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All the news for Thursday 7 July 2016

Dutch End Fexco Series With Win



Four matches in five days appeared to have caught up with the Green Machine as the Dutch scored 4 goals in the opening 30 minutes. The opening goal came in the 5th minute when Jonker got the first of first half hat trick thanks to a touch in front of goal. Five minutes later and a break left the defence scrambling with; Verga’s composure saw him flick the ball over the committed David Harte. Jonker added his second and third goals prior to the half time whistle to make it 4-0.

The men in green came out with a renewed vigour in the second half and Mikie Watt was the first to break into the circle but his final pass was intercepted by an alert Dutch defence. 5 minutes later and Matthew Bell was creating a chance of his own with a rocket sent across the D but there was nobody on the end to tip it goalward. The final goal, and only goal of the half, came courtesy of Jonker once again as he tapped the ball through his legs with a touch of class.

Speaking about the recent Valencia 6 Nations and Fexco Dutch Series, head coach Craig Fulton said, “ It was so important for us to play Rio-bound teams, both from our own pool and the other pool. Playing the Dutch was always going to be tough but you couldn’t ask for a better opposition to play. They could medal at the Olympics so we know the standard, it challenged us but we’ll look at the series and kick on”.

*The Irish Olympic Hockey Squad will be announced on Monday July 11th. *

Fexco Match Series

Ireland 0
The Netherlands 5 (Jonker x4, Verga)

Team: D Harte (GK, Captain), Jackson, Gormley, Watt, Cargo, Watkins, Sothern, Jermyn, Magee, O’Donoghue, Gleghorne

Substitutes: Carr, J Bell, Caruth, Shimmins, M Bell, Cockram, Robson

Irish Hockey Association media release

Canadian men double up United States in first game of Summer Games Sendoff

Shaheed Devji


PHOTO: Blair Shier

The Canadian men’s field hockey team capped off a momentous day with a 6-3 win over the United States in the first of four games in the 2016 Summer Games Sendoff presented by London Drugs.

The win came on the shoulders of two goals from Gordon Johnston, who was given honours as the London Drugs Man of the Match, and a goal from Keegan Pereira, who was playing in his 100th match for Canada.

Richard Hildreth, a reserve for the 2016 Olympic Team, scored the game’s first goal, while team captain Scott Tupper and Adam Froese rounded out the scoring for the Canadians.

The game was played on the heels of the 2016 Olympic men’s field hockey team being named earlier in the day.

The series is the first and only time the newly named Canadian Olympic field hockey team will play in competitive matches before the Olympic Games.

The turnout in West Vancouver was as expected, with a capacity crowd surrounding Rutledge Field at Ambleside Park.

Three-time Olympian and London 2012 bronze medalist in 100-metre freestyle, Brent Hayden – who was involved in the video announcing Canada’s field hockey team for Rio 2016 – took part in the ceremonial coin flip before the match.

The Canadians put on the pressure from the beginning of the match, earning a corner early but the attempt from Tupper was turned away by the American keeper.

The first quarter was scoreless, but the Canadians got on the board early and often in the second.

Hildreth broke the deadlock, before Johnston and Tupper added their first goals of the game, both on drag flicks.

The Canadians led 3-0 at half and never looked back, thanks to second half goals from Froese, Johnston, and Pereira, and despite a late surge from the States who put in two goals in the fourth quarter to bring the game to a 5-3 scoreline.

But Pereira’s fourth quarter goal restored the three-goal lead and sealed the deal for Canada.

The teams are back it on Thursday when they play at Tamanawis Field in Surrey, British Columbia at 7pm PT. The game is open to the public and free to attend.

Field Hockey Canada media release

Australia get to grips with mind games



Germany might be the reigning Olympic champions but the team that is ruling the roost at the moment is Australia. Winners of the Champions Trophy in London after a dramatic win  – decided on shoot-out – over India, the Kookaburras are the team that the other coaches will be losing sleep over. But four years ago this was not the case. Australia took bronze – a result that sent the men in gold and green back to have a long think about where they were going to next.

