sreejesh


A file photo of India's Gurbaj Singh tries to push the ball away during the 11th-12th position decider hockey match against South Africa at Olympic Games in London.

A “versatile” and “speedy” Gurbaj Singh will be key to Indian hockey team’s success in the upcoming 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia, feels the national side’s vice-captain and goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh.

Sreejesh was all praise for Gurbaj’s ability to play in the defence as well as upfront.

“He (Gurbaj) is growing with every game. I was amazed to see him in the recent Hockey India League. The way he defended and counter-attacked was amazing. His speed is the key which helps him to go forward and come back to the defence line in a short span of time. His versatile ability will be a boost to our defence as well as strikers in the upcoming tournament,” Sreejesh said.

India will play along side Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Canada and hosts Malaysia in the Azlan Shah Cup to be held from April 5-12.

The Sardar Singh-led Indian team will open its campaign against Korea on April 5.

Talking about their tournament opener against Korea, Sreejesh said: “We met Korea last in the semi-final of the Asian Games. Although we had won that match we cannot do away with the fact that they are a very competitive and strong team with a good line of attack.

“To counter them we will have to be strong in all aspects of the game, with clear focus on trying to cash in on penalty corners. For me, I know they will try every possible way to sneak goals and I am up for the challenge. For sure we will want to start the tournament with a win.”

The Hindu

Froese drawing on recent success in Malaysia as Canada prepares for Azlan Shah Cup

2015 Azlan Shah Cup begins Sunday with Canada facing Australia

Shaheed Devji

Although he was born in Subang, Malaysia, being back in his country of birth isn’t exactly a homecoming for Adam Froese. After all, in his own words he’s a “Canadian through and through.”

But after what transpired at last year’s Champions Challenge in Kuantan, Malaysia, it’s no surprise Froese is feeling a little extra confidence as the Men’s National Field Hockey Team prepares to begin the 2015 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup this weekend in Ipoh.

The 23 year-old Canadian defender, who was raised in Perth, Australia before moving to Canada to join the National Program when he was seventeen, was front and center last May when Canada finished second at the Champions Challenge.

“Honestly, when you go to Malaysia you feel like a professional athlete,” Froese explains. “When you go there, there are cameras, there are fans, and just even in the two tournaments we played there last year, the stadium was packed.”

Canada lost to Korea in the tournament final, but it was the semifinal against the host Malaysians and Froese’s role in the shootout victory that made all the headlines.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first half, the Canadians battled back to tie the game thanks to two goals from captain Scott Tupper.

The game was tied after seventy minutes and needed a shootout to decide which team would be headed to the tournament final. With the Malaysian fans clamoring for a home win, the environment was hostile to say the least.

“Walking into there it was so loud and you couldn’t even hear your own thoughts,” he remembers. “That was an extremely nervous moment. Shootouts are just a point in the game where it can go either way.”

Just as they were through regulation time, Canada and Malaysia were level through the first five shots of the shootout. The game went into sudden death shots.

Both teams converted on the two first attempts, but the Malaysians missed their third. It was up to Froese, who had taken a shot and missed earlier, to score for the win. And he did.

“I’m very humbled that I got to be in that moment,” he says. “It definitely doesn’t take away from what the team put in because that was a team effort.”

More from Adam Froese on the shootout winner at the 2014 Champions Challenge in Malaysia:

Canada went on to finish second in the tournament: it’s best ever placing at the Champions Challenge. The tournament – the men’s second in Malaysia in 2014 after playing in the twenty-third annual Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in March – was the continuation of a journey of preparation which comes to a head this year.

Canada is looking to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil later this year. Froese and his teammates know the importance of tournaments like this year’s Azlan Shah Cup to keep them sharp ahead of two shots at qualification.

“This tournament is going to be huge because we have some of the best countries in the world attending,” he says. “We have some big tournaments coming up with World League 3 and the Pan American Games, both our Olympic qualifiers.”

“We have to be ready for those tournaments and an invitational tournament like Azlan Shah is good for the squad to get exposure to get some really good games.”

With National Team captain Scott Tupper away on club duty in Belgium, Froese will serve as Canada’s captain at the Azlan Shah.

“I’m very humbled and extremely grateful for the opportunity,” he says. “It’s a figurehead role and I’m very thankful for the opportunity, but the guys we all push each other."

But if Froese has performance like he did last year in Malaysia, there’s no question who else the Canadians will be looking to for a push as the chance for Olympic qualification nears.

Field Hockey Canada media release

Indian women hockey team announced for Hawke's Bay Cup

NEW DELHI: Hockey India on Tuesday announced the Indian women hockey squad for the upcoming Hawke's Bay Cup to be played in New Zealand from the 11th - 19th April 2015. The tournament will witness India, Argentina, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, USA and New Zealand battling it out to win the upcoming and all important tournament.

Playing their first match on 11th April 2015 against China, the Indian women team is all set and motivated for the upcoming challenge which awaits them in New Zealand. The team will yet again be led by captain Ritu Rani who will be supported by vice-captain Deepika.

