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News for 20 January 2018

All the news for Saturday 20 January 2018


Women's Asian Games Qualifier 2018 - Day 6


SGP v INA     1 - 0
HKG v PAK     4 - 0
THA v KAZ     0 - 1

Rank Team GP W D L GF GA GD P
1 Thailand 5 4 0 1 20 1 19 12
2 Hong Kong China 5 3 2 0 11 1 10 11
3 Kazakhstan 5 3 1 1 11 4 7 10
4 Chinese Taipei 5 2 2 1 6 6 0 8
5 Singapore 5 2 1 2 5 4 1 7
6 Pakistan 6 1 0 5 3 23 -20 3
7 Indonesia 5 0 0 5 0 17 -17 0


FIH Match Centre



2018 EuroHockey Indoor Championship (W) - Day 1

The EuroHockey Indoor Champions for Women are being held this weekend acros 3 Divisions in three Different venues. Division I and II started on Friday 19 January and Division III will start on Saturday 20 January. The results from Division I and II are below.

2018 EuroHockey Indoor Championship (W)
Prague (CZE)

Pool A     POL v SUI     1 - 2 (1 - 0)
Pool A     NED v BLR     7 - 2 (4 - 0)
Pool B     GER v UKR     5 - 1 (3 - 0)
Pool B     CZE v RUS     3 - 4 (1 - 2)
Pool A     BLR v SUI     6 - 1 (2 - 0)
Pool A     POL v NED     1 - 4 (0 - 3)
Pool B     UKR v RUS     8 - 4 (3 - 1)
Pool B     CZE v GER     4 - 3 (1 - 1)

Pool A
 
Rank Team GP W D L GF GA GD P
1 Netherlands 2 2 0 0 11 3 8 6
2 Belarus 2 1 0 1 8 8 0 3
3 Switzerland 2 1 0 1 3 7 -4 3
4 Poland 2 0 0 2 2 6 -4 0

 

Pool B

 

 
Rank Team GP W D L GF GA GD P
1 Germany 2 1 0 1 8 5 3 3
2 Ukraine 2 1 0 1 9 9 0 3
3 Czech Republic 2 1 0 1 7 7 0 3
4 Russia 2 1 0 1 8 11 -3 3


2018 EuroHockey Indoor Championship II (W)
Brussels (BEL)

Pool A     ENG v SWE     5 - 1 (1 - 1)
Pool A     AUT v LTU     4 - 2 (1 - 1)
Pool B     SCO v WAL     5 - 0 (2 - 0)
Pool B     BEL v CRO     4 - 0 (2 - 0)
Pool A     LTU v SWE     2 - 4 (0 - 1)
Pool A     ENG v AUT     3 - 5 (0 - 3)
Pool B     CRO v WAL     5 - 0 (2 - 0)
Pool B     SCO v BEL     0 - 5 (0 - 2)

Pool A
 
Rank Team GP W D L GF GA GD P
1 Austria 2 2 0 0 9 5 4 6
2 England 2 1 0 1 8 6 2 3
3 Sweden 2 1 0 1 5 7 -2 3
4 Lithuania 2 0 0 2 4 8 -4 0

 

Pool B

 

 
Rank Team GP W D L GF GA GD P
1 Belgium 2 2 0 0 9 0 9 6
2 Croatia 2 1 0 1 5 4 1 3
3 Scotland 2 1 0 1 5 5 0 3
4 Wales 2 0 0 2 0 10 -10 0


FIH Match Centre



Women's EuroHockey Indoor Championships live this weekend


Watch this weekend's women’s EuroHockey Indoor Championships live Photo: EHF/World Sports Pics

Prague, Brussels and Apace are buzzing with indoor hockey action this weekend with the women’s leg of the EuroHockey Indoor Championships follows hot on the heels of the men last weekend, promising another three tournaments of high octane action on the boards.

Every game in Prague will be broadcast live via the EHF’s dedicated streaming platform – www.eurohockeytv.org - with the promise of goals galore from Friday, January 19 through to the final playoffs on Sunday, January 21.

Indeed, the top tier features the world’s top-ranked indoor teams and six of the top seven, showing the quality of teams on display in the Czech Republic’s capital.

Chief among them are the number one ranked Netherlands, the 2015 World Cup and 2016 European champions. They can draw on plenty of experience from those teams with World Cup winners Alexandra Heerbaart, Mila Muselaar and Pien van Nes all involved while there are four players from the 2016 success.

Otherwise, it is a young side with four teenagers and a quartet who played in the European Under-21 outdoor competition in Valencia. Of those, Amsterdam’s Marijn Veen is a real star in the making.

The Dutch are drawn in a group with Belarus, Poland and Switzerland with the top two to advance to the semi-finals and the bottom two to go into Pool C, from which the bottom two will be relegated.

Poland were second at the 2016 Euros and fifth at the World Cup, making them a very dangerous and experienced opponent. Indeed, Marlena Rybacha will be lining out in her sixth Euro campaign while next month’s World Cup will be her third.

She played for Dutch club Oranje-Rood, one of two players based in the Netherlands while they have a trio who play with SV Arminen in Austria and another at BTHV Bonner in Germany.

Belarus are a dangerous opponent, too, having finished seventh at the World Cup. They draw heavily from the Victoriya Smolevichi club with eight of their 12 player panel hailing from there.

Switzerland, the tournament’s low-rank side at 19th, were promoted up to the top tier thanks to a second place finish in 2016 in Cambrai in the Championship II.

In Pool B, the hosting Czech Republic are another with bucket loads of experience and they come into the competition with confidence having beaten both Poland and Austria at the Rohrmax Cup a fortnight ago.

Captain Adela Lehovcova and Barbora Haklova are the main goalscorers while goalkeeper Barbora Cechakova – like her captain – is involved for a third Euros.

The team is coached by two legends of the indoor game, Filip Neusser and Tomas Prochazka, and they will be keen to match or better their World Cup bronze from three years ago.

To land that medal, they beat world number two side Germany, one of their group opponents in Prague. Similar to their men’s side, they will employ a very young side with outdoor assistant coach Akim Bouchouchi taking over the coaching from Xavier Reckinger.

Corner shooter Luisa Steindor is the one experienced outfield face in the team who will also be heading to the World Cup in Berlin in February. Eight of the panel will be playing their first international indoor tournament though there is plenty of outdoor international caps between them, including Selin Oruz and Amelie Wortmann.

Ukraine – fifth in Europe in 2016 – prepared for this event with gold at a four-team tournament in Leipzig with three wins from three, beating ATV Leipzig in the final 5-4 with Oksana Ponomarenko named the player of the tournament. Russia, the world number 17, complete the line-up following their golden run in 2016 in the second tier in Cambrai, France.

In Brussels, eight teams will battle for the two promotion spots from the EuroHockey Indoor Championship II. Top ranked Austria (world number 6) line out against England (21), Lithuania (22) and Sweden (28). Hosts Belgium (9) face Scotland (16), Croatia (23) and Wales (24) in Pool B.

