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News for 11 November 2015

All the news for Wednesday 11 November 2015


Rio Olympics Test Event schedule confirmed


Photo: Pan American Hockey Federation

The Rio 2016 Olympic Hockey Venue will be tested for the first time later this month as four men's and four women's national hockey teams take part in the Aquece Rio Hockey International Championship between 24-28 November at the Deodoro Olympic Park.

In the men's event, Brazil, ranked 32 in the FIH World Rankings, are the only team taking part who will participate in next year's Olympics. The hosts, who won the Pan American Challenge back in October, will face some tough competition against Chile (ranked 24), Trinidad & Tobago (33) and Mexico (35).

Brazil women failed to meet the FIH and IOC Olympic qualification criteria for the host nation therefore won't be taking part in next summer's Games. However, like their men they also won the Pan American Challenge in October and now rank 41 in the official World Rankings. Barbados ranked 47, Paraguay (54) and Peru (64) are the other teams taking part in the women's event.

The competition format will first see the teams play a round-robin. Thereafter classification games will take place on the final day which will see the first placed teams play second, and third play the fourth placed teams.

This official Test Event will provide both FIH and the Rio 2016 hosts with an opportunity to trial the venue ahead of the Olympics which will be held next August.

Not only will the playing field be tested, so will all of the associated facilities, to ensure that come Games time next summer, athletes, fans, media and everyone else involved in the Olympic event will have a truly exceptional experience.

Speaking of this upcoming event, FIH Sport Director David Luckes said: "We are pleased with the progress that has been made with the hockey venue in Rio therefore we are looking forward to seeing how it operates during this competition. This event will allow us to resolve any small issues encountered and recommend any improvements with a view to making this a world class venue not only for next year's Olympics, but beyond, with legacy a key factor in this venue's construction."

To find out who will be playing who and when, and for live match statistics from each game, click here.

Keep up to date with all other content shared from the venue during the event via FIH social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

#RoadToRio

FIH site



Green Machine Squad Announced For Spanish Series



The Green Machine, who have moved up to an all-time high of 12th in the latest world rankings, will take on Spain in a 3 match series in Barcelona as Olympic preparation steps up another gear. Spain, currently ranked 11th in the world, have also qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics via their performance in World League 3 and subsequent results at the Eurohockey Championships. Ireland will be looking to end 2015 on a high and continue their impressive run against higher ranked opposition which has seen them beat Pakistan, Malaysia and England this year. 

Speaking about the upcoming series coach Craig Fulton said "We play three important tests against Spain at the beginning of December. It will be an important phase for us after officially qualifying for Rio as Spain is also a qualified team for the Summer Olympics. They have a strong squad of players. We have a few players back for Ireland in Maurice Elliot, James Lorimer and Gareth Watkins all strong editions and we look forward to the time together and performing in the Test matches".

Matches to take place in Junior FC in Barcelona.

·         Monday November 30th 15.00(CET)
·         Wednesday December 2nd 15.00(CET)
·         Thursday December 3rd 12.00(CET)

Squad

1 Matthew Bell- Banbridge
2 Jonny Bell- Lisnagarvey
3 Jonny Bruton- Monkstown
4Timmy Cockram-Lisnagarvey
5 Stephen Cole-Monkstown
6 Jamie Carr(GK)- ThreeRock Rovers
7 Chris Cargo -Racing
8 Luke Chadwick- ThreeRock Rovers
9 David Fitzgerald(GK)-Monkstown
10 Maurice Elliott- Beerschot
11 Kyle Good-Monkstown
12 Ronan Gormley-Krefeld
13 Neal Glassey- Lisnagarvey
14 Conor Harte-Racing
15 John Jackson- Reading
16 James Lorimer- Lisnagarvey
17 Michael Robson- Annadale
18 Alan Sothern-Pembroke
19 Kirk Shimmins- Pembroke
20 Gareth Watkins -Monkstown

Irish Hockey Association media release



Gareth Borland Announced as U18 Boys Coach

Hockey Ireland would like to announce the appointment of Gareth Borland to the U18 Boys coaching role – Gareth was the Assistant Coach with the 18 Boys last season. His assistant will be Elun Hack.

Speaking about his appointment to the role Gareth said "I am delighted to be appointed to this position. Next summers Europeans come at an exciting time within Irish hockey, with the run up to Rio. Hosting the tournament is an excellent opportunity for this group of players to showcase their talent in front of home support. I am looking forward to watching the players during the upcoming interprovincial tournament in Cork".

Irish Hockey Association media release



Malaysian crowd, conditions give India advantage, says junior hockey coach Harendra Singh

KUANTAN (Malaysia): Indian junior hockey team head coach Harendra Singh on Tuesday said familiarity with the playing conditions and a vociferous crowd here will give them advantage in the 8th Junior Asia Cup that starts on Saturday.

