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All the news for Thursday 16 March 2017

Schedule confirmed for Women’s FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final 2017, Brussels



The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced the schedule of the Women’s FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final 2017 in Brussels, Belgium, signalling the official launch of ticket sales for the event.

The Hockey World Cup 2018 qualifier, which takes place between 21 June and 2 July 2017 at the Stade Fallon, will feature 10 of the world’s best women’s hockey teams.

Seven teams are already confirmed for this showcase event, including reigning Hockey World Cup champions Netherlands, who currently sit at the top of the FIH Hero World Rankings. They will be looking for back to back wins in Belgium after winning the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final held in Antwerp back in 2015.

2016 Olympic and Hockey Champions Trophy silver medallists, Netherlands, will be joined by Australia (WR: 4), the team they defeated in the final of the 2014 World Cup. The Hockeyroos’ Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand (WR: 5) will be aiming to continue their fine form in this competition, while Asian rivals China (WR: 8) and Korea (WR: 9) and home favourites Belgium (WR: 14) will also be aiming to impress.

Spain (WR: 10) were the latest team to qualify for the event having finished top of the standings at the Hockey World League Round 2 event held in Valencia, Spain in February.

Three more teams will qualify from the Hockey World League Round 2 events which are currently taking place in locations around the world, with those teams allocated to each of the women’s Semi-Finals on 10 April 2017.

With at least four matches taking place each day, fans will be treated to eight days of non-stop magic as the world’s best women’s teams go head to head as they bid to qualify for the Hockey World League Final, taking place in Auckland, New Zealand later this year, and the Hockey World Cup 2018, which will be held in London, England.

In addition to qualification for those events, vital FIH Hero World Ranking points will be awarded depending on final standings, which could ultimately decide on nations’ qualification for future international events.

The Pool matches will take place from 21-27 June before the classification matches begin on Thursday 29 June, which include the quarter-finals. The winners of those quarter-finals will guarantee qualification for the Hockey World Cup 2018 and, depending on New Zealand’s final standing, a spot in the Hockey World League Final. The semi-finals will then take place on Saturday 1 July with the event concluding on Sunday 2 July, with the final scheduled for 18:00 (CEST). There’s many more exciting matches throughout the week, with the full schedule published on the official event website here.

This is the final edition of the Hockey World League in its current format, with FIH launching a new portfolio of events within the next couple of years. Fans can therefore ensure they are part of history by purchasing their tickets for the last ever Semi-Finals through the official ticket website, here.

Fans can take advantage of early bird prices which include a 25% discount, with tickets priced between €19 and €30 for adults, €6 to €10 for children aged 5-11 and €13 to €20 for youths aged 12-17. Packages for the whole tournament or for the finals are also available now with the same discount.

Fans can find out who qualifies from the Hockey World League Round 2 events over the coming months by visiting the official event webpages at FIH.ch. They can also keep up to date with all the latest information from the Hockey World League by following FIH on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

More about the Hockey World League
Composed of four rounds and played over two years, the Hockey World League shines a spotlight on the sport around the world. Even the smallest hockey-playing nations have the opportunity to write their own chapter in hockey’s history books.

TICKETS
Brussels, Belgium: http://worldleague2017brussels.com/tickets
London, England: http://englandhockey.seetickets.com/tour/men-s-hockey-world-league-semi-final
Johannesburg, South Africa: TBC

FIH site

Watch Wellington Black Sticks tests live



We have you sorted for live coverage of the Vantage Black Sticks Men vs Pakistan in Wellington this weekend!

Tests on Friday 17th, Saturday 18th and Monday 20th March will be streamed live through the Hockey New Zealand website from the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington.

Following the Wellington tests, the Vantage Black Sticks and Pakistan head to Wairarapa for a further two tests on 22nd and 23rd March. Unfortunately these will not be live streamed.

Live streaming of the Wellington test matches is proudly presented by Ford New Zealand.

CLICK HERE to watch LIVE or on demand

VANTAGE BLACK STICKS MEN vs PAKISTAN – MATCH SCHEDULE

National Hockey Stadium, Wellington
Friday 17th March - Game 1 - 6:30pm
Saturday 18th March - Game 2 - 4:30pm
Monday 20th March - Game 3 - 7:00pm

Trust House Hockey Wairarapa, Clareville
Wednesday 22nd March - Game 4 - 6:30pm
Thursday 23rd March - Game 5 - 6:30pm

VANTAGE BLACK STICKS MEN
 Pakistan Series – 17-23 March

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Panesar and Pereira bring youth flavour to Senior National Team, World League 2

Shaheed Devji



When Canada’s men take to the field for the first time since the 2016 Olympic Games at World League Round 2 in Trinidad and Tobago on March 25, they will do so with some new faces.