In Apace, Slovenia, the host takes on Slovakia and Turkey in a three-team EuroHockey Indoor Championship III on Saturday and Sunday. They will play each other twice during the round-robin phase, culminating in a final on Sunday.

It makes for 47 games over three days at three venues around Europe, showcasing some of the best indoor hockey.

** All EuroHockey Indoor Championships games in Prague will be live streamed on www.eurohockeytv.org.
** As-live video clips from Prague will be posted on the European Hockey Federation Twitter and Facebook accounts. Hashtag (for all social media): #EIH2018
** Follow all the scores in real-time here: tms.fih.ch/competitions

FIH site



One win and one defeat for Scotland in Women’s EuroHockey Indoor Championship II



It was one win and win defeat for Scotland on day one of Women’s EuroHockey Indoor Championship II in Brussels. The Scots got off to a great start, defeating Wales 5-0 to kick-start their tournament.

Hosts Belgium were 5-0 winners over Scotland in the second match of the day to leave Scotland third on goal-difference was a crucial match against Croatia on the cards tomorrow.

Scotland 5-0 Wales

Scotland got off to a great start at Women’s EuroHockey Championship II in Brussels with a 5-0 victory over Wales.

Goals from youngster Emily Dark, Vikki Bunce and Louise Campbell got the ball rolling for Scotland – a team that has a good mix of youth and experience amongst its ranks.

It took Scotland just four minutes to open the scoring and it came through the young and talented prospect Emily Dark from open play.

A minute later and Dark was at it again when she slammed home her second of the contest to put Scotland 2-0 ahead, and give her side a great start to the match.

Shortly after half time Louise Campbell struck for Scotland to give the Tartan Hearts a healthy 3-0 lead.

Vikki Bunce then scored Scotland’s fourth in the 23rd minute to put Scotland on course for victory before she bagged her second, and Scotland’s fifth, two minutes later.

Scotland 0-5 Belgium

Scotland went into the match with Belgium ahead on goal-difference with both sides looking to end day one as top dogs, but it was the Belgians who came out on top with a 5-0 win.

Belgium who took the lead midway through the first half after edging the play in the opening stages. Justine Rasir was the scorer on 13 minutes to put the hosts in front in the battle to claim top spot in Pool B.

It went 2-0 to Belgium as the first half neared its conclusion. This time a penalty stroke was awarded to the Belgians after Marie Ronquetti’s drag flick was stopped on the line by the body of a Scots defender. Ronquetti stepped up herself for the strike and converted clinically to further Belgium’s lead.

The Scots had it all to do in the second half and did well to defend a dangerous penalty corner routine just after the restart.

Belgium put the game to bed in the 31st minute when Laurine Delforge converted from close range to make it 3-0.

Scotland went to a kicking back for the final five minutes of the match, but it was Belgium who would hit the net again with a strike by Lucie Breyne in the last minute of the match to make it 4-0.

Then, to rub salt in the wounds, Belgium made it 5-0 just before the full time whistle through a Delforge penalty corner. It was an excellent initial block by the Scots but the rebound was forced home to complete the scoring.

Scotland Indoor Head Coach Chris Anderson said, “It was a good first day, nine players won their first cap and we came through with no injuries. In the first match we did well. We learned to control the ball and took our opportunities.

“We always knew the Belgians would be tough and it was a good lesson for the team. The key game is Croatia tomorrow and we’ll be looking for the team to hit their stride for that match.”

Fixtures

19 Jan 2018

11:20 – Scotland 5-0 Wales
18:30 – Scotland 0-5 Belgium

20 Jan 2018

10:20 – Croatia v Scotland
TBC – TBC

21 Jan 2018

TBC – TBC

Scottish Hockey Union media release



4 Nations Invitational Tournament (M) - Day 3
Tauranga (NZL)

NZL v IND     1 - 3
BEL v JPN     4 - 1

Rank Team GP W D L GF GA GD P
1 India 3 2 0 1 9 3 6 6
2 Belgium 3 2 0 1 10 6 4 6
3 New Zealand 3 2 0 1 10 8 2 6
4 Japan 3 0 0 3 2 14 -12 0


FIH Match Centre



Four Nations finals schedule confirmed


Photo: www.photosport.nz

The Vantage Black Sticks Men have missed out on a spot in the final at the Tauranga leg of the University of Waikato Four Nations following a 3-1 defeat to India.

Going into the last day of round robin New Zealand needed a win or draw against the world number six ranked Indians to guarantee a place in the final.

India’s victory saw them move up to top of the table before Belgium came through with an emphatic 4-1 win over Japan to also jump the Kiwis based on a superior goal difference.

The Vantage Black Sticks will now have to settle for a third place playoff against Japan at 12:00pm before India and Belgium face off in the final at 2:00pm.

Both tests will be streamed live and then available on demand through the Vantage Black Sticks Facebook page (facebook.com/nzblacksticks).

India made a fast start to their clash against the Kiwis, lighting up the score board after just two minutes thanks to a Harmanpreet Singh penalty corner strike.

The visitors doubled their advantage in the 21st minute when Dilpreet Singh slipped through the defence for a field goal.

The Black Sticks lifted after the halftime break but still battled to break down the dogged Indian defensive unit.

Kane Russell kept New Zealand in the game late in the third quarter when he hammered a straight hit past the goalkeeper from a penalty corner.

Indian captain Manpreet Singh gave his side a buffer once more following a 47th field goal with New Zealand unable to mount a late comeback.

Experienced midfielder Arun Panchia said it was a tough game against extremely talented opponents.

“We knew it was always going to be a very tough game and India put together a good performance against us. They played well and deserved their win,” he said.

“It’s a really tight series here and anyone can beat anyone on their day. We are happy with parts of our game today but know we need to be better tomorrow.”

Following games in Tauranga, the University of Waikato Four Nations heads to Gallagher Hockey Centre in Hamilton from 24-28 January.

DAY THREE RESULTS - BLAKE PARK, TAURANGA

VANTAGE BLACK STICKS: 1 (Kane Russell)
INDIA: 3 (Harmanpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh)
Halftime: India 2-0

BELGIUM: 4 (Tom Boon 2, Alexander Hendrickx, Amaury Keusters)
JAPAN: 1 (Koji Yamasaki)
Halftime: Belgium 3-1

Hockey New Zealand Media release



Black Sticks to miss out on Four Nations final after loss to India


New Zealand's Stephen Jenness in action for the Black Sticks men against India. Photo / Photosport

The Black Sticks have fallen out of contention for the first leg of their Four Nations hockey tournament, losing 3-1 to India.

Having won their opening matches against Belgium and Japan, the Kiwis required only a draw to qualify for the first-leg final.

Yet they were soundly beaten by a solid Indian side, and finished third in the round robin after Belgium's 4-1 thumping of Japan.

Belgium ultimately beat out the Black Sticks on goal difference.

