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News for 05 January 2018

All the news for Friday 5 January 2018


Croatia Cup 2018 Preview



The SPAR South African ladies touched down in a freezing cold Zagreb yesterday, ahead of their first ever venture into the Croatian Cup. Following on from the successful SPAR test series against Zimbabwe, the Croatia Cup is seen as an apt opportunity to begin the journey to the next Indoor Hockey World Cup.

The Croatian Cup will be contested between the hosts Croatia, SPAR South Africa, Slovenia and Slovakia. Each team will also play a non-test match against a Croatia “League Select” side. The finals and semi-finals will take place on Sunday, with a winner being crowned.

For Coach Lennie Botha, nearing 100 international indoor caps, it is an exciting opportunity while also admitting that there is a major sense of the unknown too.

“The strength of European Hockey means that the rankings for the sides outside the top 8 are often not fully representative of the abilities of the teams. Croatia is going to be an incredibly tough team to play, but we are here to try and win the tournament.”

In the squad is the experienced trio of players to have reached 50 indoor hockey caps for South Africa in Cindy Hack (Captain), Kara Stella and Jessica O’Connor. They are also joined by 2016 SA Hockey Player of the year Celia Evans and together they will look to help guide the early careers of the three ladies who made their debuts against Zimbabwe, Tegan Fourie, Jamie Southgate and Cheree Greyvenstein.

There will be no live TV coverage, but Tyron Barnard is in Croatia and will be doing live updates on Twitter during games, follow him @TyronBarnard.

SA Squad

Cindy Hack (Captain), Nicole la Fleur (GK), Cheree Greyvenstein (GK), Celia Evans, Jessica O’Connor, Kelly Reed, Kara-lee Botes, Tegan Fourie, Jamie Southgate, Heather McEwan & Amore de Wet.

Management – Lennie Botha (Coach), Brighty Mashaba (Assistant Coach / Video Analyst) and Robyn Morgan (Manager)

Fixtures for Croatia Cup can be found at FIH Match Centre (Times GMT +1)

SA Hockey Association media release



Hockeyroos-Spain Test Series Tickets From $5

Ben Somerford



The Hockeyroos will begin their preparations for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2018 World Cup with a five-match Test Series in Perth from 15-21 January with tickets available from $5.

The world number five Hockeyroos are aiming for their fourth consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal at the 2018 event which will be on home turf on the Gold Coast.

Spain are currently ranked 11th in the world and finished seventh at last year’s World League Semi-Finals.

The first two Test matches will be played at Guildford Grammar Turf on Monday 15 January and Tuesday 16 January from 6.30pm WST with tickets available here.

Test matches will also be played at Warwick Hockey Centre on Thursday 18 January and Sunday 21 January from 6.30pm WST with tickets available here.

There will also be one Test match played at Perth Hockey Stadium on Saturday 20 January from 6.30pm WST with tickets available at the gate.

The matches will unfortunately not be live streamed. You can follow the matches on Twitter via @Hockeyroos and the FIH Match Centre.

Australia v Spain Test Series #AUSvESP

Guildford Grammar Turf: 15 & 16 January (6:30pm WST) – ticket link

Warwick Hockey Centre: 18 & 21 January (6:30pm WST) – ticket link

Perth Hockey Stadium: 20 January (6:30pm WST) – tickets available at the gate

Tickets from $5

Hockey Australia media release



Faizal and Peillat hit it off in devastating fashion

By Aftar Singh


Fast-paced: Terengganu’s foreign forward Lopez Barreiros of Argentina (in white) taking a shot at goal as UiTM defender Mohd Shafirul Aqmal tries to block during the Tan Sri Alagendra Cup quarter-finals yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: Argentina’s Gonzalo Peillat and national forward Faizal Saari are turning out to be a deadly combination for defending champions Terengganu.

The East coast team, who received a bye in the first round, thrashed Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) 9-0 in the quarter-finals of the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Cup at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Peillat, who arrived here on Wednesday afternoon after a 36-hour flight from Buenos Aires, showed his prowess in penalty corners by netting two goals in the 45th and 60th minutes.

But Faizal was the star of the day as he converted five goals in the 24th, 34th, 49th, 53rd and 55th minutes.

Argentina’s Lopez Barreiros (sixth) and Muhammad Sufi Ismat Rohulamin (14th) contributed Terengganu’s other goals.

