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All the news for Wednesday 14 September 2016

Sapura beat Tenaga to lift Alagendra Knockout Trophy

by Aftar Singh


Sapura players celebrate after winning the Tan Sri P.Alagendra Knockout Trophy final match at Tun Razak Hockey Stadium. - GLENN GUAN / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Sapura are fast turning into a bogey team for Tenaga Nasional.

Three times they’ve played each other in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) and three times they’ve lost by the same score – 2-1.

Tenaga’s latest capitulation came in the final of the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Knockout Trophy at the Tun Razak Stadium in Jalan Duta here on Tuesday.

It could all have been different had Tenaga converted a seventh minute penalty stroke. Syed Mohd Syafiq Syed Cholan, so lethal from penalty corners, saw his high flick from the spot saved Sapura goalkeeper Mohd Hairi Abdul Rahman

Inspired, Sapura went on to take the lead through Mohd Firhan Ashaari in the 15th minute off a penalty corner.

Tenaga equalised through Mohd Shahril Saabah, also off a penalty corner, in the 43rd minute.

But Dangerous Lee lived up to his name by scoring the winning goal for Sapura in the 53rd minute.

Sapura pocketed RM70,000 for their efforts while Tenaga, whose two other losses to the champions came in the Premier Division, took home RM30,000.

Sapura coach Yahya Atan attributed their win to “our well-marshalled defence”.

“We also made use of our chances well. Tenaga were good with their counter attacks,” he said

“This win is good for our morale.  We will now focus on winning the Premier Division this weekend.”

Sapura lead the six-team Premier Division standings with 18 points, with just two matches left.

Tenaga coach Mohd Amin Rahim was left to rue the missed penalty as he watched his team go down to Sapura for a third time.

“We had a chance to take the lead when we were awarded the penalty stroke, but we failed to convert it. That led to my team’s downfall,” he said.

Tenaga Nasional had the jinx playing against Sapura in the final of the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Knockout Trophy.

During the half-time break, Yayasan Hockey Malaysia trustee Tan Sri P. Alagendra presented two former internationals – Hafifhafiz Hanafi and Megat Azrafiq Megat Termizi – with thier retirement benefits.

Megat, with 139 international caps, received RM16,850 while Hafifihafiz, with 140 caps, got RM15,500.

The Star of Malaysia

Malaysia skip Asia Cup Under-18 hockey meet

by Aftar Singh



KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will not be sending a team to the fourth edition of the boys’ Under-18 Asia Cup hockey tournament in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) said that their priority for the junior team was the Australian National League in Perth from Sept 29-Oct 9.

The Asia Cup is scheduled from Sept 24-30.

It’s surprising that MHC have decided against sending a team to the Asia Cup as Malaysia had finished on the podium in the past three editions.

In the inaugural meet in Ipoh in 2001, Malaysia finished third behind champions India and Uzbekistan.

In the second edition in Yangon in 2009, Malaysia emerged runners-up to champions Pakistan.

Malaysia finished runners-up again, this time to champions South Korea, in Singapore in 2011.

The age-group tournament would have allowed Malaysia to know where their juniors stand compared to the other top nations in Asia.

“The main priority for the team is the Australian National League in Perth. We will send two men’s teams to the Australian League – the national senior team and also the development squad,” said MHC chief executive officer K. Logan Raj yesterday.

“Even defending champions South Korea and Japan are not sending their teams to Dhaka.”

He said that the development team would also use the Australian League to prepare for the Sultan of Johor Cup, which will be held in Johor Baru from Oct 31-Nov 6.

Seven teams will feature in the Asia Cup, with India, Oman and hosts Bangladesh in Group A and Pakistan, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan in Group B.

The Star of Malaysia

Canterbury Cavaliers clinch berth in final


Photo: www.photosport.nz

The Canterbury Cavaliers are the first team to guarantee themselves a place in Saturday’s Ford National Hockey League finals.

Canterbury put together a strong performance to defeat Auckland 3-1 in Round 6 and end their hopes of making it through to the final.

The Cavaliers opened strongly in the first quarter and the pressure told in the 15th minute when Willie Davidson scored a skilful field goal.

The score remained that way for much of the match before Richard Bain doubled the lead in the 40th minute and Nick Haig made it 3-0 from a penalty corner with just one minute on the clock. Auckland pulled back a consolation goal through Jonny Bilkey but it was too little too late.

