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All the news for Friday 5 August 2016

Good performance by Scotland women despite Belgian win


Scotland in Dublin

Scotland Women’s penultimate game in the 4-Nations tournament in Ireland saw the team defeated 2-0 by Belgium in a very close competitive encounter. The two had met the previous day in another very even game, which resulted in a 0-0 draw.

This time the first half was very similar to the previous game; very even with both teams flaunting some good skills, and ending 0-0.

Despite another good second half performance Scotland found themselves exposed on the turn over, which led to a couple of Belgian goals.

Belgium won the ball well in the second half and managed to overload the Scots. It was on one of these occasions when Stephanie Vanden Borre opened the scoring on 39 minutes. Sophie Anne-Weyns added a second on 51 minutes, creating an uphill challenge for the Scots.

Scotland had chances themselves. A corner routine in the first half set up Nikki Lloyd but Megane Simmons made a solid save. It was another good performance by Lloyd, who has had a good tournament. Katie Robertson also played well again, as she has done all tournament.

Amy Costello smashed a shot just past the post from a short corner; Charlotte Watson was unlucky not to score from a drive into the D; as was Kate Holmes from a similar move into the Belgian D.

Head Coach Gordon Shepherd said it was a fair result but that there was not much between the teams despite the score line. Many positives can be taken from the games so far, according to Shepherd, such as all the other teams in the 4-Nations are playing at full strength and our young team was able to compete for long periods. The tournament is creating good competition within the squad.

Scotland’s Co-captain Becky Ward said:

“We always knew it was going to be a tough game after yesterday's performance and we knew they would come out hard, and make improvements. We had a really good game yesterday but knew we would have to step up a gear today to get the result. We started off well and the first half created a lot of opportunities for both sides. The second half became a bit of a turn over game and unfortunately Belgium capitalised on this. The team is definitely moving in the right direction and we are looking forward to the final challenge against Chile on Friday.”

Scotland’s next game is against Chile on Friday at 12pm.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

They have unbelievable skills and only need to execute plans, says Oltmans


SMILE, PLEASE! Skipper P.R. Sreejesh and coach Roelant Oltmans will be hoping that they will have many reasons to rejoice during the Rio campaign. File photo: K. Murali Kumar

A final appearance in the recent Champions Trophy has really captured everyone’s imagination!

The last of the eight gold medals in Moscow in 1980 may be a distant glory, but the captain of the current Indian hockey team P. Sreejesh has no hesitation saying, “We are really working hard for that dream”.

A final appearance in the recent Champions Trophy has really captured everyone’s imagination!

“That is my life. It is a dream. I think it is more important nowadays because our hockey fans are missing it,” Sreejesh said.

The Dutch coach of the Indian team, Roelant Oltmans was more forceful as he captured the essence of Indian hockey, and his commitment to rebuild the team and take it back to greater heights.

“I believe in the players. They have unbelievable skills. Skills that I have never seen in the world some times. But in their minds, they are not always prepared to execute them at the right moment. That is the big challenge. How to make them be aware of what to do, and when,” said Oltmans.

He was quick to point out that the players executed the idea as if in a dream sometimes, and at other times, they did things which made him hide behind the curtains.

“Guys, what is this. We never do anything like this,” he recalled his address to the team, suggesting that such moments strike any moment.
Team has improved

He was categorical that long discussions, video sessions and corrective methods have made the team get better. “I am sure the team has improved. No doubt about that,” he said, stressing that the improvement has to be at a high level to help the team compete on par with the best in the world, on any given day.

“For me, the Olympic Games is all about winning. Someone else had said something different. But, modern Olympic Games is about winning,” Oltmans said.

“These players have unbelievable skills. The only thing is, they are not always showing it,” Oltmans said.

With the introduction of a quarterfinal stage in hockey at the Olympics, India — which failed to make the cut for the Beijing Olympics for the only time in history, and which finished 12th among as many teams in London — would attempt to climb the ladder.

The Hindu

We won't underestimate any team, says Oltmans

RIO DE JANEIRO: In no mood to take their first opponent Ireland lightly, Indian men's hockey team chief coach Roelant Oltmans said in a mega-event like the Olympics it would be a grave mistake on their part to underestimate any side.

India are placed in Group B alongside reigning Olympic champions Germany, Netherlands, Argentina, Canada and Ireland. The PR Sreejesh-led side will open their Olympics campaign against minnows Ireland on August 6.

"We want to begin on a winning note and carry the momentum forward in the following group stage matches. We do not want to undermine any team especially at an event like the Olympics where every team wants to win," said the Dutchman, who is also the high performance director of Hockey India.

India's newly-appointed captain and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh too agreed with his coach.

"The Irish can be unpredictable. They have been doing well in European Championships and are sturdy and fast on the ball. It won't be an easy game to win and we will need to go full force," said Sreejesh, who replaced long-standing skipper Sardar Singh.

While India will be aiming to end their 36-year-long medal drought in Rio, this will be Ireland's first Olympic appearance since 1908 when they had earned a silver medal.