India struck early in Saturday's match in Tauranga, scoring within two minutes through Harmanpreet Singh and then via Dilpreet Singh.

The Sticks hit back late in the third quarter, with Kane Russell scoring from a penalty corner, but Manpreet Singh settled the result in India's favour.

The Black Sticks will play Japan for third place on Sunday, with midfielder Arun Panchia admitting his side would need to improve.

"We knew it was always going to be a very tough game and India put together a good performance against us - they played well and deserved their win," Panchia said.

"It's a really tight series here, anyone can beat anyone on their day."

Following Sunday's final matches, the four sides will head to Hamilton for a second round-robin series next week.

The New Zealand Herald



Black Sticks men to play off for third against Japan at Four Nations tournament


Black Stick Hugo Inglis competes for the ball in his side's loss to India. JOHN COWPLAND/PHOTOSPORT

The Black Sticks men will play off for third against Japan at the Four Nations tournament in Mount Maunganui.

They lost 3-1 to India at Blake Park on Saturday, a result which, combined with Belgium's 4-1 win over Japan, leaves them out of the final.

India and Belgium will meet in the decider on Sunday at 2pm, after the Black Sticks face the Japanese, who they beat 4-1 on Thursday, at 12pm.

Japan finished the round robin without a win, while the other teams all had two, but India and Belgium had superior goal differences to the Kiwis.

Harmanpreet Singh put India up just two minutes into Saturday's match, and Dilpreet Singh scored midway through the second quarter to leave them 2-0 up at the break.

Kane Russell pulled one back for the Black Sticks near the end of the third quarter, at a penalty corner, but Mandeep Singh restored the two-goal lead in the final spell.

Black Sticks midfielder Arun Panchia said it was a tough game against extremely talented opponents.

"We knew it was always going to be a very tough game and India put together a good performance against us. They played well and deserved their win.

"It's a really tight series here and anyone can beat anyone on their day. We are happy with parts of our game today but know we need to be better [on Sunday]."

After Sunday's playoffs, all four teams move to Hamilton, where the tournament will be repeated next week.

The twin events are a key part of the Black Sticks' preparations for April's Commonwealth Games.

Stuff



Stats Speak: Golden Jubilee triumph of India over Kiwis, entered in final, will face Red Lions on Sunday

By B.G.Joshi(Sehore-Bhopal,India)

India beats hosts New Zealand 3-1 in Tauranga 4-nations tournament today. It is 50th victory of India against Kiwis in 94th match between them.

Harmanpreet(2m),Dilpreet(21m)and Mandeep(47m) are the Indian scorers. By virtue of this win India have entered in final of the championships, where they will meet Belgium.

India are playing 215th tournament in annals of hockey since debut in Amsterdam Olympics (1928). It will be 99th final match of India, 3rd against Belgium.

In Rene Frank International Gold Cup (Chennai-1976) final India beats Belgium 2-0 under captainship of legend BP Govinda. However in Johannesburg Champions Challenge Cup (2011) Belgium beat India 4-3 after trailing 1-3,
Tom Boon netted the title winning goal 41 seconds before the hooter. 

Since then Belgians have an edge over India by winning 12 out of 16 matches.

Head to head

India-New Zealand

Particulars

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

Total

94

50

17

27

209

150

Last 10

10

5

1

4

20

13

 India-Belgium

Particulars

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

Total

74

45

11

18

195

118

In Final

2

1

0

1

5

4

On  NZ Soil

2

1

0

1

1

2

 League Standings-Tauranga

Rank

Team

Points

Goals

Differences

GF

GA

1

India

6

+6

9

3

2

Belgium

6

+4

10

6

3

New Zealand

6

+2

10

8

4

Japan

0

-12

2

14

 Fieldhockey.com



India dominates the Kiwis to post 3-1 win

s2h team

With a goal each from Harmanpreet Singh, young gun Dilpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh, India posted a fluent 3-1 victory over New Zealand. Its first defeat for the hosts in the 4-Nations Cup after it posted good wins over Belgium and Japan.

India earlier overcame Japan easily (6-0)before going down to Belgium (0-2)

SCORERS
Harmanpreet Singh Penalty corner goal 2nd Min
Dilpreet Singh, field goal, 21st min
Kane Russel, penalty corner goal, 42nd min
Mandeep Singh, field goal, 47th Min

Stick2Hockey.com



India beat New Zealand 3-1 to enter final

NEW DELHI: Indian hockey team defeated hosts New Zealand 3-1 in their third match of the Four Nations Invitational Tournament to enter the final in Tauranga on Saturday.

India scored through Harmanpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh while Kane Russell was the lone scorer for New Zealand. India will face Olympic silver medallist Belgium in the summit clash on Sunday, who sealed their berth after beating Japan 4-1.

New Zealand needed at least a draw to progress to the summit clash but World No. 6 India proved too hot to handle.

India went ahead in the second minute after the pushback via Harmanpreet who converted a penalty corner in beginning of the first quarter. Dilpreet (21') then sliced open their defence to double India's lead in the second quarter.

Trailing 0-2 after the first half, New Zealand improved their game after the change of ends. They tried breaking through a stubborn Indian defense but were denied. However, Russell (45') found an opening in the third quarter when he struck home through a penalty corner. New Zealand had cut down India's lead to just one goal.

However, striker Mandeep ended New Zealand's hopes of a late comeback when he sounded the board in the 47th minute with India recording their second victory in three games.

Hockey World League bronze medalists India began the tournament with a 6-0 thrashing of Japan on Wednesday. However, they went down 0-2 to world no. 3 Belgium in their second game on Thursday before sealing the final spot by beating New Zealand on Saturday.

The Times of India



International hockey comes home as Pakistan takes on World XI


The first of the two match hockey series kicks off at Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium. Photo courtesy of Sindh CM office.

The much-anticipated two-match series between Pakistan national hockey team and a star-studded World XI side kicked off on Friday at the Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium in Karachi.

Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah were present at the inaugural ceremony along with World XI and Pakistan Hockey teams.

World XI hockey team is touring Pakistan from January 18 to 21 to play against Pakistan's senior team. The visiting team comprises players from Australia, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Spain. The second match of the two-match series will be held on January 21 in Lahore.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) chief had earlier said the tour of the World XI will be a step forward to bring back international hockey to Pakistan and to organise the Pakistan Hockey League in April next year in a befitting manner.

Field hockey, despite being Pakistan's national sport, had been in a state of free fall for at least the last two decades. Mismanagement, diminishing fan interest, a lack of sponsorship deals and government grants, poor on-field results as well as foreign teams' refusal to visit Pakistan owing to law and order situation, all contributed to the sport's rapid decline in what was once a proud hockey playing nation.

However, security concerns of international athletes have subsided a great deal over the past year, with foreign cricketers' visit to Lahore for Pakistan Super League 2 final, World XI side's visit in September and Sri Lankan team's arrival in October cases in point.

Those visits encouraged the Pakistan Hockey Federation to follow suit — a move the federation believes would give a much-needed boost to their sport.