Training under Roelant Oltmans, director, High Performance, Hockey India the team is aiming to win and claim the title as they understand that this will help them gear up for the all important Hockey World League semifinal in Belgium.

Speaking on the team line-up, captain, Ritu Rani said, "The team is high in confidence post our back to back wins in the World League Round 2 in New Delhi. We know the tournament will not be easy but the team is positive to fight it tough. We have worked hard on our attacks and penalty corner conversions and aim to stick to our strategies."

Speaking on the team, Oltmans said, "I have seen this team grow in confidence in the last one year and they are bettering themselves with each game. They will be clashing with the top teams in the tournament and they are looking forward to it. The aim is to stick to basics and not experiment much on the field while even following the strategies planned for the match."

The Hawke's Bay will be played from 11 April 2015 - 19 April 2015 and eight teams will be seen fighting it out for the title. India will play their first match against China at 6.00 AM IST on 11 April 2015.

SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Savita, Rajni Etimarpu

DEFENDERS: Deep Grace Ekka, Deepika, Sunita Lakra, Sushila Chanu, M. N. Ponnamma, Monika

MID-FIELDERS: Ritu Rani, Namita Toppo, Lilima Minz, Liliy Chanu, Navjot Kaur, Sondarya Yendala

FORWARDS: Vandana Katariya, Rani, Poonam Rani, Anuradha Thockchom

The Times of India

US keen to play bilateral series with Greenshirts


Besides the upcoming tours of Australia and Korea, the Pakistan Hockley Federation is also making efforts to arrange international matches with European countries to prepare for the qualifiers, and the series with the US will add to their goal of being well-prepared for the world event. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: The US field hockey team has shown interest in playing a bilateral series with Pakistan mid-June ahead of the Hockey World League Semi-finals (for the Greenshirts) and Pan American Games 2015 (for the US), which serve as qualification rounds for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The first event will be held from June 20 to July 5 in Belgium, while the second will take place from July 14 to July 25 in Toronto.

Head coach Shahnaz Sheikh told The Express Tribune that the request had come from US head coach Chris Clements via e-mail, stating their interest in playing some practice matches with the Greenshirts ahead of the qualifiers.

Besides the upcoming tours of Australia and Korea, the Pakistan Hockley Federation is also making efforts to arrange international matches with European countries to prepare for the qualifiers, and the series with the US will add to their goal of being well-prepared for the world event.

Sheikh has given the American coach the green signal and will try his best to arrange at least three matches between the two nations.  “Other countries are showing interest after our performance in the Champions Trophy and playing series with any other nation will help us a whole lot more,” he said.

The US team is currently ranked 26th in the world while Pakistan are now at 10 courtesy of their two silver medals at the Asian Games and Champions Trophy.

The head coach added that they cannot take the US lightly as it will be first ever series between the two sides.

Meanwhile, the Greenshirts are currently undergoing a training camp in Islamabad, which will end mid-April before trials take place to select teams for the first two scheduled series with Australia and Korea.

The Express Tribune

Ireland Women's Squad Announced Ahead of Italian Series

Ireland Women’s Head Coach Darren Smith has announced his squad as they prepare to welcome Italy to Ireland for three tests on April 16th, 18th & 19th.   Some players have been rested following World League 2 and player participation in EuroHockey Club Champions Cup this weekend. However the introduction of seasoned internationals and some young blood should make for an exciting series. Coach Smith described Italy as a team with “skill and flair, which means that the matches will be quality to watch”.

The series sees the welcome return of Michelle Harvey, who last played for Ireland in the Champions Challenge in Scotland in May 2014. “Michelle has been in excellent form for her Belgian club Leuven and deserves the opportunity to stake a claim on a position for World League 3 in June” said Coach Smith.

The squad announcement also sees the debut of Hayley Mulcahy in the Irish squad after impressing in Ireland training camps over the past year.

The venue and times for the tests will be announced next week.

Squad:

1.       Emily Beatty – UCD
2.       Chloe Brown – Ards
3.       Naomi Carroll – Catholic Institute
4.       Lizzie Colvin - Loreto
5.       Aine Connery – Hermes
6.       Nicola Daly – Loreto
7.       Kate Dillon – Railway Union
8.       Stella Davis – Pembroke Wanderers
9.       Deirdre Duke – UCD
10.   Megan Frazer – Ulster Elks
11.   Michelle Harvey – Leuven, Belgium
12.   Hannah Matthews – Loreto
13.   Shirley McCay – Ulster Elks
14.   Ayeisha McFerran - Pegasus
15.   Ali Meeke – Loreto
16.   Hayley Mulcahy – Loreto
17.   Yvonne O'Byrne – Cork Harlequins
18.   Cliodnha Sargent – Cork Harlequins
19.   Emma Smyth - Railway Union

Irish Hockey Association media release

It's a knock-out

The best clubs in Europe do battle in KO16 as the club season reaches a fitting finale


(Photo: FIH)

The Euro Hockey League gets underway in Bloemendaal as the best 16 clubs in Europe do battle for the Alain Danet trophy.

