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News for 21 May 2019

All the news for Tuesday 21 May 2019


Indian women’s hockey team beats South Korea 2-1 in tour opener

Indian women’s hockey team defeated host South Korea 2-1 in the first fixture of the three-match bilateral series to begin its short tour on a confident note on Monday.


Lalremsiami and Navneet Kaur scored for India.   -  AFP

Indian women’s hockey team defeated host South Korea 2-1 in the first fixture of the three-match bilateral series to begin its short tour on a confident note on Monday.

Young striker Lalremsiami (20th minute) and Navneet Kaur (40th) scored for India, while Shin Hyejeong (48th) found the net for Korea.

High on confidence after its impressive outings in Spain and Malaysia earlier this year, India made a strong start against the host. After missing out on an opportunity to score from a penalty corner early in the first quarter, India scored a splendid field goal through Lalremsiami in the 20th minute.

The visitor’s second goal came in the 40th minute when Navneet struck beautifully to extend the lead.

While the host won five penalty corners in the course of the match, and a penalty stroke in the last quarter, it managed to convert only one set piece in the 48th minute through Shin Hyejeong.

It was India’s experienced goalkeeper Savita who made commendable saves to keep her team’s lead intact. “Considering this was our first match, I think the result was good but the performance can be better. We tried some new things in the match and it was interesting to see how we handled the change,” India’s chief coach Sjoerd Marijne said after the game.

“We must bring our technical skills to a higher level in order to play faster and that will be one of our priorities for the next match.”

India will play its second match of the tour on Wednesday.

Sportstar



NWU win 2019 Varsity Hockey title in dramatic shootout


NWU hockey team © Kevin Sawyer

The North-West University are the 2019 South African Varsity Hockey champions. NWU overcame a determined Maties side to win the final 2-1 in a penalty shootout at the Maties Astro turf in Stellenbosch on Monday. The match failed to produce any goals in normal time and was eventually decided on penalties.

NWU had an early opportunity to take the lead but their captain, Charné Maddocks, failed to make contact from close range. Shortly after, Courtney du Preez’s powerful tomahawk shot couldn’t get the better of Kristen Block in the Maties goal.

The girls from Potchefstroom enjoyed most of the ball possession and territory in the first quarter but couldn’t take advantage and the score was locked at 0-0 after the first quarter.

The second chukka proved to be just as fast-paced as the first although neither side could create clear-cut chances. Du Preez had an impressive run down the left flank but couldn’t find the finish to match the run.

NWU’s Candice Silent then nearly silenced the big home crowd but she had her thumping shot from an acute angle saved by Block before Maddocks couldn’t react quick enough to get a touch after a cross from the right across the face of the goal from Clarise Smit in the 29th minute. The score was locked at 0-0 at halftime.

Ammaarah Hendricks then tested Mischka Ellis, the NWU keeper in the 35th after an impressive dribble on the left side though her shot didn’t have much venom in it. Maties then had two penalty corners in quick succession with Stephanie Botha’s vigorous shot saved by Ellis as the rain started to fall in Stellenbosch.

The action was fast and frenetic though Maties would probably be the happier of the two sides as the score was still all square at 0-0 after the third quarter.

NWU’s Christa Ramasimang was then sent to the bench after receiving a green card following an infringement. The atmosphere was palpable as both sides pushed to get the opening (and perhaps the decisive) goal.

Hendricks was in the action again in the 51st minute when Rebecca Kaps’ delightful cross from the right was begging to be sent home but Hendricks couldn’t make proper contact. Moments later roles were reversed when the busy Hendricks turned provider and this time Kaps couldn’t test the keeper.

Maties won a penalty corner in the 54th minute just after they called the powerplay and Lara Stevens’s thump was saved by Ellis who stuck out a big left trapper to deny Stevens. Maties launched attack after attack but was dealt a crucial blow when Hendricks was sent to the bench with a green card.

NWU then went for the jugular and called their powerplay with less than 4 minutes to go and Hendricks off the astro. They were then awarded a penalty corner as the big crowd were now well and truly out of their seats. NWU failed to test Block in goal though with the clock ticking away.

With 30 seconds remaining on the clock the visitors had another penalty corner awarded to them and a chance at glory but again failed to test the keeper. That was the final opportunity of the match which meant that the winner would be decided via penalties.

NWU’s Kirsty Adams and Clarise Smit managed to score for the visitors while captain, Paige Phillips, was the only one to convert her penalty effort.

