News for 11 November 2016
All the news for Friday 11 November 2016
It’s Army vs PNB for title
Army beat defending champs Railways in shootout; PNB beat Namdhari
Punjab National Bank (yellow) beat Namdhari XI 1-0 in the semifinals of the Surjit Memorial hockey tournament in Jalandhar on Thursday. Tribune Photo: Sarabjit Singh
Jalandhar: Army XI stunned defending champions Railways to set up the title clash with Punjab National Bank in the Surjit Memorial hockey tournament here today.
The olive greens will make their first final appearance in 20 years after winning a thrilling semis clash. Army XI, who last entered the final in 1996, beating Punjab Police to win the title, twice came from behind to force a shootout. In the end, Army XI beat the national champions 4-3.
After the first semifinal witnessed just one goal — Punjab National Bank’s Gagandeep Singh converting a penalty corner in the 66th minute in their 1-0 win over Namdhari XI — the second semifinal turned out to be thriller.
After a 2-2 finish in regulation time, Army XI came through in the shootout.
Amit Rohidas opened the scoring for Railways in the third minute with a penalty corner conversion. Army XI hit back three minutes later. Sanjib Dung Dung converted a penalty stroke.
Railways again went ahead in the 20th minute through a Rajin Kandulna field goal.
In the 44th minute, Siraju AP converted a penalty corner to level the scores.
The Tribune
Women’s hockey team felicitated
The forced rest has given the players time to recover before the series that would see at least four-five faces from the junior ranks making their debut.
The Indian women’s hockey team that was felicitated for winning the Asian Champions Trophy
The Indian women’s hockey team has been in the city for a few days now but instead of getting crucial training under their belt, the girls have been sitting in their hotel rooms and waiting to fly away to Australia for a three-Test series on Sunday.
The team returned from Singapore after winning its maiden Asian Champion Trophy but pollution in the city forced it to abandon its practice sessions. The team did try and train for an hour on Tuesday but cut it short after several girls complained of breathing problems and were unable to exert themselves.
“We knew things were bad by talking to our families back home but had no idea it was this bad! Coming from Singapore it was a shocker for us, some of the younger players have a bad throat and cough ever since we landed in Delhi,” admitted goalkeeper Savita Punia, one of the senior players at a felicitation programme organised for them by the sports ministry.
The forced rest has given the players time to recover before the series that would see at least four-five faces from the junior ranks making their debut.
“Since the girls would not be participating in any competition for the next four-five months, this Test series is important for exposure. The girls are excited and a good performance in Australia immediately after the ACT would be a big morale booster for them,” coach Neil Hawgood said.
The Hindu
Fulton Names 35 Man WL2 Training Squad
Head Coach of Ireland men’s hockey team Craig Fulton has today announced 35 players who will make up a World League 2 training squad for the upcoming tournament in March 2017. World League 2, to be hosted at a venue in Ulster to be announced, will see the Green Machine compete for their place in World League 3 with the aim of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in India. The 35 man squad sees a mixture of youth and experience, a combination that has served Fulton well during his tenure.
Speaking about the squad Craig Fulton said “The 35 man selected training squad has a nice balance of U21 youth and senior experience needed for the challenges of 2017.There have been some promising EY Hockey League performances which have solidified their squad selection. The door is also never closed to the National squad if performances warrant it.
Next year will prove to be an exciting year with the sole focus of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in India. Potentially there are several major tournaments. Firstly we host World League 2 in March where we need to finish in the top 3 to progress to World League 3 where our focus is on World Cup qualification. A month later we’ll compete in the Eurohockey Championships in Amsterdam in August”.
Squad:
1.Jonny Bell –Lisnagarvey- Defender
2.Matt Bell -Banbridge- Defender
3.Peter Caruth –Annadale- Forward
4.Chris Cargo -H&W- Midfield
5.Stephen Cole –Monkstown- Midfield
6.Lee Cole -Monkstown- Defender
7.Drew Carlisle –Banbridge- Midfield
8.Mitch Darling -Three Rock- Forward
9.Stuart Loughrey -H & W- Defender
10. Neal Glassey -Lisnagarvey- Midfield
11.Paul Gleghorne –Lisnagarvey- Defender
12.Ronan Gormley -Krefeld- Defender
13.David Harte -Kampong- GK
14.Alan Sothern –Pembroke- Forward
15.Shane O’Donoghue –Glenanne- Midfield
16.Michael Robson -Annadale- Midfield
17.Michael Watt -H&W- Forward
18.Kirk Shimmins –Pembroke- Midfield
19.Gareth Watkins -Monkstown- Forward
20. Jamie Carr -Three Rock- GK
21.Kyle Good -Monkstown- Forward
22.Conor Harte –Racing- Defender
23.Eugene Magee –Banbridge- Midfield
24.John Jermyn -C of I- Midfield
25. Mark Ingram –Pembroke- GK
26.Keith O`Hare -Pembroke- Defender
27. Sean Murray –Lisnagarvey- Midfield
28. Johnny McKee -Banbridge- Forward
29.Matthew Nelson –Lisnagarvey- Forward
30. James Lorimer –Lisnagarvey- Defender
31. Julian Dale -C of I- Forward
32.Sam O’Connor –Glenanne- Defender
33.Luke Madeley -Three Rock- Defender
34.Owen Magee –Banbridge- Forward
35.Jeremy Duncan -UCD- Forward.
Players Not Available For World League 2:
John Jackson- Bath Buccs- Defender
David Fitzgerald- Monkstown- GK
Irish Hockey Association media release
Ireland hockey coach Craig Fulton picks squad for World League 2
Ulster venue chosen to host World Cup qualification event next March
Johnny Watterson
Ireland coach Craig Fulton: “The door is never closed to the national squad if performances warrant it.” Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Craig Fulton has announced a squad of 35 players to take part in the World League 2 event, which will be hosted at a venue in Ulster.
The World League, an event in its own right but soon to be scrapped for another format, is also part of the qualification process for the World Cup, which takes place in India in 2018.
It is an interesting decision by Hockey Ireland to select Ulster as the province continues to prevent its top international players from competing in domestic cup competitions.
This is because of the branch’s objection to some clubs participating in the Hockey Ireland-approved Irish Hockey League.
It is the league in which the top teams and the best players compete and the one Irish coach Craig Fulton watches to see young talent coming through.
“There have been some promising EY Hockey League performances which have solidified their squad selection,” said Fulton. “The door is also never closed to the national squad if performances warrant it.”
The 35-man squad sees a mixture of youth and experience, a combination that has served Fulton well, although now he will have to be thinking long term and qualification for another Olympics in four years.
It is a natural inevitability that some of the players in Rio will not be part of the Irish squad in the future.
With Rio in the rearview mirror, 2017 will prove to be as challenging as this year with the focus on qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
The World League 2 is in March and Ireland must finish in the top three to progress to World League 3. From that platform the focus is on World Cup qualification.
