News for 02 August 2017
All the news for Wednesday 2 February 2017
Following World League Semifinals Win, U.S. Women’s Field Hockey Is On The Rise
By Gary R. Blockus
Team USA celebrates at the FIH Hockey World League Women's Semifinals at Wits University on July 23, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Things are looking up for the U.S. women’s field hockey team.
Last month, the team earned a berth into both the 2017 World League Final and 2018 Hockey World Cup when it reached the final four at the FIH Hockey World League Semifinals in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Team USA then went on to close out the tournament with a shootout victory over Germany, the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist.
Now the team enters this month’s Pan American Cup ranked No. 4 in the world, its highest-ever ranking.
The tournament, which runs Aug. 5-13, will be held at the team’s training headquarters at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
With a balanced U.S. roster featuring veterans such as Jill Witmer, Michelle Vittese, Melissa Gonzalez and goalie Jackie Briggs and up-and-comers like Taylor West and Erin Matson, expectations are high for the home team.
“Coming off this big win in a world-stage tournament, people will have high expectations because we are one of the favorites here,” U.S. coach Janneke Schopman said. “But we are young, and I still think my team has a long way to go.”
The Americans open pool play against Mexico on Friday and are hoping to compete for the championship on Aug. 13. Argentina, the defending champion and No. 3 ranked team in the world, is expected to be the greatest competition. Canada, at No. 19, is the third highest ranked team taking part.
For Team USA, the Pan Am Cup is only the beginning of an exciting period.
In November, the team will travel to Auckland, New Zealand and play in the World League Final for the first time, thanks to the 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Japan in Johannesburg. That win over Japan also clinched a berth in the prestigious World Cup next summer in London, which is second only to the Olympic Games in international field hockey.
Yet just as important as the wins, Schopman notes, was the U.S. effort in South Africa.
Team USA recorded shootout wins in both the semifinals and final, battling back from 1-0 deficits in both games to force the shootouts.
“It showed me that this team plays and fights and doesn’t get worried about a 1-nil deficit,” Schopman said. “Both games were very different. Against England (in the semifinals), we played very well and should have scored more. Against Germany we struggled. Germany dominated more of the game, but the encompassing theme was our willingness to work hard, fight and stay in the game.”
Witmer, a 2016 Olympian with 106 caps, led the tournament in scoring with five goals. The Lancaster native tallied the tying goal against England in the final three minutes of the semifinal. Team captain Gonzalez, a two-time Olympian with 209 caps, went a perfect 3-for-3 in the shootouts. Against England she scored twice, including the game-winner in sudden death, and was the first to score in the shootout against Germany.
“It’s great to see the older players like Jill and Melissa take leadership roles on the field and off the field,” Schopman said. “I was very pleased to see how they merged into being one team, one in which everybody does their share. That was their strength during this tournament.”
The veterans helped work the younger players into confident roles. West, now with 19 caps, scored on a penalty stroke with 2:08 left in regulation against Germany in the finals to send it into overtime, and the 17-year-old Matson, who has yet to begin college, scored the winning shootout goal against Germany.
“Erin asked me what she should do, and I said look at the goalkeeper and just trust your skill,” Schopman said. “It was very good to see she trusts her skills. The same with Taylor West scoring the penalty stroke, and she is not a very experienced player at all. It shows the team trusts her and that she can take the responsibility and step up.”
Because of the short turnaround time for the Pan American Cup, Schopman plans to utilize the same lineup she did in South Africa with one exception. Carissa Vittese, a defender with just one cap and the sister of veteran midfielder Michelle Vittese, will replace the injured Caitlin Van Sickle.
Gary R. Blockus is a journalist from Allentown, Pennsylvania who has covered multiple Olympic Games. He is a freelance contributor to TeamUSA.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
Team USA
Scotland squad announced for men’s Euros in Glasgow
Alan Forsyth in action v Italy
The Scotland men’s squad has been announced for Men’s EuroHockey Championship II in Glasgow. The tournament will be held from 6-12 August at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre, another fantastic international tournament hosted by Scottish Hockey.
The tournament will feature Scotland alongside tough European opposition such as Wales, Switzerland, Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Russia, and Ukraine.
It has been a tremendously successful year for Scotland men. The Scots recently competed against the very best hockey teams in the World at the prestigious Men’s World League Semi-Finals in London last month. Scotland was ranked 28th at the start of the year and have climbed to 23rd due to a series of fantastic results.