Glenn Turner is a veteran of the Australian team with a host of titles and medals, but he almost shudders as he recalls that time. "Yeah, we had to do a lot of long hard looking at ourselves, but it paid off ultimately. Leading up to London we had trained really hard but there was a very different feel to the squad compared to this time around. After London we got a psychologist in and we started to get to know each other a lot better."

He laughs as he says, "not always a good thing, but we know what each other does outside of hockey. That makes us a much tighter-knit group."

The timing of the Champions Trophy was perfect for the Kookaburra's preparations for Rio 2016. Location and travel costs mean they do not get as many chances to play other top-ranked nations as some of their European and Pan American rivals so an event such as the Champions Trophy is an ideal opportunity to play the best teams in the world. Turner says that this has led to an unusual level of tension in the Australian camp.

"For us we are trying to do a few different things. The Champions Trophy is a chance for guys to show what they are capable of. It is a difficult tournament in that respect because a lot of guys are going to be trying to prove their worth and that might make them more tense than usual. Once we get back to Australia, then we will all have a meeting and the guys who are not going to Rio will find out. It's a tough time at the moment and that does make things a bit nervy. When we get back home we will have a meeting and the squad will be announced; there will be some happy boys and some very disappointed boys."

Turner adds that watching how the players cope with the pressure of playing for their places at this event will be a good indicator of how they will handle the pressure of playing at an Olympics. And quite often the selection of a player can come down to single, small but significant, factors. "The guys are all at the top of the game and there are really only tiny things that split apart those who go to Rio and those who don't."

The next few weeks are all about increasing the intensity of the training. Australia has no internationals between now and Rio but Turner says that once the squad is announced then training gets even tougher. "The training matches we have are half the squad versus the other half – that gets really tough and really competitive. Of course you are at risk of injury, and there is a temptation to hold back, but we understand that we have to work hard and take that risk if we are to be successful.

"Up to London 2012, we also trained really hard but there is a different feel to the squad now. After London we got a psychologist in to look at us in more detail. We really looked deep within ourselves and how we react to pressure. There is a lot more focus on what goes on up here [he indicates his head]. It's tough at times, we have a lot of meetings, but it is definitely helping.

"Winning the Champions Trophy has done us a lot of good in terms of confidence levels, and we believe that on our day we can beat anyone. It is just about ensuring we turn up on the day."

FIH site

New Zealand Women’s team selected for Rio


Photo: Planet Hockey

The New Zealand Women’s hockey team has been named to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games next month.

It’s a team brimming with experience and talent, including five players who have played more than 200 internationals for their country.

The players were welcomed to the Olympic team at an announcement event co-hosted by the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Hockey New Zealand in Mount Eden this afternoon.

Talismanic midfielder Kayla Whitelock (247 tests) will suit up for her fourth Olympic Games having already competed at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

Meanwhile, Rio signals a third campaign for Gemma Flynn who first played at the Beijing Games as an 18-year-old while Anita McLaren, Sam Charlton, Stacey Michelsen and Charlotte Harrison all head to their second Olympic Games having competed at London 2012.

Only three of the 16 players selected have played less than 100 games - defender Brooke Neal (88 tests) and strikers Kirsten Pearce (54) and Kelsey Smith (20).

Capital’s Smith is the bolter of the group, having been rewarded for her impressive performances at the International Hockey Open in Darwin and Champions Trophy in London earlier this year.

Smith is one of three hugely talented 21-year-olds in the team alongside Canterbury striker Sophie Cocks and Auckland defender Liz Thompson.

The team will be captained by Whitelock, with support from a leadership group which includes McLaren, Michelsen and Charlton.

New Zealand’s most capped women’s player of all-time Emily Gaddum (274 tests) was unavailable for selection due to pregnancy with her first child.

Head coach Mark Hager said the team selected is very well balanced with a lot of experience and confidence.

“We’re taking away a very strong team, it’s well balanced and contains some great experience with six players who have been to an Olympic Games before, along with plenty of Commonwealth Games and World Cup experience,” Hager said.

“This team is capable of medalling and we have proven over recent times that we can win in those high pressure situations which we will certainly face in Rio.”

New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith passed on her congratulations to the women’s team as the inclusion of the hockey team brings the overall team numbers to 177 athletes.