The 25-year-old Peillat said he was still feeling jet-lagged after the 36-hour flight from Argentina.

“The time difference between Argentina and Malaysia is 11 hours and the weather here is humid and hot.

“However, I’m pleased with my performance as we performed very well to win our first game. Terengganu players have been playing together for six years and I combined well with them in defence, as well as penalty corners.

“I’m also quite happy that Faizal and I combined well to score a number of penalty corners. Faizal is a great player and his penalty corner conversion rate is also very good,” said Peillat, who’s regarded as the world’s top penalty corner specialist.

“I hope we will play even better when the league starts.”

Terengganu will play either TNB-Thunderbolt or Penang in the semi-finals tomorrow.

The Star of Malaysia



KLHC power past tenaga to set-up semi final date with UniKL

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC), led by last year’s top scorer Jang Jong-hyun of South Korea, edged Tenaga Nasional 2-1 to seal a place in the semi-finals of the Tan Sri P. Alangendra Cup.

Jong-hyun, who scored 16 goals last season, gave the Premier Division champions the lead in the third minute off a penalty corner at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

His low drag flick sailed past Tenaga goalkeeper Mohd Hairi Abdul Rahman.

KLHC, powered by six foreign and seven internationals, doubled the score off another penalty corner in the 38th minute after national defender Muhd Razie Abdul Rahim flicked the ball into the top net.

Tenaga, led by local players, did not give up as they managed to narrow the deficit with a penalty-corner goal in the 49th minute.

Shahril Saabah’s high drag flick hit the cross bar before Nik Muhamad Aiman Nik Rozemi dashed in to push the ball into goal.

KLHC face Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) in the semi-finals tomorrow.

“We started off well but as the game progressed, we made things difficult for ourselves in the third quarter by giving away the ball.

“In the fourth quarter, we had a few players sent out. Tenaga gave us a good fight and credit to them,” said KLHC coach Lim Chiow Chuan.

UniKL qualified for their first ever semi-finals by outplaying Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Tigers 6-0 at the same venue.

Muhammad Hafiz Zainol (ninth, 18th) and Izwan Fidaus Ahmad Tajuddin (23rd, 48th) each scored a brace.

Muhammad Nazmi Farizal Jazlan (54th) and Faridzul Afiq Mohd (59th) netted the other goals for UniKL.

The Star of Malaysia



Irish Senior Cup refixes centre stage as New Year rolls into action


Lisnagarvey face Railway Union in the Irish Senior Cup second round. Pic: Sinead Hingston

Club hockey on a national level eases back into action on Saturday for the new year with a trio of refixed Irish Senior Cup ties at Ulster venues taking centre-stage while the Leinster focus is indoors and on the Jacqui Potter Cup.

For the Senior Cup, the competition’s most decorated side Lisnagarvey host Railway Union, looking to take a step towards a first title since 2005. Indeed, only Paul Gleghorne of their current vintage has a winners’ medal to his name, won while he was a schoolboy playing for Instonians.

With a half dozen of senior internationals, they will be heavy favourites against the EYHL basement side, especially after a reasonably comfortable 2-0 win in Dublin before Christmas.

Railway, though, will be buoyed by their positive sign-off to 2017 when they beat Cork C of I to finally grab their points of the season. Elsewhere, Pembroke – with the return of their Munster contingent – look well placed to take victory at South Antrim, mid-table in the Ulster Premier league.

Two other Premier sides – Mossley and Belfast Harlequins – square off in the other tie, ensuring the division will be represented in the quarter-finals. The other two outstanding Senior Cup ties – Three Rock against Cookstown and Queens against Glenanne – will be played on January 13.

At St Columba’s, the group stages of the men’s Leinster indoor competition comes to a close with 10 games being played in rapid-fire form. Perennial challengers Three Rock and Railway Union look to be all but assured of semi-final spots with Glenanne, Pembroke, Wicklow and Corinthian battling for the other two places.

There are four games in the women’s indoor competition split over Saturday and Sunday with January 14 the moving day for the eight runners riders in their competition.

Nine Jacqui Potter Cup ties are also divided between Saturday and Sunday with plenty of intrigue with Leinster Division Two sides looking to take down Division One outfits.

Div Two leaders Railway Union II will look to break down Genesis’s tight-knit defences with Pembroke waiting in round two.