Now they face tough European opposition as the Scots aim for success on home turf at Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games legacy venue. The team is hoping for a big home support to cheer them on in Glasgow and early-bird reduced-rate tickets for the tournament will be available until Friday at noon. Ticket info can be found HERE.
Scotland has been drawn in Pool A against the highly-rated France, Ukraine, and Portugal. Pool B has Wales, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Russia.
Scotland men’s Head Coach Derek Forsyth said, “We are looking forward to the challenge of the Euros in the coming days. There were some tough selection decisions to make, and now that we have announced our squad I know that everyone is looking forward to tournament hockey again and playing in front of a home crowd in Glasgow.”
Scotland squad for EuroHockey Championship II, Glasgow:
Tommy Alexander (Reading)
Russell Anderson (Cannock)
Tim Atkins (Reading)
Kenny Bain (THC Hurley)
Michael Bremner (UHC)
Gavin Byers (Grove Menzieshill)
Ben Cosgrove (Grove Menzieshill)
David Forrester (Edinburgh University)
Alan Forsyth (Surbiton)
David Forsyth (Qui Vive)
Cammy Fraser (Grange)
Chris Grassick (Surbiton)
Gordon McIntyre (Wimbledon)
Willie Marshall (Surbiton)
Lee Morton (Reading)
Nick Parkes (Surbiton)
Duncan Riddell (Grange)
Jamie Wong (Qui Vive)
Scottish Hockey Union media release
Watch the Action, 2017 Pan American Cups Live Stream
LANCASTER, Pa. – An event you don’t want to miss! In just three days, USA Field Hockey, Pan American Hockey Federation and Spooky Nook Sports will welcome 15-international teams to Lancaster, Pa. for the largest field hockey event in the country since the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games. If you can’t make it to be in the stands starting Friday, August 4 through Sunday, August 13, all games of the 2017 Pan American Cups (PAC) will be live streamed on usafieldhockey.com.
The location to watch the games will be hosted on the PAC Event Page by clicking here.
All U.S. Women’s National Team games and select U.S. Men’s National Team games will be broadcast live on Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN). DEPORTV will play all of Argentina’s matches live or tape delayed. Watch your team in action live at usafieldhockey.com, PCN or DEPORTV.
Click here for the full 2017 Pan American Cups Schedule.
USFHA media release
Singapore sticks by indoor hockey
SHF ramps up efforts to promote the sport along with its debut at the KL SEA Games
Nicholas De Silva
The Singapore Hockey Federation plans to run an indoor league and is also in talks with regional countries to stage an indoor South-east Asian Cup.PHOTO: MARCUS TAN FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
With her own goals changing, Rahimah Abdul Aziz called time on her hockey career in 2011.
She had already achieved her dreams of representing the nation and turning professional, as well as being one of the first local female players to play in the European leagues when she featured for Parisian outfit Racing Club de France between 2010 and 2011.
After a wrist injury suffered during her overseas stint - and with her priorities changing - she decided to retire from competitive hockey to focus on other life goals.
Now 32 and a mother of two, Rahimah is donning national colours and playing competitively again - as part of the recently formed national indoor hockey women's team that will be taking part in the Aug 19-30 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority specialist: "When I first heard they were forming the team, I thought I'd just try. I had support from my friends and family, I still had the passion for the game and wanted to represent my country again."
Alongside ice hockey, indoor hockey will make its debut at this month's Games, and since the announcement of its inclusion last September, the Singapore Hockey Federation (SHF) has ramped up efforts in creating a dedicated indoor programme.
Former Malaysian indoor hockey professional player Redzuan Ponirin has been roped in to coach the men's and women's teams, which are made up largely of former field hockey players, many of whom were involved in the national set-up like Rahimah.
Played on a wooden or synthetic court enclosed by downward sloping sideboards, the six-a-side game emphasises speed and constant movement.
Introduced in Germany in the 1950s as an alternative to field hockey and intended to be played during winter, indoor hockey has since gained popularity in Europe.
However, in South-east Asia, only Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia have dedicated indoor set-ups and rankings on the International Hockey Federation's list.
The Malaysians stand at 26th in the men's and women's world rankings. Indonesia's men's team are ranked 34th and the Thai women are 32nd. Indonesia's women's team and the Thai men's team did not feature in last year's rankings.
