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News for 04 May 2016

All the news for Wednesday 4 May 2016


Japan bounce back to square series with win over Scotland


Kaz Marshall was the Scottish goalscorer.

Goals from Hazuki Nagai, Maho Segawa, and Mie Nakashima gave Japan a 3-1 win over Scotland Senior Women at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

Kaz Marshall was the Scottish goalscorer.

Following yesterday's win for the Scots, tonight's result means the two match series finishes 1-1.

Minami Shimizu and Akane Shibata came close for the visitors within sixty seconds of the push-back, the former bringing a relatively easy block from Scotland 'keeper Nicki Cochrane, while the latter just failed to find the target when sliding in at the back post.

In the seventh minute, a cross-field pass from Susan McGilveray enabled Amy Costello to fire in a dangerous cross that unfortunately evaded the Scottish attackers looking to connect inside the circle.

The first penalty corner opportunity fell to Japan in the 11th minute, but Mayumi Ono's low shot was brilliantly blocked by Cochrane.

Shortly after, Cochrane was again the Scottish saviour, kicking away Hazuki Nagai's attempt on the turn to keep the scores level at 0-0.

Japanese pressure was eventually rewarded seconds after the start of the second quarter, Nagai stepping up to dispatch a penalty stroke after she was floored by the Scottish defence.

Nevertheless, Scotland were soon back on level terms, captain Kaz Marshall responding with a penalty stroke of her own in the 17th minute after the away side were penalised for an infringement in the scoring circle.

A pass from Shibata released Miyuki Nakagawa into space on the right of the Scottish defence in the 21st minute, but her shot went harmlessly wide of the left hand post.

Another penalty corner award for Japan two minutes later again brought the best from Cochrane, diving low to her right to deny Nagai's powerful strike on target.

However, the Edinburgh University 'keeper was powerless to prevent Japan's second goal, Segawa latching onto Nakagawa's cross only a few yards out to make it 2-1 in the 29th minute.

In the 34th minute, Kana Nomura was allowed to get a shot away on the reverse, however Cochrane continued her courageous defence of the Scotland goal with another excellent block.

After a fairly uneventful third period, Japan almost extended their lead early in the fourth quarter after beautiful build-up play, only for Cochrane to act the spoiler yet again, blocking Nagai's shot.

They didn't have long to wait for their third goal though, Mie Nakashima coolly finishing with a well taken strike to make it 3-1 in the 49th minute.

Scotland were awarded a penalty corner in the 55th minute, but Robyn Collins' reverse stick attempt went wide of the left hand upright.

Japan thought they had a fourth goal a minute later after Yuri Nagai bundled the ball home from close range, only for a foot to have played a part in the attacker's movement.

The final piece of goalmouth action was a reverse stick shot from Minami Shimizu that sailed wide of Cochrane's right hand post.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Scotland begin World League preparations

Scotland Senior Men begin their build-up for the crucial World League (Round 1) qualifiers this weekend.

Around 20 players will travel to Uddingston for a two-day training camp on Saturday and Sunday under the direction of national coach Derek Forsyth.

Players are arriving from France, London and all over Scotland and they face an intensive period with further training in England plus games arranged in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Matches against Italy are also planned for Glasgow in the build up to the World League in September at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre.

Overseas-based players including David Forsyth, Michael Bremner and Kenny Bain miss the first weekend camp along with Great Britain squad players Alan Forsyth and national captain Chris Grassick.

However, newcomers involved include Robbie Shepherdson (AAM Gordonians), Duncan Riddell (Grove Menzieshill), Ed Greaves (Loughborough) plus Sean Hadfield and his Grange team-mate Cammy Fraser.

Dundonian Gavin Byers, a fixture in the squad for some time, is now in Australia.

Forsyth and his coaching team of Graham Moodie and David Reid will monitor fitness, have one-to-one meetings with players and have them assessed for strength and conditioning.

Paisley-based Forsyth said: “The work ahead of the World League starts now and we need both fitness and game conditioning to ensure that the squad is ready for the World League.

“Having the event in Glasgow is a bonus and we must make sure we do everything we can to ensure success.”

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Bezuidenhout pleased with current form



Auckland Under 21 Men’s goalkeeper Ruan Bezuidenhout has been in fine form during the National U21 Tournament in Dunedin.

“I think I’m in much better form than I have been the previous two seasons leading into this. Very happy with my form particularly with the penalty corners, even though results haven’t been going our way.”

Bezuidenhout began goalkeeping at a young age, and couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else on the turf.

“I played one year in the field as a left defender, and after that I gave goalkeeper a go in club hockey and just kept at it.”