IRELAND MEN’S SQUAD
J Bell (Lisnagarvey), M Bell (Banbridge), P Caruth (Annadale), C Cargo (H&W), S Cole (Monkstown), L Cole (Monkstown), D Carlisle (Banbridge), M Darling (Three Rock Rovers), S Loughrey (H&W), N Glassey (Lisnagarvey), P Gleghorne (Lisnagarvey), R Gormley (Krefeld), D Harte (Kampong), A Sothern (Pembroke), S O’Donoghue (Glenanne), M Robson (Annadale), M Watt (H&W), K Shimmins (Pembroke), G Watkins (Monkstown), J Carr (Three Rock), K Good (Monkstown), C Harte (Racing), E Magee (Banbridge), J Jermyn (C of I), M Ingram (Pembroke), K O’Hare (Pembroke), S Murray (Lisnagarvey), J McKee (Banbridge), M Nelson (Lisnagarvey), J Lorimer (Lisnagarvey), J Dale (C of I), S O’Connor (Glennane), L Madeley (Three Rock Rovers), O Magee (Banbridge), J Duncan (UCD).
The Irish Times
PHF selects 26 players for Junior Hockey World Cup
LAHORE: Pakistan Hockey Federation has announced the names of 26 probables for the national under 21 training camp commencing from November 12 at the Johar Town hockey stadium, Lahore,
This is the final preparatory phase for the Junior World Cup being held in luck now, India from December 8-18. The seleted players for joining the camp included Ali Raza, Muneeb-ur-Rehman ,Hafiz Ali Umair, Atif Mushtaq, Hassan Anwar, Mubashar Ali, Zahidullah, Abu Bakr Mahmood, Faizan, Junaid Kamal, Usman, Tazeemul Hassan, Adnan, Ammad Shakeel Butt, Shan Irshad, Azfar Yaqoob, Dilber, Atiq Arshad, Bilal Qadir, Mohsin Sabir, Rana Sohail Riaz, Samiullah, Rizwan, Naveed, Fahadullah Khan and Umar Hamdi.
Former Pakistan captain Tahir Zaman would be the head coach of national junior side.
The Daily Times
Oliva strikes late as Atletic fight back against Egara
Real Club de Polo de Barcelona extended their lead at the head of the Spanish league last weekend, profiting from Club Egara and Altetic Terrassa’s 2-2 draw.
Polo celebrated the extended contract of coach Carlos Garcia Cuenca with an 8-0 win over CD Terrassa with two goals from Alex Casasayas with six other players getting on the score sheet.
It made it a perfect six win from six, up to 18 points and five clear of second placed Egara. They were 2-0 up in their derby tie against Atletic with Pol Gispert and Eduard Arbos both on the mark in the first half.
But Atletic fought back in the closing 11 minutes with two goals, Joan Tarres giving them a lifeline before a Roc Oliva corner goal equalised with just three minutes remaining.
Club de Campo missed the chance to move up to second place, however, due to a 3-2 loss away to FC Junior as Nil Mari struck the winning goal. Junior move level with Atletic in fourth spot on 10 points.
Next Sunday sees Club Egara host Club de Campo in the big game of the weekend as second plays third. Polo will fancy their chances at home against sixth place RS Tenis while Atletic face SPV Complutense.
Euro Hockey League media release
Malvern, Ventures take indoor hockey titles
Nigel Simon
Fatima players celebrate their win in the T&T Hockey Board’s Indoor Championship Mixed Veteran’s Division final. Back row from left Sean Tang Ming, Derek Lee, Brian Garcia, Wayne Nieves, Alan Young; Front: Sheraz Ali, Colin Young, Roger Gomes, Cristina Abreu. Photo: Fatima Hockey Club
Malvern and Ventures were crowned champions of their respective men and women divisions when the T&T Hockey Board’s Indoor Championship concluded at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, Hamilton-Holder Street, Woodbrook, on Sunday
In the men’s decider, Malvern led by a double from teenaged national player Teague Marcano got the better of Paragon 4-3 to grab hold of the title left vacant by Petrotrin.
Paragon was first on the board when national midfielder Kiel Murray netted in the third minute, but Malvern hit back through Marcano in the sixth and 11th as well as an eighth minute item from Daniel Byer to lead 3-1 at half-time.
Seven minutes into the second-half, Paragon closed courtesy Akim Toussaint. However, Kristen Emmanuel restored Malvern’s two-goal cushion in the 33rd. With a minute left, Toussaint grabbed a second to get Paragon withing touching distance at 3-4, but Malvern survived the final minute.
In the semifinals, Toussaint scored a hat-trick, the last of which came with the final play of the 40-minute match to earn his team a pulsating 6-5 win over Queen’s Park while Malvern won by default from last year’s champions Petrotrin.
Ventures lifted the women’s title after a 2-1 penalty-stroke shoot-out win over last year’s winner Paragon following a 1-1 deadlock.
Amanda George and Cyan Lue Sue converted their penalties for Ventures while Anya Sealy missed her attempt, and for Paragon Alanna Lewis scored but team-mates, Danielle Thompson and Avion Ashton missed.
Earlier in regulation-time Kristin Thompson scored for Paragon in the 17th minute to lead 1-0, but two minutes later Jade Piper replied for Ventures.
In the semifinals Kristin Thompson equalized with two minutes left to cancel out Shaniah De Feitas 14th minute opener for Shandy Carib Magnolias to send the match to penalties where Paragon prevailed 3-2 while Ventures which pipped Harvard Checkers, 3-2 behind a double from Anya Sealy.
Malvern was also in winners row in the Under-19 Boys final, 3-1 over Fatima while Shandy Carib Magnolias whipped Harvard Checkers in the Under-19 Girls decider.
Queen’s Park Cricket Club had mixed fortunes on the day, as they retained their Trinity Men’s Division crowned 4-1 over Carib, but was dethroned in the Mixed Veterans, by Fatima, 3-1 on penalty-stroke shoot-out after a 3-3 deadlock.