Former Singapore national player Mohd Jumaeen Amat Kamsin, 26, was one of the field hockey players who made the switch to the national indoor team. He explained: "I wanted to be exposed to another kind of hockey and try something new.
"Indoor hockey has a smaller space and is played at a faster pace, and what makes this game exciting is that we have to think quickly."
Fitness is another important aspect of the game, as Rahimah noted: "It's a lot of sprinting work. You need endurance for those three to four minutes you're on the court. There's no time to rest and recover as the ball rarely goes out of play."
To get these new national teams up to speed, Redzuan trains both the men and women together at Sengkang Sports Hall.
Said the 36-year-old: "When we combined, the environment became more competitive. The men have to prove themselves technically and the women have to keep up with the physicality."
Despite the quality of the opposition at the SEA Games, Redzuan - who has also coached in Indonesia - remains optimistic.
"Honestly, I didn't expect (the team's progress) to be this good. We can definitely put up a fight. We are not far away and are moving in the right direction," he said.
The head coach's confidence is not unfounded. The men's and women's teams have given good accounts of themselves since their inception last November.
Both teams defeated Thailand to finish second in January's Singapore Indoor Hockey Challenge.
Four months later, they registered respectable scorelines against regional powerhouses Malaysia during a training trip to Klang. The men were defeated 4-2 and the women lost 1-2.
Although it will be their first time competing at a major Games, the players are relishing the challenge.
Said the women's team captain Chen Jingyi, 23: "We really hope to match up to other countries and actually set a level so that they can see us as tough competitors."
SHF president Mathavan Devadas is counting on the teams to cause an upset next month, although he admits the odds are stacked against them.
He believes a successful campaign in Kuala Lumpur will boost the sport locally, akin to how the Republic's 1993 SEA Games gold-winning women's field hockey team inspired a spike in interest in the sport.
Domestically, an indoor league scheduled to run outside the existing field hockey season is in the pipeline, with national sports body ActiveSG already on board.
SHF are also in talks with regional countries to stage an indoor South-east Asian Cup. Presently, the only continental indoor competition is the Asia Cup, held every two years.
Citing the success of indoor hockey in Australia, where it is referred to as fast-foot hockey, Devadas said: "We want to push indoor in a very big way because athletes develop good basic skills and positional awareness.
"We also found that kids really enjoy it because the ball is in play. There are different skills involved in playing indoor hockey, but I think we can attract more players to eventually play field hockey."
The Straits Times
Coach Oltmans is hurting Indian hockey: Ashish Ballal
Vivek Krishnan
CHENNAI: As Ashish Ballal sat down for a chat at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Monday, some pleasant memories came flooding back for the former India goalkeeper. Ballal, who is the coach of Bengaluru Hockey Association for the ongoing MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament, had started his senior career at this very tournament all the way back in 1987. Now, he is making his first appearance as coach in this tournament.
"I started my senior career for Karnataka at this very tournament exactly 30 years ago. When I was playing here, I remember that the India probables for the Junior World Cup had been announced and I was picked. I have very fond memories of this tournament. I have worked as coach with the Bengaluru team in the past, but this is my first MCC-Murugappa Cup as coach," Ballal told TOI on Monday.
The discussion soon veered towards the upcoming goalkeepers in the country and current coach Roelant Oltmans, and Ballal turned serious. With PR Sreejesh being plagued by injuries of late, Ballal feels, there is no suitable understudy to take over the mantle.
"After Sreejesh, I don't think there is anyone to take over the mantle. Where is the talent? Between Akash Chikte and Suraj Karkera, who have been picked in the India squad for the upcoming tour of Europe, they don't even have 10 appearances of 70 minutes each. That is the gap now," he rued.
The 46-year-old, who made more than 250 appearances for India including in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, pins the blame for the current "crisis" largely on Oltmans.
"Oltmans is responsible for the void between the senior and junior level. He has damaged the system and taken Sports Authority of India (SAI) for a ride. He maybe a world-class coach, but he is past his prime. He is being given renewals as India coach without performing. Every time India fails, he says he is preparing them for the next tournament," he said.
"We need a younger Indian coach who has just come out of retirement. The world over, there are young coaches. India, on the other hand, have a coach who is well over 60. Things have changed. You need a proactive and aggressive coach."
