News for 04 July 2017
All the news for Tuesday 4 July 2017
FIH Hockey World League Semifinals in South Africa Holds Great Potential for USWNT
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – The International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) Hockey World League Semifinals holds great potential for the U.S. Women’s National Team, as they look to automatically qualify for the 2018 Hockey World Cup in London, England and advance to the FIH Hockey World League Finals in Auckland, New Zealand at the end of the year. Arriving in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday, June 29, Team USA wasted no time taking part in training sessions in the host nation and they are set to play two friendly matches before the start of the big competition.
“After a good training block at home the past four weeks, we are happy to be in Johannesburg and are excited for the tournament to begin,” said Janneke Schopman, USWNT Head Coach. “Being here early, gives us the time to get used to the time difference as well as the higher altitude. We have scheduled two practice matches against high quality teams to finalize our skills and work on the last details to be fully ready for our first game against Chile.”
Taking place at Wits Hockey Club, FIH Hockey World League Semifinals is divided into two pools made up of five teams. FIH Hero World Ranked No. 6 Team USA sits in Pool B with reigning Hockey Champions Trophy and Hockey World League champions, No. 3 Argentina, along with No. 12 India, No. 13 South Africa and No. 20 Chile. The USWNT is set to play Chile in their first pool game on Saturday, July 8 at 10 a.m. EST (4 p.m. local time).
Equally as competitive, Pool A is made up of FIH Hero World Ranked No. 2 and recent Rio 2016 Olympic Games Gold Medalist England, No. 7 Germany, No. 15 Ireland, No. 11 Japan and No. 18 Poland.
FIH Hockey World League Pool Matches:
Saturday, July 8 USA vs. Chile 10 a.m. EST
Monday, July 10 USA vs. India 12 p.m. EST
Friday, July 14 USA vs. Argentina 10 a.m. EST
Sunday, July 16 USA vs. South Africa 10 a.m. EST
The FIH has confirmed that the Semifinals will be streamed in the United States on ESPN 3/WatchESPN. A link to watch the game will be provided prior to the start on the FIH Hockey World League Semifinals Event Page by clicking here.
Hockey World League is composed of four rounds and played over two years. The event’s schedule alternately coincides with the build-up to the Hockey World Cup and the Olympic Games, providing half of the qualifiers for both top-tier tournaments. Teams that have made it through Hockey World League Round 1 and Round 2, move on to compete in the Semifinals. Ten teams take part in the Semifinals, which are comprised of the host plus five teams who qualified based on their FIH Hero World Ranking. The remaining four teams qualified through Round 2. Team USA received an automatic bid to this year’s event because of their world ranking.
Prior to the Semifinals, the USWNT will play in two friendly matches against Argentina and Germany on July 4 and July 5. These friendly matches will not be streamed or live tweeted.
USFHA media release
Changes to Kookaburras World League Team
Wickham in for Ockenden
Holly MacNeil
Changes have been made to the Kookaburras team who will contest the World League Semi-Final in Johannesburg, South Africa this month.
Eddie Ockenden has ruled himself out of the team who will take part in the Semi-Final in order to spend time with his partner and their newborn son.
In his place Tom Wickham, who was already joining the team for a pre-tournament camp, will now continue on to compete in the World League Semi-Final.
Kookaburras head coach Colin Batch said: “Eddie’s first priority is his family and we understand and support his decision to remain in Perth with them.
“We’re confident that Tom is the best person to bring into the team for the World League Semi-Final in Eddie’s place.”
The World League Semi-Final is an important event in the hockey calendar, allowing teams to qualify for not only the World League Final which will take place this December, but also for the 2018 World Cup.
The Kookaburras’ games will be shown live on Fox Sports Australia, with their first game against France on Tuesday, 11 July.
The full Kookaburras team now taking part in the World League Semi-Final consists of:
Athlete (Hometown, State)
Kiran Arunasalam (Doncaster East, VIC)
Daniel Beale (Brisbane, QLD)
Andrew Charter (Canberra, ACT)
Tom Craig (Lane Cove, NSW)
Matt Dawson (Killarney Vale, NSW)
Jeremy Edwards (Hobart, TAS)
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT)
Aaron Kleinschmidt (Melbourne, VIC)
Mark Knowles (Rockhampton, QLD)
Tyler Lovell (Perth, WA)
Trent Mitton (Perth, WA)
Josh Pollard (Melbourne, VIC)
Matt Swann (Mackay, QLD)
Jake Whetton (Brisbane, QLD)
Tristan White (Wollongong, NSW)
Tom Wickham (Morgan, SA)
Dylan Wotherspoon (Murwillumbah, NSW) *plays for QLD
Aran Zalewski (Margaret River, WA)
Hockey Australia media release
Fulton reading little into healthy stats ahead of HWL3
“I don’t even want to know the stats!” Craig Fulton on Ireland’s recent good run. Pic: Adrian Boehm
Craig Fulton is not reading much into the Irish men's superb run of form in 2017 to date other than the upbeat mood it has brought the new-look side as a glut of new faces make their mark ahead of the World League Semi-Final
“I don’t even want to know the stats!” Craig Fulton replies when presented with the impressive run of form the Irish men are on, cutting off The Hook mid-sentence.