Results
Finals
Under-19 Boys
Malvern 3 (Teague Marcano 4th, Aidan Marcano 10th, Kristen Emmanuel 21st) vs Paragon 1 (Isaiah Scott 7th)
Under-19 Girls
SC Magnolias 5 (Samantha Olton 3rd, Shaniah De Freitas 3rd, 12th, Kaithlyn Olton 16th, 17th) vs Harvard Checkers 1 (Shania Gajadhar 30th)
Mixed Veterans
QPCC 3 (Raphael Govia 7th, 21st, Rob Wyatt 28th) vs Fatima 3 (Brian Garcia 10th, 23rd, Allan Young 30th) – Fatima won 3-1 on penalty-stroke shoot-out
Trinity Men
QPCC 4 (Raphael Govia 10th, 28th, Jarryon Paul 14th, Zachary Clarke 17th) vs Carib 1 (Kevin Adams 19th)
Women Open
Ventures 1 (Jade Piper 19th) vs Paragon 1 (Kristin Thompson 17th) – Ventures won 2-1 on penalty-stroke shoot-out
Men Open
Malvern 4 (Teague Maracano 6th, 11th, Daniel Byers 8th, Kristen Emmanuel 33rd) vs Paragon 3 (Akim Toussaint 27th, 39th, Kiel Murray 3rd)
The Trinidad Guardian
Scottish League and cup weekend of much promise
Grange is the only unbeaten side in Men’s National League 1 after six games, and they have already crossed swords with other top sides Bromac Kelburne and Grove Menzieshill, but this weekend the opposition is their bogey side Edinburgh University in a Capital derby.
On paper Grange look very strong; the students are six points behind and last weekend dropped to fourth place in the table after going down 3-0 to Hillhead.
David Knipe, Grange`s coach, knows the danger of Edinburgh University. He explained: "From our results against Edinburgh University last season we know how difficult a match this is, but we always look forward to the game and to see what we can do. With both teams fighting for the play-offs, I think anything can happen in this game."
Knipe has grounds for pessimism, last season the students completed the double over Grange with 2-1 and 3-2 victories. Over the last few seasons Grange`s downfall has been a lack of consistency caused by occasional lapses in performance, but now Knipe seems to have solved that shortcoming.
Also, Grange are scoring goals, 28 is leading the first division with new signing Luke Cranney, Cammie Fraser and Frank Ryan among the main contributors.
However, both sides will be looking to progress in Sunday`s quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup, Grange face a PSL Clydesdale side they have already beaten 7-2 in the league while the Edinburgh students are at home to Dundee Wanderers from the second division.
Men’s champions Bromac Kelburne will be waiting in the wings hoping for a Grange slip-up, they are away to Uddingston Riva and a repeat of the 6-2 cup result would suit the 12-times league champions.
Hillhead is experiencing a renaissance under new coach Mark Ralph and could move into the top four for the first time this season if they can take the three points from their visit to a Gordonians side that have yet to pick up a point in the campaign.
But Ralph said: "Gordonians are always a tough game, especially in Aberdeen. They have a good squad and have scored goals in every league game, so they carry a threat going forward."
Ralph expressed satisfaction with last weekend`s 3-0 win over Edinburgh University. "I thought we played well against Edinburgh, we managed to put them under pressure and take our chances."
But Hillhead`s progress into the top four will only happen if Edinburgh lose to Grange.
After a sensational start to their league campaign, newly promoted Watsonians have returned to earth with three consecutive defeats, next they face a youthful Western Wildcats side at Auchenhowie determined to reverse the recent trend.
The other cup quarter-finals see third division FMGM Monarchs trying to upset holders Kelburne on Tayside while in Aberdeen, Granite City Wanderers from the second division will do well to get much change out of a Grove Menzieshill side that sit third in the top flight.
The game of the day in the women`s league is the Dundee derby between Grove and Dundee Wanderers. The former have won all their games so far, but need the three points to remain level with leaders Milne Craig Clydesdale Western.
In contrast Wanderers, who finished third in the table last season, have had an indifferent start to the season with eight points already gone with five games played. But it is a local derby and form guides are not always reliable in these circumstances, who knows which way this one could go?
Western will be hoping to maintain their impressive early form by seeing off Kelburne and finishing the weekend still top of the pile. Kelburne are currently eight points behind their opposition but a win could take them into the top five.
Champions Edinburgh University are back in third place having dropped five points to date but will be hoping to bag a few more points against second bottom Hillhead. Hillhead will be looking to use home advantage however to add to the three points they have already earned at this stage.
Western v Dundee
CALA seem locked in to bottom spot without a point and they face a difficult task this weekend against a Western Wildcats` side determined to hold on to their top four place.
Erskine Stewart`s Melville and Watsonians clash at Peffermill, the winner here will emerge from the relegation zone.
Sunday`s top cup match brings together Grove and Wildcats; not easy to predict as the Taysiders only won the league outing 4-3 two weeks ago.
Another close affair could be between Kelburne and Wanderers, both sit on seven points in the league but the Taysiders have Vikki Bunce in their arsenal.
Elsewhere Western and Edinburgh University will be aiming to be in the hat for the semi-finals after seeing off Grange, the only team from the lower tier to still be in the competition, and Hillhead respectively.
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Pinner searching for redemption
The Great Wall of Ipswich George Pinner
The Olympic Games is the pinnacle of a hockey player’s career. A tournament they dream of and a tournament they work so hard for it is quite simply the highest accolade for a hockey player to even participate in the tournament.
England and Great Britain goalkeeper George Pinner is no exception, but having dreamed about the tournament, Rio did not go how he and his team mates had hoped:
“It was disappointing. As an athlete and someone who’s been lucky enough to be involved in international hockey a long time the Olympics was something I looked forward to. It was a dream come true but it didn’t go to plan. We believed we could win a medal so to not make it out of the group was devastating. We’re delighted for the girls but we wanted to be coming home with a medal too.” he adds “For whatever reason it didn’t click in Rio but it’s important to learn the lessons and not only from Rio but the period leading up and make sure we right a few wrongs from here on in.”
The disappointment Pinner feels runs right the way through the squad. The benefit of hindsight is obviously a wonderful thing but the Holcombe No1 is determined that the opportunity to learn and to grow is not wasted:
“Looking back you can obviously learn a lot. Personally I was devastated following being knocked out, especially whilst we were still out there. You come home and spend time with family and I’ve gone back to work. I’ve moved on and the main way to complete that process of moving on is to go and win tournaments.”
“I’m not running away from how Rio went, but I’m using it as a driver to win medals with England and Great Britain. European Championships, World Cup, World League on home soil it doesn’t matter the tournament, we have to do well and right the wrongs from Rio.”
One of the first chances to earn that redemption comes in the form of the World League Semi Final which is at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London. Having experienced tournaments at home Pinner is relishing the prospect of turning out in front of the superb fans in England once more:
“It’ll be great to play at home. What the women have done in winning an Olympic gold medal has helped hockey in this country. It’s disappointing we weren’t able to win a medal but because of the efforts of the women hockey is finally getting the attention it deserves. There’s not better way for us to help the profile of the sport ourselves by doing well on home soil.”
“We were fantastically supported at the Champions Trophy and the European Championships and it’ll be great to start the four year cycle off with a medal in front of the home fans. They always give us a little extra edge so we look forward to it.”
With some of the teams already confirmed Pinner knows they will come against some quality teams with India “getting stronger all the time” and Pakistan capable of “beating anyone on their day” it promises to be a superb competition. With the Olympic champions, Argentina also coming it gives Pinner a chance to renew his duel with Gonzalo Peillat, the most feared drag-flicker in world hockey.