Canterbury banked four points to take top spot with 16 points due to a superior outright wins ratio and goal difference, meaning they will finish either first or second depending on results in the final round of round robin on Friday.

Defending champions the Capital Cobras spoiled North Harbour’s run with a 2-1 result.

After a tight and goalless first half, Capital broke the shackles midway through the third quarter with a field goal to Benedict van Woerkom.

North Harbour battled back and equalised in the 40th minute with leading goal scorer Robbie Capizzi finding the back of the net. The Cobras then found a winner 10 minutes out from fulltime through Rowan Yeo.

Midlands rocketed up to third on the table on 12 points thanks to a big 8-1 win against Northland, fuelled by doubles from Leo Mitai-Wells and Aidan Sarikaya along with other goals by Zac Woods, Adriaan Stolk, Gabriel Ho-Garcia and Joseph Lyons.

Northland scored their first goal of the tournament through Hamish McKechnie.

Big push from Midlands Women

The Midlands Women pulled off a dominant 8-0 win over hosts Northland to remain in the finals frame.

Facing a must-win against last year’s runners-up, the Midlands side were in red-hot form scoring four goals in each half.

Amy Robinson and Alia Jaques both starred with a hat-trick each while Natasha FitzSimons and Lauren Turner added to the score sheet.

The Canterbury Cats kept their fine form going with a tight 2-1 result against defending champions Auckland.

Canterbury were first to strike after being awarded a stroke in the 25th minute which Anne Mackechnie sent into the roof of the net.

The Cats doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute when Emily Maguire delivered from a penalty corner. Samantha Harrison pulled a goal back six minutes from fulltime but Auckland were unable to find an equaliser.

North Harbour moved into second on the table thanks to a tense 1-0 result against Capital with Ella Hyatt-Brown’s 14th minute field goal proving enough to take away four important points ahead of a bye on Friday.

Tomorrow is a rest day at the Ford National Hockey League ahead of the final day of round robin on Friday.

The 2016 Ford National Hockey League is proudly supported by the Whangarei District Council and Trillian Trust.

FORD NHL ROUND 6 RESULTS – MEN

Capital Cobras 2: (Benedict van Woerkom, Rowan Yeo)
North Harbour 1: (Robbie Capizzi)

Canterbury Cavaliers 3: (Willie Davidson, Richard Bain, Nick Haig)
Auckland 1: (Jonny Bilkey)

Midlands 8: (Leo Mitai-Wells 2, Aidan Sarikaya 2, Zac Woods, Adriaan Stolk, Gabriel Ho-Garcia, Joseph Lyons)
Northland 1: (Hamish McKechnie)

BYE: Central Mavericks

FORD NHL ROUND 6 RESULTS – WOMEN

Canterbury Cats 2: (Anne Mackechnie, Emily Maguire)
Auckland 1: (Samantha Harrison)

Midlands 8: (Alia Jaques 3, Amy Robinson 3, Lauren Turner, Natasha FitzSimons)
Northland 0

North Harbour 1: (Ella Hyatt-Brown)
Capital 0

BYE: Central Mavericks

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Saint Ger make statement of intent



Saint Germain made a statement of intent on the opening day of the French Top 8 division with a big 6-1 win over Wattignies while title rivals Racing Club de France were surprised by Stade Francais 1-1.

For St Ger, they had five different scorers on the mark with Thomas Pauchet, Blaise Rogeau, Tom Genestet, William Jeammot and Fabien Pourcelet all on the mark in the first 20 minutes of what was Charles Verrier’s opening game in charge.

They had trailed early on to a Clement Hatte goal before the big comeback. Pourcelet completed the scoring in the second half to complete the strong victory.

For Stade and Racing, Andrew Sherrett and Jean-Laurent Kieffer exchanged goals in their tie.

Lille beat Le Touquet 5-2 while Lyon got the the better of Montrouge 1-0 thanks to a goal from Gaspard Baumgarten. Next weekend sees Saint Germain continue their build-up to the EHL with a tie against CA Montrouge, Racing meet Wattignies, Lyon host Le Touquet and Stade Francais face Lille.

Euro Hockey League media release

New English season starts without many Gold medallists

By Mike Haymonds

THE England Hockey League starts this weekend but few, if any, of Great Britain women’s Rio gold medallists will be turning out for their clubs. They have permission to do so but most will be travelling and others taking a hockey break before resuming playing over the next weeks.

