News for 02 February 2017
All the news for Thursday 2 February 2017
Belgium wins thriller against SA
Belgium's men's hockey team won a thrilling match against its South African counterpart in the Cape Town Summer Series.
Belgium - Olympic silver medallist - won the battle 3-2 when Loick Luypaert scored with 30 seconds left.
The halftime score was 1-1. Gauthier Boccard and Luypaert scored Belgium’s first two goals. Boccard scored a field goal in the 8th minute and in the 44th minute Luypaert gave the visitors the lead with a penalty stroke.
Daniel Bell equalised for South Africa in the 20th minute. And then captain Tim Drummond did the same with two minutes left.
“This was a very positive result for us. Matching up to the Rio Olympic silver medallists was a great challenge to which the boys did themselves proud. We know we are trying to be more consistent in our play for longer periods of the match and this consistency is what we are hoping to achieve in our second game against Belgium,” said captain Tim Drummond after the match.
“The more this squad plays together the better we become as a team because we understand what each other are thinking on the field. So Wednesday evening is another excellent opportunity for us to get a positive result against one of the world’s best hockey playing nations.”
South Africa takes on Belgium again on Wednesday.
SA Hockey Association media release
SA struggle against Olympic silver medallist
It was a somewhat disappointed South Africa men’s hockey team that left the field after the 4-7 loss to Belgium.
It was the penultimate match for the SA men in the Cape Town Summer Series.
Jonty Robinson got the scoreboard going with a penalty in the 10th minute to put the home team in the lead.
With less than a minute left in the first chukka Belgium got the goal back when Amaury Keusters found the back of the net. The South Africans would have been disappointed with this goal, because it was so close to the end of the chukka.
A blitzkrieg of three goals in three minutes took the wind a bit out of the South African sails in the second quarter. Maxime Plennevaux, Loïck Luypaert and Alexandre de Paeuw all got their names on the scorecard. The score was 4-1 at halftime.
The third chukka belonged completely to Belgium and South Africa’s goalkeeper Gowan Jones with the help of especially Daniel Bell, Rhett Halkett and captain Tim Drummond had to defend wave after wave of Belgium attacks. Two more goals were scored. Captain Thomas Briels and Plennevaux added to the scoreline.
With the start of the last chukka the score was 6-2 for Belgium after Bili Ntuli scored SA’s second goal mere seconds before the whistle blew. In the last quarter Dimitri Cuvelier added another goal for Belgium. In the last three minutes Brandon Panther and Drummond scored for South Africa to give the crowd something to cheer about again.
Belgium has a deadly counter-attack and they play with so much control. Especially when they were on the attack. It looks like they have all the time in the world. That is in contrast with South Africa who looked rushed.
Once again the South African youngsters showed promise though. Ntuli had some brilliant moments and Ryan Julius is so quick that it sometimes looked like the Belgium players were standing still when they tried to follow him. Daniel Bell was great on the defence for the home team.
Earlier China won its match against Belgium. China’s women were 2-1 winners in a very tight match. Qianqian Boa scored the winning goal for China in the 60th minute after the scores were tide 1-1 at halftime. Bingfeng Gu scored the first goal of the match and Belgium’s Lisa Scheerlinck equalised the score in the 27th minute.
The next match in the Summer Series is on Thursday at 16:00 when the South African men will be in action for the last time in the series – the third and last match against Belgium. The series comes to an end on Friday when the SA women play against Belgium at 18:00.
SA Hockey Association media release
Belgium beats SA in tight battle
The Belgium women’s hockey team won its first match against South Africa in the Cape Town Summer Series.
Belgium’s Anne-Sophie Weyns scored the winning goal in the 54th minute. South Africa did get opportunities to not only draw the game, but also get a win with four penalty corners in the last 3 minutes. Belgium’s goalkeeper Aisling D’Hooghe denied the home team though with great work in the goal box.
The first chukka was like a war of attrition between the two sides with all the action taking place in the midfield and the goalkeepers rarely getting something to do. Both teams stepped it up in the second chukka, but it was the visitors that took control of the game in the third and final chukkas.
In the final minutes of the last quarter South Africa through everything they had at Belgium. Especially after Weyns scored the goal, but the ball just did not hit the back of the goal box.