Naas – second in the second tier – will hope their form will carry against Division One bottom side Clontarf at Caragh Road; the winner faces a battle with reigning national champions UCD.

Indeed, only one of the nine ties features teams from the same tier with Avoca looking to cause a shock against high-flying Old Alex on Sunday afternoon.

There are already a couple of enticing ties in round two confirmed with the draw pitting Hermes-Monkstown against Loreto while Railway Union’s firsts meet Trinity.

Elsewhere, David Harte had little to do on opening day of his latest adventure as his new UNIKL began their Malaysian Hockey League campaign with a thumping 10-0 victory over Selangor on Wednesday.

The winter break is usually a time for the Cork man to link up with Dabang Mumbai in the lucrative Hockey India League for the last few seasons.

The HIL, however, has been put on hiatus for 2018, leading to the Malaysian equivalent of the competition stepping into the gap in the market and has managed to attract a number of world stars with Harte joined at UNIKL by Australian World Cup winner Kieran Govers and Dutch superstar Sander de Wijn.

The goalkeeper – who is on the shortlist for FIH Goalkeeper of the Year for 2017 having won the award for the last two years – was co-opted by former Irish assistant coach Arul Anthoni who now heads up the Kuala Lumpur club.

“I’ve always enjoyed the style of hockey Malaysian teams play. Having played against Malaysia many times before, I am aware of their open play and expressive style,” said Harte.


UNIKL coach Arul Anthoni saw an opportunity to snap up David Harte. Pic: Adrian Boehm

“I have known Arul for many years. I was offered to play here before but I could not then due to other commitments.”

The competition will run until mid-February and Harte will likely be back in Malaysia later that month with the Irish side for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup before returning to his regular Dutch club SV Kampong.

Weekend fixtures
Men
Irish Senior Cup, round 2 (Saturday): Lisnagarvey v Railway Union, 3pm, Comber Road; Mossley v Belfast Harlequins, 2.30pm, The Glade; South Antrim v Pembroke Wanderers, 2.30pm, Friends School

Munster Division 1 (Saturday): Cork Church of Ireland B v Limerick, 2pm, Garryduff.

Leinster indoor (all at St Columba’s)
Saturday: Glenanne v Railway Union, 12.30pm; Corinthian v Railway Union, 1pm; Glenanne v Corinthian, 1.30pm
Sunday: Three Rock Rovers v Pembroke, 1pm; Wicklow v Pembroke, 1.40pm; Three Rock Rovers v Railway Union, 2.20pm; Corinthian v Pembroke, 3pm; Glenanne v Wicklow, 3.40pm; Wicklow v Corinthian, 4.20pm; Glenanne v Three Rock Rovers, 5pm

Women
Jacqui Potter Cup, first round
Saturday: Naas v Clontarf, 12.15pm, Caragh Road; Railway Union II v Genesis, 1pm, Park Avenue; Loreto II v Corinthian, 2.45pm, Beaufort; Old Alex II v Glenanne, 3pm, Milltown; Pembroke II v Our Ladys, 3pm, Serpentine Avenue
Sunday: North Kildare v YMCA, 1pm, The Maws; Monkstown II v Bray, 2.30pm, Merrion Fleet Arena; Avoca v Old Alex, 3.30pm, Newpark; Muckross v Three Rock Rovers, 3.30pm, Muckross Park

Leinster indoor
Saturday: UCD v Three Rock Rovers, 2pm; North Kildare v Avoca, 2.45pm
Sunday: Railway Union v Glenanne, 6pm; Pembroke v Genesis, 6.45pm

Munster Division 1 (Saturday): Bandon v Catholic Institute, 1pm, Bandon GS

The Hook



Intriguing restart for Scottish indoor hockey this weekend


3 December 2017 at Bells Sports Centre, Perth. Scottish National Indoor League Division 1 game – Grove Menzieshill v Edinburgh Uni – photo by Duncan Gray

The restart of the indoor National League 1 campaigns in 2018 after the festive break sees the competitions at different stages; the women have just entered the pool stages while the men are a step behind with the final games of the league to be completed.

Some sides are in a healthy position for a semi-final place with the league results being carried forward – Dundee Wanderers and Milne Craig Clydesdale Western in pool A with Edinburgh University and Grove Menzieshill emerging from pool B – but not so clear is who will finish with the advantage of top spot.
Intriguing restart for indoor hockey this weekend

Pool B has an intriguing scenario, Grove Menzieshill finished ahead of the Edinburgh students in the league, on the same points but a single goal advantage, but it is the latter who hold a single point lead in the new pool competition following the carry-forward results.