Dawn



Int’l hockey XI thrash Pakistan 5-1 in opener

Mohsin Ali

KARACHI -  International XI thrashed Pakistan team 5-1 in the first match of the two-match series played here at Abdul Sattar Edhi, National Hockey Stadium on Friday night.

Pakistan took 1-0 lead in the first quarter when Adeel Latif fired the opening goal in the 6th minute. But it was all they could get from the match, as experienced international players ripped them apart and taught them hockey lesson. After going down, International XI came back strongly in the match and scored four goals in the third quarter. Skipper Roderick Weusthof, shirt number 9, scored on a short corner in the 33rd minute. Soon it was 2-1 in favour of International XI , as once again netted a goal off penalty corner in the 35th minute to give his team edge.

Grant Schubert scored a field goal in the 41st minute to further enhance the lead to 3-1 while number 10 Philip Meulenbrek scored in the 46th minute to make it 4-1. It was 5-1 in the 48th minute of the fourth and last quarter, when David Alegre scored the field goal. Pakistan had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit, but Ahmed Nadeem hit the goal bar and the match ended with International XI winning the match 5-1.

Most of the Pakistan team were picked up from U-18 team, which had recently played well in Australia. It is indeed a great sign and trust of the PHF on the youngsters, who were given chance against international hockey legends. Waqas Ahmed Butt was the field umpire alongside Anwar Hussain.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) made good arrangements at the stadium, where a large number of hockey lovers were present to witness and support the national team and game. They were all present on the occasion to welcome return of international hockey to Pakistan and also thanked the international players for visiting the country and playing hockey here.

The entire stadium was presenting a bride-like look with different musical and traditional performances were on offer to amuse the spectators, who enjoyed every bit of the occasion. They also enjoyed the superb performances of international hockey legends like Floris Jen Bovelnder, the Netherland’s super hero and Netherland’s Paul Litjens.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah graced the occasion as chief guest, while Federal Interior Minister Ch Ahsan Iqbal was guest of honour. Junaid Mnazoor-led Pakistan hockey team was accorded warm welcome by the crowd and also gave standing ovation to their heroes, while international team players also received huge round of applause and support throughout the match.

Sindh CM said that the provincial government is ready to extend all-out support to not only PHF and PCB but all other federations, which want to bring international teams and individuals to Pakistan. “I am delighted that after cricket, now hockey is pulling massive crowd and most satisfying thing is that Sindh is hosting an international hockey event.

“The Sindh government will also support the PHF in conducting the Pakistan Hockey League in a befitting manner and ensure the best possible facilities and provide administrative and financial assistance to the federation,” he added.

Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said: “After PSL and international cricket, now international hockey has staged comeback in Pakistan. Our hockey grounds will witness top international and national players. The PSL final will also be held in Karachi, due to efforts of federal government. Peace has been restored in Karachi, and it will now keep on hosting international cricket, hockey and other sports events.”

The Nation



World XI thrash Pakistan 5-1 in first hockey match

KARACHI: Pakistan were outplayed 5-1 by experienced World XI in the first of two-match series at Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium here on Friday.

Pakistan got the earlier lead in the first quarter when Adeel Latif converted a good move into a goal in the 6th minute of the match.

Pakistan maintained their 1-0 lead in two quarters but couldn’t keep the control in the third quarter which saw World XI turning the match around with four consecutive goals.

Captain Roderick Weusthof converted a penalty corner into a goal for the World XI to put Pakistan under pressure.

The Dutch striker scored in the 33rd and 36th minute to give World XI a lead of 2-1.

Five minutes later, Australian Grant Schubert scored to extend the lead 3-1.

Phillip Meulenbroek scored the 4th goal for the touring side.

Spanish David Alegre did it 5-1 for the visitors with a beautiful flick to score his first goal in the match.

Pakistan made some very good moves despite being under deficit but they could not convert the moves into goals and finish it properly.

The second match of the series will be played on Sunday in Lahore.

Earlier, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah were present at the inaugural ceremony along with World XI and Pakistan hockey teams.

World XI are touring Pakistan from January 18 to 21 to play against Pakistan. The visiting team members comprise players from Australia, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Spain.

The Daily Times



Int'l games at home to help reignite Pak hockey, says Dutch veteran Weusthof

Faizan Lakhani


Roderick Weusthof

KARACHI: Pakistan is a safe place to host international hockey matches, Roderick Weusthof — a former Dutch hockey player — noted Friday night, adding that other teams should also visit the country.

Speaking to media in Karachi after leading the World XI team to a 5-1 win against Pakistan, Weusthof said Pakistani players are skilful but lack the experience, which is why several moves ended up futile and the green shirts lost the chances to secure goals.

When asked if Pakistan were a weaker side than they expected, he said, “Definitely not!”

“They played really well, especially in the first quarter. We [kept] thinking, 'what’s going on?' because they were fast and skilful and, once we were [left] behind, they played really well.

"We enjoyed here. It was a nice game for the crowd and I think Pakistan will learn something from this,” added Weusthof, who bagged the gold medalist in the 2007 Champions Trophy.

Pakistan definitely has a future prospect in light of hockey, he said.

“They are young; they played well but [have] yet to score goals. They lost pace. They will learn for future from this match.

"We really enjoyed this game.”

Weusthof mentioned that the Pakistan squad — which had competed against the World XI team here in Karachi earlier today — has "amazing players", who make "nice passes" and definitely show promise for future.

The hockey player also praised the local security arrangements, stressing that if more teams tour Pakistan, it will help the nation reemerge as one of the best countries in the world for hockey.

“It is really important that foreign teams come here and play against this young Pakistan team […] because they can learn from them; they can gain some experience,” he said.

“We are feeling safe [and] everything is organized very well. If you do this for every country then there’ll be better and better teams,” the former Netherlands player said.

Geo TV



PHF inducts hockey legends into Hall-of-Fame



KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) honoured 12 former greats of the game – 6 from Pakistan and 6 from other countries – including two umpires by inducting them into unique Hall-of-Fame here on Thursday. Special maroon coloured jackets were conferred upon the players as a mark to include them in the PHF’s Hall of Fame, the first of its kind event in the history of Pakistan hockey. Dutch legends Paul Litjen and Floris Jan Bovelander were among the four foreign players who received this award. Germany’s Christain Blunk and Spain’s Juan Escarre were also conferred with the hall of fame awards by the PHF. Australian Don Prior and Dutch Rob Lathouwers were the hockey umpires who were inducted into Hall of Fame. Pakistani greats Islahuddin Siddiqi, Shahnaz Sheikh, Akhtar Rasool, Samiullah, Hassan Sardar and Shahbaz Ahmed were among the local players to receive the Hall-of-Fame jackets from Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah.