Harendra's boys left the country late on Monday night for the tournament that will see top eight nations playing for Asian supremacy. India are placed in Pool A with hosts Malaysia, Japan and China.

They open their campaign against Japan on the first day of the competition at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium.

"We love the support we get in Malaysia and we are familiar with the climate and other conditions in this country. This is an advantage for us as the boys will need no extra time to acclimatise and we can get going with our work from the first day itself," Harendra said in a release.

"The boys have been together for over two months now and that just adds to the comfort and performance standards. They operate as a team and will be collectively working towards favourable results. The energy in the camp is very positive and we are confident about putting a great show in Malaysia," Harendra, who guided Ranchi Rays to 2015 Hockey India League (HIL) title, added.

India are also fresh from their silver medal-winning performance in the 5th Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor Bahru in Malaysia.

"The team is positive about a good run at Kuantan. We have been together for over 60 days now and we have worked hard on strengthening our defence, and have tried to work on our attacks and counter attacks," India captain and midfielder Harjeet Singh said.

"We have high expectations from ourselves and are confident of giving our best in Malaysia."

The Times of India



Hail Invincible Orange Queens

League champions in fine form, extend lead to eight points

By Elizabeth Mburugu


Hockey Vaisakhi finals Orange Telkom ladies celebrate after winning Vaisakhi Tournament 2015 at City Park. ON 27/04/15 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

National women hockey champions Orange Telkom widened the gap between them and second-placed Strathmore University Scorpions to eight points in the Kenya Hockey Union league title chase.

The 17-time winners are at the summit of the table with 30 points, while the Scorpions, who dislodged Sliders, are second with 22 points after 10 rounds of matches.

Telkom, who are also the current African champions, have had a good run this season, scoring an impressive 82 goals and conceded just once. Head coach Jos Openda told Feverpitch their focus has now shifted to the continental title defence set for December 12 to 19 in Lusaka, Zambia.

"Our main objective is to defend the Africa Cup of Club Championships trophy. We have set the standards that we desire to maintain so that we can bring the crown home for a fourth successive time and eighth overall."

Openda added that they have no reason of failing to achieve their goal because they have full support of their sponsors, Orange, "who make sure they do not lack anything". He said that despite the flaws in the national team, Kenya rules in Africa when it comes to club hockey and this has been made possible through hard work and passionate players as well as a sponsor, who believes in them.

"Our sponsor ensures we have everything we need. All we are required to do, is work hard, play our hearts out and make the country proud because we have nothing to worry about, except our output on pitch."

Brimming with confidence, Openda said his players, who made a bulk of the national team that took part in continental Olympic qualifiers one week ago in South Africa, have acquired skills that will add value to their title retention campaign.

Orange will be joined by regulars Strathmore at the continental showpiece, while Butali Sugar Warriors and Kenya Police will represent the country in the men's category.

United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) are fourth on the log tied on 16 points with fifth-placed Vikings, but have a superior goal difference. Mount Kenya University, who are yet to win a match this season, are last in the table.

Men's premier league debutants Kenyatta University's Vultures moved to seventh place with 22 points after their 2-0 victory over 2012 champions Nairobi Sikh Union. Park Road, who were also on a successful weekend out following their 6-0 routing of Parklands Sports Club, are sixth, one point above the students.

Former champions Kenya Police, whose weekend tie against Wazalendo was not played after the water pump developed mechanical problems, still tops the men's table with 33 points. Defending champions Butali Sugar Warriors are second with 31 points after 12 rounds of matches, while Greensharks are third with 27 points amassed in 14 matches.

Despite the loss, Sikh Union held on to their fifth place with 25 points, while USIU-A men are sixth with 24 points.

Chase Sailors are still in control of the men's second division tier with 22 points as they chase a premier league promotion slot.

Daily Nation



All Champions Trophy sessions on sale Weds 11 Nov


Alex Danson celebrates scoring for Great Britain

Is the excitement and the glory of the summer’s Unibet EuroHockey Championships something you want to relive? The Champions Trophy at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre is just a few months away and features Great Britain in the last tournament before Rio.

The much-anticipated tournament takes place 18-26 June and tickets for the sessions are due to go on sale Wednesday 11 November 2015 at noon so you can book the best seats and return to the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre for more top class international hockey, more drama and more historic moments. Buy tickets here.

The Champions Trophy pits the best of the best against each other as they bid to strike a psychological blow to their rivals on the last stop on the Road to Rio. It’s back to Great Britain as England, Scotland and Wales join forces to see off the best teams world hockey has to offer. The Netherlands and the USA are already confirmed as opponents with three places in the tournament still up for grabs. Match times are detailed below.