“Across the 16 players named in the women’s hockey team today there is an excellent mix of experience and enthusiasm,” said Smith.

“Both of our hockey teams will be competing right through the Games schedule and we look forward to supporting them as they take to the turf at the new Deodoro Olympic Hockey Centre. It’s certainly an exciting challenge that lies ahead and we wish the team all the best in the final month of their preparation.”

High Performance Sport New Zealand CEO Alex Baumann also voiced his support of the team as they locked in their selection for the Games.

“We believe this is one of our strongest hockey squads to attend an Olympic Games. The experience within the squad is supported by an exciting pipeline of talent and I would like to congratulate the athletes selected today and wish Mark and the team every success in their continued preparations for Rio."

The New Zealand Women open their campaign on Monday 8th August against Korea at 1:00am (NZ time), while the Men face Trans-Tasman rivals Australia first up at 4:30am on Sunday 7th August.

Two pitches will host both events and for the first time in an Olympic hockey competition, quarter-finals will be played with the top four teams from each pool qualifying for the knock-out stages.

The winners of the quarter-finals will qualify for the semi-finals which will determine who will play in the gold and bronze medal matches, which are scheduled for Friday 19th August.

New Zealand hockey teams have won several Commonwealth Games medals dating back to Kuala Lumpur 1998 right through to Glasgow 2014. The Olympic hockey highlight for New Zealand came at the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976 when the men's hockey team triumphed over Australia to claim the gold medal.

NEW ZEALAND WOMEN’S OLYMPIC TEAM

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Black Sticks women named for Rio Olympics

• A surprise in the NZ women's hockey team for the Rio Olympics.
• Veteran defender Emily Gaddum is pregnant with her first child and therefore unavailable.
• 21-year old striker Kelsey Smith has been included in the 16.
• Kayla Whitelock regains the captaincy, after recently returning to the team after time out.

It's a team brimming with experience and talent, including five players who have played more than 200 internationals for their country.

The players were welcomed to the Olympic team at an announcement event co-hosted by the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Hockey New Zealand in Mount Eden this afternoon.

Talismanic midfielder Whitelock (247 tests) will suit up for her fourth Olympic Games having already competed at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

Meanwhile Rio signals a third campaign for Gemma Flynn who first played at the Beijing Games as an 18-year-old, while Anita McLaren, Sam Charlton, Stacey Michelsen and Charlotte Harrison all head to their second Olympic Games having competed at London 2012.

Only three of the 16 players selected have played less than 100 games - defender Brooke Neal (88 tests) and strikers Kirsten Pearce (54) and Smith (20).

Capital's Smith is the bolter of the group, having been rewarded for her impressive performances at the International Hockey Open in Darwin and Champions Trophy in London earlier this year.

Smith is one of three hugely talented 21-year-olds in the team alongside Canterbury striker Sophie Cocks and Auckland defender Liz Thompson.

The team will be captained by Whitelock, with support from a leadership group which includes McLaren, Michelsen and Charlton.

New Zealand's most capped women's player of all-time Gaddum (274 tests) was unavailable for selection due to pregnancy with her first child.

Head coach Mark Hager said the team selected is very well balanced with a lot of experience and confidence.

"We're taking away a very strong team, it's well balanced and contains some great experience with six players who have been to an Olympic Games before, along with plenty of Commonwealth Games and World Cup experience," Hager said.

"This team is capable of medalling and we have proven over recent times that we can win in those high pressure situations which we will certainly face in Rio."

Black Sticks squad:

SAMANTHA CHARLTON
Age: 24
Hometown:
Position: Defender
Olympics: 2012
Fact: Charlton is nicknamed `Eddie', after the legendary Australian snooker player.