A delighted Maddocks said after the match that their hard work had paid off. “We put in the hard yards we have been hard at work since the 14th of January already so I think the hard yards have paid off. I am super proud that we actually made it through to the final and yes, may the best team have won,” she told SuperSport’s Fiso Mazibuko at the post-match presentation.

SCORES

MATIES: 0

Shootout: Paige Phillips,

NWU: 0

Shootout: Kirsty Adams, Clarise Smit

FNB PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Kirsty Adams (NWU)
MUGG & BEAN STAR SAVER: Mishka Ellis (NWU)
MTN CONNECTOR AWARD: Stephanie Botha (Maties)

SuperSport



Wazalendo outgun Sailors in thriller to claim top spot

By AYUMBA AYODI


Lakers' Linah Baraza (right) vies for the ball with Telkom forward Maureen Okumu during their Kenya Hockey Union women's Premier League match at Simba Club, Kisumu on May 19, 2019. The teams drew 2-2. PHOTO | ONDARI OGEGA |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

A weekend full of drama saw Wazalendo weather strong challenge from Sailors to win 4-3 and storm back to the top of Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League standings at City Park Hockey Stadium in Nairobi.

Former champions Kenya Police continued with their surge to the top, withstanding Parklands Sports Club’s assault to win 3-2 and move two places to third in the league.

But is it a matter of time before champions Telkom relinquish the invincibility tag in the women’s Premier League?

Telkom, who are unbeaten in many years, were once again forced to draw 2-2 with Lakers on Sunday at Simba Union in Kisumu, a day after Lakers had also held United States International University - Africa (USIU-A) Spartans 0-0 at the same venue. Evergreen Jacky Mwangi’s equaliser three minutes from time rescued a 2-2 draw for Telkom, who are chasing their 22nd title.

However, the women’s league standings remained the same, with Telkom remaining top with eight points. USIU-A and Lakers follow with seven points each, although the university students enjoy a better goal difference.

“We are in transition, 11 new players having joined the team,” said Mwangi, adding that the league title race is no longer a walk in the park for her team.

“It was the first time we played away in many years and it’s good to experience new environment and fans,” she said.

Back to the men’s Premier League, Wazalendo moved one place and back to the top of the log with 12 points, two better than second-placed defending champions Butali Sugar Warriors, who rested over the weekend.

Police’s victory against Parklands catapulted them two places to third with 10 points with Western Jaguars, who were also not in action over weekend, falling in fourth with 10 points. Butali, Police and Jaguars have 10 points each.

The thriller saw Matthew Mutiso put Wazalendo ahead in the sixth minute from a penalty corner, before Indiazi, who scored a hat-trick for Sailors, equalised two minutes later from the spot.

Then Erick Ochieng sent in pulsating field goal to restore the lead for Wazalendo in the 23rd minute as the match took a break ahead 2-1.

Indiazi would level again for Sailors three minutes into the third quarter from another field goal, but Kennedy Munialo would put Wazalendo ahead again in the 35th minute from open play.

Indiazi was at it again to level for Sailors from the spot in the 38 minute as the two teams staged a thrilling end-to-end display.

Then Sailors defence would capitulate with only seconds to the hooter when Alex Munialo grabbed the winner for Wazalendo.

Wazalendo, who now have four wins and Butali, who have three wins and a draw, are the only sides yet to conceded defeat this season.

Police and Parklands settled the battle in first half when Moses Cheplaiti and Sammy Ougo scored from open play and penalty spot in the second and sixth minutes respectively.

Daily Nation



Wazalendo topple champions Butali Warriors

By Elizabeth Mburugu


Amira Sailor Sandra Vodoti(l) and USIU Vivian Esimi fight for the ball  (Jenipher Wachie, Standard)

Wazalendo ousted champions Butali Warriors from the top of the Kenya Hockey Union men’s Premier League standings following a hard-fought 4-3 win over Sailors at the weekend.

With the match seemingly headed for a 3-3 stalemate, Alex Munialo’s goal seconds to the final whistle ensured that Wazalendo maintained their 100 per cent win record this season.

Sailors’ Johnstone Indiazi was a dejected man as he watched his hat-trick go to waste with his side unable to salvage a point from the clash.

Wazalendo captain Kennedy Munialo said they were looking to improve on last season’s fourth finish and also qualify for Africa Club Championships.

“We are targeting a podium finish and a ticket to the continental club games. We are working hard and also being in the same age set is working for us because we understand each other better and it makes it easy for us to play us a team and get desired results,” Munialo said.

Matthew Mutiso, Erick Ochieng, Kennedy Munialo and Alex scored for Wazalendo in the sixth, 22rd, 35th and 60th minutes while Indiazi was on target for Sailors in the eighth, 33rd and 38th minutes.