This comes on the back of Edinburgh`s narrow 5-4 win over the Taysiders on the opening day of the competition. It was a tight contest throughout with Grove Menzieshill seemingly holding the upper hand as the game drew to a close with Grove Menzieshill 4-3 ahead, but a quick-fire double from Sophie Maunder and Ella Watt stole the occasion for the capital side.

The opening pool match on Sunday is a rematch, a similar scoreline would almost certainly seal top spot for Edinburgh University, and a draw would leave the status quo, only a Grove Menzieshill victory would affect the order at the top after the restart.

Favourites Edinburgh University and Grove Menzieshill will aim to take full points in their second outing of the day against CALA and Wildcats respectively, yet the form is not so convincing.

Only a second half penalty corner from Louise Campbell separated the students from CALA while a double by Grove Menzieshill`s Lauren Kingston was enough to subdue the Wildcats.

In the other pool Wanderers only really need a draw against Western in the opening game on Sunday to confirm pole position. But again the league match was a close encounter, the champions triumphed 5-4 in the end with doubles from Amy Snelle and Emily Dark.

It might not get much easier for Western in their second game against Hillhead. The latter could draw level on points if they see off bottom club Kelburne and the Titwood-based side take nothing from their Wanderers` encounter. Western certainly won the earlier league meeting, but only by 3-2 with the winner coming in the closing minutes from Margery Justice.


17 December 2016 at Bells Sports Centre, Perth. – photo by Duncan Gray

Grove Menzieshill will top the men`s division with a perfect record unless either Hillhead or Clydesdale upset the applecart.

Competition for the top spots after the restart could be interesting, only three points separate Bromac Kelburne, Inverleith and Clydesdale with Dundee Wanderers lurking in the wings a further three points adrift.

Wanderers` campaign so far has been a bit of an enigma, they took full points from their opening two games, then succumbed to three successive reversals.

The Dundonians need to pick up the six points on offer this Saturday to have a sporting chance of breaking into the top four, they start the day against a Grange side that are presently second bottom of the table but certainly have the players to win games at this level. Second-placed Kelburne are next up, but the Paisley side have only lost one in five games so far, so that could be a tall order for Wanderers.

Clydesdale are certainly the dark horses in this season`s campaign so far, normally consigned to the relegation conflict the Titwood side have collected nine points with Paddy Lonergan and Chris McFadden their chief strikers, and they sit in fourth place. Now after the restart the Glasgow side have the advantage of having three games left to advance their cause further, but they are against Kelburne, an Inverleith side also on the nine point mark, and champions Grove Menzieshill, so additional points may be at a premium.

If Kelburne slip up at all on Saturday Inverleith, who were runners-up last season, could challenge for second spot if they can see off Clydesdale and Hillhead. After a shaky start to the campaign, Stuart Neave`s charges scored 16 goals in their last outing against Edinburgh University and Wanderers, captain Patrick Christie was top with seven while Ewan Mackie, Kyle Taylor, Stuart Hatton and Aidan McCrossan also pitched in.

Hillhead will hope to make up some ground in their opening match against bottom side Edinburgh University but later opposition Grove Menzieshill and Inverleith might not be so fruitful.

Scottish Hockey Union media release



Sardar starts another stint with national hockey team

PHF president says purpose of hiring new management to prepare team for World XI, World Cup

Mohsin Ali



ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Thursday named hockey great Hassan Sardar as national team head coach and former skipper Islahauddin Siddiqui as chief selector.

This was announced by PHF president Brig (r) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar during a press conference held here Thursday after the annual general council meeting of the federation. Sardar replaced Farhat Khan as head coach while he would also be manager of national team for the upcoming two-match series against a World XI side. He will be assisted by Olympians M Saqlain and Rehan Butt. Meanwhile, Islahuddin Siddique has been appointed the team's chief selector, a position which he has previously held.

Khokhar lashed out at certain elements and held them responsible for negative propaganda and not allowing the federation to carry on good work for the revival the national game. “The so-called brains of hockey have absolutely no plans and past track record, they had ruled associations in different capacities, but they were complete failures. Due to certain groups and parallel bodies, our plans are not bearing fruit.