SOPHIE COCKS
Age: 21
Hometown: Christchurch
Position: Striker
Olympics: No
Fact: Despite her young age, Cocks has accumulated more than 100 tests for her country

GEMMA FLYNN
Age: 25
Hometown: Tauranga
Position: Midfield/Striker
Olympics: 2008, 2012
Fact: One of the best players in the world, but probably equally famous for being engaged to Richie McCaw

CHARLOTTE HARRISON
Age: 26
Hometown: Whangarei
Position: Striker
Olympics: 2012
Fact: Made her debut as a 16-year-old in 2005

PIPPA HAYWARD
Age: 25
Hometown: Christchurch
Position: Midfield
Olympics: No
Fact: Brought up a century of caps earlier this year

ROSE KEDDELL
Age: 22
Hometown: Tauranga
Position: Midfield
Olympics: No
Fact: Keddell is currently studying communications at Massey University

ANITA McLAREN
Age: 28
Hometown: Wellington
Position: Striker/Midfield
Olympics: 2012
Fact: McLaren is one of the fastest hockey players in the world, McLaren has also competed at national athletics championships .

OLIVIA MERRY
Age: 24
Hometown: Christchurch
Position: Striker
Olympics: No
Fact: Profilic scorer with one of the hardest shots in the team

STACEY MICHELSEN
Age: 25
Hometown: Whangarei
Position: Midfielder/Striker
Olympics: 2012
Fact: Named the World Junior Player of the year in 2012

BROOKE NEAL
Age: 23
Hometown: Whangarei
Position: Defender
Olympics: No
Fact: Neal's brother Shay plays for the Black Sticks men

KIRSTEN PEARCE
Age: 25
Hometown: Auckland
Position: Striker
Olympics: No
Fact: Pearce spent most of her formative years in New South Wales

SALLY RUTHERFORD
Age: 35
Position: Goalkeeper
Olympics: No
Fact: Rutherford has also represented New Zealand in Lacrosse

KELSEY SMITH
Age: 21
Hometown: Nelson
Position: Striker
Olympics: No
Fact: Smith has played just 20 matches for Mark Hagar's team

LIZ THOMPSON
Age: 21
Hometown: Auckland
Position: Defender
Olympics: No
Fact: Thompson took up the sport as an 8-year-old.

PETREA WEBSTER
Age: 26
Hometown: North Shore
Position: Striker
Olympics: No
Fact: Webster is also a teacher at Auckland's Carmel College

KAYLA WHITELOCK
Age: 30
Hometown: New Plymouth
Position: Midfielder
Olympics: 2004, 2008 & 2012
Fact: Whitelock has amassed 243 appearances for the Black Sticks

The New Zealand Herald

Black Sticks coach Mark Hager optimistic on Rio Olympics, despite loss of key defender video

Clay Wilson


Long-time Black Sticks women's coach Mark Hager has named a squad averaging 145 test caps for the Rio Olympic Games. GETTY IMAGES

Mark Hager has been left with a hole 274 tests deep, but the New Zealand women's hockey team coach is confident he can fill it.

Hager named his 16-player squad for the Rio Olympics in Auckland on Thursday, with one notable absentee.

The country's most-capped female international, with almost two decades experience at test level, Emily Gaddum is pregnant with her first child and will not finish her career with a fourth Games appearance.

Hager admitted it was a case of contrasting emotions when the classy defender informed him of the news just prior to the squad departure to London for last month's Champions Trophy.


Emily Gaddum was the most notable name missing when the New Zealand women's Olympic hockey squad was named on Thursday. GETTY IMAGES

"We are really excited for Emily, but I won't lie, it was really disappointing because she is such a good defender," he said.

"There is not much we can do about it. We'll have to fill the hole and we are already looking at how we can replace Emily in that deep defence role.

"It is no secret we didn't have her on the last tour and we struggled defensively. That is a void we have to fill pretty quickly."

Without Gaddum and fellow defensive linchpin Samantha Charlton, the world No 4 Black Sticks won just the single game of six at the Champions Trophy to finish sixth and last.

The performance came as a surprise after a strong six month period where the team finished runner-up at the World League Final, beat second-ranked Argentina in a six-match series on their own soil and overcame third-ranked Australia twice on-route to two tournament triumphs.

After almost a couple of weeks to digest the Champions Trophy result, Hager said it was clear their defensive structure had been thrown out by the absence of two quality players.

While it wasn't ideal, Hager was confident the issues would be remedied in time for Rio.

"It's probably been a big wake-up call for us and highlights to everyone how close the women's competition is.

"We conceded 18 goals in six games. It's not rocket science we need to be better defensively.