Bezuidenhout was another involved in the Junior World Cup qualifiers earlier this year. For him, this tournament was about gaining international exposure and continuing his development.

With current Black Sticks goalkeeper Devon Manchester under the bar at NHL level for Auckland, Ruan has taken the opportunity to pick the brains of one of the world’s best keepers.

“He has helped out a bit with shoot-outs earlier in our programme. I always pick up things from all keepers I watch and see if it works in my game. Having him based in Auckland is great particularly when he plays in the local club competition.”

With Auckland finding themselves in the unfamiliar position of being down the bottom end of the table, Bezuidenhout and his side still have goals for the rest of the week.

“We want to make sure we are in a game on Saturday and make sure we finish as high as we can.”

The chance for Auckland to make the final ended on Tuesday after a 5-3 loss to Capital.

In Tuesday’s other results, Southern beat North Harbour in a shoot-out after scores were tied 0-0 at fulltime and Canterbury cemented a spot in the final with a 6-0 win over Central.

DAILY RESULTS – MEN
Tuesday 3rd May

Capital 5: (Ollie Logan 3, Martijn van Liemt, Hamish Finlayson)
Auckland 3: (Jonny Bates, Jonty Keaney, Hamish McGeorge)

Southern 0
North Harbour 0
Southern Men won shoot-out 3-0

Canterbury 6: (Sam Lane 2, Dominic Newman, Jesse Forsyth, Lawrence Darling, Elliot Darling)
Central 0

CLICK HERE for all scores, standings and stats from the National U21 Tournament

Hockey New Zealand Media release



Levin developing top hockey talent


Photo: Planet Hockey

Despite being a small town, Levin is punching above its weight on the hockey turf according to Central Under 21 player Casey-Mae Waddell.

“We have a lot of great support down there – a lot of the coaches and supporters are great. We have a fitness coach who takes us down to the turf,” she said.

Waddell is aiming to get on to the International stage herself, but is well aware of what she needs to do to move to the next level.

“I have had plenty of feedback from coaches and it’s been very helpful - just keep working hard and keep working on my fitness.”

A big focus for this year will be the Junior World Cup, a team Waddell is hoping to make.

“It would be a huge step forward for me getting to play with all the other girls from the other regions, and just getting that extra coaching.”

With players from as far apart as Gisborne and Palmerston North, training and preparing for the U21 tournament has been difficult for the Central team, but Waddell is not using that as an excuse.

“In a way it does have an effect because we can’t really train as much as a full team so it is quite hard, but we keep fighting – that’s why we are Central!”

The team have been building steadily after a shoot-out loss to Capital, with a solid outing against North Harbour where the team went down in a shoot-out. With two shoot-out losses, one would assume the Central girls are a bit apprehensive about them.

“It doesn’t play on our minds at all – it just gives us things to work on, we can watch the footage and see what we need to fix up. We could just get that win first so we don’t have to go to those shoot-outs.”

The Central girls continued their good beating Canterbury 2-1. In Tuesday’s other games, Auckland defeated Capital 4-0 and North Harbour beat Southern 3-0.

DAILY RESULTS – WOMEN
Tuesday 3rd May

Central 2: (Beth Norman, Holly Pearson)
Canterbury 1: (Emily Wium)

Auckland 4: (Madison Doar, Su Arn Kwek, Ghalesha Singh, Nicola McDonnell)
Capital 0

North Harbour 3: (Samantha Polovnikoff, Courtney Winterbottom, Kayla Reed)
Southern 0

CLICK HERE for all scores, standings and stats from the National U21 Tournament

Hockey New Zealand Media release



Leicester will inspire us: Roelant Oltmans

Apart from keeping an eagle eye on the training sessions at the SAI Southern Centre, Oltmans has been following the Foxes’ EPL run closely.

Bengaluru: As the Indian men’s hockey team toiled hard for the upcoming Champions Trophy to be played in London next month, chief coach Roelant Oltmans is taking inspiration from Leicester City’s Premier League triumph.

Speaking on the sidelines after another hard day at training, the Dutchman said, “The interesting part is that you can't copy anything. But of course it shows that teams who are not the big favourites can still win big events. Of course that will be inspirational to each and every team in sport.”

Apart from keeping an eagle eye on the training sessions at the SAI Southern Centre, Oltmans has been following the Foxes’ EPL run closely. “It is hard to believe that a team that was almost relegated last year, without too much injection (of cash), can now win the Premier League,” he added.

But the Sardar Singh skippered young side had a dismal run at Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament in Malaysia last month. “They still can perform at a level they don't know they have in them. They really have a lot of capacity. Before Azlan Shah, we worked hard for a couple of weeks on improvements in our defensive structure. We managed it quite well. It didn't show in the matches against Australia. But overall I'm very pleased,” explained Oltmans.