“The biggest achievement of the PHF is providing jobs to junior and senior players. I have established hockey teams in Fauji Foundation and ZTBL, while we have also signed MoU with POF, who will not only establish departmental hockey team, with federation’s recommended players also to be given employment. The PHF will also establish first-ever academy at the very same venue,” he added.

When asked how players and commoners will get access to POF academy due to highly strict security measures, he replied: “There would be no such issue, as we have ensured players, media and spectators given free and easy access to the academy, which would be state-of-the-art and fully-equipped with modern day needs.”

The World XI are scheduled to play a one-match each in Karachi and Lahore during their four-day visit from January 18 to 21. The PHF sees the series as an opportunity to demonstrate that Pakistan is safe to visit and to convince international players to participate in the upcoming Pakistan Hockey League. “The purpose of hiring new management is prepare the national team for the upcoming World XI tour to Pakistan and then World Cup in November in India. We are also planning a 4-nation hockey tournament and also expecting Champions

When asked why the pool of players is not bigger than 50 and what is the criterion of players’ selection for the pool, he said: “There is a complete system from where the players are selected, while after 20 years, we managed to conduct U-16 hockey championship and hunted around 100 fresh players, who would be given top class training to make them future of Pakistan hockey.

“Our job is to provide facilities, jobs, funds, training, tours and conducive environment for the players, and in return, it’s players’ responsibility to perform well and earn good name for the country internationally. We have been working tirelessly and taking every possible step for regaining lost hockey glory. I hope our steps will bear fruit soon,” he added.

About annual general council meeting, he said around 80 plus members attended the meeting, which was conducted in a cordial manner as every member was free to ask questions. “The KP hockey association also attended the meeting and raised different questions. They wanted to know the details of the funds, which was complete wrong and incorrect. The actual position was presented to them, as we had received Rs 330 million, which amounts to Rs 110 million annually, which is not even enough for training purposes, tours, tournaments, but we managed to conduct all the national tournaments and sent teams abroad.

“We have almost finalised scrutiny committee to conduct free and impartial polls. First scrutiny process would be completed in next few weeks and then 100 percent fair elections would be conducted. We will try to address the root-cause of setting up parallel bodies, which inflict huge damages on the federation and players,” he added. About harassment case of female player and progress on it, Khokhar said: “Women wing secretary Tanzeela Aamir Cheema is heading the inquiry committee and will submit the findings soon. Soon after getting the inquiry report, we will take action accordingly. Let me assure all that we will not hesitate to take strict and blunt action against those found guilty.”

The Nation



Hockey legend Hassan Sardar returns as national team's head coach

Zeeshan Ahmed

Hockey legend and former chief selector Hassan Sardar was on Thursday handed the dual role of head coach and manager of the national team for the upcoming two-match series against a World XI side.

Sardar, a former captain of the Green Shirts who won both the World Cup and an Olympic gold in a glittering playing career, replaces Farhat Khan in the dugout. He will be assisted by Rehan Butt and Muhammad Saqlain.

Meanwhile, Islahuddin Siddique has been appointed the team's chief selector — a position he has previously held.

The World XI are scheduled to play a one-match each in Karachi and Lahore during their four-day visit from January 18 to 21.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation sees the series as an opportunity to demonstrate that Pakistan is safe to visit and to convince international players to participate in the upcoming Pakistan Hockey League.

Dawn



PHF appoints Hasan Sardar as chief coach of Pakistan hockey team

KARACHI: In a desperate move, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Thursday appointed former captain Hasan Sardar as the new chief coach of the national team ahead of three major tournaments this year.
The PHF said Hasan Sardar who won both the World Cup and Olympic hockey gold in his illustrious career would be head coach for a two-match series against an International eleven this month.

He will be assisted by former internationals, Rehan Butt and Muhammad Saqlain on the coaching panel while Islahuddin Siddiqui, another celebrated name in Pakistan hockey, replaces Hasan as chief selector.

The decisions came at an apparent loud Congress of the federation in Islamabad where the decision to bring in a foreign coach was shelved and majority of member decided to go for a local coach.

PHF President, Khalid Khokar admitted that financial constraints was also a reason to not appoint a foreign coach at this time.

"We believe Hasan Sardar who has been working as chief selector for the last few months has got a good insight into the problems affecting our hockey today. He was also keen to take up the challenge of head coach," Khokar said.

