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News for 13 January 2016

All the news for Wednesday 13 January 2016


Schedule for South African Training Camp



The Irish Senior Mens Team squad departed for Cape Town on Sunday where they will will face Spain, Canada and Belgium in high intensity matches as they commence their build up in 2016 to Rio.

 14th January 18. 00 Ireland v Canada
 16th January 16. 00 Ireland v Canada
 17th January 16. 00 Ireland v Spain
 18th January 20. 00 Ireland v South Africa
 20th January 20. 00 Ireland v Canada
 21st January 18. 00 Ireland v Canada
 23rd January 14. 00 Ireland v Belgium
 24th January 14. 00 Ireland v Belgium

Fulton said 'The warm weather training and match schedule is vital as we look to make improvements in key areas individually and as a squad'

SQUAD

1. Jonny Bell, Lisnagarvey
2. Matt Bell, Banbridge
3. Jonny Bruton, Monkstown
4. Drew Carlisle, Banbridge
5. Peter Caruth, Monkstown
6. Jamie Carr, Three Rock
7. Chris Cargo, Racing
8. Tim Cockram, Lisnagarvey
9. Stephan Cole, Monkstown
10. Lee Cole, Monkstown
11. Mitch Darling, Rotterdam
12. Stuart Loughrey, Hampstead & Westminster
13. Neal Glassey, Lisnagarvey
14. Paul Gleghorne, Lisnagarvey
15. Kyle Good, Monkstown
16. Ronan Gormley, Krefeld
17. Conor Harte, Racing
18. John Jackson, Reading
19. Alan Sothern, Pembroke
20. Eugene Magee, Banbridge
21. Shane O’Donoghue, Dragons
22. Michael Robson, Annadale
23. Michael Watt, Lisnagarvey
24. Kirk Shimmins, Pembroke
25. David Fitzgerald, Monkstown
26. Gareth Watkins, Monkstown

David Harte was unavailable for selection as he will be competing for Dabang Mumbai in the Hockey India League

Irish Hockey Association media release



Irish Senior Women Training Camp Valencia, Spain

The Senior women arrived in Spain on Saturday last to commence their 2016 with a high intensity training camp in Valencia and finish with a 4 test series v Spain.

Ireland vs Spain at Estadio de Hockey de Valencia (Local time)

January 15th Ireland vs Spain 18.30
January 16th Ireland vs Spain 19.00
January 18th Ireland vs Spain 12.30
January 19th Ireland vs Spain 12.30

Squad

1. Stella Davis – Pembroke
2. Yvonne O Byrne – Cork Harlequins
3. Kate Lloyd - UCD
4. Chloe Brown - Ards
5. Nicola Evans Hermes
6. Katie Mullan - UCD
7. Shirley McCay - Ulster Elks
8. Megan Frazer - Ulster Elks
9. Elena Tice - Loreto
10. Naomi Carroll - Hermes
11. Emily Beatty - UCD
12. Gillian Pinder - UCD
13. Hayley Mulcahy - Loreto
14. Hannah Matthews - Loreto
15. Gemma Frazer - Ulster Elks
16. Deirdre Duke - UCD
17. Kerri McDonald - Ards
18. Ali Meeke - Loreto
19. Pamela Smithwick - Old Alex
20. Anna O'Flanagan - Hermes
21. Chloe Watkins - Hermes
22. Nicci Daly - Muckross
23. Zoe Wilson - Randalstown/ Syracuse University
24. Emma Russell - Old Alex/ Syracuse University
25. Ayeisha McFerran - Pegasus/ University of Louisville

Irish Hockey Association media release



Forgesson, Edmundson take New Year honours



Former Black Sticks striker Krystal Forgesson and Hockey NZ life member Neil Edmundson have been recognised in the 2016 New Year honours.

Forgesson and Edmundson have both become a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for their services to hockey.

Forgesson, who retired from international hockey in 2014, debuted for the Black Sticks in 2005 and over the years competed at the Melbourne, Delhi and Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Beijing and London Olympics and two World Cups in Holland and Argentina.

Her 220 international test caps sees her the fourth highest capped Black Stick of all time, along with 77 goals which places her second equal on the all-time goal scorer list behind Anita Punt.

Napier hockey stalwart Edmundson has been involved with the sport as a player, administrator and coach since the late 1960s.

He was instrumental in the introduction of one of the country's first artificial hockey turfs, at Porritt Park in Christchurch in 1984 and in 1990 established the Hawke's Bay Hockey Artificial Surface Trust to raise funds for, and then administer, an artificial turf in the region.