"It has to be a mindset change , but it is very fixable. The girls are very smart hockey players and they'll adapt quickly."

Given the experience he still has to call on, you can see why Hager is optimistic in that regard.

Led by three-time Olympian Kayla Whitelock, the squad features four others with more than 200 international caps (Anita McLaren, Gemma Flynn, Charlotte Harrison and Stacey Michelsen).

Eight others have played more than 100 tests, meaning only Kirsten Pearce, Brooke Neal and bolter Kelsey Smith are yet to rack up three figures in a group which averages a whopping 145 Black Sticks appearances.

In a Olympic pool featuring defending Olympic and world champions the Netherlands, world No 5 China and the dangerous pair of Germany (8) and Korea (9), along with 24th-ranked Spain, that does not guarantee anything.

But with the disappointment of a fourth place finish at the London 2012 Games still fresh for Hager and six of his squad, the Kiwi coach knows there is no lack of drive to achieve something special.

And if the reason his most-experienced player has returned to international hockey after having her first child is anything to go by, Hager is optimistic the Champions Trophy performance was simply a late bump in the road.

"[Kayla] told the girls the other day, she wouldn't have come back if she didn't think this team could win a medal," Hager said.

"She feels this is the best team she has been with in the 10 years she has been involved.

"We are still going out there to win a gold medal."

AT A GLANCE

New Zealand women's hockey squad for Rio Olympics (team/caps):

Sam Charlton (Midlands, 171), Sophie Cocks (Canterbury, 107), Gemma Flynn (Midlands, 238), Charlotte Harrison (Auckland, 214), Pippa Hayward (Canterbury, 109), Rose Keddell (Midlands, 128), Anita McLaren (Capital, 239), Olivia Merry (Canterbury, 132), Stacey Michelsen (Northland, 208), Brooke Neal (Northland, 88), Kirsten Pearce (North Harbour, 53), Sally Rutherford (Midlands, 118), Kelsey Smith (Capital, 20), Liz Thompson (Auckland, 114), Petrea Webster (North Harbour, 144), Kayla Whitelock (captain, Central, 247).

New Zealand pool matches (NZ times):

Monday, August 8: vs Korea, 1am
Tuesday, August 9: vs Germany, 4.30am
Thursday, August 11: vs Spain, 1am
Saturday, August 13: vs Netherlands, 2am
Sunday, August 14: vs China, 11.30am

Stuff

Rio selection result of daunting decision for Black Sticks striker Kirsten Pearce

Clay Wilson


Kirsten Pearce was all smiles after her selection for the Rio Olympics was confirmed in Auckland on Thursday. ANDREW CORNAGA/PHOTOSPORT

In the space of just 18 months, Black Stick Kirsten Pearce has gone from daunt to delight.

On Thursday, the North Harbour striker was confirmed for her first Olympic appearance when New Zealand women's team coach Mark Hager named his 16-strong squad for Rio.

It was a selection only made possible by a bold decision she took at the start of last year.

Born in South Africa, before moving to New Zealand aged five and eventually settling in Australia five years later, Pearce packed her bags and headed for Auckland, driven by a dream to play for the Black Sticks.

"I wasn't really sure what to expect," the now 25-year-old said.


The Black Sticks South African-born striker celebrates scoring a goal during a test against Argentina late last year. DEREK FLYNN/FAIRFAX NZ

"The first couple of weeks were quite daunting, I knew no-one and I only had a couple of family friends from when I used to live here."

Previously an Australian under-21 representative, also on the cusp of playing indoor hockey for that country, Pearce was offered a trial by New Zealand coach Mark Hager and immediately impressed.

She made her debut against Canada in February and more than a year on has 53 caps to her name and is preparing to play at the pinnacle of world sport.

Confirmed last week, that Olympic selection has not only been cause for a since permanent smile, but a chance to reflect on the past year and a half.

"It was pretty insane coming to a camp first, getting chosen for the national squad from there and then getting as many caps as I could.

"I fractured my thumb, but I managed to come back and now I'm in the Olympic team. It has been a pretty crazy ride and it's all happened really quickly."

What has also passed in a hurry is the banter when Pearce runs out for New Zealand to play arch-rivals Australia.