Belgium is 14th on the world rankings and South Africa 13th.
The next match for the SA women in the series is Friday at 18:00 against Belgium. It is also the last match in the Summer Series.
SA Hockey Association media release
SV Sunil stars in Jaypee Punjab Warriors maiden win of Season 5 
Ranchi: Defending Champions Jaypee Punjab Warriors opened their points table in the fifth edition of the Coal India Hockey India League with an incredible 7-0 win against Ranchi Rays here on Wednesday. It was Mink Van Der Weerden (25′), SV Sunil (26′ and 34′), Jake Whetton (43′) who ensured their team walked away with five points.
Played in front of a vocal crowd there was no doubt that this clash was going to be played with pace and skill and the teams didn’t disappoint. They both raced out of the blocks at a frenetic pace, attacking each other constantly, but it was the visitors who dominated today.
Playing only their second game in the season, the defending Champions were eager for a win and played an inspired game after losing to Dabang Mumbai in their first outing. Though they missed an early chance to take the lead from a field goal in the first quarter, Nithin Thimmaiah couldn’t quite find the target after a good assist by SV Sunil. But they made up for the fumble when they opened their score board with a splendid penalty corner converted by Mink Van Der Weerden in the 25th minute. It was skipper Sardar Singh’s near-perfect injection that was improvised by Weerden finding the left pocket beating in-form Ranchi Rays keeper Tyler Lovell.
Almost immediately, Jaypee Punjab Warriors forward SV Sunil, known for his lightning speed on the turf, took the defending Champions lead to a strong 3-0 with a pulsating field goal. The Coorg lad came up with a class act when Jake Whetton and he worked a brilliant combination to penetrate the circle and fetch a superb goal in the 26th minute.
Returning from the ten-minute break at half-time, the visitors didn’t take too long to put pressure on Ranchi Rays with yet another field goal taking their lead to a comfortable 5-0. It was SV Sunil who struck again, stunning the home crowd, with an unconventional goal in the 34th minute. A back hander from Sardar Singh aimed at the post, after he received a perfect pass by Simon Orchard, was deflected into the goal off Sunil’s stick. Ranchi Rays, on the other hand, struggled to convert the chances they earned with several forays into the circle.
Jaypee Punjab Warriors forward line continued to dominant the third quarter and this time it was Jake Whetton, after a brilliant assist by Satbir Singh, who pumped another field goal taking their lead to a formidable 7-0.
The final quarter witnessed the visitors make unnecessary fouls that saw two of their players shown green cards and in-turn won Ranchi Rays two successive penalty corners. Ranchi Rays’ desperate attempts to convert the PC went in vain. The home team, at this juncture, seemed like they missed the services of German drag flicker Christopher Ruhr who sat out due to ill health. Coach Harendra Singh would not be a happy man with his team’s inability to convert the several PCs won by them and this perhaps cost them the match.
SV Sunil from Jaypee Punjab Warriors was awarded with a prize money of Rs 50,000 for scoring the Coal India Goal of the Match from Shri Arbind Prasad, Chief Vigilance Officer, Central Coalfields Limited.
Armaan Qureshi of Jaypee Punjab Warriors won the prize of Rs 25,000 for being the Hero Young Achiever of the Match from Olympian Mr. Sylvanus Dung Dung.
The Airtel Most Entertaining Player of the Match was awarded to Jake Whetton of Jaypee Punjab Warriors that came with a prize money of Rs 25,000 and presented by Shri Saryu Rai – Honourable Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs – Government of Jharkhand.
SV Sunil of Jaypee Punjab Warriors was declared the Man of the Match and was awarded a prize money of Rs 50,000 by Mr NK Pal, Assistant Director, SICCL.
On 2 February 2017, Ranchi Rays will take on Dabang Mumbai in Ranchi at 1900hrs.
Official HIL site
Ranchi buckles as Punjab relishes first win
s2h team
Two goals in two minutes in the last spell of second quarter saw Jaypee Punjab Warriors taking 3-0 lead at half time and then two field goals each from SV Sunil and Jacob Whetton helped visiting Punjab Warriors bundle out the hosts Ranchi Rays for a fluent 7-0 win today in Ranchi.