For GB’s star striker Alex Danson the new season will involve a change of club. Together with her best friend goalkeeper Sarah Ellis – with whom she has played for 16 of the last 17 years  –  she is leaving Reading for Clifton Robinsons.

Danson, 31, who has not had a hockey break for 15 years, plans a holiday next month and is unlikely to play for her new club before November.

Talking of Rio, Danson said: “Winning the Euros last year gave us the belief we could beat The Netherlands at that level and we built the momentum from the opening win against Australia and created a bubble of team solidarity which was the key to success. And Kate [Richardson-Walsh] carrying the flag at the Closing Ceremony was a fairy tale ending.”

The preparations to defend their title at Tokyo 2020 begin immediately with a new centralised training squad based at Bisham Abbey being created. There will be international retirements, the first being captain Kate Richardson-Walsh, while those gold medallists wishing to continue to Rio will be reassessed in November. Newcomers will undergo assessments in October with the new squad in place by the end of the year.

Some players are joining clubs in Europe –Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh, Maddie Hinch and Sophie Bray in Holland and Susannah Townsend in Belgium – and those carrying on to Rio will be required to return for centralised training at Bisham at least one week per month.

Daily Express

Shay Cannon leads No.4 Penn State field hockey over Bucknell 9-1 going into Big Ten Play

Jack Hogan

All season long, coach Charlene Morett-Curtiss has emphasized the need for her team to convert its scoring chances.

Less than a minute into the game, No. 4 Penn State did just that as Gini Bramley found the back of the cage to give the Nittany Lions an early lead en route to beating Bucknell 9-1 and moving to 6-0 on the season.

“I was really proud of the way they came out to start this game,” said Morett-Curtiss. “One thing we talk about is to get great pressure in the first 5 minutes, get shots on goal, and try to knock one in."

Bramley’s early goal was followed by four more in the first half, with Shay Cannon scoring two goals before the team went to the locker room after the first half. Cannon’s goals were her fourth and fifth in her past three games.

“I think we've been working a lot in practice at being ready to take any shot, whether it's off a tip or a play I'm not expecting to,” said Cannon. “So I've been focusing on preparing myself in any situation and lately it's been very successful."

With their high-pressure approach, the Lions controlled the pace of the game and dominated the ball all 70 minutes.

While Bucknell’s chances were limited, that is not to say the Lion defense did not play a role. All night the unit forced Bucknell to take bad shots during their limited possessions, and allowed just one goal after starter Jenny Rizzo was given the second half off.

After the explosive first half, Colleen Conway stepped in and was solid in Rizzo’s place in net. After allowing an early goal, Conway settled in nicely and prevented any further Bucknell scoring, holding down the Lions’ sizable lead.

“It just lets you breath a little bit,” said Conway of the Lion defense. “Not that there’s a margin for error, but it just takes the pressure off and makes you less worried and focus on your game instead of focusing on the outcome of the game.”

The Lions now will prepare for Big Ten play, and will face No. 16 Iowa on the road this Friday.

“I think [the win] gives us a surge of confidence when we open with Iowa, which is an exciting Big Ten opener because we have great respect for Iowa,” said Morett-Curtiss. “We know going out there to Iowa on Friday is going to be a battle for 70 minutes.”

The Daily Collegian

Men’s AHL Team Information

Holly MacNeil



Information on all teams for the upcoming AHL competition to be held in Perth from the 29th September until the 9th October is now available. Along with teams from all States and Territories, the competition will now also incorporate international teams from Malaysia, India and New Zealand for the first time.

Twelve teams will take part in the men’s competition including:

1.NT Stingers 
2.SA Hotshots
3.WA Thundersticks
4.ACT Lakers
5.VIC Vikings
6.QLD Blades 
7.NSW Waratahs 
8.TAS Tigers 
9.India Junior Men
10.Malaysian Tigers
11.Malaysian Blues
12.NZ Futures

The event will be live streamed for Semi-finals and finals on Friday, 7 and Sunday 9 October via epicentre.tv so that everyone can tune into the live action with some of the best hockey players and up and comers from around the country.

If you can make the event in person, make sure you don’t miss out – buy your ticket online today HERE.