Not only does the 18-man roster feature a few faces that were not at the Olympics – including the likes of John Smythe and James Kirkpatrick – but it also consists of two familiar faces to the Junior – not Senior – program: Balraj Panesar and Brandon Pereira.

Panesar and Pereira are both coming off participating in the 2016 Junior World Cup in India, and shortly after representing Canada at Junior hockey’s biggest competition, were named to Canada’s senior Men’s National Team for the first time in January.

“Had both those guys not been going to a Junior World Cup, where we wanted them to play, maybe they would have played (on the senior level) last year at some stage” says Men’s National Team head coach Anthony Farry. “I think their progression, and the timing of what they’re doing is perfect now.”

In addition to being a part of the Junior program, both were part of the men’s Senior Development Squad last year, so training with the seniors is not something new.

But playing in a senior international competition – let alone one with implications like World League 2 – is fairly foreign to the duo.

Panesar has played in just three senior matches, all back in 2014 on a tour in New Zealand, but has gone to two Junior World Cups.

“It’s a good feeling, after being on the junior team for about 3-4 years,” he says. “It feels good to make that step on to the Senior Team. Nothing is guaranteed. It doesn’t mean we’re here to stay, we have to keep working at it.”

Pereira has also been to two Junior World Cups and will be making his senior debut when Canada hits the field in Trinidad and Tobago.

“It’s a great jump,” says Pereira of his time training full-time with the men since the beginning of the year. “It’s good to see the game being played at such a fast pace.

“It’s emphasized throughout our training, our transitions need to be faster, the whole game needs the played at a faster pace.”

Both have served as co-captains in recent Junior tournaments, and were effectively the veterans of the Junior team.

Now, the dynamic changes, as they take to the field with Olympians, players with hundreds of internationals caps, and some teammates ten years their senior in age.

“A few of the guys have retired after the Olympics, and a lot of the guys have been talking about the younger guys pushing for selection and making the daily training environment more competitive,” says Panesar, who joins his older brother Sukhi – a 2016 Olympian – on the Senior Team. “I think a little bit of injection of youth is always good for the squad.”

And while their addition to the Senior National Team and the first competition of the year seems like a natural progression for the two, Farry is quick to point out that their inclusion is based purely on ability.

“The big thing is their selection is based on merit,” he says. “It’s not because they’re young guys or anything like that. It’s because they deserve to be there.”

“We’re not having to build them up in terms speed or capacity or understanding. They’re good enough right now to be in there and they fully deserve their opportunity. “

That opportunity comes at World League 2, where Canada will be looking to advance to the World League Semi-Final and continue its journey to the 2018 World Cup. And for Panesar and Pereira, it’s the beginning of what they hope is a journey that takes the far beyond that competition and to a long and fruitful career at the senior international level.

Canada opens World League Round 2 on March 25 against the United States at 1:15pm (local time) in Tacarigua, Trinidad and Tobago. Click here for Canada’s full schedule, results, and game recaps.

Field Hockey Canada media release

Wegnez makes emotional move from Daring to Dragons



Belgium Under-21 captain Victor Wegnez has decided to leave Daring this summer for KHC Dragons, saying that it was a really tough decision to make.

The 21-year-old led the national youth team to silver at last year’s Junior World Cup and has previously played in the EHL with Daring, helping them reach the FINAL4.

Wegnez was widely tipped to move last summer but stayed with the club of his youth for another season. Speaking to the Hockey Belgium website about the move this year, he said: “It was an extremely complicated decision to take on an emotional level.

"After I went home after announcing the move, I started crying because I was really sad to leave Daring. But I also know this is a positive decision for me to continue my development."

He was also in discussions with Racing Club de Bruxelles and Den Bosch but said he quickly felt an affinity with the reigning Belgian champions.

"I had a really good feeling with Dragons from the start. They offered me a very ambitious sports project which can also help me with the national team.

“I'm going to move to Brasschaat with many other Red Lions and this can only be beneficial for my evolution. Racing and Den Bosch also offered me solid proposals but the Dragons really impressed me. So I decided to follow my instinct."

Dragons head of top hockey Manu Leroy said of the new addition: "Victor is one of the great talents of Belgian hockey that we have been following for a while. With his arrival, we strengthen the core of our team and our ambitions. I am convinced that Victor will not only be part of the team but also of the club."

Euro Hockey League media release

Kate Richardson-Walsh heads for Euro hall of fame while wife Helen heads for retirement

Graeme Copas



Legendary England and Great Britain women’s hockey captain Kate Richardson-Walsh has been nominated for a place in the European Hockey Hall of Fame.

Richardson-Walsh, who lived in Maidenhead for many years until a recent move to live and work in Holland, won 375 caps in a 17-year international career, culminating in an historic Olympic gold medal for Great Britain’s women’s team in Rio last summer, lining up in the same team as her wife Helen.