Pakistan will appear in three major hockey events this year including the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Cup.

The PHF in the last six months has now changed the management thrice in a bid to halt the national team's poor performances in international hockey.

The Times of India



Wales Captain Abi Welsford retires



Wales Captain, Abi Welsford has this week announced her decision to retire from International hockey; a decision she’s not taken lightly.

“I’ve been contemplating retiring for a while now, and started to think more seriously about it leading up to the Home Europeans in Cardiff. But after that tournament I wasn’t 100% decided on what to do and I didn’t want to regret retiring too early, so I decided to stay part of the programme and literally take each squad weekend at a time to see how things went. Although I absolutely love being part of the team I came to the realisation that the enjoyment had gone for me personally and it was last Sunday when I finally found peace with the decision that I was ready to stop playing at this level”.

Welsford, who has amassed 141 caps has seen a sporting career span nearly two decades after joining the Wales squad in 2003. Earning her first cap that same year during the Celtic Cup held in Cardiff, Abi has been a fierce competitor for Wales as well as an inspirational role model both on and off the field. These qualities saw her named captain in 2013, an honour she has held to this day.

In her time, Abi has captained Wales during both the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the 2014 Games in Glasgow, an incredible feat, although she states earning her 100th cap in Lille in 2015 was her favourite sporting moment.

During the European Championships II held in Cardiff this summer Abi sensationally broke the record for most caps held by any Welsh female hockey player, alongside fellow team mate Leah Wilkinson. With 141 caps apiece, they both overtook Wales legend Anne Ellis’ tally of 138.

Whilst representing Wales on the International stage, Welsford has also been working full time as a P.E. teacher for Brynteg Secondary School; something she explains has been difficult to juggle.

“It’s not easy to be involved in an international programme and it takes a lot of hard work both in squad weekends, but mostly daily, you always have to make sacrifices and the right choices to try to live the life of an international athlete as much as possible”.

Head Coach of the women’s squad, Kev Johnson explains how Abi has been a role model leader during her time as Captain

“The greatest tribute I can give about Abi is that she has been the very embodiment of all of our team values in the time that I have known her, and I have no doubt for a long time before that. As a group that take our values seriously as a way of ensuring we are demonstrating positive behaviours at all times, Abi has been a role model to all players under her leadership and has certainly led by example. On and off the pitch she has played a key role in what has been a successful year in 2017, which started with a very positive World League 2 performance in Kuala Lumpur and ended in a memorable home Europeans where Abi herself jointly broke the Welsh women’s caps record with Vice-Captain Leah Wilkinson. In this time as a group we moved 6 places up the World rankings and Abi and her family can be exceptionally proud of what she has achieved as both a player and a Captain. Making the lifestyle choices you must to be an International Hockey player in a part-time programme such as ours is a demanding thing to do for a short space of time, let alone for the years of commitment Abi has shown. I am sure all staff and players both past and present will join me in thanking Abi for all she has done for Hockey in Wales and celebrate all her achievements and contributions in this time”.

Stepping down from International hockey would be a challenge in itself for any athlete but even though unclear as to her next steps right now, Abi has confirmed she won’t be packing away her hockey kit entirely just yet…

“I will look forward to having a bit more time and money to do other things. What that will be I don’t know exactly now, but I know I’ll stay active and try out some other sports...but probably ones that are indoors in the winter! I will continue to play for Swansea Spartans, so I won’t finish playing hockey completely”.

Hockey Wales Media release



Sreejesh handed 15-day ban


Sreejesh. Photo Credit: AFP

Hockey India finally made its decision on goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh public, imposing a 15-day ban on the India captain for participating in a celebrity football match way back in October last year without seeking official permission from the federation.

The disciplinary committee hearing was held on Dec. 22 and the decision to impose the ban — which gets over on Friday — was backdated from that date.

While Sreejesh had clarified his position and also apologised to Hockey India soon after the event, an RTI query had forced the federation to take action.

With the ban coinciding with a break for the players from National duty or camp, it made little difference to either the team or the player himself.

The team regrouped for its next assignment — a four-nation tournament in New Zealand that starts January 14 — in Bengaluru on Thursday, with Sreejesh included in the 33-member group. The federation admitted Sreejesh had not been part of the national team during the period and that, along with his impeccable disciplinary record in the past, had resulted in the limited ban.

He has also been reprimanded with a 12-month probation period.