This is the eighth edition of the Euro Hockey league, which sees some of the best players to emerge from Europe doing battle for their club sides in a fascinating double event. The KO16 takes place on Wednesday 1 April and Thursday 2 April, with the winning eight teams then competing for the title on Saturday and Sunday.

All the action begins with the KO16. History repeats itself in the opening match as two of the teams who competed in the KO8 in 2008 – Saint Germain HC from France and Spanish team Club Egara – find themselves pitted against each other again.

Then the Euro Hockey League’s most successful side, UHC Hamburg, take to the field. Led by Moritz Fuerste, the German giants are looking to return to winning ways after a two year absence from the competition. But first they have to defeat Russian side Dinamo Kazan, a team that has participated in every edition of the EHL.

Another German giant, and the current holders of the title, Harvestehuder THC take on KHC Dragons of Belgium. The Dragons has won a medal in each of the past three seasons, so this should be one humdinger of a match.

The final match on day one of the KO16 sees Polish champions Pomorzanin Torun take on two-time winners of the EHL, HC Bloemendaal of the Netherlands. Pomorzanin is making its tournament debut, and with the likes of Tom Boon, Simon Gougnard and Rogier Hofman facing them, they will soon discover the heat in this competition.

The second day of KO16 sees the Spanish giants Real Club de Polo facing Rot Weiss Koln of Germany. This could billed ‘battle of the brothers’ as Spanish brothers Ramon and David Alegre take on Rot Weiss’ Christopher and Philipp Zeller.

Next up is Beeston, the sole representative from England, who face Royal Daring of Belgium. The Bees have overcome an injury-ridden season and can call on internationals Harry Martin, Tim Whitemand and Adam Dixon, but they will be up against the inspirational attacking power of Jof and Tanguy Cosyns.

The final two fixtures of KO16 pits Netherland’s team Oranje Zwart against the Austrian contenders, SV Arminen while Belgium’s Waterloo Ducks take on SV Kampong of the Netherlands. SV Arminen is the only Austrian side to ever reach the KO16 stage. Their prize? A meeting with drag-flick specialist Mink van der Weerden.

Meanwhile, the Duck’s will be looking to inspirational midfielder John-John Dohmen to lead the charge, while a quality line-up that includes Ireland’s Davey Harte in goal and Robbert Kemperman up field will be looking to shoot the Belgium champions down.

The winners of KO16 will contest KO8 on Saturday 4 April, with the final placings being decided on Sunday 5 April as the Euro Hockey league reaches its dramatic conclusion.

FIH site

Rachwalski's record-breakers target more breakthroughs



The enduring image of Round One in Barcelona last October was almost certainly the range of emotions endured by the SV Arminen players and player-coach Dariusz Rachwalski as Kelburne and Atletic Terrassa slugged it out to determine their fate.

Their 5-2 victory over the Scottish champions on the Friday was a first victory for an Austrian side in the EHL. They followed up with a memorable 2-2 draw against Atletic, leaving Arminen dependent on the final game in the group.

They eventually advanced on goals scored after the Spaniards mustered a 4-1 win over the Scots, not enough to deny Rachwalski’s side a first trip to the KO16.

All the while, the Arminen crew watched on from the corner, cheering each Kelburne clearance and enduring each Atletic goal. And the Polish man says it is a huge achievement already to have made it this far.

“One could think it's just 2nd round, big deal… but, for us, that was definitely a special moment and one that stays in memory.

“When you win something easily, you do not spontaneously express your happiness. Well, it was the total opposite to that. I will, for sure, remember this look of satisfaction on the player’s faces.”

With that piece of history under their belt, Rachwalski is now looking to push on in the KO16 when they face a huge challenge in the form of Oranje Zwart.

“Of course we are proud to be the first Austrian club to achieve that but certainly we're not planning to settle with that. It gives us confidence and motivation to work even harder.”

And he is says it is no fluke that Arminen have reached this level.

“For a good couple of years, there has been a big group of Arminen players in the national team and they are playing a more and more important role in it, thanks to experiences like these.

“This situation has, of course, good and bad sides for the club but we're trying to get the most of it and benefit from each other. Due to the WL2 in USA, we have had only two weeks to work all together which is certainly not a lot. But, on the other hand, the national team players played a good tournament. 

“Apart from them, some players have been very busy. Our midfielder Jan Petersen defended his doctoral thesis in quantum optics in March and Nitan Sondhi was coach of the Austrian women’s side was in Ireland for WL2.”

He says that he is “happy” to meet the Dutch champions in the KO16 and says it will be a great test for this side.

“We want to play against the top teams and Orajne Zwart is definitely one of them. They have plenty of quality players including the best player of 2014, Robert van der Horst, one of the best forwards Thomas Briels and corner specialist Mink van der Weerden.”

Arminen player Dominic Uher agrees with him: “We are definitely underdogs so we have nothing to lose and it’ll be a great fight.