Thereafter, especially in the last quarter, Ranchi launched more attacks and got penalty corners but were of no avilal. The unstoppable Sunil's field goal before Jacob Whetton tapped in a on the running feed from Satbir Singh, stood un-eroded.
Ranchi Rays' response was to keep attack and maximise returns, which meant either field goal or field goal process in the penalty corners.
Both misfired.
Punjab resolutely defended in the fourth quarter and then RR missed out first on trying field goals out of 3,4 PCs. When it realised its folly, it reverted back to direct conversion, which was sloppier and did not work out.
Ranchi in the end ends of wasting as many as nine penalty corners and keep their part of scoreboard blank.
Ranchi's defence gave away too many soft goals, failing to mark players or zone. With a result, even a half-hearted or mis-hits could be connected by the JPW forwards.
In particular, Sardar Singh's hit was not perfect but Sunil's gentle touch got the ball where it was to be.
After missing earlier attempt, Mink van der Weerden put Punjab ahead with a penalty corner conversion in 25th Minute (1-0). Seconds later, Jacob Whetton stole the ball out of a defensive lapse, and parted with SV Sunil after fairly a long sprint. SV Sunil sidestepped marking Kothajit Singh to gentle scoop the ball into the neat, as he has spotted the goalie has rushed half way into D and just avoided colliding him with a good jump.
SV Sunil threw his stick away on the backline before joining his mates for celebration (3-0).
AWARDS
THRILLING GOAL Rs.50K: SV Sunil
YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD 25k: Arman Qureshi
MOST ENTERTAINING PLAYER: Jacob Whetton
MAN OF THE MATCH Rs.50K:SV Sunil
Stick2Hockey.com
Sunil stars in Punjab's 7-0 win over Ranchi Rays
RANCHI: Indian forward SV Sunil scored twice as defending champions Jaypee Punjab Warriors handed Ranchi Rays a 7-0 thrashing to mark their first win of the Coal India Hockey India League (HIL) 2017 at the AstroTurf Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.
Sunil successfully finished two brilliant counter-attacks in the 26th and 34th minute after Mink van der Weerden's penalty corner conversion in the 25th minute had given the visitors a lead at a venue where they have never won against the hosts.
Jake Whetton swept home in the 43rd goal to make it 7-0 as Punjab bounced back in style from their ignominious 4-10 opening match defeat to Dabang Mumbai last Friday.
Ranchi missed the speed and guile of $75,000 German forward Christopher Ruhr, who was ruled out for the match due to injury.
Punjab's speedy forwards made a huge difference in the match, producing quality counter-attacking hockey.
After a dull first quarter, the match saw several intense moments in the second quarter. It was Ranchi who seemed to take the initiative by getting two penalty corners after Manpreet Singh was brought down by Satbir Singh. But with British set-piece specialist Ashley Jackson in the sidelines, Trent Mitton couldn't convert.
Punjab too got two penalty corners and in the second one, Dutchman van der Weerden rocketed one to the right corner to mark his debut goal in HIL.
Punjab soon made it 3-0 when a counter-attack saw Jake Whetton set the ball on the path of Sunil and the latter ran for around 25 yards before driving the ball past an onrushing goalkeeper Tyler Lovell.
After the change of ends, Punjab continued to dominate Ranchi and in the 34th minute, Sunil scored second of the night to make it 5-0. Sardar Singh's back-hand cross from the right at the goal was given a half-hearted touch by Sunil before breaching an inactive home defence.
There was no stopping Punjab as they found another field goal in the 43rd minute, with an unmarked Australian forward Whetton sweeping home a Satbir cross from the right.
Trailing by seven goals, Ranchi did their best getting two penalty corners in the final quarter but Jackson was unable to beat visiting goalkeeper Tristian Clemons.
Despite being 7-0 up and all the damage done, Punjab didn't relent and continued to pile the pressure on Ranchi, who had a harrowing outing.
With this win, Punjab jumped to the fifth spot with five points, while Ranchi remained third with 10 points from five games.
Mumbai are on top with 17 points from five matches, while Kalinga Lancers are second with 15 points from five games. Uttar Pradesh Wizards, with six points from two matches, are fourth. Delhi Waveriders are sixth with four points from three matches.
Mumbai meet Ranchi here on Thursday.