She then retired from international hockey at the very pinnacle of her career, having been named flagbearer for Team GB at the Olympic closing ceremony.

The 36-year-old said she is honoured to be nominated for the hall of fame.

"I remember being at the 2013 European Championships in Belgium when the first three people were being inducted into the hall of fame,” she said.

“I looked on thinking ‘wow, they’re legends of the game’, so it’s a big honour that I could join them. At the same time, it’s a bit strange because they’re individual accolades in a team sport.

“To represent your country is very special and something that I will hold dear for the rest of my life.

“To think that if I am inducted into the Hall of Fame, I will be representing a lot of people, and a lot of legends that we have had in the game in England and Great Britain, but I feel there should be more of us in there!”

Having inspired a generation, since Rio she also became an OBE for services to hockey, and was the first hockey player ever to be nominated for BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Award, finishing sixth overall and the second-highest placed female.

Last week she was invited to 10 Downing Street to help mark International Women’s Day, and was also asked by the United Nations to be in the HeForShe Arts Week.

Wife Helen, who also won gold in Rio, has hinted that her days in the hockey spotlight might also be behind her.

Speaking on the Simon Mayo's Radio 2 show last week she said: “After 17 years in the national squad, I'm not necessarily going to continue in the team.

“My body is screaming at me to stop, but it's difficult as I have been playing for so long.

“At the moment I'm still playing domestically in Holland and just enjoying that.”

Windsor and Eton Express

LiveSportsTalks host 3 Olympic Gold medallists on 30 March

LiveSportsTalks are very excited to welcome 3 of the Team GB women's Hockey team that won Gold in last Summers Olympic games! Hollie Webb, Georgie Twigg and Shona McCallin will be joining us to share their stories on their heroic performances in Rio! Join us for an exciting evening of live discussion with 3 GOLD winning Olympians! Make sure you bring your questions for the girls for the Q & A session at the end!

All ages are welcome!

Limited amount of early bird tickets available! Free 'The Hockey Paper' for everyone on the night!

So with our next event creeping up, we are going to be sharing some facts about our 3 guests, Hollie Webb, Shona McCallin and Georgie Twigg!

Did you know....

Georgie will not be taking part of the next Olympic games as she is focusing on training to be a lawyer!

Shona lived and played Hockey in Holland for 3 and a half years and is fluent in Dutch!

Hollie has an economic degree from the University of Sheffield!

There is still time to be a part of our next event by getting your ticket at www.livesporttalks.com!

Venue - The Dickens Inn, St Katherines Docks, London. E1W 1UN

Date and Timings -Thursday 30th March  19:30 - 21:00 ( Doors open at 19:00)

Everyone will get a FREE copy of the popular publication 'The Hockey Paper'!

See you on the 30th!

LiveSportTalks

Tickets now on sale for highly-anticipated 2017 Pan American Cups



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Experience uncharted adrenaline from scoreboard sagas Friday, August 4 – Sunday, August 13 when USA Field Hockey hosts the 2017 Pan American Cups. Now is your opportunity to view international hockey heroes in-person as a total of 16 international men’s and women’s hockey teams duke it out for the championship titles at Spooky Nook Sports, the Home of Hockey. Another layer of intensity is established as the event is a direct qualifier to the FIH World Cup and a pathway for qualification to the Pan American Games.

The tournament is sure to draw thousands of fans from the Pan American nations to create a symphony of ear-splitting roars as the squads flaunt their deep skill sets. Now, you have the chance to be one of them.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Tickets will be for sale by assigned sections during the Pan American Cups. Single session tickets (includes two games for the AM or PM session that day) start at $18 to sit in Section D (farthest from the center of the pitch), $20 for Section C, and $22 for seats in Section B (closest to the center). Youth and Active Duty Military tickets will be available for 50 percent off of the normal ticket prices. Full Day Passes and Multi-Game Packages are also available, so click the link above for a full ticket listing!

Bringing a group? Contact Glen Hollingsworth by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to order your tickets today! Group discounts will be $1 per ticket for groups of 10 or more, $2 per ticket for groups of 20 or more and $3 per ticket for groups of 30 or more.

USA Field hockey will be seeking many volunteers to assist with multiple roles for the duration of the Pan American Cups. Interested individuals should register on our accreditation system here and provide their contact information as well as availability. Interested media outlets will need to register for credentials through the same system.  You will receive a confirmation email that registration has been received.

Follow USA Field Hockey on Twitter for event updates and all things related to the sport in the United States.

For more information on the PAHF competitions and programs, please visit the Pan American Hockey Federation web site at www.panamhockey.org

Pan American Hockey Federaion media release