The Green Machine added a 2-1 challenge match win over New Zealand on Monday afternoon to their repertoire in Johannesburg, adding to their run of 11 wins in their last 12 capped matches. Indeed, they have suffered just one loss in 2017 in 16 games all told.
The coach, though, is anxious to read as little as possible into that run of form as the real business approaches and the battle to pin down a first men’s World Cup berth since 1990.
“It sets us up for a fall!” he adds. It’s pleasing [to be winning games] but we have won nothing yet and haven’t qualified. If we win all the ‘wrong games’ and don’t qualify, it’s pointless.
“That’s worst thing for me and the group – to start believing in stuff like that, that we are unstoppable when we go into the game against South Africa or Egypt. If we are not where we need to be then all that goes out the window.”
Nonetheless, there is confidence to be garnered from the performances since the turn of the year. In the wake of Rio, many players were forced to take a break from the international game, owing their employers holiday time.
There have been injuries, too, with Michael Robson, John Jermyn and Peter Caruth all available until ailments befell them, meaning that just nine Olympians were around for World League Round 2. Now, only eight are in situ in South Africa in spite of John Jackson and Alan Sothern’s welcome return.
But among those issues, Ireland have regenerated well with the likes of Sean Murray, Jonny McKee, Matthew Nelson and Jeremy Duncan quickly forming new understandings.
“We have produced good results through adversity because the team has changed so much. That is a big tick for the group, the leaders and the youngsters that have come in. It’s really refreshing. We put a lot of emphasis on the culture in the team and everyone is responding.
“Everyone’s happy to be playing. Alan Sothern has had a break and come back refreshed, Jacko the same and doing really well. It’s a good place to be.”
There is one very notable absentee. Ronan Gormley will miss just a second world ranking tournament in the last decade as he misses out on the Irish men’s World Cup qualifying bid in Johannesburg which gets underway next Sunday.
Since 2007, the defender has only missed out on 2014’s Champions Challenge I event in Malaysia in an incredible career, taking part in 18 of the last 19 events, amassing a record 256 caps.
Fulton confirmed his exclusion was not a decision based on form but was “inevitable at some point” as work reasons barred the 34-year-old from being involved this week and also August’s Euros.
“He’s not able to get the time off because he has taken a lot of time off in the last 18 months,” Fulton confirmed. “You can’t replace Ronan’s experience so that’s a big challenge.
“We’d known since before Hamburg that he wasn’t going to be able to do anything in this block. It’s inevitable at some point that it would happen and has happened to many other seniors. John Jackson, Mitch Darling and so on.”
It opens the door for Stu Loughrey to make a return to tournament action in defence with Stephen Cole another back in the frame in midfield.
“[Their selection] was coming off the back of the England and Pakistan series. They settled well and with Michael Robson injured and Ronan unavailable, the dynamic has changed a bit.
“Stephen Cole hasn’t had a lot of tournament experience but he has a lot of hockey experience and he fits in nicely there.”
Ronan Gormley is missing just his second top level tournament since 2007. Pic: Adrian Boehm
In comparison to the Olympic build-up, Fulton says that this week he aims to not over-analyse the opposition – starting with South Africa on Sunday – in the final lead-in to the World League.
“I used to do a lot of the video work for the first two teams in the preparation week and then let the other games run their course. We will keep it simple and the focus is firmly on what we do.
“Before, I went into a lot of depth and detail. We are a young group and they don’t need to know all that. We had a really experienced group [in Rio] who are used to that kind of information and know what you are talking about. With a young group and overloading them too soon, it’s counter-productive and can stifle them.
“There will be recce going on because we need to have our ducks in a row for the first game and it’s nice to play strong preparation games against New Zealand and Australia. They will put us into a test situation which should have us ready for a strong South African team.”