In addition, Ballal feels the lack of a proper feeder system for juniors to take the step up to the international level is part of the problem plaguing Indian hockey at present. "There is no clear pathway for youngsters. It's pretty unfortunate. The SAI is wasting time and money. The system should be such that players should be ready to be promoted to the Indian team as soon as there is an injury or loss of form to a senior player. But that's far from the case."
The Times of India
Dhyan Chand should be bestowed with Bharat Ratna, says hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay
Dhanraj Pillay (File Photo)
Dhanraj Pillay paid respect to 'magician' Dhyan Chand while receiving East Bengal's highest honour Bharat Gaurav at their 98th Foundation Day celebrations on Tuesday.
Former India hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay on Tuesday said that the legendary Dhyan Chand should be bestowed with the Bharat Ratna as soon as possible.
"I hope he (Dhyan Chand) is awarded the Bharat Ratna as soon as possible. He was not only a great player, he was a hockey magician. There would have been no controversy had he been given the award by now," Pillay said while receiving East Bengal's highest honour Bharat Gaurav at their 98th Foundation Day celebrations on Tuesday.
Pillay said he learnt the killer instinct in his game from East Bengal. "East Bengal fought till the end, which was also in my DNA. I followed the likes of Bhaichung Bhutia, Chima Okorie... I met Bhaichung in Malaysia when he was playing at club level," he said.
Pillay said getting Bharat Gaurav feels like getting India's highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna. "This feels like Bharat Ratna to me. I am overwhelmed that the club has considered me worthy of this award," the former Indian star hockey player said. "I feel honoured that a club, known for its football, gave this recognition to a hockey player. But we should also remember that East Bengal had a good record in hockey in the 1970s and 1980s."
Pillay is the second hockey player to be conferred with East Bengal's Bharat Gaurav after Leslie Claudius. "Leslie Claudius is an idol to me and I am really proud that I am getting the award which Claudius got earlier. I can't compare myself with him. He was a genius," Pillay said. "Claudius helped me a lot during my playing days. When I was out of form he gave me a lot of tips which helped. He was just like a mentor."
Pillay further urged the national hockey team to be consistent before next year's World Cup in Bhubaneswar. "We have to be consistent in all five matches and can't afford to lose points. In the Hockey World League, we beat Pakistan but lost to Canada and Malaysia. We tend to concede goals in closing stages."
East Bengal also felicitated former India stalwarts Syed Nayeemuddin and Subhas Bhowmick with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the function. "I completed a circle on Tuesday," Bhowmick, one of the popular faces of East Bengal, said.
DNA
No stopping the PNB juggernaut
Gurjinder Singh helps himself to a hat-trick against ONGC; Hockey Odisha posts a win
K. Keerthivasan
Hat-trick hero: Gurjinder Singh, who slotted in three goals, celebrates Punjab National Bank’s third and his second strike against ONGC.
Punjab National Bank (PNB), riding on Gurjinder Singh’s hat-trick, continued its winning streak with a 5-2 drubbing of ONGC in a Pool ‘B’ match of the 91st MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup All-India hockey tournament here on Tuesday.
Earlier, Hockey Odisha rounded off its engagements with a 3-2 win over Central Secretariat in another Pool ‘B’ tie; but its chances of qualifying for the knock-out (read semifinals) is as good as over.
While PNB has nine points from three games, with a match remaining against a misfiring Army XI, ONGC has six points from three, with a match against a lightweight Central Secretariat. Virtually, PNB and ONGC have made it to the last four.
Better strategy
In a match that looked pretty much equal on paper, PNB proved to a cut above ONGC in terms of strategy and execution. Its forwards were alive to the chances that came their way and the defence played a solid role in intercepting much of ONGC’s crosses from both flanks.
PNB showed its intent early with two well-struck goals in the first half. One was a perfectly hit penalty corner by Gagandeep Singh that sounded the boards, and the other was a brilliant shot by Gurjinder Singh. His diagonal backhander, executed with power and precision, hit the top of the roof.
PNB continued to attack with the same vigour. So did ONGC but a couple of shots from its forwards sailed wide. Diwakar Ram, who has done well so far for his team in corners, failed to strike in the team’s first corner. PNB increased its lead as Gurjinder threw himself to deflect home a cross from the left. The moment ONGC unsuccessfully completed its second corner, PNB unleashed a quick counter-attack resulting in the fourth goal by Gagandeep Singh.