Going by the recent record, India, ranked fifth in the FIH world rankings, will start as favourites. The Indians had also defeated Ireland at the six-nation tournament in Valencia, Spain, in June.

But history is against the Indians as they have not yet won an opening match at the Olympics since Sydney in 2000 where they had beaten Argentina 3-0. At the 2004 Athens Olympics and 2012 London Games, India were beaten by the Netherlands 1-3 and 2-3 respectively on both occasions.

The Times of India

Sreejesh warns of unpredictable Ireland in Olympics opener

RIO DE JANEIRO: India's hockey captain PR Sreejesh has warned his team not to take their opening match opponent Ireland lightly, as the debutant can be unpredictable and has shocked big teams recently to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

India will begin their Olympic campaign on August 6 against Ireland, labelled as the minnows in the competition.

While India are on a mission to end their 36-year-long medal drought in Rio, this will be Ireland's first Olympic appearance since 1908 when they had earned a silver medal.

Ireland has, over the recent past, put up an inspired show beating Malaysia and Pakistan at the 2015 FIH World League Semi-Final and with Australia's Oceania Cup win, booked their berth to Rio.

"The Irish can be unpredictable. They have been doing well in the European Championships and are sturdy and fast on the ball," Sreejesh said on Thursday.

"It won't be an easy game to win and we will need to go full force," added the seasoned goalkeeper.

Going by recent record, the Indian team, ranked fifth in the FIH world rankings, go in as favourites and will be riding on the confidence drawn from their win against Ireland at the Six Nations Tournament in Valencia, Spain, in June.

However, chief coach Roelant Oltmans does not want his wards to get complacent about their opponent.

"We want to begin on a winning note and carry the momentum forward in the following group stage matches. We do not want to underestimate any team especially at an event like the Olympics where every team wants to win," asserted the chief coach.

If history is anything to go by, India has not yet won an opening match at the Olympics since Sydney in 2000 where they had beaten Argentina 3-0.

At the 2004 Athens Olympics and 2012 London Games, India was beaten by the Netherlands 1-3 and 2-3, respectively.

To turn the tables, Sreejesh and his team need to watch out for Ireland's marquee player Mitch Darling, a forward who plays with Rotterdam, and their captain and goalkeeper David Harte who won the world goalkeeper of the year award for 2015.

The Times of India

From worn out pads to captain's armband

Prasanth Menon

KOCHI: A 40-minute drive from Kochi negotiating the steep climbs, slopes and sharp curves take you to Olympian Sreejesh Road in Pallikara. The road leading up to the house of Pallikara's most famous son is quite similar to the journey of Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh which has seen him rise to captain the Indian hockey team at the Rio Olympics.

Son of Raveendran, a farmer, and Usha Kumari, a homemaker, Sreejesh comes from a humble background and excelled more in sports than studies as a kid. Hockey was not his first love nor was it his dream to play for India. All he wanted to do when he got admission in the prestigious GV Raja Sports School, Thiruvananthapuram in standard VIII was to excel either in athletics or volleyball and manage a government job under the sports quota, so that he could support his parents.

Weeded out to hockey from both athletics and volleyball at the GV Raja school, Sreejesh decided to try his luck in hockey, a sport that he hardly fathomed he would play during his primary school days. Not fond of running, Sreejesh took up the goalkeeper's position, a role that he has now made his own in Indian team in the last four years and has seen him emerge as one of the best in the world.

However his initial years in the game weren't anything but easy. Picked for a junior national camp in Delhi in 2003, Sreejesh was tested in the hardest possible way. The coaches at the camp asked the strikers to pound him with shots. The modest equipment he wore - a pad, gloves and a helmet - bore the brunt. "All I could manage when my son boarded the train to Delhi was to gift him a pair of goalkeeping pads worth Rs 5,000. I knew it was not good enough to protect my son's legs in a national camp. But that was all I could give him then," recalls Raveendran, Sreejesh's dad.

"Neither my parents nor my state association had the wherewithal to buy me expensive equipment. I have travelled to Delhi to attend national camps sitting near the bathroom doors of unreserved compartments on several occasions. I was determined to succeed. When I went to attend the junior India camp in 2003, my pad didn't have strap. So I had to tie my pad with a coir rope I had taken to pack my baggage. I was ridiculed. But I didn't complain. It only made me stronger," adds Sreejesh on his initiation to junior India colours.

His strong resolve saw Sreejesh make a mark in the Indian junior team and in 2006 he made it to the senior squad. Though it took him another five years to cement his spot in the senior national team, Sreejesh's positive attitude and determination always won him admirers. "I got to know Sreejesh better when we became roommates after the junior World Cup in 2005-06. The energy level he has and the enthusiasm he shows in life is something I think every human being should have. I was a senior player then and he says he has learnt from me. But to be frank, I have learnt a lot more from Sreejesh than he has from me. He has worked hard to reach where he has today. With Sreejesh leading the team and going by their recent performances, I wouldn't be surprised if India climb on the podium in Rio," former India goalkeeper and Sreejesh's idol Adrian D'Souza said.