Hockey Australia media release

U21 Men’s Team Announced

Burras squad for Sultan of Johor Cup

Lawrence West



Hockey Australia has announced its Under 21 men’s squad to compete at the prestigious Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia next month.

Australia’s participation in the competition, which is a valuable preparation event ahead of December’s Junior World Cup, has been made possible thanks to the support of one of Hockey Australia’s key partners, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association, through its NextGEN AUSComGames program.

Amongst the 20 athletes selected for the ‘Burras’ are Rio 2016 Olympian Blake Govers and fellow senior Kookaburra, Tom Craig (pictured). National Development Squad athlete Kiran Arunasalam is also included, with the remainder of the squad comprising members of the National Junior Squad.

In Malaysia, Australia’s junior men will compete against England, Japan, Pakistan, New Zealand and the hosts.

National Junior Coach Ben Bishop said, “As always, it was a difficult task to select this group. Our broader junior program has developed very good depth as a result of the great work done around our network.

“The group we have selected will enjoy another great competition in Johor this year against some quality international teams.

“This year, the Sultan of Johor Cup presents a further opportunity for us as our major competition focus in the lead up to the Junior World Cup. I look forward to seeing our Burras take another step up in their development in readiness for the Junior World Cup.

“High quality, competitive international competition is hard to come by for young Australian hockey athletes because of our geography and the cost of travel. The outstanding financial support we receive from the Australian Commonwealth Games Association through its NextGEN AUSComGames program plays a significant role in helping us prepare for the Junior World Cup.”

Australian U21 men’s squad for Sultan of Johor Cup 2016
Athlete (Hometown) [Representative state/territory]
Kiran Arunasalam (Doncaster East, VIC) [Victoria]
Matthew Bird (Coolbellup, WA) [Western Australia]
Tim Brand (Chatswood, NSW) [New South Wales]
Jonathon Bretherton (Brighton, VIC) [Victoria]
Tom Craig (Lane Cove, NSW) [New South Wales]
Matthew Finn (Paddington, QLD) [Queensland]
Stephen Gale (Bulleen, VIC) [Victoria]
Frazer Gerrard (Cottesloe, WA) [Western Australia]
Blake Govers (Wollongong, NSW) [New South Wales]
Max Hendry (Camberwell, VIC) [Victoria]
Tim Howard (Wakerley, QLD) [Queensland]
Sam Liles (Tamworth, NSW) [New South Wales]
Kurt Lovett (Parkes, NSW) [New South Wales]
Ryan Proctor (Engadine, NSW) [New South Wales]
Andrew Scanlon (Werribee, VIC) [Victoria]
Joshua Simmonds (Ringwood North, VIC) [Victoria]
Ashley Thomas (Baulkam Hills, NSW) [New South Wales]
Jack Welch (Hobart, TAS) [Tasmania]
Corey Weyer (Biggera Waters, QLD) [Queensland]
Blake Wotherspoon (Bulimba, QLD) [Queensland]

The tournament runs from 31 October until 6 November. Fixtures will be available from hockey.org.au once released by the organisers.

Hockey Australia media release

U21 Mens National Squad Announced



Following the U21 Inteprovincial series last weekend, U21 National Coach, Jonny Caren has announced his panel in preparation for the U21 EuoHockey Junior Championship in Valencia, Spain from 28 August to 3 September 2017

** There will be a separate Goal Keeper day of which 4 of the above will be named into the U21 Training Panel for the Euros.

Irish Hockey Association media release

U21 Women National Squad Announced



Following the U21 Inteprovincial series last weekend, U21 National Coach, Dave Passmore has announced a training panel and Development group in preparation for the U21 EuroHockey Junior Championship in Valencia, Spain from 28 August to 3 September 2017

Training Panel

Development Group

Irish Hockey Association media release

Peter Monaghan steps down from Scottish Hockey's board


Peter Monaghan

Scottish Hockey would like to thank Peter Monaghan as he steps down as a director after eight years of service on the Scottish Hockey board.

A retired company accountant, Peter, who has been Company Secretary since incorporation in June 2000, was appointed to the Scottish Hockey Board at the Annual General Meeting in 2008, he began playing hockey with Stepps in 1960 and is a former international player, selector, manager, Honorary Treasurer, President of Scottish Hockey and currently chairs the Audit Committee which reports directly to the Board on such matters as finance and risk assessment.