Netherlands Litjen was considered as the most fearsome penalty corner specialist of his time. He played 177 international matches scoring 268 goals, a record he held from 1982 to 2004 which was later broken by Pakistan’s Sohail Abbas. He was also the member of Netherlands’ first-ever world cup winner team in 1972 and the victorious Dutch team that won Champions Trophy in Karachi in 1981. Bovelander was another phenomenal penalty corner specialist from Holland. He was top scorer of 1994 World Cup. He had scored two goals in the final of that event against Pakistan. He also has an Olympic gold to his credit that he won with the Netherlands’ team in 1996 in Atlanta. Germany’s Blunk was member of the Olympic gold medalist team in 1992, he was the player of the tournament in that event. He also led his team to silver medal in 1990 World Cup that was played in Lahore. Spanish player Escarre played 256 international matches for his country, including three editions of summer Olympics. He was captain of Spanish team that won the Champions Trophy in Lahore in 2004.

Pakistan’s Hall-of-Fame induction Islahuddin led Pakistan to World Cup glory in 1978. Not only did Pakistan win the World Cup in 1978 under his leadership but it completed a grand slam by winning the Champions Trophy and Asian Games gold medal as well in 1978. He played between 1967 and 1978, scored 117 goals in 130 matches. Islahuddin also won the silver medal in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, W. Germany and a bronze medal in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. Islahuddin won the 1971 World Cup. As captain, he was runner-up in the 1975 and 1978 World Cups. Shahnaz played between 1969 and 1978. He was capped 68 times and scored 45 goals for Pakistan. He won silver in 1972 and bronze in 1976 Olympics, won the 1971 World Cup and was runner-up in 1975 and won again in 1978. He was one of the most skilled hockey players Pakistan produced. In the early 1970s, he was the most acrobatic Pakistan forward and then he became such a force that his absence from the field through injury was a major cause of the ‘Green Shirts’ narrowly losing two high-profile matches. Shahnaz also had a ‘good hockey head’ over his shoulders. One lasting impression of him was his rather brief stint as coach of the Pakistan junior team, which won the Junior Asia Cup.

Samiullah, known as ‘flying horse’, was the finest left-winger of his time and may be of any period for Pakistan hockey. His lightening raids shattered all the defences. Played for Pakistan from 1972 to 1982, has two world cup gold medals and one silver to his credit along with a silver medal and a bronze medal in Olympics. He was captain of Pakistan team that hammered India by 7-1 in the final of Asia Cup in 1982. Akhtar has achieved something that every player would have been dreaming of. Three World Cup gold medals, including one as captain. From 1971 till 1982, Akhtar played numerous national and international matches, displaying his superior skills in hockey. He had an exceptional technique and a knack of passing the ball to the right player at the right time. In the latter part of his hockey career, Akhtar made a great mark for himself. Hassan was arguably the greatest center forward in the history of the game. He was player of the tournament in 1982’s World Cup, 1984 Olympics, 1982 Asia Cup and Asian Games and played an instrumental role in Pakistan’s victory in these events. Shahbaz was considered to be among the best forwards in the history of field hockey. He led Pakistan to the 1994 World Cup victory. Called the Maradona of Hockey, Shahbaz represented Pakistan in various major events and played an instrumental role in making his side victorious. He has won gold medals in the Asia Cup, New Delhi, 1989; Asian Games, Beijing, 1990; silver medals in Champions Trophy, 1988; 7th World Cup, Lahore, 1990; BMW Trophy, Amsterdam, 1990; and a bronze medal in 8th Champions Trophy, 1986. He was awarded the best player award in 1994 World Cup in Sydney as well.

The Daily Times



Canadian Men’s National Team departs for Spain training tour



It will be a welcome relief for the Men’s National Team to get out of the rain, sleet and foggy mornings that have plagued training sessions since November. According to Dave Carter, MNT goalkeeper, the winter training months in Vancouver may make the team tougher but the players are looking forward to training in Spain.

The team departs this weekend for a two-week training tour and five-nations tournament in Malaga, Spain and will return on February 5. For head coach, Paul Bundy, this tour is primarily focused on training and getting the process right leading into the Commonwealth Games.

“We’ve narrowed down our group to 22 guys. We’re going to train for a week and then compete against some good teams for a week,” Bundy said. “This tour is about training, getting the processes right and really cementing our culture that we’ve been working on.”

Carter, a veteran on Team Canada has seen his fair share of training tours and tournaments. He still looks forward to getting on the road with his teammates and spending quality time bonding as a team.

“Touring is a big part of team building,” Carter said. “It gives us a good chance to mesh as a group in training and competition environments. We need to be a cohesive unit on and off the field if we are going to succeed on the international stage.”

Bundy said that this tour will also serve as an assessment period for the coaching staff to select their 18 players that will be on the Commonwealth Games roster in April. Carter knows this and said he expects a lot of productive competition amongst the players for a coveted spot.

“There is going to be a lot of competition for spots on. We have taking 22 players on this training tour and we only take 18 to the Commonwealth Games,” Carter said. “It will be very competitive with those spots on the line.”

Bundy said that this training tour comes at a good time in the year schedule. Expecting that the weather won’t be very good in the local training environment, his staff scheduled this winter tour with sights on a warmer climate. Bundy said everything is a stepping-stone process.

“This tour will be a litmus test for where we are at heading into the Commonwealth Games,” he said. “And then at Commonwealth Games, we get to play against some of the best teams in the world and see where we are at moving into the World Cup. We’ll be looking at everything from our athletes, systems and style of play.”

2018 is shaping up to be a huge year for the Men’s National Team with Commonwealth Games this spring, the World Cup in December and Olympic qualifiers on the horizon as well. With that in mind, the urgency and competitiveness has already picked up and will no doubt carry forward into Malaga as the team prepares for their first international match in over six months.

STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE MNT SPAIN TOUR HERE

Field Hockey Canada media release



2018 U.S. Women’s National Development Squad Named Following Trial

LANCASTER, Pa. – Following 3 days of intense training sessions at the 2018 U.S. Women’s National Team Trial, held at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa., the USWNT coaching staff is excited to announce the 2018 U.S. Women’s National Development Squad.

    “First of all, it was great to see how many athletes showed their interest in playing for the [U.S.] Women’s National Team by attending the trials,” commented Janneke Schopman, USWNT Head coach. “In the 3 days of the trial, the players were able to show us their potential in a mix of training sessions and game play against the [U.S.] Women’s National Team and the U-21 team.”

A total of 34 athletes attended the trial that took place Sunday, January 14 to Tuesday, January 16. Of the pool of athletes that were recommended by their college coaches, those successful candidates produced a level of play that was much higher than in the past years. 

“It was hard to make the final selection for the Development Team but I am convinced the selected group is very competitive,” continued Schopman. “I am excited for them to get started and am looking forward to seeing the players’ growth in the next few months.”

With the potential promising, the U.S. Women’s National Development Squad accounts for the transitional phase between the U-21 USWNT and the senior USWNT. Many of the trial attendees recently completed their final college season and no longer are permitted to be on the junior team due to age restrictions. Schopman noted that some of the players might be invited for an extended trial with the USWNT in the upcoming months.