The Times of India
QPCC, Paragon repeat as Hockey 5s champs
Queen’s Park Cricket Club (men) and Paragon (women) repeated as champions in their respective divisions when the T&T Hockey Board held its Opening Day Hockey 5’s Tournament at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua on Sunday.
In the men’s decider, the par kites outplayed long-time rival Fatima 4-1 to secure a third straight lien on the title.
Earlier, the Partkites played unbeaten on the day to top their Round-Robin Group B series before whipping Malvern 5-1 in their semi-final while Fatima, which ended as runner-up in the same group as the eventual champions, pipped Group A winners, Defence Force 5-4.
The women’s final was a much closer contest as Paragon got the better of Shandy Carib Magnolias, 3-2 on penalty-strokes after a 2-2 deadlock in the contest which was played on half of an outfield pitch surrounded by sideboards meant to keep the ball in continuous play.
Paragon topped its Round-Robin Group A series and followed up with a 3-0 defeat of Harvard Checkers in the semis while Magnolias humbled Group B winner, Notre Dame, 5-2.
T&THB OPENING DAY HOCKEY 5S RESULTS
Women Round-Robin results:
Semi-finals
Paragon 3 vs Harvard Checkers 0
SC Magnolias 5 vs Notre Dame 2
Third placed playoff:
Harvard Checkers 2 vs Notre Dame 0
Final
Paragon 2 vs SC Magnolias 2 - Paragon won 3-2 on penalty-strokes
Men’s Round-Robin results
Semi-finals:
Fatima 5 vs Defence Force 4
QPCC 5 vs Malvern 1
Third place playoff:
Defence Force 5 vs Malvern 3
Final:
QPCC 4 vs Fatima 1
The Trinidad Guardian
Newcomers JBDHA set semi-final target
PETALING JAYA: Defending champions Police and Terengganu, who have the bulk of the national players in their sides, will start as favourites in this year’s National Women’s League, which begins today.
But that doesn’t faze newcomers Johor Baru District Hockey Association (JBDHA), who have named a young team.
JBDHA secretary A. Harbhajan Singh believes that the young talent “will be up for the challenge” in the six-team league.
The other teams are PKS Universiti Tenaga National-KPT, Kulim and Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI).
“We had a month’s training and played some friendlies as part of the our preparations for our league debut.
“Our initial target is to make the semi-finals,” he said.
JBDHA’s opening match will be against PKS Universiti Tenaga National-KPT at the KL Hockey Stadium in Lembah Pantai today.
The Star of Malaysia
USA field hockey’s Emily Wold announces plans to retire
By Celia Balf 
USA Field Hockey announced that National Team member Emily Wold will retire from the senior international team.
Wold played for the squad for five years and recorded 51 caps. She was a two-time All-America and All-Region selection at Freehold Boro High School. She then went on to play at The University of North Carolina and made her debut with the national team in the second round of the 2013 FIH Hockey World League in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“USA Field Hockey appreciates Emily’s applied talents in the midfield and true commitment to the U.S. Women’s National Team,” Simon Hoskins, USA Field Hockey’s Executive Director said. “We wish her the best of luck as she charts a new journey outside of the international pitch.”
For the red, white and blue, Wold helped her team finish in fourth place at the 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup in The Hague, The Netherlands. She also got a gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada. This past summer, she helped her team win a bronze medal at the 2016 Champions Trophy in London, England.
“Being a part of Team USA and playing for your country has been a huge honor and I will forever be grateful for representing the red, white, and blue,” Wold said. “Field hockey has given me so much opportunity and it is so cool to see how the game has grown. I want to encourage young players to keep enjoying the game because having fun is the most important part.”
Wold will graduate from UNC this spring, but has not declared any set career plans.
Excelle Sports
First Pakistan Women Hockey League from 3rd February
Five teams named Lahore Lions, Islamabad Shaheens, Peshawar Deers, Karachi Dolphins and Quetta Panthers will be participating in the First Pakistan Women Hockey League to be held at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore from February 3-8.
The league is being organised by the Punjab Women Hockey Association in collaboration with the Sports Board Punjab and Pakistan Hockey Federation.
Secretary, Punjab Women Hockey Association, Ms Rahat Khan (organising secretary of the league), Director General SBP, Mr Zulfiqar Ghumman and Director Development and Domestic PHF, Mr Naveed Alam gave the details of the event at a press conference at the National Hockey Stadium.