Peter is a former president of the West District and was also Honorary Treasurer of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland for a number of years.

Scottish Hockey’s Evlyn Raistrick said: "I first met Peter in the early days of the formation of the Scottish Hockey Union. Before the days of Scottish hockey boardrooms, we often had committee meetings at Peter's house where we were royally entertained by Marjory - it didn't take us long to get through the meringues, the business took a lot longer!

“I wish Peter well in "retirement" and thank him personally for his great support and advice through my four years as Chairman.”

Peter’s business experience managing financial affairs in the motor trade proved useful in his role in Scottish Hockey. Scottish Hockey’s Alistair Gray, said: “What I remember most and best of Peter was when he took over as Treasurer from my dear friend Gerry Toner and immediately committed to build the balance sheet of the Scottish Hockey Union to have cash assets at least equal to six months trading.

“Since union hockey had struggled to build reserves, not unreasonably given most of our income was grant related from Sportscotland, he worked away quietly and I remember him almost whispering in my ear at a future moment to say 'objective achieved'. He was a most diligent and prudent Treasurer and he was at his best in this role.

“The second major role was in securing the incorporation of Scottish Hockey continuing our pioneering role in Scottish sport and in hockey internationally. His leadership of Scottish Hockey's financial affairs brought him the confidence in hockey officials that our financial affairs were in solid hands.”

Scottish Hockey we would like to thank Peter for his enormous contribution during his time on the board, his contribution to sport over the last 50 years and we are delighted that he has agreed to remain as Company Secretary so that his knowledge and experience remains within the sport.

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Vale Ted Jones

Lasting legacy of Masters hockey's 'grandfather'

Lawrence West



Hockey Australia and the Australian Masters community was saddened to hear of the passing of Ted Jones, regarded as the grandfather and architect of Masters Hockey.

Ted died on Friday 9 September. He leaves a lasting legacy in the present state of Masters hockey throughout the world.

His funeral will be held in Busselton on Thursday 15 September.

Little did Ted know that in 1943, when he held his first hockey stick that his involvement in hockey would continue for more than 60 years.

Over and above playing hockey up until the early 80’s, Ted always exhibited a strong desire to develop the sport of hockey at all levels.

He managed his first representative team (Goulburn) in the NSW State Championships in 1949. From 1949 through to 1978 Ted’s achievements included - NSW state badged umpire, NSW state secretary, Tournament Director (state and international) and ABC TV hockey commentator.

Masters 1979-2006.
By this time Ted had moved to WA. As WAHA VP (with responsibility for Veterans) he directed the establishment of the inaugural National Championships in Perth in 1980 (six teams) and the first Veterans International series (Australia v. Malaysia) in 1981. He continued to be at the forefront of the growth in Masters hockey for the next 25 Years.

Since this time, Australian Masters hockey has grown to nine divisions and nearly 80 teams. Similarly, International Masters has also grown to nine divisions through PacRim, IMHC and WGMA with approximately 30 affiliated nations as part of the International Hockey Federation.

Ted has accrued Life Membership at all levels of Masters’ hockey, including state, Australian Masters Hockey Committee (AMHC), International Masters Hockey Committee (IMHC) and World Grand Masters Association (WGMA). As national convenor (AMHC), team management, international tours organiser, international tournament director, secretary of IMHC and WGMA, it is safe to say Ted was one of the grandfathers and architects of Masters hockey.

Ted was unable to travel to the two Masters World Cups that were held in Australia earlier this year and his lasting wishes for Masters hockey were for “good hockey and great fellowship”.

As a token of lasting gratitude for his lifetime contribution to hockey, AMHC will name the championship trophy for the inaugural over 75s Australian championship the Ted Jones Memorial Shield.

The thoughts of everyone at Hockey Australia are with Ted's family and friends, and all those whose lives he so positively influenced through his passion for hockey.

Hockey Australia media release

Ravi Shankar K Ghowry


Ravi SK Ghowry

It is with great sadness that England Hockey reports the passing of Ravi Shankar K Ghowry, a valued member and player at Reading Hockey Club.

Ravi was well known to the hockey family for his photography, taking many photos for Reading Hockey Club and on behalf of England Hockey at our international and domestic events. He was highly regarded for his professionalism and friendliness, and will be greatly missed.

Everyone at England Hockey’s thoughts are with Ravi’s family at this time.

England Hockey Board Media release