Along with the selectors and Oltmans, trials were held on Monday to pick the squad for the London event. “We focused on certain tactical aspects of the game. I also explained that to the selectors before the trials were held. If you look at where the boys are now and look at the progress that has been made, it's really tremendous,” Oltmans asserted.

Facing world champions Australia, defending Olympic champs Germany, Great Britain, Belgium and South Korea in forthcoming tournament, team captain Sardar and the boys have worked on new tactics. "Doing well against each of these teams is important for us as it will show where we stand in the lead-up to the Olympics. It will give us an opportunity to test the latest weapons (tactics) we have been working on in the camp," said Sardar.

Deccan Chronicle



Working on increasing consistency, says Oltmans

It’s not often that an Indian hockey team impresses many, especially a taskmaster like Roelant Oltmans. While the Dutchman is quite protective of his wards in defeat, he isn’t generous in praise either, opting instead to stay balanced.

However, he continued to shower praise on the young bunch that finished runners-up to favourites Australia in the recently concluded Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. India, staring at an important season, chose to test their junior players and they gave a good account of themselves in Malaysia, boosting Oltmans’ confidence.

“I always believe in my team. They still can perform at a level they don't know they have in them. They really have a lot of capacity. The only thing we are working on is increasing consistency. One training session, the boys are unbelievably good and better than anything else I've seen in my life. And all of a sudden it drops down.

“So to keep that focus, not just in training sessions but in games, that is our challenge. The players are more and more aware of it. We've really improved our structure. Before Azlan Shah, we worked hard for a couple of weeks on improvements in our defensive structure. If you take away Australia, we only conceded 6 goals in the rest of the tournament in 5 matches. In hockey that's not a lot. I'm pleased with the progress we are making.”

Hockey India on Monday conducted a one-day selection trials to pick the squad for the Champions Trophy (June 10-17, London) and a six-nation tournament at Valencia days later. Oltmans felt rotation is key as the core bunch needs to be fresh for the all important Rio Olympics in August.

“We have given the players a week's break in the third week of May. We only need to peak once this year, and that's in August. Physically, tactically and mentally, that should be really in August. So we have to find a good balance that players are still fit. They need to be fresh and eager. That's why we're resting players, to make sure that everyone playing in the Olympics is fit and fresh at that time of the year.”

Deccan Herald



Doing well in Champions Trophy is crucial: Sardar Singh


Sardar Singh. (Getty images)

BENGALURU: The upcoming men's hockey Champions Trophy in London will be one of the key tournaments ahead of the Rio Olympics as it will give the Indian team an opportunity to see where it stands, feels captain Sardar Singh.

The tournament in London is slated to begin on June 10.

The event which will be held at the Lee Valley Olympic venue will see India lock horns with world champions Australia, defending Olympic gold medallists Germany, Great Britain, Belgium and South Korea.

"Doing well against each of these teams is important for us as it will show where we stand in the lead-up to the Olympics. It will give us an opportunity to test the latest weapons (tactics) we have been working on in the camp," said Sardar at the SAI, South Centre, a day after the selection trials were held to pick the squad for London.

Though Sardar feels that the team could have done better against Australia in both league match and finals at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup recently, and the Champions Trophy will help them access where they stand.

"We had many chances where we could have converted into goals against Australia and we didn't. The Champions Trophy will give us an opportunity to correct those mistakes and assess where we need to further improve for the big Games," he said.

Speaking about the trials held on Monday, chief coach Roelant Oltmans said he is pleased with the team's progress.

"The trials were interesting. The focus was on the tactical aspect of the game and I explained that to the selectors. We had two teams playing each other and I was pleased to see how they played and executed whatever we had planned. We have plans for every opponent and we try and keep it simple," he said.

To ensure the players are at their best for the Champions Trophy, the team will be given a week-long break before they leave for London.

"I want the boys to be fresh and eager to win. That's why we will give them a week's rest in the third week of May. We will meet again here in SAI for a week before we leave for London in the first week of June," Oltmans added.

The Times of India



Champions Trophy will test India's potential ahead of Rio Games: Sardar Singh

Bengaluru, May.3 (ANI): The Indian men's hockey team captain Sardar Singh believes that next month's Champions Trophy will be one of the key tournaments to evaluate the team's preparations for the upcoming Rio Olympics.

"Doing well against each of these teams is important for us as it will show where we stand in the lead-up to the Olympics. It will give us an opportunity to test the latest weapons (tactics) we have been working on in the camp," said Singh, here in Bengaluru at the SAI, South Centre, a day after the selection trials were held to pick the squad for London.