“We always want to play against top teams and it’s a great experience for all of us to play against Oranje Zwart, one of the best team in Europe. We’ll enjoy the spirit and atmosphere and look forward to the game.”

And he has total trust in Rachwalski’s game plan, saying “Dariusz will find the right tactics against them”.

Euro Hockey League media release

Beeston captain Adam Dixon aims for English push ahead of Euro Hockey League clash with Royal Daring

Beeston carry English flag in culmination of Euro Hockey League, with Midlands side travelling with fully-fit side and captain sounding warning on domestic Cup competitions
           
By Rod Gilmour


All or nothing: captain Adam Dixon says his side are ready for Europe Photo: DAVID KISSMAN

After a season blighted by injuries, Beeston head into Europe this week with their strongest squad for the first time and captain Adam Dixon eager to show their desire for Cup hockey.

The only remaining English club left in the showpiece Euro Hockey League, Beeston play Royal Daring, of Belgium, in the last 16 knock out on Thursday afternoon in Bloemendaal, Holland.

“These are the biggest games of the year and we are really up for it,” said Dixon.

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03251/b3_3251393b.jpg
Harry Martin, middle, will play key role in midfield for Beeston (HOCKEYIMAGES.CO.UK)

In five attempts, Beeston have twice made the last eight of Europe’s elite knockout tournament while last year they were beaten in the last 16 by Belgium’s Waterloo Ducks.

Twelve months on, they return to the scene of their defeat to UHC Hamburg in 2012 when the German side went on to win the Cup.

Dixon admitted that defeat to Hamburg was a “real opportunity missed” as they bid for a first semi-final berth, but says they are well prepared for this year’s assault, with club staff having been on scouting missions since the draw was announced.

Beeston, who finished third in the league, will welcome back a fully-fit trio in a season Graham Griffiths, the manager, admitted was one of the "worst" injury-hit years in three decades with the club.

Sam Ward, Tim Whiteman and Chris Proctor all return to the fold. The highly-promising Proctor, marked out by Dixon as a key cog in their bid this week, returned to action less than a fortnight ago after overcoming a broken hand.

There was, though, a word of caution from the GB midfielder as Beeston look to stem the tide of England’s continental decline since Reading last became European champions in 2003.

“We should be having three sides in there [EHL],” Dixon said. “It is a sad state that no teams have pushed on in Europe.”


Beeston finished third in league in one of worst injury-hit years in club's history (JOSH DIXON)

One of the reasons, he says, is down to a lack of competitiveness in domestic Cup competitions, which in recent years has been starved of both passion and commitment from a majority of the top clubs, Beeston aside.

“It is trying to make players know what the situation is in a one-off game and getting that Cup hockey experience,” Dixon said ahead of their Thursday push back.

“There’s a lack of composure in one-off games and is one reason why perhaps we aren’t successful in Europe. But we are aware of that as a club at Beeston.”

For the first time this year, the knockout phase will be staged over five days in Holland, with the last eight and four-team final following the last 16 stage this weekend.

Germany, Holland and Belgium still have three clubs left in the tournament.

Who are Royal Daring?

The Belgian side make their debut in the Euro Hockey League this season after finishing third in their domestic league. Beeston will be wary of Tanguy Cosyns, a lively forward who also flicks corners. They have several Spanish and Argentinian players in their side who, Dixon says, could get caught up in the emotion.

British Eurosport 2 will broadcast the quarter-finals live on April 4

The Telegraph

Eight ways to reinvigorate domestic Cup hockey

Leading Cup hockey competition has lost its aura following raft of withdrawals in recent years. Are one-off Cup knockouts proving a hindrance in English game?
           
By Rod Gilmour


Cup romance: Cannock won the NOW: Pensions Men's Cup for the fifth time last season Photo: ADY KERRY

Adam Dixon, the Beeston captain, believes that there should be more focus on domestic Cup hockey competitions if Great Britain is to be more successful on the continent. Telegraph Sport looks at ways to breathe life back into Cup hockey.

1. One sponsor for both Cups. Even more important now that NOW: Pensions has cut ties with the men’s game. Finding a different sponsor from the leagues would reinvigorate the Cup and perhaps give meaning to the days when Hounslow, Southgate and Slough fought tooth and nail to win the national showpiece, albeit when there was a direct route into Europe.


Slough celebrate their 1999 women's Cup success with defeat over Leicester (CHRIS LAURENS)

2. Should the league finish later in the season to keep in line with the German and Dutch model? The crossover period between the indoor and outdoor season has left little emphasis on the former and one reason why Great Britain’s European rivals have been so successful in the shortened format. A later finish might also free up a Cup-focused weekend.

3. Keep a weekend free before the winter break to promote the men’s and women’s premier knockout competition. Playing twice in the space of 24 hours is a hardship for big clubs – players have full-time jobs and families – which means the Cup loses its aura. The centralised system also means that national coaches are prone to rest the top players on Cup weekends.