The five teams include experienced departmental as well as young and upcoming players. Punjab provides the bulk of the players as presently a lot of women hockey is being played in the province. The players have been allocated to the teams in a manner so as to form balanced outfits.
Sports Board Punjab has sanctioned Rs five lacs for the event, apart from giving the accommodation to the players. PHF is providing umpires and technical officials.
A few private sponsors have also come forward which is quite encouraging for the women hockey.
The opening ceremony is scheduled on Thursday afternoon with the unveiling of the logo and trophy.
All the teams will play each other followed by the final (between the top two teams) and the 3rd position match (between the next two teams) on the last day.
'Best Player' of each match will be presented a prize such as gift hamper.
PHF Media release
Probables for Second Phase of National Senior Hockey Camp Announced
Pakistan Hockey Federation has announced the names of 47 players shortlisted for the second phase of the national senior camp which commences from February 11 at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore.
74 players had attended the first phase of training at the Abdul Sattar Hockey Stadium, Karachi.
PROBABLES FOR THE 2nd PHASE OF SENIORS TRAINING CAMP
GOALKEEPERS:
1. Amjad Ali - SSGC
2. Mazhar Abbas - NBP
3. Waleed Akhtar - Bannu
4. Ali Haider - PIA
5. Hafiz Ali Umair - SNGPL
6. Usman Ghani - Railway
DEFENDERS:
1. Ammad Shakeel Butt - NBP
2. M. Aleem Bilal - WAPDA
3. Nawaz Ashfaq - SSGC
4. Tazeem-ul-Hassan - Railway
5. Abu Bakar Mahmood - NBP
6. Mubashir Ali - NBP
7. Atif Mushtaq - NBP
8. M. Rizwan Jr. - SSGC
9. M. Toseeq Arshad - NBP
10. Tasawar Abbas - WAPDA
11. Rashid Mahmood - Navy
12. Fareed Ahmed - WAPDA
13. Faisal Qadir - NBP
14. M. Irfan Senior - PIA
15. Junaid Kamal - NBP
16. Taimoor Malik - PIA
17. Amir Sultan - Navy
18. Qazi Asfand Yar - WAPDA
19. Nadeem Haider -
20. Syed Kashif Shah - SSGC
FORWARDS:
1. M. Irfan Junior - WAPDA
2. M. Umar Bhutta - WAPDA
3. Abdul Haseem Khan - Karachi
4. M. Rizwan Senior - ARMY
5. Ali Shan - SSGC
6. Ijaz Ahmad - WAPDA
7. M. Arslan Qadir - NBP
8. Dilber Hussain - NBP
9. M. Azfar Yaqoob - NBP
10. M. Atiq - NBP
11. Sharjeel Saeed - Police
12. Kareem Khan - PTV
13. Awais Zahid - Army
14. Sami Ullah - PAF
15. Fayyaz Yaqoob - Sargodha
16. Rana Umair - WAPDA
17. Faisal Rasheed - Sheikhupura
18. M. Sabir - Navy
19. Zeeshan Bukhari - SSGC
20. Yasir Dilawar - PQA
21. Fahad Ullah - PAF
PHF Media release
Probables for the Under 18 Hockey Camp Announced
Pakistan Hockey Federation has announced the 36 players shortlisted for the next phase of the Under 18 camp.
The short listed players would resume training at the Hockey Stadium, Johor Town, Lahore from 11 February. World Cup winner Kamran Ashraf is the camp commandant.