Congratulations to the following athletes who have been named to the 2018 U.S. Women’s National Development Squad:


TAYLOR BLOOD

Hampton Falls, N.H.
Boston University

KELSEY BRIDDELL

Wilton, N.Y.
University at Albany
   
 
ELENA CURLEY

Louisville, Ky.
Northwestern University

ALEXANDRA DOGGETT
Watertown, Mass.
Boston University
   

DANIELLE GREGA
Kingston, Pa.
Old Dominion University

ALEXANDRA HAMMEL
Duxbury, Mass.
Boston University
   
 
CARRIE HANKS
Niskayuna, N.Y.
University of Maryland

KARLIE HEISTAND
Hamburg, Pa.
University of Connecticut
   

ALEXA HOOVER
Collegeville, Pa.
University of Pennsylvania

LAURA HURFF
Newark, Del.
Syracuse University
   
 
TAYLOR LISTER
Hummelstown, Pa.
University of Delaware

CARRERA LUCAS

Brooklandville, Md.
University of Virginia
   

KELLY MARKS

Elverson, Pa.
University at Albany

RYAN MCCARTHY
Madison, N.J.
Princeton University
   
 
EMILY MCCOY
Lititz, Pa.
Boston College

ERIN MENGES
Richmond, Va.
College of William & Mary
   

SAMANTHA SWENSON
Harrogate, England
University of Michigan

KASEY TAPMAN
Annapolis, Md.
University of Maryland
   

KAITLIN TROMBETTA
Holbrook, Pa.
University of Michigan

CASEY UMSTEAD
Green Lane, Pa.
University of Connecticut
   

KATIE WALSH

Louisville, Ky.
University of Louisville


The U.S. Women’s National Team Development Squad is led by the coaching staff of Jun Kentwell, Mark Atherton and Andrew Griffiths.

This year’s USWNT Development Squad has a busy beginning part of the year. This includes four training camps, either in Pennsylvania or Virginia, as they prepare for a tour to Chile from May 15-24. Following that trip, athletes will be reevaluated and, if ready, called up to the senior team starting in September.

USFHA media release



Buoyant Telkom begin title defence in Accra

By BRIAN YONGA


Telkom Kenya players enjoy a light moment at City Park Stadium during their send-off by the firm Chief Executive Officer Aldo Mareuse on January 16, 2018 to the Africa Cup for Club Champions that will be held in Accra from January 20, 2018. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Accra comes alive on Saturday as the 29th edition of the Africa Cup for Club Champions bullies off at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium.

A total of 12 clubs from four countries will be in action as the chase for the continent's top honours, which will run till the January 27 in the Ghanaian capital, starts.

The annual tourney brings together champions of various hockey leagues in respective countries as well as runners up for both men and women. The competition, which has been in existence for over two decades, returns to the West African Nation nation for a fourth time.

Kenya will be represented in the women’s competition by nine time winners Telkom and the 2014 silver medallists Strathmore University Scorpions. The country will not have a representative in the men’s event after last season’s domestic league winners Strathmore University Gladiators and Butali Sugar Warriors opted out due to financial constraints.

EGYPTIAN CLUBS' DOMINANCE

The competition has over the years been dominated by Egyptian Clubs (23-time record winners El Sharkia and reigning champions Eastern Company) in the men’s category with Kenya’s Telkom dominating the women’s category with nine titles including the last five.

The men’s category will see six clubs from three countries notably favourites Eastern Company club and Sharkia, Nigeria’s duo of Police Machine and Niger Flickers and Ghana Revenue Hockey club (GRA) and SSNIT hockey club (Trustees) from host country completing the participants.

Telkom and Scorpions will be joined in the women’s event by Kada Queens and Yobe Desert Queens (both from Nigeria). Ghana’s duo of last year’s finalists Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Ghana Police wrap up teams in the women’s category.

The competition will be played in a round robin format with the top two teams meeting in the final next Saturday. Kenyan clubs will be in action in Saturday’s opening fixtures as they look for winning starts.

TELKOM, YOBE QUEENS FACE-OFF

Telkom open their title defence against 2010 bronze medallists Yobe Desert Queens as Scorpions mark their return to the continental scene with a tie against GRA. It is eight years since Telkom last faced Yobe Desert Queens and the Kenyan ladies will be out to get their first win against the returnees.

Telkom coach Jos Openda is likely to start with his attacking trio of Jackline Mwangi, Audrey Omaido and the pacy Maureen Okumu. Mwangi, who was the top scorer at last year’s event, comes into the competition on the back of 24 league goals which helped Telkom clinch a record 20th league title.

“The first match is very key and we want to send a message to other clubs that we are here to win the tourney,” Openda said.

Scorpions on the other hand will be seeking revenge when they come against the hosts in the other encounter of the day.

Daily Nation



Telkom target 10th title Africa title: Openda’s charges are breathing fire ahead of contest

Champions will start campaign against Nigeria’s Yobe Desert Queens.

By Elizabeth Mburugu


Orange Telkom Ruth Njoki(l) protects the ball as Strathmore Jane Apondi give chase

Telkom hockey queens launch their Africa Cup of Club Championships title defence bid against Yobe Desert Queens of Nigeria today.

The Kenyan girls are eyeing a perfect start in their opening match at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium in Accra, Ghana. Kenya will also be represented by Strathmore University Scorpions who will be returning to the event after missing the last two editions.

The two Kenyan sides with be up against other two sides in battle for the continental crown. The country will not be represented in the men’s category after Strathmore Gladiators and Butali Sugar Warriors pulled out of the championships.

Jos Openda, the Telkom coach, said they were expecting stiff competition but remained confident his charges are ready to stop any aggression. "Playing in Ghana has not been easy but we have worked hard in readiness for the challenge and I believe that our efforts will bear fruit,” Openda said.

Telkom target a top two finish in the first round -- which will be played in a round robin format -- to book their place in the finals. Having won their 20th women’s title last weekend, they will be out to complete a double.

Veteran Jackline Mwangi, who is currently the league's top scorer, and Audrey Omaido will lead Telkom’s goal hunt. Openda will also rely on industrious Maureen Okumu who has been in fine form throughout the season. Captain Tracy Karanja, Lilian Aura and Caroline Guchu will take charge of the midfield. International Terry Juma, Flavia Mutiva and Lucy Wangeci will guard Telkom’s back line with Cynthia Anyango expected to start in goal.

Scorpions, on the other hand, announce their return to the continental scene by taking on home girls Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The Kenyan students long to stage a revenge against the Ghanaians who beat them 3-2 in third place playoffs of the 2014 edition held in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Scorpions coach Meshack Sense admitted his charges are eager to return to the continental scene. “We have a relatively young and inexperienced side but our strength lies in our structures and team work and we can’t wait to get going,” Senge said.

Senge will bank on the experience of international Gilly Okumu, skipper Yvonne Karanja and midfielder Carol Njoki to guide the students to an opening win and their maiden title. Former captain Lucy Wanjiku and Denise Odongo will also be hoping to shine and make it to the finals.