“It’s interesting as a ‘keeper, you look forward to facing the best guys. It’s the relative unknowns who you aren’t quite as prepared for. Peillat expects to score every corner and in goal I set high standards. I expect to save everything and I work very hard to make sure that’s what I do. This calendar year I’ve improved that side of the game immensely. Hopefully I can keep it going. It’s great to face someone like him in big matches. They’re the moments you dream of and you hope you can help your team to win those big games and win the big medals.”
England Hockey Board Media release
Weekend College Games: NCAA First, Second & Third Rounds
College field hockey has now entered NCAA tournament play. USA Field Hockey highlights each Division Tournament this weekend.
DIVISION I: FIRST & SECOND ROUNDS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
SCHEDULE & PREVIEW
Jack Katz Stadium, Durham, N.C.
No. 1 Duke vs American | 11:30 a.m. EST
Duke (15-3) earned the top seed in the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history. Earning the No. 1 seed also made them one of the four host sites for the NCAA First and Second Rounds of the tournament. Duke is coming off a loss to lower seeded North Carolina in the Semifinals of the ACC Championship Tournament. The Blue Devils have only lost three times this season including twice to UNC and once to Syracuse. This season, they also won the ACC Regular Season Title for the first time in program history. Duke will take on American (14-6) in the NCAA First Round on Saturday, November 12, at 11:30 a.m. EST. American beat Kent State in a play-in game this past Wednesday to earn a spot in the NCAA Division I Tournament. Last weekend, the Eagles won the 2016 Patriot League Championship by defeating top-seeded Boston University, 1-0. This was their first league title since 2013.
Louisville vs Delaware | 2:00 p.m. EST
The other First Round game played at Duke will be between Louisville (15-5) and Delaware (19-2) at 2 p.m. EST. Delaware earned their fourth straight berth into the NCAA Tournament after defeating James Madison 4-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association title game last Sunday. This will be the Blue Hens' eighth overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Louisville received an at-large bid in to the NCAA Tournament after losing to North Carolina 3-2 in the ACC Tournament Quarterfinals last week. This is the Cardinals' third straight at-large bid and their sixth overall NCAA appearance.
Capital One Field, College Park, Md.
No. 2 Maryland vs Massachusetts | 11:30 a.m. EST
Maryland (17-4) earned the No. 2 seed and will serve as the second host site in the NCAA Tournament. The Terps are coming off a disappointing loss in the BIG 10 Championship match to Penn State. This will be Maryland’s 22 straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament which is the longest active streak in the nation. Maryland will take on Massachusetts (14-7) in the First Round on Saturday, November 12, at 11:30 a.m. EST. UMass beat Monmouth 4-3 this past Wednesday in a play-in game to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
North Carolina vs Stanford | 2:00 p.m. EST
The other First Round game at Maryland will be between UNC (17-5) and Stanford (14-5) at 2 p.m. EST. UNC recently fell 4-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championship game to Virginia last Sunday. They have made more NCAA Tournament appearances than any other program with a total of 33. Last year, the Tar Heels fell to Syracuse 4-2 in the NCAA Division I National Championship. Stanford beat University of Pacific 1-0 this past weekend to win the America East Tournament and gain an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinal are 1-9 all-time against the Tar Heels.
Coyne Field, Syracuse, N.Y.
No. 3 Syracuse vs Harvard | 11:30 a.m. EST
Syracuse, the reigning Division I National Champions, earned the No. 3 seed and the right to host the First and Second Rounds. The Orange (14-3) earned one of the top-four national seeds for the fourth year in a row and are looking for their third straight appearance in the NCAA Championship game. Syracuse is coming off an upsetting loss to Wake Forest in the first round of the ACC Tournament last week. They will take on Harvard in the NCAA First Round on Saturday, November 12, at 11:30 a.m. EST. The Ivy League Champion Harvard (12-5) earned an automatic bid into the First Round of the NCAA Tournament after winning the conference and finishing conference play undefeated for the first time in program history. This will be Harvard’s first NCAA appearance since 2004.
Boston College vs Connecticut | 2:00 p.m. EST
The second First Round game played at Syracuse will be played at 2:00 p.m. EST between Boston College (10-9) and Connecticut (20-1). Boston College earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after losing in the Quarterfinal round of the ACC Tournament to eventual champions Virginia. The Eagles took on Connecticut earlier this season and suffered a close 4-3 loss. UConn went undefeated in conference play and won its fifth-straight Big East Tournament title this past weekend. They will be looking to return to the NCAA title match after claiming their last national championship in 2014.
Penn State Field Hockey Complex, Penn State F.H. Complex, University Park, Pa.
No. 4 Penn State vs Princeton | 11:30 a.m. EST
Penn State (17-2) earned the fourth and final host site in the NCAA Tournament. The Nittany Lions earned the automatic bid when they beat Maryland this past weekend to become the 2016 BIG 10 Champions. They will take on Princeton at 11:30 a.m. EST on Saturday, November 12. Princeton (10-7) received the program’s first-ever at-large bid into the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament and this will be the ninth straight season that the Tigers have reached the NCAA Tournament.
Virginia vs Michigan | 2:00 p.m. EST
The other First Round game being played at Penn State will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday between Virginia (15-7) and Michigan (12-7). The Cavaliers, the 2016 ACC Champions, earned the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament after defeating UNC in the title match and winning the program's first-ever ACC Championship.This is Virginia's 21st trip to the NCAA Tournament. This will be Michigan’s 13th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. The Wolverines fell to eventual Big 10 champions PSU on a late goal in the Semifinals. Michigan is 9-3 in the first round of NCAA appearances and will be looking for the program's second national title.
Winners of the First Round games will advance to the Second Round on Sunday, November 13 at 2 p.m. Winners of the Second Round games will advance to the NCAA Division I Semifinals being held at Old Dominion University in Norfolk's L.R. Hill Complex in Norfolk, Va. on Friday November 18 and Sunday, November 20.
DIVISION II: FIRST ROUND
Just six teams advanced to the NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championship Tournament, where First Round play will start on Saturday, November 12.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
SCHEDULE & PREVIEW
East Stroudsburg vs Shippensburg | 1:00 p.m. EST | Whitenight Field, East Stroudsburg, Pa.
East Stroudsburg received the No. 2 seed while Shippensburg received the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic Region side of the bracket. This will be the third meeting this season between ESU and Shipp, where ESU won the first two meetings earlier this season. The winner of this first round game will advance to play No. 1 seed Millersville (17-4) in the NCAA Semifinals on Friday, November 18.
Receiving a bye in the First Round, Millersville will face the winner of the Atlantic Region game between ESU and Shipp. Millersville earned the bye and spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament Semifinal game after winning the Pennsylvania State Athletics Conference Championship last Sunday. This is the first time Millersville has ever received the No. 1 seed and this will be the team's fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament, which is the longest stretch in program history.