But the man himself is guarded about India's prospects. "There are no easy matches in Olympics. We have to ensure that we reach the quarter-finals stage by registering some wins in the group stage. The real show begins from quarter-finals. From the quarters, it's all about whoever plays well on that particular day that counts. If we win the quarter-final game, we are in semis and we can definitely hope to win a medal," Sreejesh tells TOI from Rio as he gets ready for an early morning practice.

And if he leads the Indian team to a podium finish in Rio, then the nameplate bearing the name of Sreejesh's road in Pallikara will have to be engraved in golden letters as it would end India's 36-year wait for a medal in the country's national game.

Know your Olympian

Name: PR Sreejesh

Age: 29

India debut: 2006

Occupation: Sports Officer, Education Dept, Govt Of Kerala

Teams: India, Indian Overseas Bank, Mumbai Magicians,Uttar Pradesh Wizards

Major achievements: Gold Medal-Asian Games 2014, Busan; Asian Champions Trophy 2011, Ordos, China ; Silver Medal- Champions Trophy 2016, London, Commonwealth Games 2014, Glasgow;Bronze Medal- Hockey World League Finals Raipur, 2015

Captaincy: Captained Indian team for the first time in Champions Trophy, London in June 2016.

Quote shoot

Sreejesh is much like Cristiano Ronaldo in football. When you see Messi play, you know he was born to play football. Ronaldo, on the other hand, had to train hard and reach to the level of Messi. Sreejesh is quite like that. He trains very hard and his dedication to the game is second to none. As a goalkeeper, Sreejesh shows no fear under the bar. Opponents dread such goalkeepers and that's why he is one of the most respected goalkeepers in the world- Adrian D'Souza, Former India goalkeeper and Sreejesh's idol.

The Times of India

Here is why PR Sreejesh will not be wearing the hockey captain band on field


"We have a whole bunch of seniors in the team. To me, leadership is a responsibility to be shared between the senior players," the captain said. (Getty Images)

Leading the Indian hockey team at the Olympics is a dream come true for captain P.R. Sreejesh, but as the skipper he is keen to pass around the leader's arm-band among the seniors.

"I never thought I will captain India at the Olympics. It's like living a dream and I really feel honoured to be captain of the national team here in Rio de Janeiro," says Sreejesh, preparing mentally for the campaign that will start on Saturday when India take on Ireland in the first preliminary league outing.

"Hockey is a very prestigious thing in our country. Leading India at the Olympics is also a big responsibility," said Sreejesh. "I will be the captain, but on the field I will not wear the captain's arm band," says Sreejesh. "We have a whole bunch of seniors in the team. To me, leadership is a responsibility to be shared between the senior players," the captain said.

"Four senior players will share the responsibility and also the captain's band," said Sreejesh, asserting that 'this will help us take the leadership quality to the field.' "Each position will have one leader leading the challenge in their respective position. The defence, midfield and the forward lineup will each have a leader, and that's our strategy for the team to seize the initiative," Sreejesh said.

Coming from Kerala, a sport-loving state that is otherwise not well-known for its hockey talent, the lanky Sreejesh has earned his credentials through excellent work under the bar. It was his cool composure under the bar that won India the Asian Games title at Incheon two years ago ? following a penalty shootout against arch hockey rivals and defending champions Pakistan.

It was under stand-in captain Sreejesh's leadership that India got a silver medal at the Champions Trophy in London two months ago. He was captaining the team as regular captain Sardar Singh had been rested. Soon after, the team management and selectors decided to put Sreejesh in charge of the squad for the Olympic Games.

Returning to the Olympic arena, where India finished at the botton of the 12-team competition four years ago in the London Olympics, Sreejesh still feels the pain of that debacle, although he was the reserve goalkeeper behind the then captain Bharat Chhetri.

Sreejesh is one of the six remaining players from the squad that travelled from India to London with a lot of hopes, but ended with the wooden spoon. The captain says he still feels the pain of the London debacle, but this is his chance of writing a new script for Indian hockey.

India no longer feature in the top echelons of international hockey, but the young generation of players are eager to carve a niche for themselves, says Sreejesh. The young skipper says he has the support of former captain Sardar Singh, who is always there to help him.

It was at the Champions Trophy, where India featured in the title round for the first time that the captain's armband got switched from match to match. Rio de Janeiro could see India bring that element into their hockey team's leadership into the Olympic campaign.

"My idea of the team is putting a hand on the shoulder of my teammate and walking together," says Sreejesh.

DNA

Never dreamt of leading the side in Olympics, says PR Sreejesh

PR Sreejesh explains how he plans to inspire his team to glory in Rio 2016.


PR Sreejesh (AFP)

PR Sreejesh says his dual role as India hockey captain and goalkeeper is to allow his team mates the freedom to express themselves in Rio but knows he must keep them focused on the medal hunt in the "magic world" of the Olympics.