As a player Edmundson represented New Zealand Universities, Canterbury and Hawke's Bay. He played New Zealand Masters hockey and was a selector between 1997 and 2013 in age groups from 40 to 55 years.

He also captained the New Zealand Masters team and was manager of the Black Sticks Men from 1990 until 1998.

Hockey New Zealand Media release



One week left to vote for Carter and Panesar

Shaheed Devji


Image: Yan Huckendubler

Only one week remains before voting closes for the 2015 International Hockey Federation Hockey Stars honouring the world’s best field hockey players from the past year.

Two Canadian have been nominated in awards open to public voting.

Goalkeeper David Carter (Vancouver, BC) is up for Goalkeeper of the Year, and midfielder Sukhi Panesar (Surrey, BC) is in the running for Rising Star of the Year.

Canadian Women’s National Team assistant coach Steph Andrew was also nominated for Coach of the Year, the winner of which is decided upon by her peers.

The nominations comes on the heels of what was a monumental year for the Men’s National Team. The Canadian men consistently punched above the weight and ended up qualifying for two top tier tournaments: the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil and the 2015 Hockey World League Final in India.

Carter and Panesar played a large part in Canada’s success, both having played in all of the major tournaments in 2015. Carter’s performance in the World League Semifinal in Argentina, during which Canada upset New Zealand in the quarterfinal to all but guarantee its Olympic spot, was often regarded as the single best performance from a goalkeeper in recent international history.

The video below shows a few highlights from Carter’s year and includes comments from his teammates about just how good he was in 2015.

Voting for the 2015 Hockey Stars awards is open until January 20th:

    Vote for David Carter
    Vote for Sukhi Panesar

Field Hockey Canada media release



Kemperman and de Wijn sign long-term Kampong deals

Dutch international stars Sander de Wijn and Robbert Kemperman have extended their contract with Kampong by four years, keeping them at the club until at least the 2020 Olympic Games.

In the club’s press release on their commitments, Sander de Wijn said: "I feel at home at Kampong. In the next four years leading up to 2020, I am ambitious to play with the club and in Orange to the highest level.

“Long-term contracts enable us to build peace in our team. I also want to be together with Robbert as an advertisement for the club and devote myself to the guidance of talent."

Kemperman – who, like de Wijn, is 25-years-old – added: "With this team and our coach Alexander Cox we have embarked on a path towards the absolute top, an ambition that we share with the whole club.

“This long-term commitment shows the ambition with the team. I can fully focus on top performance with both Kampong and in Orange."

Kampong board member Dennis Breij, meanwhile, added: "It's great that these top players want to commit so long to Kampong.

“This is unique and demonstrates the great trust in each other. With these long-term agreements, Kampong gives a strong commitment to both players, Alexander Cox, the top hockey team and Kampong. Four seasons of the beauty and power of Sander and Robbert in Kampong blue: it is brilliant for the team, the public, and an example and opportunity for our hockey talents.”

Euro Hockey League media release



Gemma Flynn 'vivacious and energetic' - more than just Richie's bride to be

KEVIN NORQUAY


Gemma Flynn gives it everything for the Black Sticks in a diving play against Argentina at the 2012 London Olympics. Lawrence Smith/ Fairfax NZ

Hockey star, businesswoman and "vivacious and energetic", there is much, much more to Gemma Flynn than the tag "Richie McCaw's fiancee".

The woman who is to marry one of the country's most eligible bachelors has played more than 200 tests for the Black Sticks since 2008, the year she went to the Beijing Olympics.

The 25-year-old was also in the team in London in 2012, and at the 2010 Delhi and 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.


Richie McCaw and Gemma Flynn attend the Kate Sylvester show at the 2015 New Zealand Fashion Week. Lawrence Smith/ Fairfax NZ

A key member of the squad both on and off the field, she has scored more than 60 international goals. In 2009 she won the world hockey young women's player of the year award.


Gemma Flynn models the 2012 New Zealand Olympic team's training wear. Getty Images

Born in Tauranga, Flynn went to Tauranga Girls' College, then studied sports science at Massey University.

With former Silver Fern Maree Bowden she runs a business, when not prowling the hockey midfield or supporting her husband-to-be at the Rugby World Cup.

Called the 100% Project its website says it promotes "healthier, happier and more engaged people".

It works on the philosophy of giving people the opportunity to "feel good and function well' within the school environment.