4. Big clubs should be present. East Grinstead men haven’t played the national knockout since their rise to the premier division in 2005. But playing indoor and outdoor European competitions as well as double header weekends have left the Sussex side struggling to maintain player welfare and their omission from the Cups is perhaps warranted. Another reason to stretch the regular season beyond March?

5. Nothing beats the feeling for passionate supporters to see their club matched up with a bigger fish and the chance of a giant killing act. A live YouTube or pre-recorded draw at Bisham Abbey, with current players or former internationals pulling the balls out of the hat at HQ, would only enhance that.


Cup means a great deal to Guernsey after their Trophy Final win in 2014 (ADY KERRY)

6. If clubs withdraw, England Hockey should ask why. Since 2010, there have been over 60 withdrawals in both the women’s and men’s premier national knockout competition. The national governing body have admitted that they do not ask for an explanation regarding walkovers.

7. Cup is a different mindset to league. So says Phil Gooderham, the University of Birmingham women’s coach, who always enters his teams into domestic Cups. He sides with Dixon’s comments and believes it’s important for players “to experience what it’s like to perform on that day only”.

8. If centralised players are curtailed from playing Cup matches, how about using their status as a presence at a first round match. England Hockey should choose a tie to attend and breathe life into the draw; one way to stem a withdrawal at least.

This year’s Investec Women’s Knockout Finals at Lee Valley on April 25-26 will be combined with Great Britain’s clash with Japan on the Sunday.

The Telegraph

Great Britain hopes are pinned on stopping Boon


(Photo: FIH)

In the first of our Hockey World League Semi-Final (HWL SF) countdown clashes, we feature one of the world’s top goalkeepers and one of the best strikers currently gracing the international hockey stage – George Pinner versus Tom Boon, who will be going head to head in the forthcoming HWL SF in Antwerp.

The two players have been going head-to-head for the past three years, as the players’ respective teams, have been either 4th or 5th in the FIH World rankings since the end of 2013, and each encounter between the two nations tends to be a match of intrigue.

The most recent encounters between Pinner and Boon have seen Pinner’s England take the upper hand, but only marginally. England emerged 3-2 winners in the 7th/8th place play-offs in the 2014 Hero Hockey Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar and, earlier in the same competition, honours were even as the teams drew 1-1 in the pool matches.

At the Hockey World Cup in June 2014, England faced Belgium in the final pool match with both teams needing a win to progress to the quarter-finals. England again squeaked through as 3-2 winners.

At the four nations invitational tournament held in Glasgow in the run-up to the World Cup, Belgium were 2-1 winners, but at the Hero Hockey World League Finals in New Delhi, it was again England who won by a 1-0 margin.

Despite the upper hand held by England when it comes to recent results, Belgium has crept ahead in the World Rankings. The Red Lions currently lie in fourth position, England one place behind in fifth.

28-year-old George Pinner’s first major competition as number one goalkeeper for England was the 2012 Champions Trophy in Melbourne. His team met Boon’s men in the 5th-8th play-offs and finished on the wrong side of the 4-0 scoreline.

At the 2013 Tri-Finance Eurohockey Championships, England faced Belgium in the semi-finals, and again were on the losing side, this time to a 3-0 defeat. Since then however, England has not lost to Belgium, and despite being among the top goal scorers at every major tournament since 2012, Tom Boon has not scored against England since George Pinner took up residence between the posts.

Not all goalkeepers have fared so well against the prolific Belgian. He made his debut for the Belgium national side in 2008, and at the London 2012 Olympics he scored five goals, with Belgium finishing in fifth place. His first encounter against Pinner was at the Champions Trophy later that year. He scored three goals at this event, two against the Netherlands and one against Germany to help his team secure a fifth place finish.

It was in the 2013 HWL SF that Boon really made his mark; five goals, including two in the semi-final match against New Zealand and one in the final, which the Red Lions won, against Australia. Since then, the 25-year-old has regularly been rattling in numerous goals at major competitions, including a glorious four-goal spree against Malaysia in the 2014 Hockey World Cup.

Talking about his opponent, George Pinner says: “Everyone is fully aware of Tom's ability, he has proven himself a danger in the circle and from penalty corners for a few years now and I'm sure it will be no different again in the World League. I do have a good record against him, although you are only ever as good as your next game.”

FIH site

Canadian field hockey teams progress towards 2016 Olympic qualification

Men and women have two chances to qualify for Rio this summer

Shaheed Devji

The final prize in not in hand yet, but 2016 Olympic qualification is now clearly within reach for both Canada’s senior men’s and women’s field hockey teams.

After recent success in World League Round 2 – the men finished third in San Diego, California and the women took second in Dublin, Ireland – both teams have earned a spot in World League Round 3, also known as the World League Semi-Finals.

The Men’s National Team will be competing in the World League Semi-Finals in Buenos Aires, Argentina from June 3-14, while the women do battle in Valencia, Spain from June 10-21. Each tournament consists of ten teams.

The World-League Semi-Finals serve as a direct route to qualification for the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The top three teams from each tournament earn their tickets to Rio.