The 30-year-old was second choice at London 2012 behind then captain Bharat Chetri but has since established himself as the clear number one. He was named captain for the recent Champions Trophy in London where India rested some seniors, including regular captain Sardar Singh, ahead of the Rio Games. While Sreejesh led the side to the sliver medal, as India lost the final to Australia in a penalty shoot-out, he said he never imagined it would lead to him wearing the armband at the Rio Games too.

"I never expected it," Sreejesh told Reuters in a recent interview. "I have always said being part of the team and winning a medal for my country was my first preference. "I never dreamt of captaining the team and leading the side in the Olympics. It's a great honour." Sreejesh has been a rock for India in front of goal since making the junior national team in 2004. It took him another couple of years to make the cut for the senior side

He made crucial saves during the 2014 Asian Games final when India beat arch-rivals Pakistan, which sealed their spot for Rio. In 2015, Sreejesh received the Arjuna award for his contribution to the national team.

Sreejesh said the captaincy would not have a huge influence on his role. "I am a goalkeeper. My first duty is to save the goal," he said by telephone from the team's training camp in Bengaluru. "The second is to communicate with my defenders and organise them.

"Third is I need to give them confidence as a goalkeeper. I think as captain too I have to do these three things. There is no extra burden on me. "It's all about giving them the freedom to do what they want. "Olympics is a place where you can be easily distracted to a lot of things and it will seem like a magic world. It will all be about reminding them our goal as a team."

India are the most decorated nation in the sport's Olympic history but the South Asians collected the last of their eight gold medals back at the Moscow Games in 1980. After failing to qualify for Beijing, India made it to London four years later but finished last of the 12 countries taking part. India, who are in Pool B in Rio along with Argentina, Canada, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands, have created optimism back home thanks after a strong build-up to the Games.

Sreejesh feels India have the right balance between youth and experience, with a number of players from London 2012 still part of the mix for Rio. Consistency will be the key, he added. "The last couple of years has given us confidence. We have beaten all the top teams and won medals," he added. "It has given us confidence that now we are ready to beat any team and we will carry that to Rio."

DNA

Veterans Tupper and Pearson come full circle in Rio

Shaheed Devji


Mark Pearson and Scott Tupper were a part of the Canadian team that won silver at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Ontario in July 2015.

Canada’s men field hockey team is only two days away from taking to the field at the Olympic Games. And when it does, nearly the entire roster will be experiencing the Olympics for the first time.

Except for two players.

Team captain Scott Tupper and veteran midfielder Mark Pearson are the only two players on the Canadian team who have competed at an Olympic Games. And nearly ten years after qualifying for and then making their Olympic debut at the 2008 Games in Beijing, the Rio Olympics bring an end to a journey that has had it all.

“Being the two young guys on the Beijing team and being able to share that – reflecting back – was awesome,” says Pearson, who was the youngest member of the 2008 Olympic team. Tupper was the second youngest.

“And to go through some disappointment with him was tough.”

The two qualified for the Olympics in their first attempt. Shortly after, they were off to the 2010 World Cup – also on the first try.

It would have been easy for the duo to expect to be at every major event as their careers progressed. But it did not play out that way.

It turns out those two events were the last two major events for which Canada’s men qualified, leaving Tupper and Pearson with the task of bringing the team back to the highest level of hockey.

“We have a role as senior players to get the team back to the Olympics,” Tupper says. “And you almost feel like you’re letting the program down if we were to let another one slide.”

That role as team leaders came swiftly after the Canadians missed out on the London Games, when the team saw many changes.

“It was a bit daunting really,” Pearson recalls. “When some of the guys retired and suddenly we’re there left as the key guys, as the guys that need to lead this team. We really wanted to continue that legacy.”

Pearson credits the work ethic of the entire group, not just the sixteen players in Rio, but those who have been training and competing for the last eight years to get Canada back to the Olympics.

And Tupper, who has taken them helm from Rob Short – the last field hockey captain at the Olympic Games – credits those before him.

“I was put with Rob as a roommate (in Beijing),” Tupper says. “So he had to deal with me as a young guy, which maybe was too bad for him at the time, but it instilled a sense of pride in the program and also maybe lit a fire for me in terms of wanting to be a leader and help shape the direction of the team.”

That fire and direction has helped Tupper, Pearson and Canada return to the Olympics.

And while the two are proud just getting back to the Games, it is by no means good enough.

“There is certainly a sense of accomplishment in qualifying and that’s really good but there’s a job to be done,” Tupper adds. “We want to achieve something that Canada has never done at an Olympic Games.”

The highest finish for Canada’s men’s field hockey team at the Olympics is tenth place.

And with the new quarterfinal format at the Olympics and Canada’s men having a recent history of making it to and winning a quarterfinal match at a key tournament (Canada qualified for the 2016 Olympics by beating higher ranked New Zealand in a shootout at the 2015 Hockey World League Semifinal in Argentina) the team is aiming high in Rio.

“We’ve written history already in qualifying outside of a Pan American tournament for the first time and we’re here to write history again,” Pearson says.