They top the log with 12 points, two more than second-placed Butali from four matches each.

Former champions Kenya Police are third, tied on 10 points with Butali, who have a superior goal difference as well as fourth-placed Western Jaguars from five outings.

At the weekend, the law enforcers defeated Parklands 3-2 while Jaguars laboured to a barren draw with United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) in Kakamega.

Greensharks complete the top five with nine points from three wins and two losses. 

Winless Strathmore University Gladiators are last in the table with one point while 2012 winners Nairobi Sikh Union are also stuck in the relegation zone with three points.

Gladiators won the 2016 title but their performance has not been impressive in the last two seasons.

In the women’s Premier League title chase, defending champions Telkom maintained their top spot despite being held to a 2-2 draw by rookies Lakers.

They lead with eight points, one more than USIU-A Spartans and Lakers. Telkom won two matches and drew two while second-placed Spartans have won two and salvaged a point from a barren draw against unrelenting Lakers.

Lakers, who have played two matches more than Spartans, also have seven points but with an inferior goal difference.

Amira Sailors are fourth with five points from four outings whereas Strathmore Scorpions are fifth from four three league encounters.

The Standard Digital



Woodridge hold off Collegiate in hockey thriller


The Woodridge team which won the PE Central leg of the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge at Alexander Road in Port Elizabeth on Sunday was (back, from the left) Hannah van Wyk, Sidné Adams, Tammy Louw, Atlegang Koka, Demi Meyer, Emma Cook, Cate Cook, Micaela Sanderson, Ruby Webb, Maxime Bird (coach), (front, from the left) Jorja Sacke, Caylin Maree, Edith Molikoe and Bella Bisdee. Photo:  Full Stop Communications

Port Elizabeth - Woodridge withstood plenty of pressure to defeat Collegiate 1-0 in a thrilling finish to the PE Central leg of the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge at Alexander Road in Port Elizabeth, South Africa on Sunday.

In doing so, the Thornhill school regained the title they won in 2017 and will represent the region in the provincial finals to be played at Collegiate in PE on July 27 and 28.

Collegiate, who were the inaugural provincial champions in 2016, made sure there was no easy route to victory for Woodridge.

They piled on the pressure by forcing four penalty corners in the 20-minute match, but the opposing defence stood firm each time.

Woodridge, on the other hand, were able to convert their only penalty corner after some interplay inside the circle. The goal came with three minutes left and they worked hard for the remaining time to keep Collegiate at bay.

Winning captain Edith Molikoe was delighted with the result, but paid tribute to Collegiate’s efforts.

“We came into the game knowing it was going to be a tough match,” she said. “It was all about the mentality in the end because your bodies get tired and you really have to put your mind to it and just push through.

“It’s a dream to win the SPAR Challenge for the second time and I was really excited when we managed to get the goal.”

She added that the annual tournament played a big part in their hockey programme.

“Obviously we have our league programme, but this is different because it’s 20 minutes of intense hockey against friends you have made.

“It brings people together and you always get to meet more players and make new friends. It’s all about having fun within the hockey family.

“We are now looking forward to the provincial finals to play against the other regional winners. That is a hard weekend, but it all helps to improve schoolgirls hockey.”

Kingsridge title run ended by Queenstown Girls’ High


The Queenstown Girls’ High School team which won the East London Inland leg of the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge in King William’s Town on Sunday is (back, from the left) SPAR EC sponsorships and events manager Alan Stapleton, Emma du Preez, Rulene Fourie, Nicolette Stone (manager), Teagan Roux, Caryn Goodman, Simon Brill (coach), Jana Benecke, Kirsten Lyons, Tyler-Mae Roux, Alison Wall, tournament director Bev Forword, (front, from the left) Amy Styles, Tarien Wentzel, Courtney Stone, Louisa Naidoo, Sibulele Ngculu and Asavela Qongoqo. Photo: Supplied

In King William’s Town, Queenstown Girls’ High (GHS) ended a run of success by Kingsridge in the East London Inland leg to win the title for the first time.

Tournament director Bev Forword said they had another wonderful day, which was hosted by Kingsridge.

“They went all out to make it a success and teams travelled from Aliwal North, Burgersdorp and Queenstown for the fourth edition,” she said.

“The final was a repeat of last year’s match between Kingsridge and GHS and it was a tough encounter in conditions of 30C.”

She added that the game went down to a penalty shootout after a goalless draw at the end of 20 minutes.

“The teams were level after the first round and it went to sudden-death, with GHS taking the honours.”