“These opportunities rarely come around to play in such quality environments for such big stakes,” says Anthony Farry, head coach of the Canadian Men’s National Team. “I think over the next few weeks and months we’re going to see exactly where we’re positioned in world hockey.”

The other World League Semi-Finals will be held from June 20-July 5 in Antwerp, Belgium where another ten men’s teams and ten women’s teams will be vying for three more spots Olympic spots respectively.

A total of six men’s teams and six women’s teams will have qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games after the completion all four World League Semi-Finals tournaments, with the Canadian men and women hoping to finish among those top twelve.

After their recent top-two finish at World League 2, the current group of player that makes up Women’s National Team is at an all-time high.

“A lot of things came to a head at the right time; player form, player confidence, player experience,” says Women’s National Team head coach Ian Rutledge.

“That’s the beauty now, we know what we can achieve. We just need to make sure we cement it to memory and look to reproduce it the next time we play.”

For those that do not finish in the top three at their respective World League Semi-Finals, there is another pathway to the Olympic Games through the continental qualifiers.

For Canada, which is a part of the Pan American Hockey Federation, the continental qualifier is the 2015 Pan American Games, which will be held in Toronto, Ontario from July 10-26.

If either of Canada’s National Teams has not yet qualified for the Olympics by the time the Pan-Am Games roll around, the task will be simple yet daunting: win gold on home soil in Toronto and not only earn the National spotlight, but a chance at international glory by booking a ticket to Rio.

Field Hockey Canada media release

National rankings slide despite not playing World League events

Jane MacLeod


Ali Howie is one Scots star who will be disappointed

SCOTLAND’S world ranking has fallen without them striking a ball – the women have dropped one place to 17th while the men have gone down from 25th to 27th. The International Hockey Federation have just issued the new rankings after round two of the various World League tournaments.

The Scots picked up no points at all as they are ineligible to participate in the World League. As the event is an Olympic qualifier it is Great Britain that is involved. Meanwhile Scotland’s ranking rivals have all picked up valuable points. The women have just been overtaken by Italy and are now in danger from the likes of Azerbaijan, Canada, Poland and Uruguay who have all qualified for round three of the World League in a few months time.

“It is inevitable that Scotland should fall in the world rankings after the World League round two, but the distribution of points earned by GB in the next round and points gained in the European Nations Championships will allow Scotland to progress back up the world rankings,” said Callum McLeod, Scottish Hockey’s Performance Manager.

Points accruing from the GB set-up will be dependent on the number of Scots who make the GB squad for the latter stages of the World League.

The National

U18 Cup & Plate Finals


Beeston U18 Girls' Cup Champions 2015

Beeston Girls’ and Cambridge City Boys’ became national U18 Cup champions at the weekend, with Harleston Magpies Girls’ and Bury St Edmunds Boys’ claiming the honours in the Plate.

Beeston Girls’ overcame the disappointment of losing in last year’s final to become the first ever U18 Cup champions at Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre. A Helena Evans double secured their place in the final with a 2-0 victory over Isca earlier in the day; with Bowdon edging out East Grinstead in the other Semi Final on penalty strokes after the sides had drawn 1-1. Beetson showed they were worthy champions in the final, securing an emphatic 3-0 victory over Bowdon with Lilie Lamacraft and Erica Sanders adding to Flora Peel’s first half goal. Isca claimed the bronze medal in the 3rd/4th playoff, Olivia Hoskins with the winning goal five minutes from time in a 1-0 victory.

Earlier on Saturday, Reading and Harleston Magpies put in fine defensive displays and reached the final without conceding a goal, with victories over Alderley Edge and Plympith Marjon respectively. This was always going to be a tight final, and it was Harleston Magpies that claimed the victory with a 2-1 victory. Catherine Kilbourne got the winner for Magpies, as she did in the Semi Final earlier. In the playoff for third place, Alderley Edge put on a fine second half display to defeat Plymouth Marjon 3-0.


Cambridge City Boys' U18 Cup Champions 2015

Cambridge City became National Cup Champions for the very first time, holding their nerve to defeat Beeston in the Final on penalty strokes. They secured their place in the final with an excellent 4-1 victory over Cannock, Euan Gilmour with two of the goals. Beeston’s route to the final was a closer affair but Sam Apoola’s goal just before half time was enough to defeat the holders Team Bath Buccaneers. This set up what would turn out to be the most exciting game of the weekend. Leading 2-0 at half time through two more goals from Apoola, Beeston received an onslaught from Cambridge City which saw them score three goals in twelve second half minutes to take the lead. However, Beeston drew level when Elliot Hibell scored from a penalty corner six minutes from time to send the match into penalty strokes. Cambridge City held their nerve to score all five strokes, and when Beeston failed to score their final stroke, Cambridge were crowned champions. The 3rd/4th playoff also went to Penalty Strokes with Team Bath Bucaneers coming out on top after drawing 1-1 with Cannock.