And if they do, one thing is certain; as they have for the last eight years, Tupper and Pearson will play important roles along the way.

Canada opens the 2016 Olympic Games on Saturday, August 6th against Germany at 2:00pm PT/5:00pm ET.

Field Hockey Canada media release

Boon injury blow for Belgium

Belgium have had a late injury scare with Tom Boon suffering a small tear to his hamstring, ruling him out of initial games at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro against Great Britain on Saturday and Brazil on Sunday.

The injury to the Racing Club de Bruxelles striker came in a warm-up game against Germany. He is hopeful of being available for later games in the tournament.

"This is a blow,” he said of the setback to the HockeyBelgium website.“I did not think I could hurt myself again so soon.I had taken the time to look after myself and all tests in recent weeks showed that I fully recovered from my last injury.

“This new injury is in the same area in the femoral biceps.There is a chance to be back pretty quickly and I intend to grab it.My rehabilitation starts now.I'll test me every day and we will follow the evolution of the tear over the next three to four days.”

Euro Hockey League media release

Fuerste honoured with "Oscar nomination"

Moritz Fuerste has compared being on the shortlist to carry the German flag at the Olympic Games opening ceremony as “a bit like an Oscar nomination”.

He was on a list of five potential flag-bearers with table-tennis player Tim Boll earning the honour.

Fuerste, though, was not overly disappointed to miss out: "It was great for me to be among the five nominees; it was fun, a bit like an Oscar nomination. It was already a huge honour to be nominated.”

“Timo Boll is absolutely the right person for it! I'm now also glad that now the background noise is over, we can focus fully on our tournament!"

Germany start their Olympic campaign on Saturday at 6pm (Brazilian time) against Canada.

Euro Hockey League media release

Stats Speak: fascinating set of facts and figures  in 108 years of Olympic Hockey(part-5)

By B.G.Joshi (Sehore-Bhopal, India)

Renowned Hockey statistician B.G.Joshi has provided some fascinating set of facts and figures, you probably never knew about the game. Here are the  players who have made five Olympic appearances and Golden Sporting Double viz. Hockey player who have  won the Hockey Gold medal in Olympics and played another game in Olympics.Details are:

A:Five Olympic Appearances:

Teun de Nooijer
Country: Netherlands, Born: March 22,1976, Period: 1994-2012, Olympics Played: 1996(Gold),2000(Gold),2004(Silver),2008(4th),2012(Silver),Caps:453,Goals-216.

Pol Amat
Country: Spain, Born: June 18,1978, Period: 1995-2012,Olympics Played:1996(Silver),2000(9th),2004(4th),2008(Silver),2012(6th),Caps:304.

Natascha Keller
Country: Germany, Born: July 3,1977, Period:1995-2012,Olympics: 1996(6th),2000(7th),2004(Gold),2008(4th),2012(7th),Caps:425,Goals:209

B: Hockey Gold medal in Olympics and played another game in Olympics:

Fieldhockey.com

Hockey Makers in Rio



'A volunteer is defined as a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.'

Volunteers are an essential part to making our events happen. From being a team liaison officer to spectator services to media support we couldn't put on our events with out our Hockey Makers.

Some of these volunteers have gone one step further and travelled halfway across the world to be part of the Rio Olympics. We chatted to Zoe, one of the volunteers before she jetted over. We also share with you a few pictures of their adventure so far!

Zoe Hainsworth



Occupation when not a Hockey Maker!

Student

Rio Volunteer position

Hockey Field of play team member - The role involves making sure that the playing area is fully prepped and watered for matches and team training sessions.

Hockey Club

Bromley and Beckenham

How did you become a hockey maker?

My first event as a hockey maker was the Investec London Cup in 2014. I had only taken up hockey a couple months before London 2012, and being at the women’s final made me want to get involved in the sport more. So after seeing a tweet on social media I signed up to volunteer with England Hockey in the fun zone and have never looked back since!

What are you most excited for about Rio?

I’m most excited about being involved in the greatest sporting event in the world! Being in London as a spectator was unbelievable, but to be able to say that I have been a part of a world class event will be incredible!

Why volunteer in sport?

Volunteering in sport not only allows me to give something back to your sport, but is also incredibly rewarding in itself! Volunteering has allowed me to meet so many like minded people who share my same passion for sport, in turn creating lifelong friendships and memories that I will never forget!


The Hockey Makers taking a stroll down Barros beach

You can see what they get up to out in Rio via their facebook page.

If you would like to volunteer a bit closer to home you can sign up to become a Hockey Maker here. Next year we will be hosting the men's World League, a World Cup qualifier in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. In 2018 we will be hosting the Women's World Cup in London - so plenty of opportunities for you to get involved and be part of a major event!

England Hockey Board Media release

Santa Marta Favela hockey trip

Holly MacNeil



SportsLink International are working to provide an opportunity to the local children in the Santa Marta favela, Brazil. The opportunity would see them get the chance to not only attend a hockey clinic, but also to watch the Australian Men’s Hockey Team when they compete against Brazil on Friday the 12th of August.