Looking at the first opponents, many of the side are well known to Fulton. Jethro Eustice and Gowan Jones both played in Ireland with Pembroke and Corinthian.
Fulton’s time in the South African squad over-lapped with Austin Smith; Tim Drummond played at SCHC with David and Conor Harte and so forth.
The coach reckons the hosts are experienced at the back with youthful flyers up front, similar to Ireland, with ambitions of playing an attacking style.
For South Africa, there is plenty for them to put right after a couple of tricky years. In 2015, they only finished fourth in Cape Town in World League Round 2.
Rio qualification via the African Cup of Nations was not deemed enough for their Olympic council to take up a Rio invite, meaning they have plenty to prove.
“They have their own pressures; they didn’t go to Rio and didn’t get out of World League Round 2 [in 2015] in Cape Town. A home tournament can be the best place to be or can turn into a very difficult place to be if you don’t get results in front of a home crowd.
“I can’t say much more than that because I haven’t seen them play much. But it is set up nicely for a cracker as both sides need to get a result.”
After that comes a tough tie against Belgium, the Olympic silver medalists, on Tuesday, July 11. World number 19 Egpyt follow two days later before completing the group stage against Germany after a three-day break.
The first target is to ensure a top four finish from the five-team group to advance to the quarter-finals where a win would assure a World Cup ticket. As such, the aim is to win as many games as possible to gain that playoff place with nothing else on the mind.
Stephen Cole adds to the midfield options for the World League semi-final. Pic: Adrian Boehm
“All of the group games are important. Every game for us, there is an opportunity there. We want to get full points from the games we should supposedly win but this is international sport. You can target whatever you like and then world ranking goes out the window so approach everything at your peril.”
** All matches will be broadcast on BT Sport; you can see the exact channels here: http://sport.bt.com/tv-guide-01363810618853
** In the lead-up to the World League semi-final, we will have interviews with Roisin Upton, Katie Mullan and Conor Harte on The Hook.
Ireland (Hockey World League Semi-final, July 9-23): D Harte (GK, SV Kampong), Jamie Carr (GK, Three Rock Rovers), J Jackson (Bath Buccaneers), J Bell (Lisnagarvey), M Bell (Banbridge), C Cargo (Hampstead & Westminster), M Nelson (Lisnagarvey), A Sothern (Pembroke), E Magee (Banbridge), N Glassey (Lisnagarvey), S O’Donoghue (Glenanne), S Murray (Lisnagarvey), J McKee (Banbridge), P Gleghorne (Lisnagarvey), J Duncan (Herakles), C Harte (Racing Club de Bruxelles), S Loughrey (Hampstead & Westminster), S Cole (Monkstown)
Hockey World League semi-final
Pool A: Australia (2), New Zealand (8), Spain (10), Japan (16), France (17)
Pool B: Germany (3), Belgium (5), Ireland (9), South Africa (15), Egypt (19)
July 9: Ireland vs South Africa, 6pm
July 11: Ireland vs Belgium, 6pm
July 13: Ireland vs Egypt, 12pm
July 17: Ireland vs Germany, 4pm
July 19: Quarter-finals
July 21: Semi-finals; 5th-8th playoffs
July 23: Final, classification matches
The Hook
Hockey India League in jeopardy?
Payments to players across several franchises for the 2017 edition are reportedly delayed
Uthra Ganesan
A screamer: Delhi Waveriders in action during the HIL
Unhappy franchises and financial concerns may see the end of the Hockey India League after just five seasons. Unconfirmed reports suggest that HI has advised the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that there will be no HIL in 2018.
While there has been no official word from either organisation, sources say trouble has been brewing for a while.
Jaypee has been reluctant to continue with Punjab team because of financial problems, said a source. The Delhi franchisee (Wave Group) has been given two weeks to clarify its position. With a stake in two teams, Sahara too has reportedly been under pressure.
Also, payment to players across several franchises for the 2017 edition are reportedly delayed and still pending.
But there have been no official complaints.
The Hindu
Scotland U21 women strike four in victory over Wales Development
Lexi Sabatelli
Scotland U21 Women clocked up a superb 4-1 win over Wales Development as they continue their preparations for the U21 European Championships in the Czech Republic.
It was a fast-paced and energetic opening to the match where Scotland enjoyed most of the ball. The team looked sharp with Lexi Sabatelli and Lorna Cruickshank causing the Welsh problems in the early stages.
Despite a lack of clear opportunities it was a good first quarter for Scotland, where the Scots enjoyed the majority of the play.