The former New South Wales player knows "most" of the Australian side, but the two teams have played several times since she joined the Kiwi squad and now it is "just like you are playing another game against mates".

Those mates, though, ranked one place ahead of the Black Sticks at third in the world, may just stand between Pearce and a medal in Rio.

But she is determined to play her part to ensure that is not the case.

As far as allegiances go, there is no doubt where Pearce lies and will continue to lie for a long time yet.

"I've always wanted to be a Black Stick, it's been a childhood dream of mine and it's just crazy I can live that dream.

"I came over with an open-ended ticket and I'll be here for a while. Everyone keeps asking me, but I'm not leaving anytime soon."

Stuff

Kelsey Smith bolts into Black Sticks squad for Olympic Games

Phillip Rollo


Black Sticks striker Kelsey Smith, right, in action against USA during the recent Women's Hockey Champions Trophy. GETTY IMAGES

It's only natural that Kelsey Smith would consider Anita McLaren (nee Punt) to be one of her role models.

Having both attended Waimea College, come through the same development programme with Nelson Hockey, and being deployed in similar roles where they use their blistering speed to punish opposition defenders, it's easy to make comparisons between Smith and the 238-cap Black Sticks star.

However, it was only once McLaren burst onto the international scene when Smith actually realised she could follow the same pathway from the turf at Saxton Field to the world stage.

"I never really knew her to be honest when I grew up in Nelson. But once she started playing for the Black Sticks it was cool to know we were from the same school," Smith said.

But if being from the same school was "cool", knowing she will be joining McLaren on the plane to Rio will be next level, Smith confirmed on Thursday afternoon as the bolter in the 16-strong Black Sticks squad for the Olympic Games.

The 21-year-old, who studies in Wellington and plays for Capital, has already amassed 20 caps for New Zealand. However, with every call up coming as a result of an injury to another player, Smith was only ever considered an outside chance of making the final cut.

But, having made the most of every opportunity, particularly at the International Hockey Open where she scored in both the semifinal and final, Smith has been rewarded with Olympic Games selection.

"It's been so full on. I wasn't expecting to be anywhere near where I am today, I'm still doing fulltime uni, so it's pretty crazy," she said at the official squad announcement in Mount Eden.

"I thought there may have been a chance but it's not something you really want to think about it."

New Zealand coach Mark Hager said Smith's performances at the recent Champions Trophy, where she "was one of our better forwards," was the turning point.

"We brought her in for some practice games and in the first three or four games she scored seven goals and we thought we've made a bit of a mistake here [by not selecting her]," he said.

"We obviously then got a couple more injuries in the group so we thought it was a good opportunity to bring Kelsey back. We took her to Darwin and she played pretty well there and in the Champions Trophy I thought she was one of our better forwards, hence why she's got the nod."

Having known of her selection for a few days now, Smith said the initial reaction from friends and family has been "I told you so". But for the player herself she never fully believed her Olympic Games dream would become a reality, especially not in this cycle anyway.

"I was thinking of Tokyo and to work really hard for the next one," she said.

"Everyone is so excited and my parents booked tickets straight away."

Stuff

Chasing The Dream with USWNT Athlete Lauren Blazing



In a lineup of professional athletes, her 5’9” stature coupled with a lean, toned build may suggest basketball or volleyball as her sport of choice.

Well, at first, it was.

Appearing a natural fit for slamming a ball over a net raised 7’4” above the gym floor, Blazing applied her genetics and gift of game to volleyball. Despite having the ideal frame for the sport, Blazing’s heart wasn’t there. Looking for an alternative, Blazing pulled from her memory one of the many backyard games she played in her neighborhood with friends. Not fully enamored by volleyball, her current fall sport at the time, Blazing signed up for field hockey, thinking it probably had the same feel as her former childhood game, street hockey. With a vague correlation seeded in her adolescence and the itch to constantly keep in motion came a decision that would take hold of Blazing’s life and shake it from the ground up.

As a goalkeeper, she would go on to be a 4-year letter winner and 4-time team MVP at Durham Academy; where she was also named all-conference in each season. In her senior year, she earned the distinction of conference player of the year. On top of her field hockey accolades, Blazing was also a 3-year letter winner in basketball, garnering  team defensive MVP recognition her final two seasons and all-league honors as a senior.