Sponsor donations will go towards the children receiving a Brazil supporter shirt, travel, entry ticket to Brazil v Australia hockey game, and dinner. Additional funds will go towards purchasing the hockey kit for the group to use during the day and into the future, with any further leftover funds to be donated to the favela for additional resources and social projects.

The itinerary for the day would be:
3pm: Meet at Santa Marta. Meet group. Introductions and brief tour of Santa Marta
3.30pm: Field hockey clinic to teach the children some of the skills & fun games
4.30pm: Depart Santa Marta – walk to Botafogo Metro. Travel by Metro & train to Deodoro
6pm: Arrive Deodoro.
6pm – 7.30pm: Dinner and look around Deodoro Olympic park
7.30pm: Enter stadium for pre-game
8.30pm: Brazil v Australia hockey game
10pm: Game finishes. Return home

Sponsors can choose to either purchase a ticket for 1 child to go with the group, or you can also accompany the group for the day. Everyone who chooses to accompany the group will be partnered with a child for the day.

For further information on the event, and how to sponsor, please visit: http://sportslinkinternational.com/product/favela-kids-olympic-visit/

Hockey Australia media release

Pakistan National Women Hockey Championship commences today

KARACHI: The 29th edition of National Women Hockey Championship commences on Friday (today) at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad.

The participating teams are WAPDA, Railways, Army, HEC, Punjab Colours, Punjab Whites, Sindh Colours, Sind Whites, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Baluchistan and Islamabad.

WAPDA are the defending champions. The teams are divided into two pools. The top two sides will qualify for the semi-finals.

The News International

Juniors to play in AHL and Valencia 6-Nation

s2h Team

Indian juniors, who have just returned from England tour, will be figuring in the highly competitive Australian Hockey League in Perth.

The two-week long sojourn is expected to give the Indians, who are preparing for the home Junior World Cup, a shot in the arm.

After the AHL, the boys will move to Valencia in Spain to play a six-nation between 20th and 30th October.

Interestingly, Indian junior women hockey team too will be there in Valencia

Malaysian senior team played the AHL last year

As per the arrangement, the top ranking Australian team will be crowned champions even if foreign teams like Malaysia or Indian Juniors come above them in case.

Stick2Hockey.com

Three Malaysian teams for Australian HL

By Jugjet Singh

MALAYSIA will field three teams in the Australian Hockey League (AHL) to be held at the Perth Hockey Stadium on Sept 29-Oct 9.

Along with Australian State and Territory teams, the other invitational teams for the two-week tournament will be from India and New Zealand.

Malaysian Hockey Confederation CEO K. Logan Raj said two men's and one women's team has been registered for the AHL.

"We are extremely pleased to receive the offer to play in what we perceive to be one of the world's most competitive leagues.

"This is a new milestone for Malaysian hockey, and We believe this tournament will strengthen our already close relationship. The men's elite and development as well as the women's national team will spearhead Malaysia's challenge," said Logan Raj.

India Junior men's coach, Harendra Singh said: “The tournament will present a good set of diverse talent from different teams. It will be very beneficial for our team to face this challenge building up towards the New Delhi Junior World Cup.”

Players from the national teams, the Hockeyroos and the Kookaburras including Kathryn Slattery, Aran Zalewski, Fergus Kavanagh, Tyler Lovell and Edwina Bone are set to compete in the league for their home states.

Ten women's and 12 men's teams will compete in the AHL this season.

Hockey Australia Chief Executive Cam Vale said: “Hockey Australia is excited to be able to extend the opportunity to take part in our national league to India, Malaysia and New Zealand.

“It will add great depth to the tournament, which will be the first time the men’s and women’s competition has been held at the same time, and will give our State and Territory teams a fantastic opportunity to experience international competition.

“This will also be the first time both the boys and girls Under-13s competition will be hosted in conjunction with the men’s and women’s league, which is an exciting opportunity for young hockey players to play the sport they love alongside their hockey heroes. It is a credit to our State and Territory hockey associations for leading and supporting this sort of initiative.”

Jugjet's World of Field Hockey

Three nations make debut in Australia National League

by S. Ramaguru

KUALA LUMPUR: For the first time, three countries – Malaysia, India and New Zealand – will be sending their teams to compete in the Australia National League (ANL), which will be held at the Perth National Stadium from Sept 29-Oct 9.

Malaysia will field two teams – Tigers and Blues – in the men’s category and one women’s team (Tigress).

India will field their junior side in the men’s competition while New Zealand will have a team in both categories.

The full list of teams for the ANL was announced on Thursday.

Hockey Australia chief executive Cam Vale said: “Hockey Australia is excited to be able to extend the opportunity to take part in our national league to India, Malaysia and New Zealand.

“It will add great depth to the tournament, which will be the first time the men and women’s competitions have been held at the same time, and will give our State and Territory teams a fantastic opportunity to experience international competition.”

Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) chief executive officer K. Logan Raj said that this was made possible through a memorandum of understanding signed with Hockey Australia last year.