Strathmore’s best performance was a silver medal in Kampala, Uganda during the 2013 edition. Karanja, who emerged the top scorer will be out to try her luck again and score more goals. Njoki and Wanjiku who were also part of the silver medal-winning squad will be hoping to secure a podium finish.

The Standard Online



Peillat powers Terengganu to end Tenaga’s winning streak

By Aftar Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: Terengganu rode on the strength of Argentine Gonzalo Peillat to end Tenaga Nasional’s winning streak in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).

The defender converted two penalty corners in the space of three minutes in the third quarter to steer Terengganu to a 2-0 win over Tenaga at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

With the victory, the East Coast team lead the six-team Premier Division with 10 points from three wins and a draw.

As for Tenaga, it was their first defeat in four matches and they dropped to second with nine points.

Terengganu showed more urgency yesterday and almost took a 13th-minute lead when Faizal Saari’s cross from the right was well connected into goal by Lopez Barreiros of Argentina.

But the goal was disallowed when Tenaga players claimed that the ball hit the foot of one of their defenders in the semi-circle before going in.

Umpire Mohd Rais, who blew for goal initially, surprisingly changed his decision and called for a penalty corner instead.

Faizal took the penalty corner but his drag flick was well saved by Tenaga goalkeeper Mohd Hairi Abdul Rahman.

Faizal had a chance to give Terengganu the lead in the 20th minute but his reverse stick attempt was blocked by Hairi again.

Terengganu continued their relentless attacks and they finally sounded the board in the 31st minute off a penalty corner.

The Star of Malaysia



Glenanne and Rovers line up for biggest tie of EYHL season to date


International team mates Ben Walker and Shane O’Donoghue battle for possession earlier this season. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Glenanne can take a massive step toward a first national title since 2010 as they host Three Rock Rovers on Saturday at St Andrew’s (2.30pm) in the biggest game of the season to date.

The Glens produced a superb first half of the season, winning eight out of 10 EYHL games, building a four-point lead to be out on their own.

Chief among that run was a huge comeback win over Rovers from 2-0 down, edging a 3-2 win in the end against the reigning EY Champions Trophy winners with Eddie O’Malley showing typical predatory instincts.

He is back in the fray following a broken nose sustained before Christmas and the Glens will be at close to full strength though Rowland Rixon-Fuller is on coaching duty with North Kildare.

A feature has been their battling instinct with all bar one of their wins in the first half of the season coming by a single goal. In addition to big comebacks, late goals have been a major feature, memorably against both Annadale and Pembroke, and they have a perfect record at their adopted Booterstown home.

For Rovers, they have yet to lose away from home, producing a clean sweep of four wins in Ulster already and this will be their seventh away date of the campaign. The Rathfarnham club were shy five players last weekend but can recall Harry MacMahon after illness and Richard Pautz who is back after a winter spell in South Africa.

Their pace on the counter was shown in full force against Cookstown a week ago while extra defensive options could free Jody Hosking to move further up the field. A win would reduce the Glens gap to one point but if the greens prevail, the title would look to be out of reach.

On a busy weekend for Rovers, they play in the Leinster indoor league final on Sunday against Railway Union at 6.30pm at St Columba’s.

Elsewhere, Pembroke will hope their game – their trip north in 2018 already – with Lisnagarvey can get the go-ahead in a crucial tie between third and fourth in the table.

On the pitch, they welcome back Olympians Alan Sothern and Kirk Shimmins who missed last week’s trip to Mossley where they experienced a far tougher than expected Irish Senior Cup date.

For the Dubliners, they received a big boost this week when they were included in a “consortium” of five European hockey clubs who are eligible for funding for the European Commission’s STICK project.

The brainchild of Catalan club Atletic Terrassa, the project provide funding to facilitate players take part in Erasmus+ exchange programs. Pembroke will be twinned with DCU, allowing players to move to the university to study in tandem with pursuing high level hockey. HC Rotterdam, England’s Beeston and KHC Dragons are the other European clubs taking part.

With one or both of Pembroke and Garvey dropping points, Monkstown will look to take advantage with a win over Railway Union to move into the top four.

Cookstown and Cork C of I’s tie has already been frost-bitten while Annadale and Banbridge will hope they can take the field for the first time in 2018. Both were knocked out of the Irish Senior Cup in the early rounds and so have yet to take the field in anger since the turn of the year.

Dale are due to play a refix against Garvey on January 24 before the Irish men’s team depart for a training camp in Spain.

In Leinster Division 1, UCD can welcome back a glut of players who missed their loss to Clontarf last week for the visit of Avoca to Belfield after a skiing trip. Similarly, Dublin University also will have a fuller panel when they take on YMCA.

It starts a busy 2018 for the Y who have a couple of refixes to catch up on in the coming weeks with a critical date with Corinthian on February 4. They sit in third place with games in hand that could close things up significantly.

Corinthian host a Kilkenny side that are unbeaten in the league since November 4 and will be content enough with the surface. The cats have struggled in water-based games but less bouncy turf has seen them work their patterns better, suggesting they can put it up to the league leaders.

Clontarf face Rathgar in mid-table while in the west Dublin derby, Dublin North host Weston.

Men’s fixtures (Saturday unless stated)
EY Hockey League: Annadale v Banbridge, 2.30pm, Strathearn School; Glenanne v Three Rock Rovers, 2.30pm, St Andrews College; Lisnagarvey v Pembroke Wanderers, 3pm, Comber Road; Monkstown v Railway Union, 2.30pm, The Merrion Fleet Arena
Postponed: Cookstown v Cork C of I

Leinster Indoor League final (Sunday): Three Rock Rovers v Railway Union, 6.30pm, St Columba’s

Leinster Division 1
Saturday: Clontarf v Rathgar, 12.30pm, Mount Temple; UCD v Avoca, 12.30pm, Newpark; Corinthian v Kilkenny, 12.45pm, Whitechurch Park; Dublin North v Weston, 12.45pm, NSC; Dublin University v YMCA, 2pm, Santry Avenue
Sunday: Weston v Kilkenny, 12pm, Griffeen Valley Park

Munster Division 1: Ashton v Cork Church of Ireland B, 3.30pm, Ashton School; Bandon v Limerick, 1.30pm, Bandon GS; UCC v Cork Harlequins, 2pm Mardyke.

The Hook



Loreto and Hermes-Monkstown reprise cup showdown


Loreto’s Sarah Evans takes on Hermes-Monkstown’s Suzie Kelly in their EYHL meeting earlier this season. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Loreto and Hermes-Monkstown’s paths intertwine for a second successive cup weekend, stepping things up a notch for their Irish Senior Cup second round tie, the highlight of Saturday’s local action.

A week ago, Natalie Esteves’s corner hat-trick inspired a 3-2 comeback win for Town and they will hope she can play a big role in sorting their goalscoring problems. Just four were garnered in the first half of the league season, showing one of the major fault-lines the side needs to address to escape the bottom rung of the league.