The Durham, N.C. native impressively owned her domain in the cage in high school, which resulted in attention from several college coaches. When leaving the high school scene, Blazing was picked up by Duke University where she became a 4-year starter in goal and collected honors such as three-time All-American and first team honors as a senior. She also guided the Blue Devils to a pair of NCAA semifinals appearances, including a trip to the title match in 2013. Located in Duke’s forward line was another point of pride, her sister Robin.

“In our free time in high school, we would hop the fence to get to the goal cage,” said Blazing. “She would take shots on me while I worked on my saves. We did the same thing in college too, training together like that. It’s so cool to watch her grow throughout the years.”

Competing with her best friend and younger sister was the icing on Blazing’s collegiate career.

“We’re so close and similar,” said Blazing. “She’s driven and dedicated in school and on the field. I try to emulate her work ethic, the way she gives 100 percent in everything she does. We feed off each other in that regard.”

Paired with her college accomplishments, Blazing also contributed to the success of the Junior High Performance on the international stage at the Junior World Cup and Junior Pan American Games.

Blazing officially joined the senior U. S. Women’s National Team the summer of 2014. Although she was an alternate for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada where the team took gold and won their berth to the Rio Olympic Games, Blazing received her first cap in early 2016 in Chula Vista when the team contended against Canada.

“Putting on the USA jersey is such an awesome feeling,” said Blazing. “It’s a huge honor to represent our country and see all the work I put in come to fruition.”

 To say her involvement in athletics has influenced her life goals is burying the ball into the backboard; spot on.

“When I’m done with playing hockey which could be 4 years from now, 8 years from now or I could be 86 years old still playing, I’d like to pursue law school with a focus in civil rights and Title IX,” said Blazing.

Field hockey even played a part in this choice.

“I’ve been so fortunate to take part in great athletic programs that wouldn’t be available to us if people had not stood up and fought for everyone’s right to play,” said Blazing. “It’s still relevant. It’s a sad social fact that men’s teams are making more money than women’s sports.”

“It’s important for young girls to get chances to participate in sport,” said Blazing. “I saw this first hand through playing and coaching in USA Field Hockey’s Futures program. You make friends and gain confidence. Character building through sport is important for society.”

When she finally does put down the hockey stick, it’s typical for her to pickup a guitar. She began playing in college, as a different way to spend her free time against the demands of school work and hockey as something non-competitive, a passion without the pressure. Blazing is trying to make this hobby a team affair.

In fact, a few Team USA athletes may be forming a band of sorts dubbed the Lancaster Locals.

“I don’t know if everyone knows they’re in it, but they’re all in it,” said Blazing, chuckling. “Alesha Widdall and Jill Witmer are holding down lead vocals. Ali Froede on the tambourine/percussion, Alyssa Manley on guitar but she’s still learning chords and then there’s Loren Shealy on the ukulele. She’s actually pretty good at that now. Katie Bam may be another vocalist or general manager.”

“We might just drop it to The Locals when we hit it big.”

Although their first EP hasn’t quite dropped, the bond Blazing has forged with her teammates in undeniable.

“Being surrounded by the nation’s best athletes which happen to be some of the best people I’ve ever known is something I appreciate every single day,” said Blazing. “We’re a family, united by a common goal and to be part of something this big is indescribable."

USFHA media release

USWNT Joins Team Hershey Ahead of Rio 2016 Olympic Games

The Hershey Company proudly supports locally-based team.

HERSHEY, Pa. - Continuing to support hometown heroes, The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is excited to announce its sponsorship of the U.S. Women’s National Field Hockey Team. The team is currently training for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Lancaster County, Pa. just 30 minutes from Hershey headquarters.

Led by Head Coach Craig Parnham, the team recently traveled to London, England to compete against five other world-ranked national field hockey teams in the women’s Hockey Champions Trophy 2016. In a thrilling shootout victory against No. 3 Australia, No. 7 Team USA took home the bronze medal. In July, the team will return to its home base in Lancaster to train and compete in the Citi Rio Send-Off Series against India and Canada.