“We are extremely pleased to receive the offer to play in what we perceive to be one of the world’s most competitive leagues. This remains a milestone for Malaysian hockey. We believe this will strengthen our already close relationship. We thank Hockey Australia for extending this offer and we’ll aspire to do our best in the tournament,” said Logan.

THE TEAMS

Women’s Category

Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia, Australia Capital Territory, Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, Malaysian Tigress, NZ Futures.

Men’s Category

Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia, Australia Capital Territory, Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, India Juniors, Malaysian Tigers, Malaysian Blues, NZ Futures.

The Star of Malaysia

Top two teams to gain promotion to Premier Division

by S. Ramaguru

KUALA LUMPUR: The top two teams from MHL Division One this year will be promoted to the Premier Division next year.

And there is no way teams can turn down the promotions as the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee have now made it compulsory for the teams to adhere to the rules.

Teams have, in the past, rejected promotion by saying that they’re not in the same class as the Premier Division teams.

This has derailed the MHC’s plans to elevate the Premier Division from six teams to eight over the years.

“I don’t expect this to be a problem next year. Two teams will be promoted ,” said MHC chief executive officer K. Logan Raj.

As for the two demoted teams, the MHC may let them continue in the Premier Division for next year so that it will have eight teams.

“If that happens, then the demotion exercise will take place the following year,” said Logan.

Last year’s Division One champions TNB-Thunderbolt and runners-up UiTM will again be the teams to beat when the Division One competition begins today. The Premier Division will start on Aug 19.

TNB-Thunderbolt coach Nor Saiful Zaini hopes that his young team, with featuring several Under-16 players, will rise to the occasion.

Other potential title contenders are Nur Insafi, who have hired three Pakistanis, and Politeknik Malaysia.

The Star of Malaysia

JDF crush Circus Circle 9-0 to complete unbeaten hockey season

BY GERALD REID


Members of the winning Jamaica Defence Force team who crushed Circus Circle 9-0 in the 2016 Jamaica National/Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) Men’s National League competition at the Mona Hockey Field last Sunday. At right is Michael Collins, manager in the marketing and public relations department at the Jamaica National Building Society, sponsors of the competition. Jamaica Defence Force won the Men’s Hockey League with 32 points. Photo: Lionel Rookwood

DEFENDING champions Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) made easy work of Circus Circle by inflicting a 9-0 victory to finish the Jamaica National/Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) Men’s National League unbeaten at the Mona Hockey Field on Sunday.

It was the second time the soldiers were winning the league title without losing a game. They will have one more hurdle to cross as they try to win another title played among the top four teams on Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14, to take place at the Mona Hockey Field.

With this win, the soldiers won the title with 32 points, followed by Munro College Old Boys with 24 points, Sharpe’s Rebels 22 points, and St Andrew Phoenix with 21 points.

The soldiers’ victory was made rather easy as Circus Circle started with only six players to the champions’ 11 players. This resulted in a flurry of goals by forwards Onique Salmon, who scored four goals, and Rajay Miller who scored three goals.

Winning player/coach, Major Radcliffe Barrett, said the win was more important as that was the team’s aim to finish the competition unbeaten.

“It was not however, a true reflection of the game, as this was not our fault, so we took the advantage which we capitalised on. If they had the full 11 players the soldiers would have won, but I think it would have been much closer than our wide victory margin,” Major Barrett said.

He said despite the team playing without its top scorer and key defender, the soldiers dominated play throughout the entire match and should have scored many more goals.

“Many easy chances were squandered from inside the shooting circle, and even a few very close to the goal that were hit off target and wide. However, the players played extremely well throughout the season,” said Major Barrett.

The game played in four quarters saw the soldiers taking control from as early as the first quarter with rapid attacks on Circus Circle, who were also without a goalkeeper to block or prevent hits going inside.

Miller put the soldiers in front after five minutes, with Obrian Hydden slamming home with a hard hit for the second goal in the seventh minute, and Miller coming forward with another easy goal in the eighth minute for a 3-0 lead.

Richard Wisdom of Circus Circle should have pulled back a goal for his team but his hit went just wide from close range. Gaining a penalty corner, another chance came for the losers but this was quickly prevented by goalkeeper Kardiff Davidson who left his line quickly to block the hit by Rohan White. Salmon then scored the fourth goal in the 13th minute to give the soldiers a 4-0 lead at the break.

The soldiers continued their onslaught on the eight-man Circus Circle aggregation with Salmon scoring in the 25th, Miller getting his hat-trick in the 27th, and Salmon completing his hat-trick in the 29th minute. The soldiers went into the half-time break with a commanding 7-0 lead.

Circus Circle’s players halted the soldiers’ scoring spree in the third quarter to concede only one goal which came from the stick of Dujae Swaby in the 32nd minute.

The fourth and final quarter only produced one goal to make it 9-0 for the soldiers from the stick of Salmon in the 59th minute for his fourth of the match. An attack by the soldiers saw the player dribbling the ball from the half-line from a good solo run on the right flank. The ball was flicked inside the shooting circle where Salmon executed a powerful hit that slammed into the back of the goal.