Though Singh feels that the team could have done better against Australia in both league match and finals match at the recently-concluded Sultan Azlan Shah tournament, and the Champions Trophy will help them access where they stand.

"We had many chances where we could have converted into goals against Australia and we didn't. The Champions Trophy will give us an opportunity to correct those mistakes and assess where we need to further improve for the big Games," he said.

The event which will start on June 10 at the Lee Valley Olympic venue in London will see India lock horns with world champions Australia, defending Olympic Gold medallists Germany, Great Britain, Belgium and South Korea.

The Times of India



Dixon, Brogdon and Tarrant move to Rotterdam

Rotterdam have strengthened their panel for next season with addition of three top quality international players for the 2016/17 Hoofdklasss season.

New Zealander Blair Tarrant and British duo Adam Dixon and Alastair Brogdon will link up with the club next season, bringing a wealth of experience.

Defender Tarrant has been capped 148 times for the Blacksticks. Brogdon arrives following a spell with Wimbledon whom he helped to back-to-back English national titles and has 137 caps to his name. The versatile Dixon switches from Beeston and has 164 caps to his name.

Speaking about the new additions, Rotterdam’s top hockey board member Daan Vismans said: “With this trio, we have not only got quality but a lot of experience. These are great additions for us in all areas of the field.”

Rotterdam missed out on the Dutch Hoofdklasse playoffs on the final day of the season but are ambitious to close the gap next term.

Euro Hockey League media release



Pakistan Hockey League to boost standard of game: PHF

Kashif Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: In a bid to lift the standard of national hockey, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has decided to organise the Pakistan Hockey League in October-November this year.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, PHF president retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar and secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Senior said that the federation will organise the league on the pattern of Pakistan Super League (PSL) which was staged in February this year by the Pakistan Cricket Board in the UAE.

They, however, said the PHF will make its utmost efforts to stage the league in Pakistan instead of a neutral venue.

“We have also been given a go ahead by the security agencies for holding this mega event in Pakistan,” said Khokhar and added that five teams will participate in the event. He, however, added that in case of security challenges, the PHF will hold the event outside the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary PHF Shahbaz Senior said that five teams which will be announced at later stages will participate in the event. He said that each team can have four foreign players.

Later on, while speaking to Dawn, Shahbaz said that PHF has decided to outsource the league to private advertisers. “We are hopeful, this event will give a new lease of life to our hockey as it will be helpful for expanding the pool of our players,” he said.

When asked about the exact period of the event, he said tentatively the three-week event has been planned for either the last week of October or during the beginning of October. “Our players will get handsome amount from this league, it will be a great success for giving new life to our hockey and attract more youngsters towards this national game,” he said.

To query, he said that PHF will seek FIH’s guidance to make this inaugural league a big success. “I’m hopeful that international players from Holland, Germany and other European countries will participate in this mega event,” he said.

Khokhar elaborated on how the federation will focus on the revival of the game. “We have several plans to uplift the standards of hockey at the grass roots level,” he said and added that special attention will be paid to school, college and club hockey.

“I have submitted a complete five-year plan at the prime minister office for approval and hope it will get the nod of prime minister who has been very kind to PHF,” he said. “Under this plan, infrastructure that include new grounds and academics will be established to provide maximum chances to youngsters in the country.”

Talking about the upcoming Asia Cup and the Asian Champions Trophy, the PHF boss said that they are taking these two events very seriously and the national team will make full preparations to participate in them.

Khokar further said that currently PHF has around 130 players on its panel who are being provided a fair chance of grooming. “I am also making efforts to get our many players adjusted in various government organizations,” he said.

Dawn



A moment to savour at the Olympic Park


Cambridge City

As newly crowned O45 champions, Cambridge City would have expected to feel ecstatic, but as Sarah Juggins explains, it took a little while to sink in.

It is Tuesday morning and I am still stunned that Leicester Football Club have won the Premier League. I, like many neutrals, watched the decisive Chelsea versus Tottenham match on Monday Night Football with baited breath and when the equalising goal was scored by Chelsea, effectively handing Leicester the title, I went ballistic. My heart was thumping, tears were in my eyes and I suddenly realised I had been holding my breath.

Just 48 hours earlier I would have expected to have been going through the same emotions. I had just been part of a fabulous victory that had seen my team crowned winners of the o45 National Championships at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It was our third time of trying in as many years. We had lost to Canterbury and Sevenoaks in the previous two finals. Surely, we had been telling ourselves, this was to be our turn.