SHORTLISTED PROBABLES FOR PAKISTAN UNDER -18 CAMP
Goal Keepers:
WAQAR YOUNAS (Lahore), AKMAL HUSSAIN (Sheikhupura), ADIL RAO (Gojra), AIMAL KHAN (Bannu) & AWAIS RASHEED (Lahore)
Defenders:
AMJAD ALI (Bannu), RIZWAN ALI (Faisalabad), ALI RAZA (Gojra), IBRAHIM KHAN (Mardan), MOIN SHAKEEL (Lahore), ADEEL LATEEF (Lahore), JUNAID MANZOOR (Bahawalpur), MUHIBULLAH (Bannu) & ASIF HANIF (Hafizabad)
Forwards:
GHAZANFAR ALI (Kasoor), AWAIS ARSHAD (T.T.Singh), ALI AZIZ (Lahore), WAQAR ALI (Gojra), NAVEED ALAM (T.T.Singh), ZAIN EJAZ (Gujranwala), HAMMAD ANJUM (Sahiwal), WAQAS BUTT (Gojra), JUNAID RASOOL (Gojra), ZULQARNAIN (Pir Mahal), KHAIR ULLAH (Bannu), SHAHZAIB KHAN (Wah Cantt), ZAKIR ULLAH (Bannu), ABDULLAH BABAR (Sargodha), AMJAD REHMAN (Peshawar), MURTAZA YAQOOB (Lahore), ABUZAR (Faisalabad), MUHAMMAD UMAR (Gojra), MUHAMMAD ABID (Pir Mahal), AFRAZ (Peshawar), AHMED NADEEM (Sahiwal), UMAR SATTAR (Faisalabad)
PHF Media release
Hockey Madhya Bharat breaks World Record in hockey juggling
Indian hockey players recently broke a world record for hockey skills Photo: Hockey India
742 players successfully broke a Guinness Book of World Record of the highest number of people keeping a hockey ball in the air for 30 seconds
In an incredible and historic feat, Hockey Madhya Bharat successfully broke a World Record on Thursday, January 26, when India celebrated its 68th Republic Day.
To mark the occasion, the Hockey Madhya Bharat officials successfully attempted a World Record involving 950 players and the challenge was to have the highest number of people juggle a hockey ball simultaneously with a hockey stick in the air for 30 seconds.
Out of the 950 participants, 742 players successfully kept the ball in the air for 30 seconds and officially entered the Guinness Book of Records. Previously the record of ‘most people keeping the hockey ball in the air for 30 seconds’ was held by the United Kingdom where 250 participants kept the hockey ball in the air for 30 seconds.
This attempt was carried out at the LNIPE Hockey Stadium in Gwalior under the leadership of Dr Brij Kishore Prasad, Assistant Professor at LNIPE, and Mr. Devendra Pratap Singh Tomar, Associate Vice President Hockey India and President, Madhya Bharat Hockey Association. According to participants, an entire year of practice went into the successful completion of this incredible attempt to break the world record.
The innovative initiative was carried out to motivate more people, especially youngsters, to pick up the hockey stick and stay active with hockey. This is very much in line with the International Hockey Federation's 10-year Hockey Revolution strategy which aims to make hockey a global game that inspires the next generation.
Check out all of the action below:
https://youtu.be/xLyCWtdpA30
FIH site
Bees announce Rotterdam partnership
Nottingham based Beeston Hockey Club and Dutch club, HC Rotterdam, have formally announced a ground-breaking new partnership which aims to transform the development of club hockey in Europe. The clubs, both recent league champions in their respective countries and regular participants in Europe’s premier club competition, the Euro Hockey League joined forces on 1st February.
Beeston and Rotterdam are both clubs which have successfully integrated high performance sport with an inclusive family-oriented approach which caters for all. Both have prioritised investment in exceptional hockey facilities and share an ethos of continuous improvement. The partnership, believed to be the first of its kind, aims to develop both clubs, whilst establishing cross-border links which will help to foster and protect the wider interests of European club hockey. The twinning arrangement will include sharing best practice on the pitch in terms of player and coach exchange and development, as well as supporting off-pitch activities such as facility development, event hosting, administration, finance and sponsorship.
Links between the clubs have grown in recent years as former Beeston and England penalty corner ace Simon Egerton joined Rotterdam, quickly establishing himself as a leading goal scorer in the Dutch Premier League. He was joined at Rotterdam for the current season by former Beeston league winners and Rio Olympians Adam Dixon and Harry Martin. At the same time, goalkeeper Sofie ter Kuile from Rotterdam is currently playing for Beeston whilst studying at Trent College.
Beeston Chairman, Graham Griffiths, commented, “With all the changes at international level that are taking place in the next few years, it is essential that club hockey continues to play a major part in the development of our players. This partnership brings two national giants together as we strive to strengthen club hockey in Europe.”
Rotterdam Chairman, Edwin Brouwers, commented, “As a club, we constantly seek for new and innovative ways to deliver value to our membership, both for performance and for recreational players. With Beeston we have found a club that shares our passion for club hockey and the development of teams and players. I am convinced there is a tremendous potential in our partnership.”