Jamaica Observer

Strathmore’s Ousa inches closer to a Telkom move

Ousa previously played for Sliders before joining Strathmore in 2008.

By BRIAN YONGA


Joan Waiguru of Multimedia University and Rachel Ousa of Strathmore University vie for the ball during a past National women league match. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Kenya International Rachel Ousa’s transfer from Strathmore University Scorpions to Kenya Hockey Union Women’s Premier League champions Telkom Orange will be completed this weekend.

Daily Nation Sport has learnt that Orange had yet to pay the appreciation fee for the player. Ousa joined Strathmore on a sports scholarship in 2008 and graduated in 2014.

According to the university’s rules, players on scholarship  must play for Strathmore teams during their scholarship period and, thereafter, an additional two years after clearing their studies before they are allowed to join other clubs.

The two clubs have now agreed on the fee, paving the way for the former Scorpions captain to join the 18-time league champions. The lanky forward last featured for the university at the end of last season, helping Scorpions to a third place finish.

Despite, the off-season transfer window ending on May 30, the hockey federation’s rules allow clubs to sign players as the season begins.

Orange coach Jos Openda believes Ousa will give his side more options upfront as they seek to defend both their domestic and continental crowns.

“Ousa could feature in our next match against USIU on August 14 and we are eager to work with her. She is a team player, scores goals and her experience will come in handy,” Openda told Daily Nation Sport Thursday.

Ousa previously played for Sliders before joining Strathmore in 2008 when they played in the universities league and captained them to women’s national league where they finished second in their debut season in 2012.

Scorpions became the first female Kenyan university side to play in the African Club Championship in Zimbabwe.

Scorpions would go ahead to qualify for two more continental events and even reached the final of the 2014 edition held in Kampala, losing 2-0 to eventual winners Telkom Orange.

Scorpions’ coach Meshack Senge said Ousa’s loss would be a big blow but wished her well in her new club.

“We have a lost a player with loads of experience, something you cannot actually replace but we continue to build teams over the years and shall survive this,” Senge said.

Ousa will be the second player to move from Scorpions to rivals Orange after international Lillian Aura who joined the eight time African Club Champions in 2014.

Meanwhile, Orange will be without Captain Betsy Omalla for the next three months after the international player travelled to United Kingdom for personal business.

Daily Nation

WaiCol girls barred from hockey final

By Emily Norman



Girls from Wairarapa College’s 1st XI hockey team have been denied a chance to finish off the season by playing in the women’s final.

Dalefield, Gladstone, Featherston, and East Coast clubs, which are all vying to be champions of the Women’s One club competition, are all contenders to be in the club finals on Saturday August 20.

But none will have their Wairarapa College players, despite playing the season, due to a conflicting friendly pre-tournament match the same weekend as finals.
Several coaches have expressed their disappointment with the decision.

When asked about the ruling, Hockey Wairarapa’s Executive Officer Kelly Govan said she received an email from the Wairarapa College 1st XI hockey coach last week saying the girls were not allowed to play in the club finals.

The email said that due to a pre-tournament warm up game against Napier girls the day after club finals, “the girls will not be playing club hockey that weekend”.

The Wairarapa College coach said in her email that, a week before the tournament, she did not want her team being overloaded with games, in a period “where [the girls] are tapering and preparing for a full on week at National Hockey tournament”.

“This is the focal point of our season as both the parents, and girls put a lot time and money into the season and it would be a shame to under-perform.”

Govan said that over the past few years there had been “a little bit of conflict at times” in regards to the scheduling of Hockey Wairarapa games and the timing of the secondary school competition that the colleges go to.

This year, the club hockey season was brought forward so that it would start and finish earlier in order to fit games around college sport.

However, this move has proven unsuccessful.

“Certainly as far as the school is concerned, this is their priority,” said Govan, who respected their decision.

“We can only support the players in whatever environment and whatever team they’re in and we would hope that the two could run smoothly together at the benefit of the players.”

“The only other thing I can say is when I was contacted by the coach to forward this message onto the clubs, I did reply before forwarding the message saying that as far as Hockey Wairarapa was concerned, we are kind of disappointed with this ruling.

“In my view, the girls do play their club hockey and are committed to playing for their clubs and have been all season.

“To be told at this time of the season that potentially there’s a likelihood that some of them might not be able to play in their club final is just disappointing. Disappointing for them. Disappointing for the clubs, and disappointing for the girls involved.”

It is understood there are two Wairarapa College girls playing for Dalefield, one player for Gladstone, four for East Coast including their goalie, and at least one for Featherston.

Discussions are being held between the club coaches and Wairarapa College facilitated by Hockey Wairarapa to resolve the issue.

Govan said a possible “next step” that could be taken is for players and their parents to discuss the issue with the college.

Attempts by the Times-Age to discuss the issue with Wairarapa College yesterday were unsuccessful.

Wairarapa Times-Age