Into the second quarter and Sabatelli was body-checked after some good play by Chloe Hardie and Ellie Hutcheson, it eventually led to a lofted ball into the D that Lauren Mackenzie-Bell launched herself towards, but couldn’t connect her stick to get the ball on target.
Then some lovely ball control by Sabatelli found Hardie in the D, who found a Welsh foot, winning Scotland a penalty corner. The initial effort by Emily Newlands struck another foot leading to a second penalty corner. Newlands stepped up again and this time she gave Scotland the lead, slamming her penalty corner into the bottom right corner.
The Scots had their tales up after the goal. Some excellent skill by Emily Dark saw her dribble into the D and win a penalty corner. It was Dark who struck at goal from the injection but Gemma Pryce in goal for Wales saved well with her leg guards.
With Scotland pressing well it was a quick break that led to an equaliser for Wales. The quick counter-attack finished with Alice Bennett adding the final touch to score before the break.
A short time after the restart, Rosie Bailey won the ball for Wales in a very dangerous area and drove powerfully towards the Scottish D. Katie Stott however made up ground at rapid speed to put in a superb challenge, and take the ball from Bailey to clear the danger.
Up the other end of the pitch and a foul on Dark won Scotland a penalty corner five minutes into the second half. Dark stepped up to strike it herself and her drag flick found its way past the goalkeeper to give Scotland a 2-1 lead.
In retaliation, Wales’ Alice Bennett broke forward but Megan Inch was out quickly to slide and block the ball before a clean shot at goal could be struck.
Scotland themselves broke forward at pace once more and Sabatelli, out wide on the left, zipped the ball across the goal but there were no takers in a Scotland jersey at the far post.
A third goal for Scotland came soon enough. A deflection from an Emily Dark cross found its way into the back of the Welsh net – Emma McDiarmid was in the mix but the final touch came of a Welsh stick to give Scotland the goal.
As the match surged towards its conclusion, once more some Sabatelli skills fashioned an opportunity on the right of the D, but this time her shot was well saved by the goalkeeper with her leg guards.
Scotland wouldn’t be denied another goal and extended the lead late in the game. Millie Steiger deflected a penalty corner to make it 4-1 and give Scotland U21 Women a super victory as they prepare for the European Championships in Czech Republic.
Photos by Mark Pugh
Scottish Hockey Union media release
U-19 USMNT Finishes European Tour with Three Highly Competitive Matches
GRONINGEN, The Netherlands - The U.S. U-19 Men’s National Team faced strong opponents in matches against Belgium (0-10) and The Netherland’s (0-6) Junior National Teams. Even though both games were marked as shutouts, Team USA gathered great international experience against highly competitive and skilled junior teams.
The final game of the European Tour, saw the U-19 USMNT on the field opposite Groningen Hockey Club A1 (GHHC). The first quarter saw USA’s goalkeeper David Kristof (Darien, Conn.) successfully defended two GHHC penalty corners while the U-19 USMNT found the backboard as Garry Singh (Corona, Calif.) opened the scoring off a penalty corner flick.
Possession swung between both teams in the second corner and Team USA earned a penalty corner but was unable to convert. GHHC found the equalizer late in the quarter to make it 1-1.
The lead for GHHC came toward the end of the third quarter when they capitalized on two field goals to make it 1-3.
GHHC found the net one more time in the fourth quarter while Alex Curtis (London, England) ended the game for Team USA with a final goal scored on a penalty corner. The match result would stand at USA 2, GHCC 4.
"This tour was an enormous eye opener for our young men,” said Rutger Wiese, U-19 USMNT Head Coach. “In order for us to continue to grow we will aim to play many more games against top notch competition in the coming years. We're looking forward to helping these boys reach their potential."
“It's nice to be with the future generation USA athletes,” said Mohan Gandhi, USMNT midfielder. “Great to be helping them develop into my future teammates.”
“In my junior program, we used to have two tours maximum with the same opponents year after year,” commented Michael Barminski, USMNT Co-Captain. “Now, these juniors competed against four teams in a week - two Dutch club teams that are in top leagues, and the Junior National teams of Belgium and Holland who are both at the forefront of the sport. This tour is about exposing the boys to international hockey earlier in their training cycle. We have seen big gains in these boys from this tour.”