Tickets to Finals day are already on sale, where you can enjoy three matches; the 5/6 play-off, 3/4 play-off and of course, the grand final.

The Men’s and Women’s Unibet EuroHockey Championships Finals, held at Lee Valley in 2015 both sold out in advance of the event and we are expecting high demand for the Champions Trophy, too. There’s much more than hockey, with a Fan Park, Fun Zone for children, autograph signing sessions, opportunity to purchase merchandise, food, drink, plus much more.

Teams qualified as of 6 November 2015:
Netherlands
Great Britain
United States
To be advised 1
To be advised 2
To be advised 3

Match Schedule:

Saturday 18 June:
14:00
16:00 Great Britain
18:00

Sunday 19 June
14:00
16:00 Great Britain
18:00

Monday 20 June
Rest Day

Tuesday 21 June
14:30
18:00
20:00 Great Britain

Wednesday 22 June
Rest Day

Thursday 23 June
14:30
18:00
20:00 Great Britain

Friday 24 June
Rest Day

Saturday 25 June
14:00
16:00 Great Britain
18:00

Sunday 26 June
14:00 TBC
16:15 TBC
18:30 TBC

Secure your seats at this world-class Olympic legacy venue and get behind your nation as the best in the world collide!

England Hockey Board Media release



Learning how to coach

Coaches across the Oceania attend FIH Hockey Academy Trainer's and Educator's course



The FIH delivered the first Trainer’s and Educator’s course in Glasgow in 2014. Since then, the FIH through the Continental Federations has begun conducting the course within the various regions.

In conjunction with the Oceania Cup, the Oceania Hockey Federation (OHF) partnered with the FIH to conduct the course in Stratford, New Zealand from 17-22 October 2015 for a group of coaches from the member nations of the OHF.

The course was conducted by FIH’s Continental Federation and Academy Manager Mike Joyce, consultant to World Rugby Jarrad Gallagher and Hockey Australia’s Education Manager John Mowat.

The course is delivered under license to the World Academy of Sport, utilising consultants from World Rugby who designed the original course for world rugby. The focus of the course is “how” to coach rather than “what’ to coach, as the larger Federations within FIH already have well developed technical accreditation courses.

The initial stages of the course tend to be challenging as the participants need to change their mindset from coaching players to coaching coaches. Hockey Queensland’s Regional Coaching Manager Barry Vohland, successfully completed the Trainer’s course, while former Hockeyroos, Michelle Mitchell OAM (formerly Shelley Andrews) and Nicole Arrold successfully completed the Educator’s course.

Barry Vohland kindly shared the following reflections on the course from a participant’s perspective:

I have recently had the honor and pleasure of attending the above course, the first of its kind to be conducted in the Oceania Region.

The pre course work involved completing two online programs: FIH START Hockey & FIH START Coaching.

Both these programs (one general and one specific) were interesting and informative, involving reading of a number of modules and answering multiple choice questions at the end.

The next step was to travel to Stratford NZ, not really knowing exactly what to expect over the following week. First was to meet with the other 4 participants who were there to complete the FIH Hockey Academy TRAINER Course and to meet the assessors, Michael Joyce (FIH Academy Manager), John Mowat (Education Manager at Hockey Australia) and Jarrad Gallagher (Rugby - World Academy of Sport Coach).

The first couple of days were quite interesting and started with each participant delivering a short practical presentation to the other participants. The assessors would then work through with each individual discussing processes and styles of delivery around Coaching Coaches.

After two days of discussions, presentations and group work, a group of 10 Coaches (from all over the Oceania Region) who were there to participate in the FIH Educator Course became our Coaches to Educate and to pass on what we had learnt to them.

This was an excellent way for us to hone our newly learnt skills in a very practical way!
During the next couple of days, we covered the following:

Risk Management, Role of the Educator, Competency and assessment, Reviewing and facilitation skills and Providing Feedback.

Finally, over the last two days, a group of about another 12 coaches joined us and a course was conducted around providing this group with information to enhance their Coaching Skills.

This involved presentations from the FIH Assessors, the FIH Trainers and Educators along with some practical sessions covering a wide range of technique and Games for Understanding concepts.

Overall, this was quite an amazing experience, and to complete the course and come away learning new ideas and ways of Contemporary coaching verses Traditional Coaching, and with practical concepts that can be utilized in everyday coaching!

I take this opportunity to thank Hockey Australia and in particular John Mowat and Ben Hartung and the Oceania Hockey Federation for offering me this great learning opportunity!

Barry Vohland
Regional Program Manager
Hockey Queensland.   

For more information on the FIH Hockey Academy, click here.

Content: International Hockey Federation
Hockey Australia media release

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