Cambridge City winners

As the final whistle blew, we all looked round in a momentary daze as it sank in. We won the game, against Kettering, 2-1. It had been tense, combative, attritional. Neither side willing to give an inch, no room to run from midfield, worry etched on the faces of the defenders as they tried to avoid giving away penalty corners, or worse…

So, as that whistle blew, the first reaction was actually one of relief. We had broken the losing run, we had held onto a lead through skill, team work and sheer determination. Of course we all hugged, smiled, did the whole “championi, championi” bit, but the actual, genuine tears of joy, lump in the throat, ‘love thy fellow hockey player’ emotions didn’t come until much later. For those moments after the game, we were mentally exhausted.

Much of that mental exhaustion comes from the sense of occasion. And much of that sense of occasion comes from the setting. Most of our team had been to see hockey played during the 2012 Olympics and, on the day before our final, many of the team revisited the Olympic Park for a walk around. It’s astonishing that four years on, this place can still send a tingle down the spine. If you close your eyes you can still hear the crowd, smell the excitement, feel the atmosphere. As we walked from the Athletics stadium, past the Copper Box down towards the Velodrome and the Hockey Centre, we felt as if something special was going to happen. And even the most laid back members of our team started to get jittery.

It was much the same stepping out onto that pitch. As a member of a club masters team, I am used to getting the worst pitch slot, the oldest kit, the fewest spectators – scratch that, no spectators. Here we were with several pages of protocol to follow, our names in an official programme, our sticks being checked – one player’s failed because she had 10 years of tape around the handle – and when we walked out onto the pitch, our names were on the huge screen.


Cambridge City celebrate

This has got to be sport at its best. England Hockey’s decision to put all the age group finals on one weekend at the new home of hockey is brilliant. There are still things to be tweaked but this is something that lifts the sport to a new level. It made us feel special and it has inspired us to keep playing. There is much talk of inspiring the next generation, but this is about retaining the passion among all generations.

Claudio Ranieri and his men could not have started this season even dreaming that they would be English Champions; when I stopped playing national league hockey, I never dreamed I would be collecting a winner’s medal after playing on the Olympic Park. The delight and realisation is finally settling in now and it is a feeling that I am going to savour.

England Hockey Board Media release



Shepherd tops list at Hockey NZ service awards


Photo courtesy Sue Shepherd

Northland stalwart Sue Shepherd took top honours in the Hockey New Zealand service awards last weekend.

Sue was awarded the Pakistan Trophy for her immense contribution to the sport of hockey, especially on her home turf of Northland Hockey.

Her incredible vision, leadership, dedication, and expertise has contributed to the growth and vibrancy of hockey in the Northland area over many years.

The Pakistan Trophy is not awarded every year, but it was agreed by the Hockey New Zealand Board that Sue was a very deserving recipient. Sue was nominated for the award by the Northland Hockey Association.

Gold Service awards for 25 years of more service to hockey were given to Cantabrians Peter Cox and Hilary Stubbs, along with umpire and community awards.

Canterbury’s David Appleby has also been named a Life Member of Hockey New Zealand for his contribution to hockey both as a player and administrator.

Hockey New Zealand interim chief executive Ian Francis spoke at the awards dinner about the high calibre of people involved in the sport.

“This year saw five new service award categories introduced which received 41 diverse nominations from across the wider hockey community,” he said.

“Our sport is hugely reliant upon and indebted to the people involved week in and week out at grassroots level, and it was extremely satisfying to recognise and acknowledge the outstanding effort and success on behalf of our many volunteers, coaches, officials, and administrators within our community.

“Going forward, we again encourage all regions and associations to align their respective awards to Hockey New Zealand as a means to further recognising those valued people who contribute so much to the sport.”

2015 HOCKEY NEW ZEALAND SERVICE AWARDS

GOLD SERVICE AWARD (25+ Years Service to Hockey)
Peter Cox (Canterbury)
Hilary Stubbs (Canterbury)

WOMEN’S UMPIRE OF THE YEAR
Amber Church (Poverty Bay)

MEN’S UMPIRE OF THE YEAR
David Tomlinson (Manawatu)

MOST PROMISING FEMALE UMPIRE OF THE YEAR
Katrina Woolf (Canterbury)

MOST PROMISING MALE UMPIRE OF THE YEAR
Ben Wilson (Waikato)

HIGH PERFORMANCE COACH OF THE YEAR
Jude Menezes (Auckland)

COMMUNITY UMPIRE OF THE YEAR
Glen Taylor (Taranaki)

COMMUNITY COACH OF THE YEAR
Cory Prouting (Horowhenua)

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
Denise Hill (Waikato)

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Joshua Bird (Canterbury)

Hockey New Zealand Media release

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