Pulling back
To its credit, ONGC never gave up, pushing hard from both flanks. It did pay dividends as it gained two corners in two minutes. They were converted by Mithilesh and Diwakar respectively. ONGC gained another corner immediately but goalkeeper Jasbir Singh came up with a good save, using his hand to put away an aerial shot.
Gurjinder duly completed his hat-trick at the hooter by tapping in a fierce cross by Gagandeep Singh.
The results: Pool ‘B’: PNB 5 (Gagandeep Singh 12, Gurjinder Singh 17, 25 & 70, Gagandeep Singh 35) bt ONGC 2 (Mithilesh 54, Diwakar Ram 56); Hockey Odisha 3 (Sanjay Xalxo 10, Sudhir Kujur 22 & 32) bt Central Secretariat 2 (Shanmugam 25, S. Sivamani 67).
The Hindu
Greenwich FHC Sweeps Inaugural USFHL Adult National Championship Titles
LANCASTER, Pa. - Fourteen adult club teams from across the country faced off at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa. for the inaugural United States Field Hockey League (USFHL) Adult National Championship, presented by Anikan Sports, on July 28-30. Teams were selected to represent their field hockey communities. Pan Am teams were practicing while we played which provided an exciting backdrop.
The championship games were intense every second. For both the men and women's championship game Greenwich played DC Dragons, but it was a battle for them to get there. Every pool play match was close but Greenwich and DC Dragons men's and women's teams were able to clinch the championship game spots. Greenwich FHC men and women came out victorious in their games making them National Champions.
In the women's championship, Willemijn Timmermans from Greenwich Rovers scored the game winning goal in the first half that gave them the title over DC Dragons. For the men, Greenwich scored first in the first half, but DC Dragons answered back so they went into the second half tie at 1-1. Greenwich converted off of a penalty corner with 10 minutes remaining which gave them the National Championship title.
For women's bronze the local Lancaster United team defeated the Olympic Club from California in a tough battle 1-0. The men from Miami surf took the bronze defeating SFHC 3-0.
There was an East vs. West All-Star game and the All-Stars from the West defeated the East 3-1. There was also a social and seminars for leaders to network and share knowledge about how to grow the game.
USFHL is designed to increase the participation and engagement of adult field hockey in the United States as athletes compete locally to qualify for Nationals. If local communities want to send a team to the 2018 Adult National Championship, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on how to qualify.
USA Field Hockey and USFHL would like to thank and congratulate all athletes, coaches, managers, umpires, technical officials and fans for helping making this inaugural year a success!
Men's Division
Greenwich
DC Dragsons
Miami Surf
SFHC
Men's Nationals MVP: Ian Haley, DC Dragons
Women's Division
Greenwich Rovers
DC Dragons
Lancaster United
Olympic Club
Women's Nationals MVP: Nicole Ng, Olympic Club
*MVPs were voted on by the team managers of opposing teams
Images courtesy of Mark Palczewski
USFHA media release
Ulster Hockey Appoint New Executive Manager
Ulster Hockey have today announced the appointment of Jill Poots as Executive Manager. Please see below for press release from Ulster Hockey:
Ulster Hockey Executive Manager Appointment – August 2017
The Ulster Hockey Management Board is delighted to announce the appointment of our new Executive Manager Mrs Jill Poots. Commencing on the 28th August 2017, Jill will be responsible for the promotion, development and management of all Hockey in Ulster.
Jill joins Ulster Hockey following a very successful career with Sport Northern Ireland in both Performance and Governance managerial roles and is looking forward to working with the talented Ulster Hockey Staff and supporting the Management Board in their Strategic Direction.
Jill played Squash at International level for Ireland and Hockey at Club level for the Victorians and Coleraine Clubs. She is married with a son and a daughter who both play hockey!
The Board and the Staff warmly welcome Jill Poots to this demanding role and wish her every success. I am also sure all of the Ulster Hockey family will join me in congratulating Jill on her selection from a list of high calibre candidates and will actively support Jill in her new role.
Billy Pollock
Chair - Ulster Hockey
Irish Hockey Association media release
We’re hiring: Men’s National Team Head Coach
Kori Sidaway
Working in collaboration with a variety of partners, Field Hockey Canada is the national sport governing body responsible for the development, growth and promotion of field hockey in Canada. Among its responsibilities, Field Hockey Canada selects, prepares and promotes Canada’s teams for international competitions including FIH World League, Continental Championships, World Championships, and major multi-sport games (e.g. Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games).