“With so many of our players hailing from Pennsylvania, we are excited to be partnering with The Hershey Company,” said Parnham. “As we prepare to go to Rio, it’s wonderful to have the support of a strong, iconic company.”

Local support is an important component of Hershey’s Official Sponsorship of Team USA. Nearly half of the team is native to the state of Pennsylvania, including goalkeeper Jackie Briggs, defender Lauren Crandall and midfielder Katelyn Falgowski.

“The Hershey Company is proud to be supporting Team USA on the world’s largest stage,” said David Palmer, Director for Consumer Promotions and Planning. “Additionally we are excited to expand our hometown support by adding the U.S. Women’s National Field Hockey Team to our roster of athletes.”

Earlier this summer, The Hershey Company also announced its sponsorship of Hershey, Pa. native, David Nolan, who competed in the USA Swimming Olympic trials.

In addition to the U.S. Women’s National Field Hockey sponsorship, Hershey’s has partnered with current reigning World and U.S. all-around champion gymnast Simone Biles, London 2012 wrestling gold medalist Jordan Burroughs, two-time Olympic gold medalist Shannon Miller, London 2012 Paralympic gold medalist swimmer Mallory Weggemann and the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team. Throughout The Olympics, Hershey’s brand will be sending ‘Hellos From Home’ to these athletes in an effort to encourage and support from a distance. Reese’s brand has also partnered with U.S. Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn for its ‘Do Summer Like a Winter Olympian’ campaign.

The Hershey Company is a proud official sponsor of the United States Olympic Committee and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams. In April, Hershey released new packaging sporting patriotic colors, including red, white and blue lettering for the iconic Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar, which has featured silver lettering for 122 years.

USFHA media release

Junior hockey team hugely inspired by senior counterparts: Harendra

BENGALURU: An upbeat Indian junior hockey squad led by skipper Dipsan Tirkey will depart for the EurAsia Cup on Wednesday, vying to put up a fine show when the event gets underway in Yekatarinberg, Russia on Saturday.

While the senior men's team enters an exciting phase in the countdown to the Rio Olympics, the junior side including talented players such as Santa Singh, Parvinder Singh and dragflick expert Varun Kumar will look to make India proud.

"These tournament forms part of our preparations for the Junior World Cup to be held in Lucknow the end of this year. It will be a good platform to test new players and try out different combinations," said junior India coach Harendra Singh.

"Based on the performance in Russia and later in England, it will help us create a strong pool of players before picking the final team for the World Cup," he added.

Singh said the senior men's team's recent performances in London where they won an historic silver medal at the FIH Champions Trophy has hugely inspired the junior team.

"The junior men closely follow all the matches played by the senior team and they have been highly motivated after watching their senior counterparts excel in the Champions Trophy," he said.

"Since we have started the camp here in Bengaluru where the senior team has been training as well, the men have had a chance to closely interact with some of the senior players and learn from them," he added.

The Times of India

Indian hockey juniors ready for EurAsia Cup challenge

Bengaluru: While the Indian senior men's hockey team is gearing up for the Rio Olympics, an upbeat junior squad spearheaded by defender Dipsan Tirkey was on Wednesday leaving for Russia to compete at the EurAsia Cup beginning from July 9.

The squad includes a promising line-up with talented players such as Santa Singh, Parvinder Singh and drag-flick expert Varun Kumar.

"This tournament forms part of our preparations for the Junior World Cup to be held in Lucknow at the end of this year. It will be a good platform to test new players and try out different combinations," stated junior head coach Harendra Singh.

"Based on the performance in Russia and later in England, it will help us create a strong pool of players before picking the final team for the World Cup."

The coach further explained that the senior men's recent performances in London where they won an historic silver medal at the Champions Trophy has hugely inspired the junior team and they are vying to replicate a similar performances in these overseas matches.

"The junior men closely follow all the matches played by the senior team and they have been highly motivated after watching their senior counterparts excel in the Champions Trophy," Harendra said.

"Since we have started the camp here in Bengaluru where the senior team has been training as well, the juniors have had a chance to closely interact with some of the senior players and learn from them." he added.

India play their opening game against Dynamo-Stroitel on July 9.

The Times of India