Sinead Loughran is closing in on a return from injury but this tie probably comes a week or two early. For Loreto, they will have Hannah McLoughlin, Hannah Matthews, Sarah Torrans and Nicci Daly potentially available to them after an army training camp with the national squad last weekend.

Pegasus travel down to test Old Alex’s EYHL credentials in the only quarter-final tie to be played on time. Alex have been the top performers in Leinster to date with a wealth of players from the top level like Lisa Jacob, Fiona Bradish and Emma Duncan joining young talents and the experience of Sylvia O’Mahoney.

Pegs arrive in Milltown with a record of 18 goals scored in two matches against Leinster Division 1 ties and so will be heavy favourites. Ruth Maguire, Hannah Grieve and Shirley McCay were all on the Irish team weekend with McCay getting an additional boost this week when she was named on the shortlist Belfast Telegraph Gamechanger award.

For northern sides Ulster Elks and Lurgan, they were due to play their round wo game in midweek but the weather intervened. Saturday is the reserve date but a 0 degree forecast overnight means this one is touch and go.

Lurgan have the record to date with eight wins from their 12 outings to date with Elks – relegated from the EYHL – with three from the same amount as they cope with a heavy changes in personnel.

For Elks skipper Emma Quinn, she told Belfast Telegraph’s John Flack: “After a turnover of 30 players from our top two teams in the past two years, it has been a period of rebuilding and consolidating for us. We are playing good hockey but need to improve and be more clinical in the circle.

“The game against Lurgan will be a good test and will let us see how we are progressing in our restructuring.”

A little further south, Belfast Harlequins tie with Pembroke will also be watching the weather. The Dubliners only saw fleeting glimpses of Emily Beatty, Aisling Naughton and Gillian Pinder but will hope they can find full flow in the second half of the campaign. The winner will play Cork Harlequins away.

In Leinster, the Indoor League reaches its conclusion on Sunday evening in St Columba’s with UCD meeting Glenanne while Railway Union face North Kildare in the semis. The final hits the boards at 7.30pm.

Outdoors, a couple of Yasmin Pratt goals on Monday night moved Muckross back up to second place in Division One, a 3-0 win over Glenanne putting them within two points of leaders Old Alex.

At the bottom, Rathgar and Clontarf drew 2-2 on Wednesday and so they remain ninth and tenth respectively.

With the Irish Senior Cup on, two Jacqui Potter Cup quarter-finals go ahead with two postponed to February 11. Railway face Muckross for the second time this season with the Sandymount side winning 3-1 in the ISC in November.

North Kildare have negotiated two series of penalty strokes against Division 2 sides to date in the Jacqui Potter and they face yet another side from that league in the quarters in Pembroke II.

Leinster Division 1 results:
Monday: Muckross 3 (Y Pratt 2, C Mathews) Glenanne 0
Wednesday: Rathgar 2 (K O’Farrell, R O’Driscoll) Clontarf 2 (C Simpson, L Dooley)

Fixtures
Irish Senior Cup
Quarter Final: Old Alexandra v Pegasus, 1.30pm, Alexandra College.
Round 2: Belfast Harlequins v Pembroke Wanderers, 2.30pm, Deramore Park; Loreto v Hermes-Monkstown, 2.30pm, Beaufort; Ulster Elks v Lurgan, 1pm, Jordanstown.

Indoor League
Seventh place playoff: Avoca v Genesis, 3pm
Fifth place playoff: Three Rock Rovers v Pembroke, 3.40pm
Semi-finals: UCD v Glenanne, 4.30pm; Railway Union v North Kildare, 5.30pm
Final: 7.30pm

Jacqui Potter Cup, quarter-finals: North Kildare v Pembroke II, 12pm, The Maws; Railway Union v Muckross, 2.40pm, Park Avenue

Munster Division 1: Ashton v Limerick, 12.30pm, Ashton School; Belvedere v Waterford, 12.45pm, Ballincollig CS; Cork C of I v Catholic Institute, 1pm, Garryduff; UCC v Bandon, 12pm, Mardyke.
Munster Senior Cup, first round (Sunday): Catholic Institute v UCC, 1pm, Rosbrien.

The Hook

 



European clubs prove sport and study DO mix


Fve hockey clubs and five partnering universities from across Europe will work together to enable elite athletes to combine study and training Photo: EHL/World Sports Pics

Sport and academia are often seen as incompatible partners, with elite athletes finding it necessary to put their studies on hold while they commit to the training and competition demands of an elite athlete programme.

Now a programme launched by Atlètic Terrassa Hockey Club and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona seeks to dispel the myth that academic life and sporting life doesn’t mix and to provide a solution.

Under a new programme, launched by the Spanish hockey club, a consortium of five hockey clubs and five partnering universities from across Europe will work together to enable elite athletes to combine study and training.

Known as the STICK project, funding to the value of €372,251 has been made available by the European Commission to allow clubs from five countries to facilitate high level academic work while pursuing a career as an elite athlete.

The clubs and universities taking part are: Spanish club Atlètic Terrassa Hockey Club, co-ordinator and promoter of the project, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Beeston and Nottingham Trent University, in the United Kingdom; KHC Dragons and Universiteit Antwerpen, in Belgium; Pembroke Wanderers and Dublin City University, in Ireland. In a further development, HC Rotterdam and Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam will also join the programme following their official twinning with the English Premier Division side Beeston.

The funding is available as part of the Erasmus+ programme, which includes a Sport element. The STICK project is being designed within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme. This particular project was selected, along with others, from 370 applicants to receive the funding. The project will run for two years and is the first of its kind in Europe. In the longer term, it is expected that the European Commission will implement this scheme across a number of sports.

Graham Griffiths, chairman of English club side Beeston, said, “A considerable amount of work has taken place across the clubs and universities in the consortium to receive such a high level of funding, which will benefit all the clubs and universities involved in the ‘STICK’ project. I would particularly like to thank our friends at Atlética Terrassa, for leading this project to its fruition. We are delighted to be working alongside the best universities and hockey clubs in Europe.”

The next stages will involve a series of meetings, the first one hosted in Barcelona on the 8 and 9 February.

Article courtesy of EHL

#GlobalProjects

FIH site



Obituary: John Gawley


John Gawley

England Hockey is sad to hear the passing of Lt Commander John Gawley MBE.

John served the sport with dedication and enthusiasm for over 60 years, spending thousands upon thousands of hours volunteering, and was recognized for his efforts by being awarded the England Hockey Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. One year later he was given further recognition by being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list for Services to Hockey.

Among the long list of his roles John was a Level 3 umpire and served as Honorary Secretary of the Constitution and Regulations Committee for England Hockey. He also held positions with the Combined Services Hockey and Umpires Association, the Royal Navy Hockey Association, Southern Counties Hockey Umpires Association, Hampshire Hockey Association and the Hampshire Hockey Umpires Association.

England Hockey Board Media release

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