U-19 USMNT European Tour Roster:
Payton Breslow (Moorpark, Calif.), Alex Curtis (London, England),Christian DeAngelis (Doylestown, Pa.), Jack Galucci (Trumbull, Conn.), Phile Govaert (Rye, N.Y.) Liam Hawley (Ventura, Calif.), Colin Hennessy (Marlborough, Mass.), Wander Hommes (Westlake Village, Calif.), Graeme Jackson (Moorpark, Calif.), Amar Khokar (Valencia, Calif.), David Kristof (Darien, Conn.), Michael Mendoza (Monument, Colo.), Alberto Montilla (Allen, Texas), Ryan Torigian (Simi Valley, Calif.), Maxwell Walshaw (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), Dean Schiller (Alexandria, Va.), Garry Singh (Corona, Calif.), Sam Zuzick (Moorpark, Calif.)
USFHA media release
Scotland U18 Girls’ squad announced to play Ireland
Scotland U21 women v Ulster Cross
The Scotland U18 Girls’ squad has been announced for their upcoming matches against Ireland in Glasgow.
All of the games in the three match series will be played at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre. The first clash will be played on Friday 7th July at 7pm, followed by game two on Saturday 8th July at 2pm, before the final match on Sunday 9th July at 12pm.
It is set to be three challenging games for the Scots and will offer a competitive and entertaining spectacle over the weekend at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.
Please note that spectators should expect significant travel disruption due to the TRANSMT Festival held at Glasgow Green. There will be no parking available for spectators at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre. For further info click HERE.
The Scotland U18 Girls’ squad to face Ireland:
Amber Murray
Rhona Gowans
Aspen Cumming
Ellie Wilson
Kathryn Meenan
Maris Cawthorn
Lucy Nickerson
Izzy Kyle
Georgia Smith
Jenny Walls
Maddie Cleat
Imogen Davies
Ella Watt
Tara Aitchison
Olivia McMahon
Lorna Crawford
Emily Cross
Scottish Hockey Union media release
England under 18 boys show spirit in defeat to Germany
England under 18 Boys were defeated 3-0 by Germany in their recent three-match series hosted in Bad Kreuznach.
The strong German side ran out 7-1 winners in their opening match before England responded in the final two fixtures. However they were still defeated 3-2 and 5-3 as Germany clinched the series.
In the first match the only real positive for England came when a quick breakaway saw Rohan Bhuhi calmly slot home when one on one with the goalkeeper to grab a consolation goal.
The second match saw England respond after their tough opener, taking the game to Germany and putting pressure back on their counterparts. Bhuhi was again on target and Gareth Griffiths made it 3-2 in the second half but an equaliser couldn’t be found.
England were fired up for this final fixture having had a sniff of a win in the previous game. Germany scored early but this spurred England into life. By half time honours were even at 1-1 with Matt Ramshaw finding the net.
As the second half progressed it was obvious that England were now matching Germany for effort and physicality and two more goals followed by Rohan Bhuhi and Tom Russel. Once ahead they were unable to sustain the pressure though as they were reduced to 9 men for the last 5 minutes. At this point they couldn’t keep the German’s at bay any longer with the full time score 5-3.
England Hockey Board Media release
England U18 girls edged out by Germany
England under 18 girls
England’s under 18 girls lost their series with Germany under 18 girls 2-0 in a tight contest with both sides showcasing quality hockey.
The first match of the series was drawn before Germany took the second clash 2-1 and the final fixture 3-2 with little between the sides.
In the opening fixture England took the lead through Rachel Greenwood who was on hand to deflect Izzy Petter’s reverse stick strike at the back post, but Germany levelled after the break.
Germany raced into a two goal lead in the second match but Lynn Vanderstichele latched onto Abby Gooderham’s through ball before beating the keeper to get England back into the game. However despite their best efforts Germany held on for the win.
The final fixture was a classic encounter which went down the wire. Abby Gooderham linked up with Izzy Petter to give England the lead but Germany quickly equalised. Gooderham and Petter again linked up to put England back in front but a late double from Germany saw them take the match and secure the series.
England under 18’s head coach, reflecting on the series, said: “We played some great hockey, and were disappointed not to come away with a win. The series shows the progress we have made across the programme and gives us real confidence going into our test matches against Belgium and the Six Nations.”
England Hockey Board Media release
England under 16 girls lose out in Germany
England u16 girls
England's under 16 girls were defeated 3-0 in their three-match series with Germany under 16s in Hamburg.
Despite the defeats progress was made with the squad continuing to gel with a series with Belgium to come ahead of the Six Nations in Spain.
The opening match saw England defeated 4-1 after falling three goals behind in the first half. However the team responded to lose 4-1 with Olivia Hamilton getting on the score sheet.