Bury St Edmunds got the better of Surbiton in a thrilling final to win the Boys’ U18 Plate. Trailing 2-1 at half time, Bury St Edmunds scored two second half goals through Oliver Lawson and Rory Milbank to win 3-2. They had earlier reached the final with a 3-0 victory over Windermere, with Surbiton defeating Fareham 2-1 in their Semi Final. Fareham would however go on to win the 3rd/4th playoff in a tight game. They had lead 2-0 at half time through a Cameron Duncan brace, before Windemere fought back with two second half goals from Richie Jackson. However, Windermere couldn't take this momentum into the penalty strokes with Fareham winning 4-2.

All the results and scorers from the weekend can be seen below.

England Hockey Board Media release

Beeston Boys’ and Surbiton Girls’ retain U16 Titles


U16 Club Finals 2015 Surbiton

Beeston Boys’ and Surbiton Girls’ became National U16 Champions for the second year running, following narrow victories at Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre yesterday. Canterbury claimed third spot ahead of Wycombe in the Boys’, with Reading finishing third in the Girls’, beating Wakefield in the playoff.

Saturday’s pool results meant that it was all to play for in the final matches on Sunday. The first match of the day on Sunday was a rematch of last season’s Boy’s Final as Beeston took on Canterbury in Pool B for a place in the Final. In another close encounter, Beeston once again got the edge of their Kent counterparts, coming from behind to win 4-2. The other Pool B match saw Deeside Ramblers & Bournemouth play out a 1-1 draw to finish third and fourth respectively. Boy’s Pool A had an equally thrilling finally, with Surbiton coming from a goal down to seal a place in the final from Wycombe. Cannock edged out Neston South Wirral 2-1 in the other match to finish third.

The final Pool C matches saw Beeston secure their place in the final with a 100% record, defeating Alderley Edge 3-1. In what was a very close pool with three teams finishing on three points, Reading sneaked a place in the 3rd/4th playoff by beating Wimbledon 1-0. A draw would have been enough for Wimbledon but they couldn’t find the back of the net. The final pool matches of the day saw Surbiton and Wakefield go head to head for a place in the final, with Surbiton coming out on top to make it a double Surbiton v Beeston final in the Boy’s and Girl’s. Belper won their final match against Epsom to finish level on points with Wakefield, but the Yorkshire club took the final spot at Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre by having a superior goal difference.

The finals of both competitions demonstrated how little there is to choose between the countries top four teams, with two of the four matches going to penalty strokes. Beeston managed to hold on despite late Surbiton pressure in the Boy’s, with Ollie Rogerson scoring Beeston’s winner. The Boy’s 3rd/4th Playoff was decided on penalty strokes after Canterbury’s Hugo Creaney-Birth cancelled out Harry Bennett’s earlier goal for Wycombe, with Canterbury winning 2-0 on Penalty Strokes. Reading secured third spot in the Girl’s from Wakefield with a 3-0 victory, with the Girl’s Final providing an excellent end to the tournament. In an end to end final, Alice Huddleston struck Beeston into an early lead before Yasmin Chahal equalised eight minutes later. With no further goals, the game went to penalty strokes. Louisa Bray was Surbiton’s hero as she made some fine saves to give Surbition the 6-5 victory.

Final Pool Standings & Results
Boy’s Pool A

Boy’s Pool B

Girl’s Pool C

Girl’s Pool D

Finals & 3rd/4th Playoffs Results & Scorers

England Hockey Board Media release

New Members of Honour announced

England Hockey is delighted to announce a new award, The England Hockey Member of Honour which is to be awarded to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to the organisation.  It is offered on an invitation-only basis at the sole discretion of the England Hockey Board of Directors and is considered to be the highest accolade that can be bestowed on any individual by the National Governing Body.  We are pleased to announce that the inaugural members are:

Ben Rea, Chris Darling, Maggie Souyave, and Martin Gotheridge.

Ben Rea

Ben is a loyal and dedicated member of Wimbledon Hockey Club who played for the 1st XI for many years.  Ben has held roles as secretary, chairman and vice President of the club later becoming involved in the running of the multisport Wimbledon club.  He has been team secretary and committee member before graduating to be President for the Surrey Hockey Association and was President of the South Regional Association for 8 years.

His professional career was with the BBC and while serving in Belfast he became Chairman of the Hockey Association Council.  Ben chaired the organising committee for the 1997 Men's Junior World Cup held at the newly opened stadium at Milton Keynes and was heavily involved with the England Hockey Association, first as a member of Council then, as a Member of the Management Committee.  Ben was appointed acting secretary general of the England Hockey Association in 2002 and continued with this role, stepping back as the new National Governing Body came into being.  Ben then served on the Regional Consultative Committee, was chairman of the disciplinary panel, a member of the competitions committee and also a member of the Veteran steering group.  He has been a Non Executive Director for England Hockey for 9 years, standing down in 2014.

Ben’s hockey career also involves being a trustee of the National Hockey Foundation, his work with Masters’ hockey has led to Ben being the Chairman of The International Masters Hockey Association and president of the LX club.