Gemma Flynn on the 100% Project website. From left, Maree Bowden, John Quinn, Flynn, Lucy Hone.

The object is to equip staff and students with the tools and skills needed "to be the best they can be".

A former Black Stick said Flynn was a pivotal player in the women's hockey team and "she's a good sort".

She was a "vivacious, energetic person" and it would be a great surprise if she was not selected for her third Olympics, in Rio de Janiero this year.


New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, Gemma Flynn and Richie McCaw at Hagley Oval during cricket's World Cup. Phil Walter/Getty Images

Flynn had made a tough decision in opting to attend the Rugby World Cup in England and Wales, rather than play in the Oceania Cup in Stratford in October.

She comes from a family that has supported her throughout her career, a fact she was quick to acknowledge when she made the 2012 Olympics squad.

Her father is an engineer, her mother Michelle a teacher.

As a child she was good at all sports and was a "bit of a daredevil," her mother Michelle Flynn said in 2012.

"In the playground she'd swing the swings right up to the maximum, which would scare other parents but we knew what she was capable of."

The youngest of three, she has brothers Jared and Isaac. Isaac was also a good hockey player, with Flynn honing her skills trying to beat him.

As a teen, she quit hockey for two years to play football, taking it up again at 15.

Stuff



Hockey beats rugby in celebrating Richie McCaw and Gemma Flynn's engagement


Richie McCaw cuts a cake celebrating his record breaking 142nd test cap with girlfriend Gemma Flynn, in Auckland. Phil Walter/ Getty Images

The hockey fraternity were proving quicker than the rugby community with their well-wishes as sporting super couple Richie McCaw and Gemma Flynn announced their engagement.

Retired All Blacks skipper and Black Sticks player Flynn broke the news via social media on Tuesday night.

The Black Sticks used their official Twitter account to express their congratulations, tweeting: A huge congrats to @GemmaFlynn22 and @AllBlacks legend Richie McCaw who got engaged over the New Year break!

And hockey's world governing body the International Hockey Federation were quick to follow, tweeting: Congratulations #SuperStar @GemmaFlynn22! Richie McCaw you are a lucky man marrying a hockey player! #PowerCouple

McCaw's Facebook page was bulging after delivering the not unexpected news given their long-term relationship.

By Wednesday morning, the announcement, that came with two photographs, had been liked by almost 100,000 people and received nearly 3000 shares along with almost 6000 comments.

McCaw only went on to Facebook late last year after guiding the All Blacks to back-to-back World Cups.

But his account has grown with remarkable speed.

He is closing in on 500,000 followers and clearly taken a shine to the social media system as he settles into life after rugby.

He has used it to express his grattitude for his recent New Year's honour, and to announce his work plans as well as charity work.

McCaw is following the path of his good friend, All Blacks star Dan Carter, who also hitched up with a hockey star, marrying former Black Sticks player Honor Dillon soon after the 2011 World Cup triumph.

Stuff



National call-up joy turns to sorrow for goalkeeper Priyangga

by Aftar Singh



KUALA LUMPUR: Teenage hockey goalkeeper J. Priyangga was overjoyed when she was told to report for national women’s training next Monday.

The 17-year-old’s joy, however, turned to sorrow when her father, S. Jayarajah, died of a heart attack at their home in Mentakab last Saturday. He was 48.

Priyangga, who is still in a state of shock over the sudden death of her dad, will now only report for training on Jan 26 – after the 16-day prayer.

“My dad was only 48 ... he was so happy when I was named the best goalkeeper in the National Women’s League, which I featured in for the first time.

“My dad was also my number one fan ... he was proud of me when I told him that I had received a national call-up,” said Priyangga, who sat for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations last November.

“My family was happy for me as I’m the first among my five siblings to attend national training. I want to be a national player.

“But I’m sad to have lost my dad ... he wanted to watch me play for Malaysia.

“My elder brother Sivachandran, who works in an estate, support the family,” added Priyangga, whose mother S. Mageswari is a housewife.

Priyangga, who is among 30 players called up to train under coach K. Dharmaraj, guided SSTMI-Thunderbolt to the National Women’s League title, but the Johor Sports School lost out on the overall title after going down 1-0 to Sport Excellence Centre-Higher Education Ministry (PKS-KPT) in the final.

Priyangga aims to emulate the feat of her idol – national men’s hockey goalkeeper S. Kumar.

“I want to be like Kumar, who was named the best player in Asia in 2011 and also was voted as the best goalkeeper in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup a few times,” she said.

The Star of Malaysia

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