The second match saw an improved team performance, responding well to their opening game defeat showing character and tenacity matching their opponents.
The team defended well for large parts of the game with some fine saves by the England goalkeeper, but England struggled to make possession count in the final third and lost 2-0.
England finished strongly in their final match with a narrow 1-0 defeat. England kept Germany off the score sheet for 48 minutes which involved a combination of much improved possession, sustained periods of attack and an increased desire and high intensity defence and attacking play in the final third.
This final game was the strongest performance of the three games, giving the group some momentum moving into the next series, against Belgium in Canterbury and the Six Nations in Terassa, Spain.
England Hockey Board Media release
Butali Sugar Warriors upbeat on league title despite loss
By BRIAN YONGA
Chase Sailors' George Mutira (left) vies for the ball with Billy Mollah of Butali Sugar Warriors during their Kenya Hockey Union Premier League match at City Park Stadium on June 28, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Butali Sugar Warriors captain Kenneth Nyongesa has refused to rule out his side’s title chances after a 2-1 defeat to Kenya Police left them eight points behind their arch-rivals.
Nyongesa believes there are still more matches to be played calling on his teammates to fight to the end.
The loss saw Butali lose their unbeaten start to the season leaving them in second place with 29 points from 12 matches. The 2015 winners have now dropped seven points in nine matches and face a tall order to reclaim the title.
“There is still a lot of hockey to be played between now and the end of the season but we have to avoid dropping more points,” Nyongesa said.
“Police should not get too comfortable at the top because we will not stop fighting until we knock them off their perch,” he added. Butali are on 29 points after 12 matches, two ahead of third placed Greensharks.
Police’s win made a big statement about their title ambitions and the law enforcers are firmly in the driving seat. Their high pressing and electric pace stunned Butali, allowing them two goals in the opening quarter.
Police welcomed back coach Kenneth Kaunda, who has been ailing for some time with international Willis Okeyo also back from his three-month stint in Germany.
“The boys have been playing well and I thank the technical team for doing a great job in my absence. We have a healthy lead and we have got to ensure we protect it,” Kaunda said.
Police, who last won the title in 2013, lead the table on 37 points after their 12th win from 13 matches.
Wazalendo remain in fourth with 22 points after their 2-1 loss to Chase Sailors, while 2012 winners Sikh Union Nairobi are fifth after they thrashed the Sailors 4-1 on Sunday.
The match saw the legendary Inderjit Matharu mark his return to playing with a goal.
The former international player last featured for the club two seasons ago. KCA-U were sucked into the relagation zone after two defeats.
The students are second from bottom on eight points, four ahead of bottom placed TUK.
Parklands are up to ninth after their third win of the season increased their tally to 12 points, moving them away from the relegation zone.
The women’s Premier League so no changes with only one match played.
KU Ttitans 6-0 thrashing of UON sees them remain in eighth place with eight points.
Daily Nation
Ashley Jackson’s next move hits the ice with Basingstoke
© Frank Uijlenbroek..
Ashley Jackson has made an eye-catching move as he links up with the Basingstoke Bisons ice hockey team, moving from the Invicta Dynamoes.
The England and Great Britain international, though, said he has not retired from field hockey but is taking time away from astroturf version for the moment. Most recently, he played with Great Britain's inline hockey team at the world championships in Bratislava.
Speaking about his situation, Jackson posted on Twitter, saying: “Let me start by congratulating Bobby Crutchley and the England team on their qualification for the World Cup 2018 in India through the HWL in London. Both India and London are my favourite places to have played.
“For the record, I would like to say that I have not retired from national field hockey and I very much hope to wear the England/GB shirt in the future when the time is right both for the team and for myself.
“I am very happy spending more time with my fiance, on the golf course, taking on new challenges as well as supporting Bob and the team from the stands.
“However, as some of you know, I have take the opportunity since Rio to rekindle my passion for ice hockey. I thoroughly enjoyed playing last season at Invicta Dynamoes where I first played over 20 years ago under coach and good friend Kevin Parrish.”
He adds that he is looking for a new challenge with the Basingstoke Bisons, somethin he will combine with working at the Whitgift school where he works with his long-time coach at East Grinstead, Karl Stagno.
“East Grinstead certainly counts as family and friends. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support you have all given me over my 15 years in the club. I love you all very much.
“For all the hockey fans out there that have followed and supported me over the many years I have played, through ups and downs. I would like to say that it has been my privilege to play in front of you. I really hope this is not so much a goodbye but a thank you and see you all soon.”
Euro Hockey League media release