St. Anselm vs Stonehill | 1:00 p.m. EST | Grappone Stadium, Manchester, N.H.
Saint Anselm (16-4) will take on Stonehill in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Saint Anselm received the No. 2 seed while Stonehill earned the No. 3 rank in the East Region side of the bracket. Saint Anselm is coming off their first Northeast-10 Championship game appearance in program history but fell to LIU Post 2-1 in overtime. This is the second meeting of the season between Saint Anselm and Stonehill where earlier this season, Saint Anselm beat Stonehill 3-1. Stonehill received an NCAA bid for the fourth straight year. The winner of this first round game will play No. 1 seed LIU Post (15-3) in the NCAA Semifinals on Friday, November 18.
LIU Post earned the First-Round bye and a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament Semifinal game after winning the NE-10 Conference in a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory at Saint Anselm. LIU Post is 4-0 this season against their potential NCAA tournament opponents and this is their third bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament in the last four years. Their last two appearances resulted in a trip to the national championship games.
Winners of the First Round games will advance to the NCAA Division II Semifinals being held at Stonehill College’s WB Mason Stadium in North Easton, Mass. on Friday, November 18.
DIVISION III: SECOND & THIRD ROUNDS
NCAA Division III First Round games took place on Wednesday, November 9 narrowing the playing field to 16 teams. The Second Round will kick off on Saturday, November 12 with multi-conference champions fighting for a chance to advance in the NCAA Tournament.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
SCHEDULE & PREVIEW
Anderson Field, Grantham, Pa.
Messiah vs Keene State | 11:00 a.m. EST
Top ranked Messiah (21-3) earned a First-Round bye game and the right to host Second and Third Round games of the NCAA tournament. Last Saturday, No. 1 Messiah captured their 10th-straight Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth Championship and they are currently on an 18-game winning streak. Messiah will take on Keene State College (20-3) in the Second Round of the DIII NCAA Tournament at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1. Keene State College are the winners of the Little East Conference for the fourth-straight season. They beat SUNY Geneseo 3-1 in the First Round to move onto the Sweet 16. This is the third time Keene State has reached the Second Round games in the last four years.
Middlebury vs Rochester | 2:00 p.m. EST
The other contest being played at Messiah will take place at 2 p.m. EST and is between Rochester (N.Y.) and Middlebury. Middlebury are the defending Division III National Champions and are making their 17th overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Middlebury (14-4) earned an at-large bid and a first-round bye game in the NCAA Tournament after falling 3-1 in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Championship to the top ranked Tufts. Rochester (N.Y) (18-4) moves into the Sweet 16 after defeating Shenandoah 2-0 this past Wednesday in a play in match after losing the Liberty League final.
MacDowell Field, Babson Park, Mass.
Babson vs St. John Fisher | 11:00 a.m. EST
After capturing its first New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Championship, Babson (19-2) was selected to host the Second and Third Rounds of the NCAA Division III Championship. Babson captured the NEWMAC title with a 1-0 win over MIT last weekend to receive an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament and a first-round bye game. This will be Babson’s third NCAA tournament appearance and they will take on St. John Fisher on Saturday, November 12 at 11:00 a.m. EST. St. John Fisher (19-2) claimed a spot in the Sweet 16 after they defeated Rhodes in double overtime 2-1 Wednesday in a play-in match. This victory was the first time in program history that St. John Fisher has won an NCAA contest.
TCNJ vs Franklin & Marshall | 2:00 p.m. EST
The other contest being played at Babson will take place at 2 p.m. and is between The College of New Jersey (16-3) and Franklin & Marshall (15-4). The top ranked TCNJ earned an automatic bid and a first-round bye in the NCAA Tournament after winning the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship last weekend. TCNJ has 11 NCAA National Championships in program history with their most recent coming in 2011 and 2014. Franklin & Marshall beat King’s (Pa.) 2-1 this past Wednesday to advance to the Sweet 16 in the DIII NCAA Tournament. This is Franklin & Marshall’s third consecutive trip to the Sweet 16.
Ounjian Field, Medford, Mass.
Tufts vs University of New England | 11:00 a.m. EST
The NESCAC Champion, Tufts University (16-2) field hockey team was selected as a host site for the Second and Third Rounds of the NCAA Division III Championship. Tufts earned an automatic berth and a First Round bye game in the NCAA after winning the NESCAC conference Championship last weekend. Tufts defeated Middlebury, the defending national champions, to claim the conference title. Tufts will take on the University of New England (19-3) in the Second Round this Saturday, November 12 at 11:00 a.m. EST. UNE beat Universiyt of Maine-Farmington 5-0 in the First Round of the NCAA to move into the Sweet 16. This is the third-straight year UNE has made it to the Second Round of the NCAA.
Skidmore vs St. Joe's (Maine) | 2:00 p.m. EST
The other Second Round game at Tufts will take place at 2 p.m. EST between St. Joseph (Maine) (14-6) and Skidmore (15-5). St. Joe's earned a spot in the Sweet 16 after they upset Montclair State 1-0 this past Wednesday in a play-in match and will be the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Skidmore landed a top-eight seed and received a First Round bye game after they defeated Rochester 2-1 in the Liberty League Championship last weekend.
Sea Gull Stadium, Salisbury, Md.
Salisbury vs Kenyon | 11:00 a.m. EST
The Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) Champions, Salisbury (16-1) was selected to host the Second and Third Rounds of the NCAA Division III Tournament. Last weekend, Salisbury defeated Mary Washington 8-0 to win their fourth-straight CAC title. The win gave them an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Championship and first-round bye. This is the first time Salisbury has hosted since 2014 and marks the team’s 32nd NCAA appearance. They are 5-time Division III National Champions with their most recent title in 2009. Salisbury will take on Kenyon (15-6) Saturday, November 12 at 11:00 a.m. EST. Kenyon beat Elizabethtown 2-1 in overtime on Wednesday to earn a spot in the Sweet 16. This will be the second all time meeting between the schools with Salisbury winning the previous match-up in 2009.
Ursinus vs Trinity | 2:00 p.m. EST
The other contest being played at Salisbury will take place at 2 p.m. between Ursinus (16-3) and Trinity (Conn.) (13-4). Ursinus was victorious over Franklin & Marshall 2-1 in overtime last Sunday in the Centennial Conference Final to earn an automatic bid and first round bye game in the NCAA Division Tournament. Last year, Ursinus advanced all the way to the Final Four but ultimately fell to undefeated Bowdoin. Trinity (Conn.) beat Cabrini 7-5 this past Wednesday to move onto the Sweet 16. The tournament appearance is Trinity’s seventh in program history and it is their first appearance since 2009.