The Hindu



For playing in charity match, Sreejesh gets 15-day ban

Suspension ends today, a day after national camp starts


PR Sreejesh played in a charity football match, also featuring MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, in October last year without seeking permission from Hockey India.

New Delhi - A day after announcing the names for the national camp, which included comeback man PR Sreejesh, Hockey India (HI) today revealed that the goalkeeper has been banned for 15 days for breaching the federation’s Code of Conduct.

HI had called for a disciplinary committee meeting after Sreejesh played in a celebrity charity football match, also featuring Virat Kohli, in October last year without seeking permission from the federation. Sreejesh was recuperating from a knee injury at that time.

Interestingly, Sreejesh’s 15-day suspension ends tomorrow, a day after the national camp starts, and HI decided to reveal the details of the punishment just a day before the ban ends. “His decision of playing in the football match breaches Hockey India’s Code of Conduct for players and hence he was handed a 15-day suspension which ends on 5 January 2018,” HI said.

Sreejesh has also been put on a 12-month probation, during which period, “Sreejesh needs to ensure he abides by the Code of Conduct”. “He was called for a hearing before the disciplinary committee on December 22, where he was found guilty of a Level 1 offence,” an HI official told PTI.

“The general sanction for a Level 1 offence is a month’s suspension but since he was remorseful and due to his stature in Indian hockey, the committee handed him a 15-day suspension with immediate effect,” the official added.

“He was in rehabilitation and still he decided to play in the celebrity match. He was seen diving left, right and centre to save goals.”

This being a crucial year, with three major tournaments lined up, Sreejesh’s return after an eight-month injury layoff is a huge boost for the team.

The Tribune



New Australian Masters Hockey Body Now One Step Closer.

Alexie Beovich



Another step, or more accurately, an almighty stride was taken on Friday, December 8, 2017, by the Combined Masters Council in Melbourne towards the creation of a single Masters Hockey body in Australia – Australian Masters Hockey.

This new body will be formed as a result of a planned merger between the currently separate, Men’s and Women’s Masters Committees in Australia to form one, united entity responsible for guiding and growing opportunities for participation in Masters Hockey in Australia.

The meeting was jointly led by Sue Briggs, Convenor – Hockey Australia Women’s Masters Council and Peter Sweeney, Chairman - Australian Masters Hockey Committee and involved committee members from both groups, along with Hockey Australia Chief Executive Matt Favier and Ben Hartung, General Manager - Hockey Operations.

A ‘Blueprint’ for the future was tabled for discussion which outlined the intent and purpose of creating a new body to lead Masters Hockey in Australia by the end of 2018. (Blueprint available here)

Briggs said: “The creation of a single Masters Committee in Australia is the culmination of several year’s work. It is a great achievement for all involved, both past and present. The new structure will ensure Australian Masters Hockey maintains its position as a leader internationally and continues to meet the needs of the Masters community domestically. I look forward to being part of a strong collaborative approach that will engage with, strengthen and grow Masters Hockey." 

Sweeney added: “The combined meeting of the current Members of the Executives of the Australian Women’s and Men’s Committees was a key milestone in the planned merger of the two organisations. We have agreed on both a new structure and a strategic direction. The high level of trust in each other, the enthusiasm of the twelve members and the strong support of Hockey Australia (through its President, Ms. Mel Woosnam, CEO, Matt Favier and General Manager, Ben Hartung) for the new structure suggests that the future for Masters Hockey in Australia is very bright.

“Further, the involvement of several members of the two committees, plus that of Robyn Bannerman, Norman Same and Graham Napier, in the planning groups for the new World Masters Hockey Organisation will ensure that the interests of Australian Masters Hockey will be well recognised in future international masters developments.”

 Mel Woosnam, President – Hockey Australia said: “I am thrilled about the progress that has been made by the Combined Masters Council. Both Sue and Peter are to be commended for leading this initiative on a joint basis. Hockey Australia are committed to working with the Council to assist with the merger and the creation of Australian Hockey Masters that I firmly believe will be in the best interest of all stakeholders.

“We have already made some changes to our operating model to ensure we are positioned to play our part effectively. We will continue to work with State and Territory Hockey Associations and Australian Hockey Masters to increase the opportunities for players to get involved.”

In the coming phase, there will be further work on governance, finance and clarification of roles and responsibilities.  

Hockey Australia media release

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