Kingsridge had won the previous three editions of the regional tournament.

GHS team manager Nicolette Stone said they were delighted to win the title for the first time since its inception.

“The girls look forward to this tournament every year,” she added. “It is fiercely contested and the girls appreciate the chance to measure their skills against other schools.

“The positive atmosphere and vibe are always infectious and the day is thoroughly enjoyed by the girls, coaches and parents.

“The prizes are very generous and Caryn Goodman is most grateful for the Fain hockey stick which she was fortunate to win in a lucky draw.”

Woodridge and GHS will join the other regional winners DSG and Clarendon Girls’ High at the provincial finals in July.

The last regional qualifier in George will be played on Saturday.

Full Stop Communications media release for SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge



Park Developments to Fund Irish Women’s Hockey Bursary Scheme



Dublin, 20th May 2019: Park Developments, one of Ireland’s leading property development groups has announced investment in Irish Women’s Hockey over the next four years. Recently appointed Irish Women’s Head Coach Sean Dancer along with World Cup medallists Anna O’Flanagan, Roisin Upton and goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran were at Park Developments’ landmark office development, The Reflector Building to announce the investment that will be ring fenced for direct player support.

The Park Developments Irish Women’s Hockey Bursary will see an initial group of 23 players supported between now and the conclusion of the qualification period for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in December. The funding is guaranteed for four years and will supplement support provided to the Irish Women’s Hockey Team by Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland.

Silver medallists at the 2018 World Cup last summer, the Irish Women’s Hockey Team’s first attempt at qualification gets underway on 8th June at an FIH Series Tournament in Banbridge. Ireland must reach the final of the Banbridge tournament to earn a place at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament later this year.

Speaking at the announcement Sales & Marketing Manager at Park Developments, Jilly Cotter said: “As a property development business, we aim to enrich the lives of future generations. Like so many, we at Park Developments were inspired by the performance of the Irish Women’s team at the World Cup last summer. We wanted to support the on-going development of the team and look to do so in an innovative way that could begin the process of transforming the supports available to Irish Women hockey players. We are delighted that the Park Developments Irish Women’s Hockey Bursary Scheme is now a reality and hope it will have a positive impact on the current squad on their journey to Olympic qualification.”

Irish Women’s Head Coach, Sean Dancer said “The Park Developments Irish Player Bursary Scheme is a very welcome start to my tenure as Irish Women’s Head Coach and its importance to the development of our programme cannot be underestimated. We go into camp on Thursday this week to prepare for the FIH Series in Banbridge, the beginning of an intensive six-month training and competition schedule as we try to build on the incredible performance last summer and do what no Irish women’s team has done before and secure Olympic qualification. Some of the other team’s looking to secure Olympic qualification have full time programmes. The Park Developments Player Bursary Scheme will go some way to providing Ireland’s top hockey players with some additional financial support given the likely impact on their work commitments representing their country on the world stage will have."

World Cup Medallist Anna O’Flanagan said: “Last summer’s World Cup was definitely the highlight of my playing career to date. Having played for Ireland on 180 occasions, it was the culmination of years of training and competitive experience balanced with study, professional qualification and full-time employment. The reality is that competing with the world’s best requires a level of commitment that makes full time employment virtually impossible. The Park Developments Player Bursary is therefore a very welcome support in addition to the funding Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland have provided over the years to us as a team and will facilitate more training time that is a necessity to give ourselves the best chance of securing our goal of qualifying for and competing at the Olympic Games."

Irish Hockey Association media release



New bursary scheme could change face of Irish hockey

By Stephen Findlater


Anna O'Flanagan, assistant coach Gareth Grundie, Ayeisha McFerran, head coach Sean Dancer and Roisin Upton pictured at the announcement of the Park Developments Irish Women Hockey Players’ Bursary Scheme. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Support for the Irish women’s team took a giant leap towards a semi-professional basis with the announcement that Park Developments will roll out a four-year support package which will see up to 23 players initially benefit from bursaries.

It offers the potential for a dramatic increase of “contact hours” with the funding going to compensate players, allowing them to go into camp for three days a week and not be out of pocket.

Striker Anna O’Flanagan, who attended yesterday's announcement, is one of the people who may directly benefit from the scheme. The 29-year-old put her legal job on hiatus in 2017 to pursue hockey “full-time”, moving to the Netherlands in the lead-up to the World Cup silver medal run in London. For many of her teammates – and indeed many Irish sportspeople in the Olympic realm – it meant taking long spells of unpaid leave and created strains in their personal lives as they juggle the demands of elite sport.