USFHA media release
Grace Balsdon powers Maryland field hockey’s defense with English national team dreams
By James Crabtree-Hannigan
Defender Grace Balsdon drag flicks the ball during Maryland field hockey's 6-2 victory over American at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex on Sept. 11. (Matt Regan/The Diamondback)
Grace Balsdon knew she would be packing her bags and leaving the country in early August. She just didn't exactly know where she would be headed.
The Canterbury, England, native hoped she would be invited to Rio as part of the Great Britain field hockey Olympic team. If she didn't make that roster, she would be coming to College Park to join Maryland field hockey as a graduate transfer.
On the last day of the Olympic field hockey tournament, surrounded by teammates she had met just weeks before, Balsdon watched the countrywomen she'd known for years beat Netherlands to win Great Britain's first gold medal.
She cried, but they were tears of joy for her friends' accomplishment. She had already moved past the disappointment of not making the cut and was focused on her three-month college career.
"When you don't get selected for something, whatever it is, it's always devastating because you desperately want to be a part of something," Balsdon said. "What you have to do is look at the positives. Someone always says you're doing these things really well, but there's these things you can work on."
**
Maryland's program had known of Balsdon for more than five years, dating back to her time in high school in England.
She's been a standout even longer than that.
Neither of her parents were big field hockey players — her mom was more focused on tennis and her dad more into soccer — but a PE teacher provided Balsdon the impetus to consider the sport.
"One of the winters my school offered it, and I kind of took it up," Balsdon said. "And my PE teachers said, 'I think you should take a look into a club.'"
Balsdon joined the Canterbury Hockey Club as a member of the U-9 team and rose through the ranks. She made her first appearance on the senior team — the team she still plays on and captains as a 23-year-old — at age 14.
At that time, she hadn't fully dedicated herself to field hockey, continuing to play other sports on the side. National team attention came not long after.
"It was always a possibility to come to the States for my whole undergraduate," Balsdon said. "But then I was fortunate to be picked up into the Great Britain international program."
Maryland coach Missy Meharg stopped recruiting Balsdon when she realized Balsdon would be involved in the national team.
So the center defender stayed in England, playing for the same club she had played for more than a decade, attending her hometown university and spending time on the British U-18 and U-21 teams.
She earned her first senior cap in January 2014 against Scotland and graduated from Canterbury Christ Church University later that year.
But entering 2016, Balsdon hadn't become a regular for Team GB. She had 12 total caps for the squad and didn't make the rosters for major tournaments.
**
On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Meharg was thinking about several factors as she began the process of preparing for the 2016 season.
First, her team needed a center back. Sarah Sprink, a four-year starter, three-time All-American, Big Ten Defensive Player and Player of the Year during her time at Maryland, finished her career when the Terps lost to Princeton in the first round of the NCAA tournament in November.
Meharg didn't feel anybody on her projected roster was ready to fill the hole Sprink left behind.
"[A transfer] was something we needed to do while we developed younger players," Meharg said.
Second, it was an Olympic year.
"You go around the world and you look at all the teams and a lot of women are still of age to play in the NCAA but might not make the Olympic roster," Meharg said.
So she scoured various international rosters, including Germany, Argentina and Australia, searching for somebody to provide a stopgap at center back.
She found Balsdon.
"She was playing on her club … and we have two past Maryland Terrapins — Susie Rowe and Hayley Turner — that actually play on Canterbury," Meharg said. "So I got in touch with them … and they said Grace might be interested.":g.
"They pushed me. They said, 'Oh you have to do it if you have the time," Balsdon said. "'You have to experience it. The school is fantastic, the environment that Missy creates and the coaching. You need to go and be a part of it.'"
Their testimonies convinced her.
"They said, 'Don't be afraid, I've been there, you won't be completely alone,'" Balsdon said. "As soon as I knew this would be an opportunity, I jumped headfirst and thought, 'Yeah, why not?'"
**
Before Balsdon got here, though, she heard the difficult news about the Olympic team.
"It's like having someone die that you know is going to die," Meharg said. "Until you're not selected, you believe you have a chance. So I'm just so happy that Grace chose to take this on."
Adjusting to training camp with a new team and looking ahead to more than 20 games in three months kept Balsdon's mind off any potential Olympics pain.
Plus, part of the reason Balsdon came to Maryland was to gain experience that will help her prove herself for future national team roster decisions.
"The opportunity to come and play a really good standard of hockey in a very short period of time and work on those areas," Balsdon said. "That's exactly what Maryland created for me."
One area of improvement was her communication, which was tough early in the year.
"I know from being international and coming in, you don't want to overstep your bounds and be super vocal and stuff," midfielder Lein Holsboer said.
Faye Curran, who played with Balsdon as a teenager in England and for the Terps last year as a graduate transfer, said acclimating is a delicate process on and off the field.
"You don't want to be too loud because people will see you as bossy," Curran said. "So you wait a little bit, see what kind of playing time you're going to get and how you react. It's a managing game; where do I sit and how can I be effective?"
Once she got used to the different language and jargon of her new team, Balsdon said it was natural for her to step up as a strong communicator at the starting center-back position.
As the season's worn on, she's come into her own, the team said.
"She just had to settle in and find her role," forward Welma Luus said. "Once she did and got more comfortable with all of us and our style of play, she's found her voice back there. She communicates loud and early and helps us structurally, because that's the position you can see the whole field from."
Her voice could play a significant role in Balsdon's national team future, Meharg said. The 29th-year head coach is in contact with the British coaches often, and said that an increased volume could help call attention to her other positive traits, too.
"It was something she needed in order for her to make a presence when she goes back," Meharg said. "Make that call, 'Hi, I am back, and this is my level now.'"
Balsdon also needed to work on moving forward to offense more often and more effectively, Meharg said. She's also done that, tracking players into the offensive half and earning a few assists from hard-hit balls into the circle.
That's not where most of her offensive production comes from, though.
**
Even though Balsdon's a defender, perhaps her most lethal skill comes on offense.
When Balsdon was 16, the same age she devoted herself solely to field hockey, Kwan Browne joined the Canterbury coaching staff. Browne, a former Trinidadian player who also served as a volunteer assistant coach at North Carolina in 2005, used the drag flick as a player and coaches it now.
Balsdon went to Browne looking to "become a player who is dominating," and Browne suggested she learn the move.
In field hockey, a player isn't allowed to hit the ball above about knee height, but a drag flick doesn't have a backswing, so it's not a technical "hit." The player receives the ball, whips their stick through their body and sends the ball flying.
It took her a while, but Balsdon eventually figured out the skill.
"When you start, you feel so awkward and rubbish, and you think it's never going to go anywhere," she said. "Over the years of him teaching me, you gradually begin to develop more power. At first I could only go in the low corners, but as you develop that technique I was able to create the elevation that give you options on the goal."
On most penalty corners, where drag flicks are often most effective, a goalkeeper's best defense is to lie down and spread out.