As part of the first stage of the partnership, both have announced the following immediate action:
Mark van Rijn (Head of Performance Sport, HC Rotterdam) has joined Beeston’s Board of Directors as an advisor and David Griffiths (Director, Beeston Hockey Club), has joined the Rotterdam Board as an advisor also.
The combined membership of the twinned clubs is a total of 3,200 members.
In addition to this immediate change, the twinned clubs intend to introduce the following benefits in the coming months:
Player exchange – an opportunity to give top hockey players experience in a different hockey culture and country.
Educational opportunities for members to study and play abroad.
Touring opportunities for all teams. The opportunity for coaches from the two clubs to share best practices and exchange ideas.
HC Rotterdam captain and Dutch Olympic star, Jeroen Hertzberger commented, “This is a fantastic initiative for the two clubs to work closely together. Beeston have a reputation of producing quality international hockey players in the UK so this is a great opportunity, particularly for our younger players to experience and develop their hockey abroad with the option to study as well.”
Former Beeston captain, Great Britain Olympian and current HC Rotterdam player, Adam Dixon commented, “I’m delighted that my two clubs have entered into this partnership. This is a fantastic opportunity for players from Beeston to experience hockey in the Dutch league and players at Rotterdam to come over to the UK. Beeston are one of England’s strongest clubs and Rotterdam are probably the biggest club in the world so there is much that we can learn from each other.”
A special plaque will be unveiled at both clubs to mark the beginning of this unique twinning arrangement.
For more information about the partnership, please contact the club by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (UK) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Netherlands)
England Hockey Board Media release
Peter Savage loses his fight with terminal cancer
by Dil Bahra
Peter Savage, extreme right at the Euro Hockey Championship at Olympic Park in London in August 2015 where he was the Media Centre Manager. Photo:Dil Bahra
Peter Savage, the well known and respected photographer and writer, lost his fight with terminal cancer last night.
Peter was involved in hockey in various positions throughout his life - a true servant of the game. I first knew him when he was umpiring and writing for Hockey Sport. We were both Police Officers, he with Sussex Police and me with the Met. We were both members of the Hockey Writers' Club and served on the committee for many years. In 2008 he was elected as the Chairman of the Club and I was the secretary.
He was a great supporter of The Hockey Museum (THM) and last December THM chose to dedicate its Oral History Collection in his name.
FIeldhockey.com
Peter Savage
Peter Savage at the Olympics in 2012
England Hockey are saddened to hear the news of the passing of Peter Savage.
Peter, a former player, umpire and technical official is probably remembered best as one of English Hockey’s most well known photographers and hockey journalists. He was a member of the Sports Journalists’ Association, the International Sports Press Association, and committee member of Hockey Writers’ Club, of which he is a past chairman.
Peter started photographing hockey in 1996 alongside writing articles in the old Hockey Sport magazine. In 2005 he started the web site TalkHockeyRadio, using his experience as a former freelancer for BBC Radio Sussex. As time went on he focused more on the photography side of things with his pictures appearing in publications, both at home and abroad.
Peter covered several Hockey World Cups (both outdoors and indoors), European Championships, Champions Trophies, various rounds of the Euro Hockey League, the indoor championships and the London Olympics.
Famously, during the 2009 European Championship final between England and Germany, Peter was one of the sole photographers to position himself at the end England were attacking, with the other photographers favouring the much-fancied Germans. England ran out 5-3 winners and Peter’s faith paid off as he had the best shots of the England players celebrating.
In 2014 he stood down from travelling abroad for tournaments to concentrate on English domestic hockey. The 2014 World Cup in The Hague was his last foreign assignment, but he instead brought his wealth of experience to tournaments in England, working as a Media Centre Manager on behalf of England Hockey.
In March 2016 Peter was taken seriously ill with brain cancer. He approached this challenge with typical good humour and determination, continuing to photograph local rugby at Worthing RFC with the help of his wife, Stella whilst staying in contact with his many friends from across the hockey world.
All at England Hockey send their best wishes to Peter’s friends and family at this difficult time.
Details of the funeral arrangements will be circulated when they are known.
England Hockey Board Media release