“It's more of a sustainable platform,” she said. “If you aspire to be on this team, you'd know this is your schedule, you'd know we train three days-a-week as a group and you'd have the rest of the days to work or to study.

“That's the kind of foundation we need. Before the World Cup, a few of us stopped working completely and you can't do that forever.

"It's not sustainable for your career but also from a mental point of view. It's good to have other things outside of hockey and this allows us to have a mixture of everything.”

It means plenty of decisions on the horizon for the striker. She just completed a successful season with Pinoke in Amsterdam, helping them to be the highest-finishing promoted team in the Hoofdklasse – the toughest club league in the world..

With the change of circumstances, she will have to weigh up a return to Ireland and how she can marry it with her professional development.

She was coy about what her plans but she will have no lack of club interest if she does not extend her stay in Amsterdam.

She would likely be one of the 23 yet to be confirmed players on the bursary list.

New coach Sean Dancer – who starts the role in earnest following June’s FIH Series finals in Banbridge – says the plan will put Ireland on a par with New Zealand, the programme he left to take up the Irish job.

Indeed, it matches what is done in the Netherlands and Belgium. For the Dutch, squads train together from Monday to Wednesday before going back to club, work and study commitments for the rest of the week.

Dancer says that will be the target now direct financial support is in place for players rather than the regulation Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland money for the high-performance programmes.

“The ideal would be a three-day week where they come in Sunday, Monday, Tuesday for three days of full hockey,” Dancer said.

“That’s a really good starting point for getting a full-time hockey athlete. It’s also a good transition from fairly minimal hockey to a full-hockey week. If you go all the way, you get what I term a ‘hockey bum’ who just concentrates on hockey because it doesn’t give you a rounded person. Now we can get a life-hockey balance.”

It ticks another box from the wish list laid out by the players following the World Cup. The other major one was a full-time training base, something which is now in train at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown and is likely to be finished by September.

For the moment, the side are based in Banbridge, the venue for the Series Finals, for the next three weeks. A large panel was overseen by interim coach Gareth Grundie along with Arlene Boyles and U21 coach Dave Passmore.

Grundie informed a group of 24 players on Sunday they are still in the running for the tournament which is part of the Olympic qualifying process. The final 18 will be named on Friday, May 31st ahead of the tournament opener against Malaysia on June 8th.

The Irish Examiner



FIH celebrates Walk the Talk with World Health Organization in Geneva


Photo courtesy: Hockey Servette Club Geneva

FIH joined the celebrations for a healthy and sustainable future in the second edition of the “Walk the Talk” event organized by the World Health Organization on 19 May 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The event witnessed thousands of people from various nationalities of all ages and abilities sign-up for a free walk/run event that ranged from three to eight kilometres.

It also engaged World Health Assembly delegates along with various United Nations officials, who are on their visit to Geneva for the World Health Assembly.

Like in 2018, FIH along with the Hockey Club Servette Geneva and the association Generation Games organized a hockey initiation programme for the public to demonstrate the uniqueness of the sport.

Many people tried their hands at Hockey, including Champion Marathon runner Mary Keitany from Kenya and Dutch Minister for Medicare, Bruno Bruins.

Keitany was at her competitive best as she managed to score a goal during a short play.

She was one of the top athletes present for the event and was excited to visit Geneva for the event.

“I am happy to join the World Health Organization for the Health for All challenge and it is a part of active life to keep your body fit”, said Mary Keitany.

FIH even interacted with Netherlands’ Minister of Medicare, Bruno Bruins who was happy to start his week with the event in Geneva and also play a bit of Hockey en route to his course. “When you walk the talk here you see various sports on the side-lines but if you are from Netherlands you need to go for Hockey and try to make a small push with the Hockey stick.”

The Hockey corner witnessed a lot of kids trying to pick up some quick Hockey tips from FIH and Servette Club coaches along with the lessons of healthy and sustainable life from the walk.



The event was a huge success as it saw a massive turnout and support for the cause with Hockey also making significant contribution by raising awareness about the importance of physical activity and making people play.

Regular physical activity, including hockey, not only makes you feel good, it has significant benefits for health. It reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers, helps control weight, and contributes to mental well-being.

According to a WHO report in 2019 over 23% of adults and 80% of adolescents are not sufficiently physically active. If healthy physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep habits are established early in life, this helps shape habits through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood.

Through events like these WHO intends to spread awareness about the importance of physical activity in our lives and how insufficient physical activity can have adverse effects.

#WalkTheTalk #HealthForAll #WalkTheTalkWithHockey

FIH site

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