But against a good drag flicker, goalies can't eliminate the entire net.
"The way she moves her body is so deceptive," Curran, who was a commentator for the team's games on BTN2GO this season, said. "Everything on her body says low, and her body weight takes it to the right. But she has the ability to take it to the left, and she's pretty consistent."
Balsdon has used the drag flick to score 13 goals this season. Eleven came from penalty corners and the other two from penalty strokes.
Curran said Balsdon's drag flicks are better than any American's "by a country mile" and ranks among the best she's ever seen.
The rest of the team concurs.
"Her drag flick against UConn, there's not a lot of people that can stop that," Meharg said of Baldson's upper-right corner score against the Huskies. "She has the best in the country right now."
Because defenses have to pay so much attention to her as the team's primary threat on penalty corners, she can also be used as a decoy on plays. Some of her five assists have come from the top of the circle on corners.
"The nice thing about being a center back is their physiology isn't so wiped," Meharg said. "When they do a set piece skill, they don't have a high heart rate, so she's able to come up. She separates very well from field play to penalty corners. She's very good with that."
**
The drag flick allows Balsdon to maximize her impact on both ends of the field and helped win the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.
Her transfer to Maryland came with to an eye toward the future in addition to short-term benefits — a distraction from a painful roster exclusion that could also help put her on future squads; a center-back that can score in 2016 while Meharg grooms a younger player for 2017 and beyond.
Now, the season nears its end. After winning the Big Ten with a 15-3 record and a finishing as runner-ups at the conference tournament, the Terps are the No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament and will begin play this weekend.
Balsdon will don the red and black alongside a group of players she didn't know four months ago and likely will never play with again in a couple of weeks.
But for more than 20 games, she brought steady defense and opportunistic offense, nine months after Meharg found her on what is effectively a free-agent market and decided to give her a call.
"For the one year of eligibility that Grace is able to play, she afforded us [an answer to] a real void," Meharg said. "She's a great addition to this team. But more importantly, she'll be part of the Maryland family forever. She's a Maryland Terrapin forever."
The Diamondback
AHF CEO: Marketing skills of Batra will benefit FIH
It was a pleasant surprise in Kuantan where recently fourth Asian Champions Trophy was conducted by the Asian Hockey Federation. Ever-increasing crowd on the stands, most matches among the top contenders going down to the wires, with a PR Agency to promote it in media, perfect TV timings for the host and the concerned world, there appeared a feeling that after a long long time the AHF, which was far so long known for its conservatism than pragmatism, has started picking up professionalism. At last. One personality, who is responsible for the turn around, is none other than Tayyab Ikram, the first Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Hockey Federation. He spoke to www.stick2hockey.com on wide ranging topics, especially the impending FIH election.
As a CEO of Asian hockey, what are your priorities?
First of all I aim to bring professional approach in AHF and in the hockey family here in the continent. Efforts will be made to make events, fan focussed, and provide visibility for players, improve their calibre, and improve their performance on bigger stages. My priority is also marketing, event making. I feel after watching this edition of our Champions Trophy, we have made a huge step indirect direction.
It seems competition wise Asia lacks the rest of world, and also not many countries play at required quality level?
I think there is vast improvement in Asia from this perspective. More countries take part in Tier-2 events. If my memory is correct, 27,28 countries participate. Yes, compared to global competitive leavel, we are still on way. We lost our track on the way. We are taking firms steps to bridge the gap in quality and bring more events. Now after Rio there was a vacant window with the FIH, we we stepped in with this Asian Champions Trophy.
How much significant is it getting FIH Ranking points for the Asian Champions Trophy in the AHF scheme of things?
Every event should be meaningful. If the event is meaningful then they can achieve funding. Getting FIH ranking in this tournament may turn out to be selling point for the nations concerned. It’s now mandatory for Asian teams to play in the Asian Champions Trophy if they want to qualify for the World Cup. So, this event automatically turns out to be a selling point for our stakeholders. They can grab some good funding for the preparation for this tournament.
Why can’t Asia have a league of its own like European Hockey League or say like Hockey India League?
Hockey India is our league. Its not something hockey India is doing something fantastic, its not ours. HIL is our (AHF) league. Further, I don’t think many windows left now for any League. In future, we may enter into partnership deals like thing with Hockey India. As of now Hockey India League is nothing but Asian Hockey League. This is our understanding and working relations we maintain between our members.
But there is less number of Asians in the HIL compared to Europeans or Oceania
HIL is now trying to get more access. My experience is that Hockey India never stopped any Asian players. There exists some critical situation in some countries, that is a different thing. What we need to understand is accessibility and availability of players, these factors play a big role insofar as players getting into the HIL bandwagon is concerned. I am positive, and you can see some changes in the future. We found Hockey India very positive.
What is the prospects of AHF’s candidature in the FIH President election?
We have three serious candidates for the president post of the FIH. Each have their own profiles and feats. We are much concerned about Dr. Batra’s candidature. His candidature has lot of values keeping in view what he has achieved in India, and for the Indian hockey. Its not that just top national teams’ performance but the structure he has put in for Indian hockey as a whole that warrants our attention and appreciation. He has lot to offer. He can bring all those experience now. The FIH can benefit from his marketing and commercial expertise. This is one area the world hockey at large can benefit from Hockey India.
Can he win the election?
We are united. We put our best foot forward. But when comes to this kind of campaign some may go this way and some others in a different way. By and large we Asians are united our candidate is successful in Dubai. However, if you will ask whether he will get 31 out of 31 votes, I cannot say. But Dr Batra has a big AHF umbrella to stake his claim in the FIH.
Is the India-Pakistan hockey stand off hamper Asian hockey progress?
We don’t have any control on political developments. But we are sportsmen. Sports and competitions are wonderful opportunities. Sports can unite. I see a hope. I see a hope now. I am never disappointed.
You started as an FIH event organizers in 2002 with the Macau Champions Trophy. How do you trace your personal journey?
I am very happy today if I look back from where it all started. AHF is getting noticed now, especially with the FIH. All these achievements are important. My duty is to explore the Asian hockey potential. Am on the way, but I concede it’s a long way.
Even leading countries were not in the Dhaka U-18 Asia Cup?
Different reasons for that. Conditions varying in each country like budget, security issues, Bangladesh in future will be a strong stake holder to AHF events. Within short period of time, they have done an excellent job. We can always improve on participation count. We should not forget these are newly introduced tournaments. This tournament did not have a pathway, no one is going to qualify for the Youth Olympics, I feel top tier teams should participate, and we are aware of the things and are taking it up.
Many Asian hockey countries face financial hardships. Is there any way AHF can fund them or help them out?
Hockey is a self funded sports. Yes in football and some other sports some synergy has developed. We should not forget the fact that high performance structure of one country is becoming expensive and expensive. Any country losing out on financial structure cannot be expected to maintain their elite status. Helping them will be our long shot.