In recent times Ben led the hosting of the International Federation’s Congress in London in 2006 and ran the VIP programme when England Hockey hosted the Europeans in 2007.

Ben is passionate about hockey and has devoted his life to playing, umpiring and administering hockey at many levels.  He still remains active and often puts in 3-4 days a week for our sport.

Ben received a Life Time Achievement from England Hockey in 2014.

Chris Darling

A retired teacher of mathematics and an educational manager, Chris has had a long involvement with the Warrington Hockey Club and now lives in the Yorkshire Dales, umpiring and occasionally playing hockey mainly with the Ben Rhydding Club Hockey Club.  He has used his scheduling and software skills in fixture planning for both the National League and most of the leagues operating in the North.

Chris was a member of Hockey Association Management Committee & England Hockey Association Council.  A past President of the North Hockey Association and Lancashire Hockey Association Chris chairs the North Performance Committee and has led the process of establishing the 3 JRPCs based within the North Region.

Chris was one of the original Non Executive Directors when England Hockey was reconstituted in 2003 and stood down after 9 Years on the board in 2012.  Chris worked on the revised Memorandum and Articles during the formation of the new England Hockey which still exist today.

Chris has held a huge number of roles at Club level with both Warrington and Ben Rhydding Hockey Club.  At County level, at Lancashire Hockey Association.  At Regional level for the North Hockey Association and at National level, for the Hockey Association before it merged with the All England Women’s Hockey Association.  More recently his time has been spent as Non Exective Director of England Hockey. Chris still continues with many roles elsewhere in the sport, including being a Trustee of the National Hockey Foundation.

Chris has the ability to see the bigger picture and his attention to detail is legendary.  Chris has a deep knowledge of how the sport works most notably his work on the Single System has been hugely valuable in the North and at National level.  He is diligent, conscientious, committed, and generous with his time and he cares deeply for the sport.

Chris received a Life Time Achievement from England Hockey in 2013.

Maggie Souyave

Maggie Souyave has had a long and distinguished playing career and for over 40 years has contributed at an outstanding level to hockey in all areas and at club, county, regional level and international level, formerly as a player and later becoming a coach.  Maggie has represented England and Great Britain in both roles.

Maggie selflessly dedicated a huge amount of her time to her work as a performance analyst developing a system of performance analysis for England and Great Britain hockey, this involved the production of real time and postmatch analysis of team and individual performance indicators, using video feedback, creating, a world leading learning environment at England Hockey.  Many of these innovative technology solutions for performance analysis have now been employed, some years later, in the large professional sports.  Maggie’s diligence, systematic and detailed approach has led to new insights into performance which has supported the performance of the national teams over many years.

As a player and captain Maggie demonstrated courage to the team when playing with injuries and was a highly influential leader on and off the pitch.  She is passionate about what she does and is a perfectionist who will always go the extra mile to ensure that what she is working on is completed to the best of her ability.

Maggie gave up her teaching career to work for the Hockey national governing body and during this time she has either played or worked as a coach in 10 World cup campaigns, 6 Olympic cycles as well as numerous European and Commonwealth tournaments.  She continues to inspire many players and coaches within the hockey world and has sustained this level of inspiration from a young player right through to her hockey career.

Maggie is the only England Player, man or woman, to have won gold medals at World and European levels; a World Champions medal as a player and the European indoor gold as a coach.  At club level she led Lancashire to many national county championships and the North region to become Regional Champions.

Martin Gotheridge

Martin has had a distinguished career in hockey which has spanned nearly 53 years and has taken him from his first club in Nottingham to top positions within English and European hockey.  Martin first started playing hockey at West Bridgford and captained the 1st XI before becoming secretary and president.  In between he played a stint at University College London while studying law.

Martin spent eight years as secretary of Nottinghamshire County Hockey Association and was a member of the Midlands League committee for 32 years.  He has held national appointments which include chairing the old Hockey Association’s competitions committee where he oversaw the introduction of the National League.

When not serving hockey through his work on committees, Martin officiated at National League level and as a technical official and tournament director Martin was appointed to major international tournaments across the world between 1990 and 2003.

Martin served on the European Hockey Federation’s club championship committee in the late 1980s and moved on to the European Competitions Committee, which he also chaired from 1998.

He became a member of the European Federation’s Executive Board in 1993 and joined the International Hockey Federation’s competitions committee in 1999.
Martin was heavily involved in the drafting of the constitution to set up the new national governing body following the bankruptcy of the old English Hockey Association in 2002, this work has helped England Hockey to become what it is today.

During 2003 -5 Martin chaired the governing body’s newly established Regional Consultative Committee.

Martin became president of England Hockey in 2005 standing down in 2009 during which time he served as vice-president of the European Hockey Federation (EHF) serving between 2008 and 2011.  He was also the first ever British President of the European Hockey Federation between 2009 and 2011 and as such also sat on the FIH Executive Board.

Martin was given the Lifetime achievement award from England Hockey in 2012.

England Hockey Board Media release