We are seeking a Head Coach for the Canadian Men’s National Field Hockey team. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and the High Performance Committee, the Head Coach is responsible for athlete preparation, team competition, program planning and management, with an emphasis on strong collaboration through stakeholder engagement and ongoing communication.
In collaboration with Senior Staff and the High Performance Committee, the Head Coach is responsible for the design, content and implementation of a comprehensive competition, training and monitoring program for the Men’s National program.
Qualifications
Skills / Background:
- Evidence of world-class coach experience, ideally with a successful track record of coaching at the international level;
- Proof of the ability to work effectively within a team, possessing excellent planning, interpersonal, management and organizational skills, with the ability to collaborate with and inspire others;
- Strong engagement and communication skills;
- Experience integrating medical, sport science and technology support within a team environment;
- Innovative approach to coaching with an appreciation of past success and the ability to draw knowledge from other sports or fields to achieve excellence;
- Evidence of commitment to developing effective partnerships to support the national program’s mission.
Education:
The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to coach education throughout his/her career. Evidence of having completed, or being in the process of imminently completing, coach certification at the highest national level is required. An academic degree(s) is considered an asset.
If you have a passion for working with high performance athletes and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders and believe you posses the appropriate experience and skill set for the position, please submit your resume and covering letter that includes the top 3 reasons why you are the ideal candidate for this position.
Applications are to be submitted electronically by Friday, September 1, 2017 to: Rhonda Lewis, Chair, Board Human Resources Committee, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Field Hockey Canada is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. In addition, Field Hockey Canada is committed to providing accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.
We appreciate your interest, however, only those applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted.
For more information on the role click here.
Field Hockey Canada media release
We’re hiring: Communications Manager
Kori Sidaway
Working in collaboration with a variety of partners, Field Hockey Canada is the national sport governing body responsible for the development, growth and promotion of field hockey in Canada. Among its responsibilities, Field Hockey Canada actively promotes the game across Canada, while communicating both internally and externally.
Field Hockey Canada receives financial contributions from the federal government and other agencies, organizations, sponsors and donors, and is accountable for the disbursement and reporting of funds according to the contracted terms and conditions. Programs, activities and services are operated within the limitations established in an annual budget led by the CEO and approved by the Board of Directors. Field Hockey Canada staff is responsible to manage and administer the finances and provide administrative support for all Field Hockey Canada activity.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Communications Manager is responsible for managing the long-term strategy and day-to-day activities surrounding all public-facing communications, and must work within the policies and procedures established by Field Hockey Canada.
Qualifications
Skills / Background:
- Post-secondary degree in journalism, marketing, communications, commerce or related field of study with a minimum of five years’ experience in communications, media relations and social media;
- Experience working in the Canadian sports media environment; established relationships with the media is considered an asset;
- Knowledge of and experience working with social media and digital marketing principles, current practices and digital analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics / Facebook Analytics);
- Experience taking photos and working with Photoshop;
- Experience shooting and editing video with the purpose of telling compelling stories, and marketing online;
- Ability to work efficiently, constructively, and independently on projects while managing tasks and time spent in a responsible and accountable manner;
- Excellent communicator, with exceptional written, oral, and interpersonal skills;
- Innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and deliverables;
- Strong attention to detail;
- Willingness to travel and work flexible hours, including weekends, if required;
- Previous knowledge of field hockey is considered an asset;
- Bilingualism is considered an asset (English/French).
If you have a passion for working within sport and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders and believe you posses the appropriate experience and skill set for the position, please submit your resume and covering letter that includes:
- Your top 3 reasons why you are the ideal candidate for this position;
- Your ideal work location within Greater Vancouver / Victoria and ability to work remotely if applicable (office location is UBC Vancouver but workplace flexibility may be considered for ideal candidate).
Applications are to be submitted electronically by Friday, August 25, 2017 to:
Jeff Sauvé, Chief Executive Officer (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
Field Hockey Canada is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. In addition, Field Hockey Canada is committed to providing accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.
We appreciate your interest; however only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
For more information on the role, click here.
Field Hockey Canada media release