What are your future areas of focus from Asian standpoint.
There are three different areas which we need to focus, work. Top most is better and better visibility for our sport to top tier nations. The example is right out here, the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan. We got the TV Coverage, and introduced Semifinals. Millions of people watch today’s semifinal when Malaysia takes on Pakistan. Otherwise they had already played out a match in the tournament opener. Today’s eyeballs are much more than the first day. We need to take such bold steps. The second thing is commercial and marketing side of. Whether we can generate enough revenue and assist our second tier-nations and bridge the gap in performance. We can have more competitive nations in the AHF events. Provide accessibility to our third tier nations. I respect their efforts despite having very poor conditions. We will improve our digital presence in a big way. New website will be online after the women’s Champions Trophy.
Stick2Hockey.com
Behold world, hockey revolution round the corner
By Mufeed Mahdi Rizvi
By Saturday evening the world of hockey will most likely see a revolution. At the second edition of the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) Hockey Revolution conference being held in Dubai, the world hockey fraternity could see the power shift from Europe to Asia if Hockey India president Dr Narendra Batra is elected as the new chief of the world body.
Representatives of 121 national associations from across the globe arrived in Dubai to pick the next man to lead the FIH. Besides Dr Batra, Ken Read (Australia) and David Balbirnie (Ireland) are in the fray for the top post.
The Indian candidate is coming out as the frontrunner in the race.
However, Dr Batra is getting support from unexpected quarters. According to sources here, Pakistan has been in the forefront of canvassing for Dr Batra’s election.
“Hockey needs someone like Dr Batra to take over the reigns of world hockey. Asian hockey has always been played under European administrators. Pakistan has been in touch with a number of national associations asking to support Dr Batra,” a source close to Pakistan Hockey Federation told Mirror.
Most of the 31 national associations from Asia are on board to support Dr Batra. There are a couple of associations in Asia who are reluctant to back the Indian candidate, but sources say talks are on to bring them on board. The Hockey India president is also backed strongly by 19 African units and a majority from South American bloc comprising 23 national associations.
‘WEAKEST CANDIDATE’
“I am the weakest candidate among the three. Comparatively I am newest of the administrators, but one can see what I have done for Indian hockey,” Dr Batra said on the sidelines of the Hockey Revolution conference.
Only Australia’s Read poses some threat to Dr Batra in Saturday’s election.
With his vast experience and support from some national associations from Europe (40) and Oceania (5). With India coming to the rescue FIH time and again for holding major hockey tournaments, the dependency has only raised India’s chances to claim the top post.
The three candidates will spend the next two days lobbying at parties hosted by FIH and attended by the national association representatives.
Mumbai Mirror
Batra: Indian hockey standards and popularity rising
IHF chief who is contesting for FIH president’s post, discusses the growth of the game
K.R. Nayar
Dubai: Indian hockey, which is looking up after impressive recent performances at the Asian and International Hockey Federation (FIH) organised tournaments, may play a prominent role in the administration of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) too.
The 45th FIH Congress, which is being held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai, will be electing the new president of the FIH on November 12. Indian Hockey Federation’s (IHF) chief Dr Narinder Batra is contesting the president’s post along with Ireland’s David Balbirnie and Australia’s Ken Read as his opponents. The three candidates have been officially nominated by their national associations for the role of FIH president.
Over 300 delegates — representing over 80 affiliated countries — are here and discussions on the promotion of hockey and its future are in full swing.
Indian hockey has been buoyed by their men’s and women’s teams’ recent triumphs in the Asian Champions Trophy and ever-improving performance in International Hockey Federation tournaments.
Speaking to Gulf News, Batra, who is delighted with the rise of Indian hockey in recent years, said: “The progress of Indian hockey has been a continuous process since 2009 when the new body took charge and the results are now showing up. The way it is going on I think it is just a matter of time before we add more confidence. In the FIH tournaments we have always been in the top four and in the Asian events we are always in the top two. It is good to see the rise and in two to four years our women’s hockey team will also be a force to reckon.”
Batra who managed to swell the earnings of Indian hockey, added: “When I took over in 2009 and our new body came in, the total revenue coming to hockey at that time was only $500,000 (Dh1.8 million). In 2016 we closed at $16 million-plus and that means interest in hockey in India has gone up. Star TV, who is the broadcast-partner, has broadcast to about 130 countries. So our hockey graph is going up.”
The Hockey India League, which has given a big boost to the popularity of hockey in India, is the brainchild of Batra and the event is approaching its fifth season.
Batra said: “It is very important to have heroes in hockey like in the past. We welcome any support from other sportsmen to encourage hockey too because when a cricketer like Sachin Tendulkar tweets there are two millions people who read it.”
The FIH congress is being staged here in collaboration with Dubai Sports Council and supported by the UAE Hockey Federation and facilitated by Falcon and Associates.
Raza Abidi, the administrator of the UAE Hockey Federation (UHF), revealed that the FIH congress being held here is a big boost to the region. “Plans are on to set up a hockey centre in Jumeirah with international standard facilities and it should get a big boost after the election of the new FIH president and executive body,” Abidi said.
Gulf News
Tiger Turf re-sign with Hockey Australia
Three year contract extension
Holly MacNeil
(Perth, WA) – Hockey Australia has today announced a three-year partnership extension with Tiger Turf which will see the relationship continue until 2020.
As a part of the partnership, Tiger Turf will work with Hockey Australia’s Hookin2Hockey (H2H) program utilising the network of schools that are looking to lay multi surface pitches. Schools will be eligible for a Hookin2Hockey clinic that will be provided by Hockey Australia and will include the H2H schools pack as a legacy item.
Tiger Turf will have a presence at international matches hosted by Hockey Australia with the inclusion of mini pitches for junior participation, including at the upcoming International Festival of Hockey which will be held in Melbourne from November 23 – 30.
In addition to the contract extension, Tiger Turf will take up the back-partnership space on the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras uniforms for the upcoming trans-Tasman Trophy in Zealand and the International Festival of Hockey.
Nick Kerr from Tiger Turf said: “Tiger Turf are excited to extend their partnership with Hockey Australia for another three years. As a further extension of the new agreement we are particularly excited to having the Tiger Turf name emblazoned across the backs of the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras shirts for the upcoming International Festival of Hockey.
“It’s important that we are seen to be putting something back into the sport. We see our partnership as a great way to not only support our national teams but the sport of hockey in general. We look forward to the next 3 years and beyond in working with Hockey Australia to grow the sport.”
Hockey Australia’s Chief Executive Cam Vale commented: “We are delighted to have extended our partnership with Tiger Turf. They are a fantastic supporter of Hockey Australia and will be an important element of the work we are undergoing to further develop our Hookin2Hockey program, as well as in their continued support of our national teams.”
Hockey Australia media release